New Faculty Spotlight: Irem Korucu, Ph.D.
Monday, Sep 16, 2024
New Faculty Spotlight: Irem Korucu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Q: What is your area of specialty/research?
A: My research examines the development of executive function and self-regulation skills in early childhood and how contextual factors, such as the quality of early social contexts, contribute to or hinder children’s development, learning, and well-being across the lifespan. I am especially interested in studying the development of self-regulatory skills in the face of adversity. Therefore, my research focuses on socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse children with the aim of reducing the existing opportunity and achievement gaps and informing policies desired to promote the well-being of children and families.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in science?
A: I have always been interested in science, and I was a chemistry major in my first years of university education. My interest in developmental psychology began during my interactions with institution-reared children when I was a volunteer for a government-based program for homeless children. The stark developmental differences between children raised in diverse contexts led me to a developmental psychology class, and I immediately fell in love. I wanted to learn more, explore the mechanisms linking early environment to later skill development, and inform early intervention programs so that children do not fall behind academically and in life because of early deprivation. I completed a double major in psychology, then I pursued my master’s and doctoral degrees in this area.
Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching?
A: I love helping students find things to be curious about. My goal in teaching is to share knowledge, inspire students, and watch them learn and grow.
Q: What attracted you to come work for Florida Atlantic University?
A: I was attracted to come work for FAU for several reasons. First, professionally, the Psychology Department's interdisciplinary nature, expert faculty with diverse interests and potential for collaboration attracted me to come and work for FAU. Second, I should mention how much my family and I love to live close to the ocean, so coming to FAU has worked well for us!
Q: How do you hope to make transformative change in your career?
A: As a developmental psychologist, my goal is that my research makes an impact, informs applied work, and is used in real-world settings. In my lab at FAU, we are focused on exploring the development of executive function and self-regulation in early childhood and examining the risk and protective factors affecting the development of these early cognitive skills utilizing behavioral, observational, and physiological assessments. Ultimately, I hope my research will help promote young children’s cognitive, social, and academic development and benefit the well-being of children and families in the US and across the world.