A new review paper from the Center for Mind and Brain suggests that a person’s environment in early childhood has much more to do with how they engage executive function — like exerting self-control — throughout their lives than innate ability.

Josie Peinemann remembers what it was like to take that first step to make connections and build community. All her efforts since then have been worthwhile.

UC Davis anthropologist Manvir Singh explores the enduring relevance of shamanism in his new book, revealing how ancient rituals still shape modern life. The book offers a sweeping analysis of shamanic practices across time and cultures, reframing them through cognitive science and modern human behavior.

A program that gets students into labs as early as their first year at UC Davis transforms lives — leading many to pursue careers in research. Accelerating Success by Providing Intensive Research Experience, or ASPIRE, has begun reaching out to a wider pool of students. “We wanted to find the students who, given this opportunity, would go the farthest relative to where they started,” says co-founder Steve Luck, Distinguished Professor of Psychology.