University of California, Merced

Dr. Eric Walle serves as the UC Merced Faculty Athletics Representative. In this role, he is the bridge between the faculty and the athletics department, ensuring that student-athletes are supported in both their academic and athletic endeavors.

Dr. Walle is a Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at UC Merced. He is the Director of the Interpersonal Development Lab, where he conducts research examining emotion, socio-emotional development, and developmental transitions. Walle is particularly interested in the functions of emotions in interpersonal contexts, such as emotion responding, emotion regulation, and empathy. He also conducts research examining how developmental transitions (e.g., the onset of walking) impact infant language, cognition, emotion, and social interactions. Professor Walle completed his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to his graduate studies, Walle did his undergraduate education at Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Child Development, Cognitive Science, and Elementary Education. While at Vandy, Walle was a member of cross country and track teams, serving as team captain his junior and senior years. He was also a two-time All-American in Track and Field at Novi High School (MI).