Dr. June Gruber is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she directs the Positive Emotion and Psychopathology Lab. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Yale University and earned her Ph.D. and B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Gruber’s research explores the complexities of positive emotions and their role in psychological disorders and well-being. Her lab adopts a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach—spanning behavioral, experiential, psychophysiological, and neurocognitive methodologies —to study how positive emotions intersect with mental health. By studying populations ranging from healthy to at-risk and mood-disordered adults and adolescents, her work aims to inform cutting-edge models and treatments to enhance emotional well-being and sustainable happiness. She has authored over 140 articles and chapters, co-authored psychology textbooks, and edited volumes such as the Oxford Handbook of Positive Emotion and Psychopathology and Positive Emotion: Integrating the Light Sides and Dark Sides. Her contributions to the field have been recognized by the Association for Psychological Science’s Rising Star Award and Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions, the Society for Research in Psychopathology’s Early Career Award, Yale University’s Arthur Greer Memorial Prize for Outstanding Junior Faculty, among others. Dr. Gruber is a champion of communicating and sharing psychological science and is the current Editor-in-Chief at Current Directions in Psychological Science. Equally passionate about teaching and mentorship, and has been recognized by the President's Teaching Scholar Award, Cogswell Award for Inspirational Instruction, Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogy Award, and UROP Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.
GEOG 4542 - Public Health Capstone Research Methods: Environmental Interventions to the Menta
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
This course will introduce students to interdisciplinary research methods in public health, with a focus on environmental interventions to address mental health. Robust data shows that spending time in nature can positively impact mental health. This course will teach students about the many phases of the scientific research process through doing; students will work in small groups to do their own research project throughout the semester on a pre-picked topic that can change from year to year. Recommended prerequisite: Students who are interested in taking this course but do not meet these requirements must have instructor approval. Same as PBHL 4542 and PSYC 4542.
NRSC 4011 - Senior Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Senior Thesis credits are available for students during the semester that they write and defend a departmental Honors Thesis. A neuroscience honors thesis must be based on an empirical research project that the student directs/participates in under guidance from a faculty member. Contact the neuroscience director for further information.
PBHL 4542 - Public Health Capstone Research Methods: Environmental Interventions to the Menta
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
This course will introduce students to interdisciplinary research methods in public health, with a focus on environmental interventions to address mental health. Robust data shows that spending time in nature can positively impact mental health. This course will teach students about the many phases of the scientific research process through doing; students will work in small groups to do their own research project throughout the semester on a pre-picked topic that can change from year to year. Recommended prerequisite: Students who are interested in taking this course but do not meet these requirements must have instructor approval. Same as GEOG 4542 and PSYC 4542.
PSYC 3131 - Human Emotion
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020 / Summer 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022 / Spring 2023 / Summer 2023 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Summer 2025
Introduces students to a diverse array of theoretical and empirical issues related to the study of human emotion. Evolutionary theories of anger, love and disgust; emotion and morality; cultural and gender differences; emotion and the brain; relation between emotion and thinking; development of emotion; and abnormal emotions in mental illness.
PSYC 3303 - Clinical Psychology: Psychological Disorders
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2024 / Spring 2025
Examines etiological, theoretical, clinical,diagnostic, and experimental perspectives of major mental health disorders, with an emphasis on the main symptoms and diagnostic criteria associated with these disorders.
PSYC 4011 - Senior Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024 / Spring 2025
Critically reviews some aspect of psychological literature, scholarly analysis of a major psychological issue, and/or empirical research project. See the psychology honors director for further information.
PSYC 4541 - Special Topics in Psychology - Social Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Spring 2025 / Fall 2025
Examines individual or social dimensions of human behavior. Students will develop expertise in basic theories, as well as in measurement techniques and data interpretation regarding issues of societal significance. Students will consider applications of that knowledge, ranging from the development of new theory to solving problems. Particular section content is determined by instructor. PSYC 4541 and/or PSYC 4551 may be taken 3 times with different topics, for a total of 9 credits
PSYC 4542 - Public Health Capstone Research Methods: Environmental Interventions to the Menta
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2026
This course will introduce students to interdisciplinary research methods in public health, with a focus on environmental interventions to address mental health. Robust data shows that spending time in nature can positively impact mental health. This course will teach students about the many phases of the scientific research process through doing; students will work in small groups to do their own research project throughout the semester on a pre-picked topic that can change from year to year. Recommended prerequisite: Students who are interested in taking this course but do not meet these requirements must have instructor approval. Same as GEOG 4542 and PBHL 4542.
PSYC 5131 - Affective Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Core graduate course on affective science and fulfills APA Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior Requirement. Introduces students to a diverse array of theoretical and empirical issues related to the study of human emotion. Evolutionary theories of emotions; cognitive and behavioral aspects of emotion; neurobiological mechanisms; development of emotion; and psychopathology and emotion.
PSYC 5433 - Adult Psychopathology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2025
Intensively surveys major theories, research findings, and behavioral characteristics associated with deviant reaction patterns.
PSYC 5541 - Special Topics in Psychology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
Studies and analyzes special interest topics from the broad and diversified field of psychology. Particular section content is determined by instructor. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours, provided the topics vary. Instructor consent required for students outside of the department.
PSYC 6603 - Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
Covers a range of topics important for professional development in clinical psychology, including preparation and delivery of research presentations, preparation of grant proposals/manuscripts and practicum experience (i.e., interviewing and assessment, treatment planning, intervention and documentation). Intended to prepare students for careers as research scientists and clinicians. May be repeated up to 10 total credit hours. Instructor consent required.
PSYC 7703 - Seminar: Clinical Psychology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Spring 2023
Selected topics in the area of clinical psychology. May be repeated up to 21 total credit hours. Instructor consent required for students outside of the Clinical Psychology program.
