Lab News

Traci Mann on the Obstacles of Maintaining Weight Loss

“Thinsplaining,” a now-common term, refers to the situation in which a person who has never struggled with weight still assumes they are qualified to give advice or pass judgment on those who do. A Salon article titled, “Thinsplaining is real: Science says permanent weight loss is rare, and thin people don't get it,” explains that maintaining weight loss has very little to do with willpower and more so to do with how the brain reacts to processed foods similar to how it does with an addiction with drugs or alcohol.

Mann’s Book, Secrets from the Eating Lab, Quoted in UVAToday

Traci Mann, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota’s book, Secrets from the Eating Lab, was mentioned in an article by University of Virginia Today titled “Q&A: Why People are ‘Stress Eating’ During the Pandemic, and How to Stop.” 

Furman Quoted in BBC Worklife

The research of Celina Furman, graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, is mentioned in a recent BBC Worklife article titled “The ‘Batman Effect’: How having an alter ego empowers you” 

Mann Receives Award for Excellence in Health Psychology Education and Training

Traci Mann, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota is the 2020 recipient of the Society for Health Psychology’s (SfHP) Cynthia D. Belar Award for Excellence in Health Psychology Education and Training.  

Mann Receives 2020 COGS Outstanding Mentor Award


Traci Mann, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychology has received the 2020 Council of Graduate Students (COGS) Outstanding Mentor Award.  Mann was considered for this award because of her outstanding work with graduate students.  Erin Standen, graduate student in the social area, says,  “We (as Traci Mann's graduate students) are so proud and so grateful to have her as our advisor!”

Mann and Lenne Research Profiled by Forbes

Forbes recently profiled the research done by Traci Mann, PhD, professor and Richie Lenne, PhD, alum of the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota.  The Health and Eating Laboratory has been working on what might be the best strategy to help people reduce their sugar intake through coffee.  The research article titled “Reducing sugar use in coffee while maintaining enjoyment: A randomized controlled trial” expands on the process and conclusions of this research.

Mann Awarded the 2019-2020 Arthur "Red" Motley Exemplary Teaching Award

Congratulations to Traci Mann, PhD, professor within the Department of Psychology, for receiving the 2019-2020 Arthur "Red" Motley Exemplary Teaching Award.  Established in 1994, this annual award rewards top educators, who demonstrate a passion and commitment to teaching.

Standen Wins Innovative APA Grant

Erin Standen, a social psychology graduate student, has won the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students’ Psychological Science Research Grant. Standen’s research, Optimizing Calorie-Tracking Applications: Implications for behavioral and psychological health, will benefit from the $1,000 award.

Mann Quoted by Washington Post about ‘Veganuary’

Traci Mann, PhD professor in social psychology and director of the Health and Eating Laboratory, was quoted in a recent article by the Washington Post.

The article, “‘Veganuary’ wants to be your new food resolution for 2020 — and beyond,” dives into a common trend of 30-day challenges, usually in January as part of New Year’s Resolutions. ‘Veganuary’ is a newer program designed to encourage people to go vegan. The project’s US director, Wendy Matthews, hopes that some of the participants will continue beyond a January challenge.

Mann, who argues against dieting and is cautious of month-long challenges regarding food, expresses fewer concerns about this opportunity. She says, “You can keep up a vegan lifestyle if you allow for a normal amount of calories. As long as you are non-restricting, it could be a great idea.”

This piece has been picked up by the San Francisco Chronicle.


Mann Quoted by Washington Post about ‘Veganuary’

Traci Mann, PhD professor in social psychology and director of the Health and Eating Laboratory, was quoted in a recent article by the Washington Post.