Nicole Y. Weekes

Nicole Y. Weekes is the Harry S. and L. Madge Rice Thatcher Professor of Psychological Science and Professor of Neuroscience at Pomona College, where she has been a faculty member since 1998. She is on leave during Fall 2025. Her work bridges psychological science and neuroscience, focusing on how stress impacts both physical and mental health.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
• Master of Arts, University of California, Los Angeles
• Bachelor of Arts, Boston University

Her research centers on the psychological and biological stress response, particularly examining how stress affects immune function and cognitive processes. She investigates individual and group differences, with a strong focus on sex and hormone differences, neuropsychological functioning, and hemispheric specialization. Her interdisciplinary work integrates neuroscience, endocrinology, and clinical psychology.

The trend in her recent publications reflects a consistent focus on stress biomarkers (especially cortisol), gender differences, working memory, and emotional regulation. Her studies often use naturalistic stressors like examinations to explore real-world cognitive and neuroendocrine responses.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Pomona College Wig Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching (2001, 2006, 2011)
• Black Issues in Higher Education Journal Emerging Black Scholars Award (2003)
• CASE and Carnegie Foundation California Professor of the Year (2001)
• NSF Grant ($408,000) as Principal Investigator (2002)
• Parsons Foundation $500,000 grant for neuroscience labs (2006)
• NIH Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Grant Supplements (1990, 1996)

Nicole Weekes has been a dedicated mentor, advising numerous students who have co-authored publications with her. She has secured significant grant funding, including from the NSF and NIH, supporting both her research and the development of neuroscience infrastructure at Pomona. Her work has contributed to both scientific understanding and educational advancement in neuroscience.

She has played a key role in curriculum development and technology integration in teaching, supported by internal grants. Her lab research involves the study of stress, cognition, and neuroendocrine responses, likely involving student researchers and interdisciplinary collaboration within the Psychological Science and Neuroscience programs at Pomona College.