Jackson Deal

J. Deal, Graduate Student, photo
  • Graduate Student

Contact Info

Fraser Hall - BBQ Program
1415 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, KS 66045

Personal Links

Biography —

Throughout my life, I have always had a love of learning, especially in the sciences and understanding human behavior. This lead to me graduating a semester early from Southwest Baptist University in Fall 2025 with honors, a double major in psychology and mathematics and a minor in statistics. I also obtained a graduate certificate in Data Analytics during the Spring-Summer 2026 period. I am excited to work in KU's Psychology Brain, Behavior and Quantitative Science Ph.D. program under the guidance of Dr. Arian Ashourvan! During my undergraduate education and research at SBU, I have collaborated with other colleges including the University of Central Missouri, Missouri State University and Arizona State University. In my spare time, I like to read, make art, spend time with friends, exercise (usually weightlifting and cardio) and follow Jesus' plan for my life. I look forward to making great contributions in researching psychology, neuroscience and mathematics at KU and beyond!

Education —

B.S. in Psychology and Mathematics (Minor: Statistics)
Gordon & Judy Dutile Honors Program Graduate

Research —

Lab: Computational Neurocognition Lab
Faculty Advisor: Arian Ashourvan, Ph.D.

Selected Presentations —

Deal J. J., Bowling S., DuVall B., & Sly J. (2025, December 5). Mathematically Modeling the Processing of Conflicting Beliefs and Identity Changes [Conference Presentation]. Midwest Christian Psychology Conference, Springfield, MO.

Deal J. J., Jensen M., Martínez F. A., Pizarro T., Chávez, C. J. J., and Holechek A. S., Ph.D. (2025, November 15). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subtypes: A Mathematical Model Assessing Cardiovascular and Kidney Risks using the All of Us Database [Conference Presentation]. Missouri Arkansas Kansas Oklahoma Undergraduate Mathematics Research Conference,
Springfield, MO.

Niccum C., Voss E. J., Deal J. J., Scott N., Burns C., Obeng E. & Echols L., Ph.D. (2025, April 24). Revising and Shortening the Co-Rumination Questionnaire [Poster Session]. McQueary College of Health and Human Services Research Symposium, Springfield, MO.

Niccum C., Voss E. J., Deal J. J., Burns C., Obeng E. & Echols L., Ph.D. (2025, March 21-22). Revising and Shortening the Co-Rumination Questionnaire [Conference Presentation]. Great Plains Psychology Conference, Warrensburg, MO.
● Awarded 1st Place in the Conference

Deal J. J., & Maskrod W. L. (2024, December 6). Cellphones and Sleep [Conference Presentation]. Midwest Christian Psychology Conference, Siloam Springs, AR.

Awards & Honors —

  • Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)
  • Student Spotlight for College of Professional Programs
  • Trustee's List
  • Outstanding Senior in Behavioral Sciences Award
  • Great Plains Psychology Conference Award
  • Outstanding Computing and Mathematics Division Graduate Academic Honor
  • Outstanding Behavioral Sciences Division Graduate Academic Honor

Grants & Other Funded Activity —

Healthy Americas Research Consortium (HARC) Grant

Service —

I have conducted service learning trips in Costa Rica, Guatemala and France.

Memberships —

  • National Society of Leadership and Success
  • Alpha Chi National College Honors Society
  • Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology