Evolutionary Psychology Lab presents original research at the 2025 Northeastern Evolutionary Psychology Society Conference

A group of 12 SUNY New Paltz students and alumni from the Department of Psychology’s Evolutionary Psychology Lab presented new research findings at the 19th annual Northeastern Evolutionary Psychology Society (NEEPS) Conference, held from June 9-11 in the Atlantic City campus of Stockton University in New Jersey.  

Led by Psychology Professor Glenn Geher, the New Paltz contingent showcased studies at one of the field’s leading academic events, alongside peers from more than 60 colleges and universities around the globe. The team’s work addressed a range of issues, from the nature of breaking contracts as a function of societal size to the psychology of resilience and success.  

Evolutionary Psychology Lab visiting researcher and alumna, Kathryne Gruskin ’17 (Childhood Education) ’19g (Early Childhood & Childhood Education), earned the best Applied Evolutionary Psychology Society Oral Presentation award for proposing a framework for educators that incorporates evolutionary-based elementary education practices titled Stakeholders’ Roles in Evolutonizing Education: An Evolutionary-Based Toolkit Surrounding Elementary Education, featuring numerous New Paltz co-authors. 

Alumnus Ethan Eisenberg ’23 (Psychology) ’25g (Psychological Science), meanwhile, received the Best Data Blitz award for a presentation on the evolutionary underpinnings of emotional intelligence, derived from his study titled Assessing the construct validity of emotional intelligence using evolutionary psychology, co-authored by alumna and New Paltz 2024 Valedictorian Julia Lombard ’24 (Psychology) and Geher as co-authors. 

These awards have special significance for these scholars given the connection between NEEPS and SUNY New Paltz. Professor Geher founded this as the first regional evolutionary psychology society of its kind in 2007 as a way to share his excitement about human evolutionary research with colleagues, students and scholars. Since then, NEEPS and its annual conference have grown into a connective hub in the Northeast and beyond—regularly including scholars from five continents. The society focuses on fostering community and scholarship on the various ways that our behavior interfaces with evolutionary science. 

Attendance for New Paltz students and recent alumni at this year’s conference was supported through a grant from New Paltz’s Office of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA). 

The 20th annual NEEPS Conference will take place next year in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Students who are interested in being part of this milestone showcase are encouraged to contact Geher at [email protected]. 

Click here to learn more about the Department of Psychology at SUNY New Paltz.