KU News Release

Life Span Institute bestows two graduate research assistant awards

LAWRENCE — Two doctoral students in clinical child psychology at the University of Kansas have received Friends of the Life Span Institute Graduate Research Assistant Awards of $1,500 each.

Established by the Friends organization in 2005, the awards support the research and professional development of outstanding graduate research assistants affiliated with projects at KU’s Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Studies. The winners are Sara Rebecca Gould, originally from La Porte, Texas, and Brandon S. Aylward, originally from Springfield, Ill.

Gould is a graduate research assistant at Life Span Institute’s Juniper Gardens Children's Project in Kansas City, Kan. She received the award for an advanced graduate student in the dissertation stage. At Juniper Gardens, Gould has contributed to research projects funded by the Health and Human Services division at the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Office of Special Education. Gould has proven her abilities in research, clinical and classroom settings. She has contributed to numerous publications and has given several presentations and is the student representative for the Kansas Division of Early Childhood, one of 17 divisions of the national Council for Exceptional Children. Gould has worked closely with Life Span Institute scientists and faculty such as Dale Walker, associate research professor, and Yo Jackson, associate professor of clinical child psychology.

Gould is married to Robert Gould of Wadena, Minn., and is the daughter of Jeanne and Michael Corbin of La Porte, Texas. She received a bachelor's degree in biology from KU in spring 2003 and a master's degree in clinical child psychology from KU in spring 2007. She is a graduate of La Porte (Texas) High School.

Aylward received the award for a promising graduate student in the early stages of graduate school. He is involved in Life Span Institute projects funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to pediatric obesity, as well as other state and federally funded projects. Aylward has made significant contributions in research, teaching and publishing. He has received several honors and awards, and is involved in projects with Life Span Institute scientists and faculty such as John Colombo, professor of psychology; Ric G. Steele, associate professor of clinical child psychology; and Michael C. Roberts, professor of psychology and director of the clinical child psychology program.

Aylward is married to the former Elizabeth Dreier and is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Glen Aylward of Springfield, Ill. He received a master's degree in clinical child psychology from KU in spring 2007 and a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University in spring 2005. He is a 2001 graduate of Springfield (Ill.) High School.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.