UCF Mood, Personality, and CogniTion Lab (MPACT) - Mood, Personality, and CogniTion (MPACT) LabMood, Personality, and CogniTion (MPACT) Lab

Laboratory Director
Jeffrey S. Bedwell, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychology

Program Director and Director of Clinical Training,
Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program

For more information on Dr. Bedwell, see: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1205-5792

Man standing in front of a UCF College of Sciences banner, wearing a black shirt with a logo.

Office: (Orlando) Psychology Building – Room 332
Email: jeffrey.bedwell@ucf.edu
Laboratory Location: Psychology Building – Rooms 333 and 334

The UCF Mood, Personality, and CogniTion (MPACT) Lab uses a transdiagnostic National Institute of Mental Health Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach to examine the underlying causes of and new ways to classify reduced motivation (i.e., avolition/apathy), reduced pleasure (i.e., anhedonia), and reduced emotional expression (i.e., constricted/blunted affect). Dr. Bedwell has a particular interest in how these symptoms manifest in disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Other current and upcoming research examines relationships of these constructs with suicidal thoughts/attempts and sleep disturbance. Most of Dr. Bedwell’s research uses a cognitive neuroscience and experimental psychopathology approach (e.g., event-related potentials, eye tracking). The long-term goal of this research is to improve treatment and prevention efforts targeted toward these specific symptoms, regardless of the disorder.

Our laboratory is equipped with a Neuroscan SynAmps RT 64-channel EEG system, a SR Research EyeLink 1000 eye tracking system, automated blood pressure/pulse cuff, ability to record electromyography and skin conductance, E-Prime 2.0 Professional software for stimulus presentation, and BrainVision Analyzer software for event-related potential (ERP) analysis.

Graduate students of the UCF Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program conduct research in our lab, as well as undergraduate students assisting with our projects and/or conducting Honors in the Major projects. If you are a UCF undergraduate student who would like to assist in the lab, please complete the department’s RA Match form and indicate our lab name.

Current Research Projects of MPACT Lab Graduate Students

Research Projects of MPACT Lab Undergraduate Students

Recent Representative Publications from the MPACT Lab

Recent Representative Presentations from the MPACT Lab

Graduate Student Alumni from the MPACT Lab

Undergraduate Student Alumni from the MPACT Lab

Current Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program Students in the MPACT Lab	Other Current Students in the MPACT Lab
Lauren Jennings, M.P.S. (first year in program) Courtney O’Brien, M.A. (first year in program) Kaiqi Zhang, M.S. (second year in program)	Mariangel Silva Corzo (undergrad RA) Elyse Dattilo (undergrad RA) Louis Rebhan Snell (Honors Undergraduate Thesis) Cheyenne Ivey (Honors Undergraduate Thesis)

August 2024 – Dr. Samantha Simpson and Dr. Jessica Ruiz Graduating

Three individuals in graduation attire stand together smiling, proudly holding diplomas against the backdrop of palm trees and a building at UCF in Orlando.

August 2023 – Dr. John O’Donnell Graduating

Two people in graduation robes from UCF pose inside a room with beige walls, celebrating their achievements. One wears a black robe with gold accents, the other a black robe with a blue stole. Both are smiling, their joy contrasting past challenges faced during depression research in Orlando. Two individuals in academic regalia stand outdoors at a graduation ceremony at UCF in Orlando, one holding a diploma. A palm tree and glass building are in the background, symbolizing achievement amid groundbreaking depression research.

2019 UCF Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program Bowl-O-Ween Event –
MPACT Lab Team

A group of seven costumed individuals strikes a playful pose at a bowling alley. Bowling balls and lanes add to the festive atmosphere, reminiscent of a fun night out in Orlando, with the spirit and camaraderie akin to UCF's lively events. Seven people in costumes pose together inside a bowling alley at UCF Orlando, with bowling lanes and colorful lights setting the perfect backdrop for a spirited night out, momentarily lifting any clouds of depression with laughter and camaraderie.

33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Research in Psychopathology –
Buffalo – September 2019

Three individuals stand in front of research posters at an academic conference in Orlando, proudly showcasing their work on depression research, as they pose for a group photo.

From left to right: Ashley Lee Lum, B.S. (recent undergraduate RA), Chloe LaRochelle (current undergrad RA), and Christopher Spencer, M.S. (current graduate student) presenting their posters

Two men stand smiling in front of research posters at the depression research conference in Orlando, proudly representing UCF.

Graduate student Christopher Spencer, M.S. presenting his poster with Dr. Bedwell

A person stands smiling in front of a research poster titled "Examining the Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injury History, Mental Status, and Life Satisfaction" at a conference in Orlando, hosted by UCF's leading depression research team.

Charlotte Payne, B.S. (recent undergraduate RA)

A woman stands smiling in front of a research poster on social anxiety severity and empathy at the Orlando conference. The poster, part of UCF's esteemed depression research program, includes sections like introduction, methods, and results.

Samantha Berg (current undergraduate RA)

Lab social event at the conference. Includes lab alumnus Dr. Chi Chan (top right) who was able to join us at the conference.

32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Research in Psychopathology –
Indianapolis – September 2018

Graduate student, John O’Donnell, M.S.W., presenting his research.

Graduate student, Christopher Spencer, M.S., presenting his research.

Photos from MPACT Lab Social Event – April 2018

31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Research in Psychopathology –
Denver – September 2017

Graduate student Chris Spencer, M.A. presenting his research.

Dr. Bedwell chairing a symposium.

72nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry –
San Diego – May 2017

Graduate student Chris Spencer, M.A. presenting his research.

71st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry –
Atlanta – May 2016

Graduate student Christopher Spencer, M.A. presenting his research.

Undergraduate student Alyssa Finner presenting results from her project.

“National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walks” Fundraising Event
(UCF Memory Mall) – May 2016