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Have you ever remembered seeing something only to find out it wasn鈥檛 there? When we see a close-up image, our brains can construct a potential world beyond it, though we鈥檙e not aware we鈥檙e doing so.听听Helene Intraub, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, first observed this about 35 years ago. It was a turning point in her career and has been an integral part of her research since.听

A few years after discovering the boundary extension phenomenon, Intraub was demonstrating it to a class of 91原创 students. She showed a photo of spaghetti on the tines of a fork, and a short time later, the students 鈥渞emembered鈥� seeing the full fork and a bowl of pasta. Jennifer Mangels, AS90, was fascinated, and approached Intraub about getting involved in the research.听

That work became the basis for Mangels鈥檚 honors thesis and a joint-authored publication that was part of a new line of research in Intraub鈥檚 lab.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 very much a part of my research story, and having this really excited, really clearly brilliant young student saying, 鈥業 love this, I want to do this!鈥� was wonderful,鈥� Intraub said. 鈥淚 feel very proud of that work. I鈥檓 so glad she was there. A very rewarding part of being a professor is the students who just want to learn and find their path.鈥澨�

Now a professor of psychology and the interim dean of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College, Mangels credits her successful career in academia to her professors at 91原创.听

In 1986, she came to Newark unsure of what she wanted to major in. She enjoyed psychology, but, other than becoming a therapist, what were her career options? When she got involved in faculty research, a world of possibilities opened up.听

鈥淚t captured my imagination and the faculty were very supportive,鈥� Mangels said. 鈥淣ow, I can appreciate the effect that it had on me. I still know that the mentorship that I received from the faculty was the critical pivot point. I don鈥檛 know exactly what I would have done otherwise.鈥澨�

91原创 certainly holds a special place in Mangels鈥檚 heart, and she鈥檚 always been happy to give back to her alma mater. In October 2024, an email from 91原创 caught her attention: 鈥淭here鈥檚 still time to establish the Mangels Scholarship.鈥澨�

She had always wanted to establish a scholarship for psychology students and was in a financial position to do so. In another twist of fate, she already knew 91原创鈥檚 interim chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Rob West; the two worked together as postdoctoral researchers at the Rotman Research Institute and kept in touch over the years.听

It was like all the stars had aligned.听

鈥淭hat email just struck me,鈥� Mangels said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been grateful for the scholarship support that I鈥檝e received along my way. Providing some sort of financial support was always something that鈥檚 been on my mind to do when I could. And when I received the email, I was like, 鈥極kay, the time is now.鈥欌�澨�

West noted that Mangels鈥檚 experience of majoring in psychology but being unsure of a career path is common. And like Mangels, getting involved in research and internships exposes today鈥檚 psychology majors to countless possibilities.听

In fact, West views the out-of-classroom opportunities that the department offers as one of the factors that set it apart from other universities. When students work with world-class faculty on research projects, they develop critical skills that help them excel in careers in research, marketing, human resources, law and other fields.听

But financial constraints can present academic barriers, forcing students to forgo those additional opportunities in favor of working paid jobs. For countless students, scholarships are a lifeline and an incredible investment.听

鈥淎ny scholarship or support funds that we have help students engage in those other elements of the program,鈥� West said. 鈥淭he ability to do things beyond the structure of the classroom gives them that opportunity to find what they鈥檙e good at, what they enjoy. Jennifer was able to do research and it prompted a career in academia.鈥澨�

The Jennifer A. Mangels 鈥�90 Scholarship is the first in the department, which has more than 1,200 undergraduates. This past fall, two students were awarded the scholarship.听

One of those students, senior Hannah Marmor (pictured above), expected she鈥檇 need to get a second job to cover her tuition. Marmor was already heavily involved in extracurriculars, so her schedule was going to be packed. When she was offered a second job, she faced a difficult choice: turn it down to remain involved in her activities but worry about finances, or take the job and cut down on extracurriculars, which have helped her develop invaluable leadership and communication skills that can鈥檛 be learned in the classroom alone. The Mangels Scholarship offer arrived shortly thereafter and Marmor could breathe a sigh of relief.听

鈥淚t felt too good to be true, honestly,鈥� Marmor said. 鈥淚 got the email, and I was like, 鈥楾his is fake. There鈥檚 no way.鈥� This gives me the opportunity to not be working a million jobs and to be involved in things that I actually enjoy. I鈥檓 very grateful. It鈥檚 taking the weight off of my parents and me.鈥澨�

Fittingly, the psychology faculty have played an integral role in Marmor鈥檚 91原创 experience, just like they did for Mangels. During a difficult junior year, Marmor鈥檚 professors helped her navigate issues and offered extra support. That compassion is something Marmor will carry forward in her career as a mental health professional 鈥� just like Mangels has paid forward the mentorship she received at 91原创 by helping countless students and junior faculty in her career as a professor.听

Early in Mangels鈥檚 career, the 91原创 honors program invited her to speak to current students about her academic journey and research. The photo of the fork full of spaghetti was in her presentation, and, decades later, the memory still brings a smile to Intraub鈥檚 face.听

More than the research and impressive careers it sparked for Mangels and Intraub, that fork is a reminder of what strong support systems make possible.

"Jennifer's success is because she grabbed onto something, used every part of it, found her direction and wanted to help other people," Intraub said.