Kenneth Sufka
Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Pharmacology, Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of the Stamps Impact Prize
Research Interests
Behavioral Neuroscience/
Biography
Dr. Kenneth Sufka joined the University of Mississippi faculty in 1992 after earning a Ph.D. in physiological psychology from Iowa State University. In 2022, he was given the title of Distinguished Professor and holds appointments in Psychology, Pharmacology and Philosophy and in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is a best selling-author (The A Game; Nine Steps to Better Grades, 3rd edition 2023) and sought-after speaker at colleges and universities across the United States on the topic of evidenced-based student academic success. His laboratory research interests cover a range of topics in neuroscience, pharmacology and philosophy of mind. He has published nearly 90 research articles and chapters in these areas. His main expertise is the development, validation and utilization of animal models and procedures to enhance translational relevance in drug discovery, focusing mainly on chronic pain and analgesia, drug abuse deterrence and stress-related disorders. He currently holds 7 U.S. patents on his research discoveries. Dr. Sufka has received numerous recognitions in his career at Ole Miss, including the University of Mississippi’s Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teaching Award in 1996, the University of Mississippi’s Faculty Achievement Award for Outstanding Teaching and Scholarship in 2005 and the school’s Thomas F. Frist Student Service in 2006. Dr. Sufka has also been recognized by the American Psychological Association’s 2000 Presidential Citation for his national-level efforts at undergraduate curricular reform and by Iowa State University Department of Psychology’s 2010 Alumni Achievement Award for exceptional contributions to teaching and service to the profession and community. In 2014, he received a prestigious national teaching recognition by being named Mississippi’s CASE-Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year. Iowa State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences named him their 2021 John V. Atanasoff Discovery Award recipient for his contributions to science. In his free time, Dr. Sufka enjoys spending creative time in his woodshop and on his cross-country summer motorcycle adventures.
Education
B.S. Psychology, Iowa State University (1986)
M.S. Psychology, Iowa State University (1988)
Ph.D. Psychology, Iowa State University (1990)