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Graduate Student Profile: Ryan Manning, Psychology

Meet UC Davis Graduate Student Ryan Manning

  • Department
    Psychology
     
  • Program and year of study
    Ph.D., 4th year 
     
  • Previous degrees and colleges
    BSc Multicultural Psychology, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
    AA Psychology, Allan Hancock College
     
  • Where did you grow up?
    Pismo Beach, CA
     
  • Where do you live now?
    Davis, CA
     
  • What's your favorite spot in Davis?
    The Old Teahouse (Umami beef is amazing!)
     
  • How do you relax?
    Typically, I will jump behind the wheel and go for a drive to unwind. I also like going to the gym to work any stress and anxiety out there.
     
  • What was the last book you read for pleasure?
    Rulers of the Horoscope by Alan Oken. I’m a little odd...
     
  • What TV show are you currently binge-watching?
    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
     
  • Research interests
    I’m interested in how our environment impacts our development from the prenatal period through adolescence. I want to understand the psychological, neurological, biological and epigenetic impact of these environmental variations.
     
  • Dissertation title or topic
    My topic is still in development, but it will most likely focus on how the parent/child relationship impacts cortico-limbic connectivity and the regulation of emotions.
     
  • Please share a surprising or noteworthy fact or finding from your research
    That research is difficult. No results as of yet.
     
  • Which professor or class inspired you to pursue graduate studies?
    Taylor F. Smith, a professor at Cal Poly, helped me to believe I have what it takes to pursue this path in life. My inspiration to pursue graduate studies came indirectly from my mother.
     
  • Which scholarly text do you wish you had written? Why?
    “The Perineuronal Net and the Control of CNS Plasticity” by D. Wang and J. Fawcett.. Once I learned how perineuronal nets function in the development of neural connections I was hooked. This was the first paper I read on the subject. 
     
  • What's the best thing about being a grad student?
    The opportunity to forge your own path
     
  • What's the worst?
    The search for funding
     
  • If you weren't a grad student, what would you be doing?
    Working on a cheetah reserve
     
  • Finally, please ask yourself a question - "If you could go back in time and give yourself advice prior to starting your program, what would you tell yourself?"

If the work you are tasked with isn’t going to benefit you in the long run, don’t do it. It's OK to say no. This is your path to forge, not anyone else’s. 

Graduate student profile courtesy of the UC Davis College of Letters and Science.


About Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes over 100 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.

UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.

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