UCLA - University of California - Los Angeles
04/02/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/02/2026 10:22
Inside the science of agency
William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus" ends with a pair of enduring maxims - "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" - that resonate deeply with the research of Kate Wassum, a professor in UCLA's psychology department.
Wassum, who completed her Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies at UCLA, seeks to uncover the neural signals and circuits that underlie reward learning, motivation and decision-making.
In the latest episode of "Science Interrupted," a special series from the UCLA College's "Tell Us What You Know" podcast, Wassum elaborates on her lab's work and its benefit to all, including people dealing with substance use disorder and psychiatric diseases.
"Ultimately, the aim of this research is to contribute to the foundation of knowledge that helps us understand ourselves," she said, "and give people the agency they need to act with intention, to understand why they do what they do and to make better choices for their mental health and well-being."
In "Science Interrupted," the UCLA College explores how federal research funding shapes discovery by speaking with scientists whose work relies on these grants.
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