Linh Ngo ’26 Earns David G. Elmes Pathfinder Prize in Psychology The Elmes Pathfinder Prize recognizes a student who has shown extraordinary promise in psychological science through outstanding scholarship in basic or applied psychology.
Linh Ngo ’26 has been awarded the 2025-2026 David G. Elmes Pathfinder Prize in Psychology at Washington and Lee University. Ngo, from Hanoi, Vietnam, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cognitive and behavioral science (CBSC) with a minor in studio art.
The Elmes Pathfinder Prize recognizes a student who has shown extraordinary promise in cognitive and behavioral science or its application in professions through outstanding scholarship in basic or applied psychology.
“Being awarded the Pathfinder Prize is exciting, and I see the award as encouragement to continue doing careful, responsible work and to apply what I learn through service-oriented and applied efforts that support individuals and communities beyond academic settings,” Ngo said. “It motivates me to keep growing in ways that connect psychological knowledge to real needs and real people.”
“Linh is one of the most dependable and hard-working students that I have the pleasure of teaching,” said Julie Woodzicka, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Science. “She brings a genuine curiosity and fresh perspective to her work and elevates class and lab discussions by listening carefully to her classmates and demonstrating great empathy in her responses. Linh is both innovative and persistent, and I look forward to seeing how her future unfolds.”
Ngo has been interested in psychology since middle school, when she was first struck by the complex and layered nature of the human experience — “like a puzzle that can’t be understood by looking at just one piece,” she explained. She appreciates the challenge of finding and connecting different pieces of the puzzle to see the whole picture, which drew her to the CBSC major.
“CBSC encourages that kind of integrated thinking with multiple perspectives, giving me the opportunity to explore questions that truly excite me and to develop a deeper understanding of how psychological knowledge can connect to the people and communities around me,” said Ngo, whose senior research capstone, completed Winter Term 2025, explored social media as a tool for emotion regulation.
Ngo is also grateful for the guidance and support she has received from the CBSC faculty, particularly the mentorship of Woodzicka; Jacob Gibson, visiting assistant professor of cognitive and behavioral science; and Holly Shablack, assistant professor of cognitive and behavioral science.
“What sets Linh apart is not only her academic excellence and ability to tackle complicated tasks, but also her willingness to accept feedback, her commitment to continuous improvement and her initiative to go beyond basic requirements,” Gibson said. “She consistently exceeds expectations, and I cannot overstate how invaluable she has been to our lab’s research efforts. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her ingenuity, hard work, integrity and commitment to advancing psychological science.”
On campus, Ngo is a global peer advisor with the Center for International Education and an event coordinator for the multicultural dance organization Around the Globe. Following graduation, Ngo plans to attend graduate school and looks forward gaining real-world experience in her field, using her knowledge of psychology to have a practical and meaningful impact on individuals and communities.
The Elmes Pathfinder Prize was established in 2007. It derives from the Elmes Fund, a permanently endowed fund that honors David G. Elmes, emeritus professor of psychology. The endowment was created by the many alumni, colleagues and friends who benefited from Elmes’ commitment to learning during his 40-year career as a scientist, teacher and mentor at W&L.
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