Sherman, Texas – Austin College student Kate Rossley ’26 has been awarded the nationally competitive 2024–25 Psi Chi Summer Undergraduate Research Grant, valued at $1,500.
Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, awards grants to support outstanding undergraduate research. The funding will help cover the costs associated with Rossley’s Honors Thesis in Neuroscience, titled “The Relationship Between Head Impact Exposure and Salivary Biomarkers in Collegiate Contact Sports.”
Rossley’s project examines how salivary biomarkers may reflect the physiological effects of head impacts experienced by collegiate athletes. Because saliva collection is noninvasive and cost-effective, it offers a promising alternative to current diagnostic tools such as MRIs, which often fail to detect mild concussions despite noticeable behavioral effects.
“Gathering saliva does not require a trip to the hospital or access to MRIs, and MRIs are usually unable to detect mild concussions even though individuals feel the behavioral effects of the injury,” explained Rossley’s research advisor, Dean of Social Sciences and Professor of Psychology, Dr. Renee Countryman. “Although much of the current research on biomarkers of brain injury focuses on blood plasma, less work has explored salivary biomarkers. Finding reliable and affordable ways to diagnose brain inflammation and injury is essential in a world of expensive healthcare and restricted access to treatment.”
Rossley’s interest in this topic developed over several years of coursework and research experience at Austin College. “My love for research began during my first semester, when Dr. Countryman introduced me to neuroscience,” said Rossley. “Through courses like Research Methods and Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience, I gained hands-on experience and realized how exciting and impactful research can be. My specific interest in traumatic brain injury (TBI) started after talking with my cousin about her concussion studies with rats. I was inspired by the complexity of brain injuries and how much there still is to uncover.”
Receiving the Psi Chi Summer Undergraduate Research Grant has been instrumental in bringing Rossley’s project to life. “Kits used to analyze salivary biomarkers are expensive,” Rossley explained. “This generous funding allowed me to gather a larger sample size of collegiate athletes, expanding my research to include participants from both the soccer and football teams. That range of data wouldn’t have been possible without Psi Chi’s support.”
The project is a collaboration between the Neuroscience Program and the Athletics Department at Austin College. “Working with the Athletics Department has been such a rewarding experience,” said Rossley. “The coaches and players have been incredibly supportive throughout the research process. Their involvement has helped me take meaningful steps toward advancing brain injury research in collegiate sports, and I’m extremely thankful for this opportunity.”
The study builds on research originally initiated in 2021 by Mackenzie Bolen ’21. Rossley and Countryman plan to share the results of their expanded study at the 2026 Austin College Scholars Conference.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 45 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
