Meet Outstanding Master’s in Psychology Graduate Kris-Ann Anderson

Kris-Ann Anderson has been selected as one of the five finalists for the Fall 2021 Alumni Association Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award. She was nominated for the award by the Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts.

Anderson will be recognized during the Graduate School Commencement ceremony on Friday, where she will receive a master of science degree in psychology.

In nominating her for the recognition, chair of her thesis, Dr. Robert Michael, assistant professor of psychology, notes her impressive growth and performance in the program.

“Kris showed herself to be a shrewd scientist who consistently seeks to improve,” he says.

“One skill I try to develop in students is the ability to communicate research in plain language, free of the jargon we too readily adopt when we gain expertise. Here too I was thoroughly impressed with Kris’s progress, because she improved enormously in her ability to communicate with clarity and precision.”

Anderson came to UL Lafayette after completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of South Florida. She has gained a wealth of research experience while working in Michael’s lab.

“Kris helped manage my research lab, a task whose responsibilities included mentoring a group of undergraduate students as they navigated lab projects,” he notes.

During weekly lab meetings to discuss recently published psychological research, “Kris’s contributions were always insightful, demonstrating the ability to think deeply across disparate literatures,” he says.

For her thesis, Anderson examined whether feedback about eyewitnesses’ lineup decisions can subsequently affect memory and susceptibility to misinformation. She has shared her research at the prestigious Association for Psychological Science and Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition conferences.

She is working to prepare her thesis research as well as other research conducted by the lab for publication.

“Kris was under no obligation to take on these additional tasks, but she understands the value of these experiences and they show her dedication,” Michael says.

Looking forward, Anderson is intent on advancing her studies and further contributing to her field.

“Ultimately, my goal is to earn my Ph.D. in Psychology while continuing my work on memory in the legal system,” she says.

“Once I have gained my doctorate, I want to secure a position in academia to help guide the next generation of future psychologists and researchers.”

Learn more about the master of science degree in general psychology.