Our Team
- SSSLab |
- Our Team
Laura W. Plexico
Professor
Associate Dean of Engagement and Graduate Studies
Dean's Office
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
FacultyAdministrationDean
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Maddie Deakins
Major: Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Minor: Health and Human Development and Business
Ali Walker
Major: Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Minor: Human Development and Family Science
Collaborators
Stephen Erath, PhD, College of Human Sciences
Education:
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University, Clinical Psychology, 2006
M.S. Pennsylvania State University, Clinical Psychology, 2002
B.S. Texas A&M University, Psychology, 2002
Research Interests: Physiological and coping responses to peer and family stress, Social difficulties in childhood and adolescence, Parent-child and peer relationships
Lab Alumni
Mehan Jett
Harlee Turner
Maddie Moore
Katherine Cranford
Zoey Lapidus
Riley Curtis
Jeffrey Manord
Cade Gaskill
Hope Hartley
Eva Grace Spencer
Lauren Reed
Callie McAdams
Emma Childs
Caroline Snow
Francis Shore
Katie Wallace
Morgan Lasseter
Victoria Slayton
Lauren Boyd
Audrey Scott
Maryanna Bates
Sophie Wilkerson
Ansley Ayers
Shelby Easter
Mary Carmen Haynes
Courtney Parks
Priyal Patel
Molly Quinn
Elle Shipman
Hayes Thornell
Maggie Zuelzke
Lilah Donnelly
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2021
B.S. Mercer University
Research interests: leadership, organizational commitment, organizational culture
Victoria Badalto
My name is Victoria Badolato, and I am currently attending Auburn University's Graduate Program for Speech-Language Pathology. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, I attended Auburn University for my undergraduate education where I received a Bachelor's of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. These two degrees have shaped my perspective as a growing Speech Language Pathologist, and I am eager to use my Spanish as a resource in the work force.
Katelyn Gilson
Katelyn is an undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in English. Katelyn joined the SNAP lab because of her interest in pediatric Speech-Language Pathology and fluency disorders. After graduation, Katelyn’s plans include obtaining a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Katelyn hopes to one day continue to find solutions for children with disfluencies.
Sharlinda Guillaume
Sharlinda is a post-baccalaureate student at Auburn University and received her bachelor's in biology from Florida Atlantic University. She joined the lab this year and will be assisting as needed. Sharlinda plans on attending the graduate program for speech-language pathology at Auburn University.
Carley Rickman
Carley is an undergraduate student majoring in Pre Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Auburn University. She joined the lab in fall 2022 of her sophomore year. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school to earn a Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology in hopes to have a career as a speech therapist.
Sophie Spano
Sophie Spano is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences degree at Auburn University. She joined the SNAP lab at the beginning of the 2022/2023 school year. After graduating she plans on pursuing a degree in Speech Language Pathology.
Meghan Stinnette
Meghan Stinnette graduated from Radford University with a B. S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2022. While at Radford, Meghan was able to complete an undergraduate capstone project with the honors department and Dr. Diane Millar on nonverbal communication and body language. Meghan is currently a graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology at Auburn. She has been apart of the lab since fall 2022.
Prachi Shukla
Prachi has her Master's of Education in school psychology from Indiana State University. She is currently enrolled in the post-baccalaureate program (SLP) at Auburn University. Her clinical interests include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Stuttering and specific learning disorders. She has worked at an ABA clinic as a registered behavior therapist and has experience working with a diverse population. Prachi will be applying to graduate schools during the coming year in hopes of starting school speech language pathology in the fall of 2024.
Anna Pusser
Anna received her B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Science from the University of Memphis. In addition, she received her M.S. in Psychological Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Anna has research experience in prospective memory, visual attention, eye tracking, cognitive offloading, and applying cognition to education. Currently, she is interested in visual attention, memory, and aging in linguistic contexts. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her cat Tater Tot.
Douglas Jensen
Douglas Jensen is a Ph.D. candidate in the joint Ph.D. Program in Public Administration & Public Policy at Auburn University. His dissertation research focuses on leadership in the United States Congress. Douglas has personally communicated with the offices of every U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative over the course of his research.
Douglas is an Air Force combat veteran with three deployments and has directly worked with coalition partners or diplomats from France, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Norway, Latvia, Spain, Greece, and Afghanistan, among others.
His experience as an instructor includes Federal Continuity of Government; Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications; and Airborne Communications Officer technical training.
Tracks: American Politics & Policy, Global Politics & Policy
Areas of Interest: Leadership, Political Leadership, American Government, International Relations
Education:
Master of Science in Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Master of Business Administration, Trident University, Cyprus, CA
Basic Communications Officer Training, Keesler Air Force Base, MS
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Katherine Steele
Scotlyn Sims
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: Work-life balance, DEI, Leadership
Jessie Stirling
Jessie is an undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Spanish. Jessie is interested in pursuing clinical Speech-Language Pathology and joined the lab because of her interest in advocating for communication and stuttering. She hopes to obtain her master’s and become a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist.
Joseph Himmler
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Pell City, AL
B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Research Interests: Work-life enrichment, Work-Family conflict, OHP
Joseph is currently a doctoral student in Auburn University's Industrial/Organizational Psychology program. Joseph is a part of the Work-Life and Organizational Effectiveness (WLOE) Lab. His current research is focused on OHP related topics, AI-Human collaboration, and the work-family interface. Joseph attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.
Tatiana Guevara
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Long Island, NY
B.A., La Salle University
Research Interests: Occupational Health Psychology, Employee Well-being, Stress
Abigail Baker
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Spanish Fort, AL
Research interests: employee attitudes, motivation and teamwork
Bailey Hunter
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Fairhope, AL
Research Interests: Work-life balance, Motivation, Workplace relationships
Emily Findlay
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Madison, AL
Research Interests: Virtual work, leadership and personality
Kenyana Whitehorn
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Fort Lewis, WA
Research Interests: Work-life quality, training
Kyla Graba
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Auburn, AL
Research Interests: Leadership, Personnel Selection, OHP
Olivia Eckhardt
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Altamont, Illinois
Research Interests: employee training and recruitment
Savannah Atkins
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Research Interests: personnel selection, training and development, and recruitment
Zach Goldman
ABM Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Sandy Springs, GA
Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence in the workplace
Maggie Eddins
I chose SLLAC to gain more knowledge about pediatric literacy and to meet new people who are passionate about the same thing I am!
Clinical and Research Interests:
- Speech Sound Disorders
- Child Language Disorders
- Articulation
Lily Mason
Lily Mason is a Junior Undergraduate Student at Auburn University, pursuing a Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences degree. In the Spring Semester of 2024, she became a part of the Ability Research Lab. Lily focuses on exploring the facets of physical, social, and emotional health, with a keen interest in the well-being of audiology patients. Her involvement in the ABILITY Research Lab gives her a unique opportunity to actively participate in projects that align seamlessly with her interests, allowing her to gain valuable hands-on experience. Lily is enthusiastic about broadening her expertise in audiology and actively contributing to interventions that foster healthier aging. Looking ahead, in five years, Lily aspires to complete her 4th year as a Doctoral Audiology Student and embark on her career as a dedicated Audiologist.
Madeline Bellocchio
Madeline Bellocchio is a Doctoral Audiology Student at Auburn University. She received her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Oxford Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She joined the ABILITY Research Lab as a Graduate Research Assistant in 2024. After beginning her first year as a student, she became interested in working on research that focuses on the connection of Auditory, Balance, and Mobility Functions. She is committed to providing older adults with tools that contribute to their overall health and independence. Madeline is currently serving in the Ohio Army National Guard as an Infantry officer. She hopes to one day serve the veteran community as an Audiologist.
Amy Ethridge MS, BCBA, LBA
Amy Ethridge MS, BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with the APMRT. Originally from Atlanta, she earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Auburn University in 2021. Amy’s expertise spans the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, as well as the facilitation of skill acquisition in clinical, home, and school settings. She has worked with children and adolescents in foster and adoptive care, adjudicated youth, and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder among other populations. Amy also has extensive experience in supervising registered behavior technicians and providing caregiver training. Her professional interests outside of APMRT include community interventions, classroom management strategies, and the expansion of behavior analysis into non-traditional areas.
Lydia Smalley
My name is Lydia Smalley, and I’m a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in English. After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school and earn a master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology, and eventually a Ph.D. in Human Factors. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, and watching movies, mainly ‘found footage’ horror, which is my favorite genre!
Oliver Gustafson
I am a Psychology major at Auburn University graduating in Spring 2026. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in IO Psychology, with an interest in how individual differences guide leaders' decisions and, in turn, influence organizational culture. I am specifically interested in researching how competing demands, role conflict, and social perceptions affects decision-making processes of leaders.
Anna Frances Hankes
Anna Frances is a junior at Auburn University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Counseling and Spanish. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology after graduation. In her free time, Anna Frances enjoys reading, taking walks, and participating in events hosted by her sorority, Chi Omega.
Patricia Fuente Garcia
Patricia received her B.A. in Modern Languages and Translation from the University of Alcalá (UAH). In addition, she earned her M.A. in Theoretical and Experimental Linguistics, with a specialization in psycho- and neurolinguistics, from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Her research examines bilingualism as a continuous and multidimensional construct, exploring how variation across its different dimensions shapes language processing, executive control, and cognitive reserve in healthy aging. Currently, she is a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Auburn University, where she investigates how individual differences in bilingual experience relate to conflict monitoring across both linguistic and non-linguistic domains in aging. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging out with family and friends, and dancing.
Haley Cassidy
Haley is a senior at Auburn University majoring in Neuroscience with a particular interest in genetics. After graduation, she is planning to pursue a post baccalaureate lab coordinator position and then a Ph.D. program in neuroscience. She hopes to continue to work in research as a professional career, ideally integrating gene sequencing analysis with neuroimaging techniques to help improve general knowledge about relationships between genes and the brain. In her free time, Haley loves to go on road trips and listen to music, go hiking, and to watch movies with her tuxedo cat named Mr. Beans.
Campbell Myers
Campbell is a freshman at Auburn University, majoring in biomedial sciences on the pre-med track. Her goal is to go to medical school after graduating and become a pediatric oncologist. She is also very interested in cancer research and hopes to pursue a career in research as well. Campbell's favorite things to do for fun are hanging out with friends, going to football games, and attending events hosted by her sorority, Chi Omega.
Peter J. Lusche, M.D.
Peter J. Lusche, M.D., graduated from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and completed training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the U.S.C. - Los Angeles County Medical Center. For over thirty years, he has dedicated a significant amount of his practice to developing and coordinating community mental health programs for children, including children in protective custody and foster care. For his contributions in clinical and academic practice, program development and community service, he was made a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in 2003.
Jodi Robeson, MS, BCBA, LBA
Jodi Robeson, MS, BCBA, LBA, is the Assistant Director of the APMRT and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Auburn University in 2018. Jodi has extensive experience working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, welfare-involved youth and their families, incarcerated adolescents, and individuals exhibiting challenging behavior. Her professional interests focus on enhancing collaboration with prescribers and exploring factors that influence the success of behavioral interventions.
Heatherly Williford, MS, BCBA, LBA
Heatherly Williford, M.S., is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst working with the APRMT. She earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Developmental Disabilities (ABA-DD) from Auburn University in 2015. Her expertise includes the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior in residential treatment facilities, schools, homes and clinical settings, as well as working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, children and adolescents in foster and adoptive care, curriculum development and implementation, registered behavior technician staff training and parent-caregiver training. Outside of APMRT, her professional interests include the relationship between behavioral treatments and neural dysfunction, neural plasticity of individuals with autism spectrum disorders or trauma backgrounds, and operating an online publication.
Wayde Morse
Education
- BS, University of New Mexico, 1991, Economics & Political Science
- MS, Colorado State University, 1996, Agricultural and Resource Economics
- PhD, University of Idaho, 2007, Conservation Social Sciences (NSF IGERT Fellow)
Research Interests
- Linked social and ecological systems
- Recreation, environmental services and conservation incentive programs
- Landowner decision-making, rural livelihoods and the process of interdisciplinary research
- Research interests are for the US and Latin America
Selected Publications
- Cox, C., W. Morse, C. Anderson and L. Marzen. 2014. Using public participation geographic information systems to identify places of watershed service provisioning. Journal of the American Water Resources Association DOI:10.1111/jawr.12269.
- Cox, C., W. Morse, L. Marzen and C. Anderson. 2014. Applying public participation geographic information systems to wildlife management. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 19:200-214.
- Lowery, D., W.C. Morse and T. Steury. 2014. Exploring Saturation of themes and spatial locations in a qualitative PPGIS study. Society and Natural Resources. 0:1-15.
- Lupoli, C., W.C. Morse, C. Bailey and J. Schelhas. 2014. Assessing the impacts of international volunteer tourism in host communities: A new approach to organizing and prioritizing indicators. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 22(6):898-921.
- Stern, M.J., C.A. Martin, S.A. Predmore and W.C. Morse. 2014. Risk tradeoffs in adaptive ecosystem management: The case of the U.S. Forest Service. Environmental Management, 53(6):1095-1108.
- Stern, M., C.A. Marin, S.A. Predmore and W.C. Morse. 2014. Risk tradeoffs in natural resource planning: the case of the U.S. Forest Service. Environmental Management, 53(6):1095-1108.
- Stern, M. J., S.A. Predmore, W.C. Morse and D.N. Seeholtz. 2014. Project risk in the US Forest Service: Factors predicting appeals of environmental assessments and their outcomes. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 42:95-104.
- Morse, W. C. 2013. Integration of frameworks, theories and models across disciplines for effective Cross-disciplinary communications. In: Enhancing Interdisciplinary Communication. Eds. Stephen Crowley, Sanford Eigenbrode, Michael O'Rourke, and J. D. Wulfhorst. Sage Publications.
- Morse, W. C. 2013. Changing stakeholders and the planning process. In: Urban-Rural Interfaces: Linking People and Nature. Eds. David Laband, Lockaby, B. G., Zipperer, W. C. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
- Lowery, D., and W. C. Morse. 2013. A Qualitative method for collecting spatial data on important places for recreation, livelihoods and ecological meanings: integrating focus groups with public participation geographic information systems. Society and Natural Resources. 26:1422-1437.
Erica Ramey, DNP, PMHNP, PMHS
Erica Ramey, DNP, PMHNP is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and an associate professor in the school of nursing at UAB. She completed her doctor of nursing practice at Vanderbilt University and completed her psychiatric nurse practitioner preparation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research and experience focus on child and adolescent mental-health, deprescribing, and drug-gene compatibility.
Kate Henvey DeMoss
Kate is a student in the joint Ph.D. program in Public Administration and Public Policy at Auburn University. She holds a MA from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, and a BA in political science from Trinity University, Texas. Serving as a policymaker and researcher in international economics, trade and development for over fifteen years, Kate has worked at the World Bank Group, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of International Affairs and the North American Development Bank.
Track: American Politics & Policy, Global Public Policy
Areas of interest: Trade policy, foreign aid policy, public opinion, political behavior
Education:
Master of Arts, Georgetown School of Foreign Service
Bachelor of Arts, Trinity University
Lane Montgomery
Lane Montgomery joined the lab as a graduate student in Fall of 2022. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Lane graduated from Auburn University with her B.A. in Psychology in 2021 and received her M.S. through the lab in 2024. Her research interests include factors impacting working dog efficiency and improving companion dog welfare.
Courtney Collins Pisano
Courtney joined the lab in Fall 2022. Originally from Boston, Courtney graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior, Biology, and Psychology in Spring of 2022. Her research interests include improving the training and selection of working dogs and indicators of working dog success.
Shamyla Taylor
Shamyla Taylor, a graduate of Opelika High School, is studying computer science at Auburn University. She is the illustrator of the coloring book “Plants and Trees at Pebble Hill.”
Jordan Everett
PhD Program Entry Year: 2023
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
B.A., Auburn University
Research Interests: Selection, Training, Onboarding, Socialization, Artificial Intelligence
DuBois Barnes
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2022
B.S. Baylor University
B.S. University of Houston
Research interests: work stress and recovery, work safety, workplace injustice and health, disadvantaged groups and workplace diversity
Julia Barrett
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2022
B.S. Florida State University
Research interests: work-life, work-family, telework
Julia is a doctoral student in the Industrial Organizational Psychology program at Auburn. She is working under Dr. Jesse Michel in the Work-Life Organizational Effectiveness Lab. Her research interests and recent work have centered around work/family, DEI, and quiet quitting. Julia completed her undergraduate studies at Florida State University, where she received a B.S. in psychology and a B.S. in sociology.
Peter Cook
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2020
B.S. Virginia Tech
Research interests: telework, stress, occupational health psychology
Isabelle Couvillion
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2021
B.S. University of Alabama
M.S. University of New Orleans
Research interests: personnel selection
Austin Cunningham
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2019
B.S. Virginia Tech
M.S. Auburn University
Research interests: occupational stress, employee recovery, work-life balance, workaholism
Soonyoung Kim
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2022
B.S. Virginia Tech
Research interests: personnel selection, leadership, artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence
Jingyi Li
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2020
B.S. Soochow University
Research interests: personnel selection, machine learning, vocational interest
Lauren Postier
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2020
B.A. Marquette University
Research interests: work-life dynamics, burnout, telework, psychometrics
Lauren is a Ph.D. student whose research focuses on burnout, scale validation, and the work-family interface. She is a research fellow at the Army Research Institute, where her projects revolve around training and improving learning outcomes. Lauren is passionate about bridging academic insights and practical solutions for enhancing workplace well-being.
Jonah Richardson
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2021
B.A. DePaul University
Research interests: personnel selection, telework, workplace boredom
Faith Shannon
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2021
B.S. Spelman College
Research interests: work-family, occupational health psychology, leadership, DE&I
Faith Shannon is a student in Auburn University’s Industrial-Organizational Psychology PhD program. She works under the direction of Dr. Jesse Michel in the Work-Life and Organizational Effectiveness Lab. Her research interests include work-family topics, occupational health psychology, leadership, DEI, and turnover, with her latest project focusing on The Great Resignation. Faith completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College, where she earned a B.S. in psychology. She hopes to continue researching her areas of interest throughout the remainder of her studies at Auburn.
Tori Holcomb
Tori is a senior at Auburn University from Peachtree City, Georgia, who is majoring in biomedical sciences and neurosciences on the pre-med track. She was awarded an Undergraduate Research Fellowship to conduct independent research in the LAM lab this year! Tori is involved in many campus organizations including Alpha Epsilon Delta, Active Minds, Women in Science, and her social sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Fun fact: Tori used to drive a golfcart to school because her city was a golf community!
Grace Leverett
Grace Leverett graduated with a B.A. in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama in 2022. She is now enrolled in Auburn University’s M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program and serves as a graduate research assistant for Dr. Gregory Spray in the SNAP Lab. Prior to coming to Auburn, Grace practiced as a licensed speech-language pathology assistant and treated pediatric clients with a variety of communicative disorders. Her interests within the area include acquired neurological communication disorders, swallowing disorders, and aural habilitation/rehabilitation. Grace is excited to be a part of the wonderful things happening within the SNAP Lab and is eager to add value in any area she can.
Carson Huerta
Carson Huerta graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in Theatre and a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Embracing the intersection of these two diverse yet complementary fields, Carson seeks to explore how effective communication, both in its study and artistic expression, can empower individuals and enrich lives. His clinical interests include Autism Spectrum Disorder, professional voice, and gender affirming voice care. Carson is currently a graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology at Auburn University.
Gracyn Holt
Gracyn Holt is a Doctoral Audiology Student at Auburn University. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She joined the ABILITY Research Lab as a Graduate Research Assistant in 20022-2023. After beginning the program and working with patients in the clinic, she becomes interested in working on research that focuses on the importance of empathy in the field of audiology, especially for audiology patients living with comorbid health conditions affecting their physical health. With the innovation of virtual reality, her project is “A Mile in the Patient’s Shoes Who Are Living with Hearing Loss and Arthritis: Audiologist’s Empathy Through Embodied Virtual Reality.” Five years from now, Gracyn hopes to be working with the Veteran community to serve those who served our country.
Hope Hartley
Hope is an undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Hope joined the SNAP lab because of her interest in fluency disorders and music. After graduation, Hope plans to obtain a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and go on to become an SLP in the school system.
Lily Dunaway
Lily Dunaway is a Junior Undergraduate Student at Auburn University, pursuing a Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences degree. In the Spring of 2024, she became a part of the Ability Research Lab. She became interested in working on research that focuses on validating hearing tools that can contribute to helping individuals navigate everyday life with hearing impairments/language barriers. Her involvement in the ABILITY Research Lab allows her to explore her interests in the field of audiology and gain further experience while working with a team.
Caroline Tucker
Caroline Tucker is a graduate student pursuing her master's in Speech-Language Pathology. Outside of school, she also works as a Registered Behavior Technician. In the future, she is interested in providing care to individuals with special needs, specifically individuals on the autism spectrum.
Lola Shields
Lola is a senior in Biomedical Sciences with a Spanish minor. She plans to attend medical school after graduation. She doesn’t yet know what field interests her but is excited to pursue a career that enables her to serve others. Having had a grandmother with dementia, she looks forward to learning about the complexity of the brain. In her free time, Lola can be found reading a book—usually a period piece—watching a movie with her roommates, or spending time with her friends and family!
Katherine Bradford
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Research Interests: Motivation, Work-life balance, and Organizational Culture
Lacey Crews
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Research Interests: OHP, Leadership, Burnout, Training
Nyla Henton
Hometown: Foley, AL
Research Interests: Employee Motivation, Leadership
Virginia Ogden
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Research Interests: Work-life balance, occupational health psychology
Kavari Sanders
Hometown: Auburn, AL
Research Interests: Work-life balance, motivation
Isabella Lehman
Hometown: Warner Robins, GA
B.A., Auburn University (Psychology)
Research Interests: Social motives and intergroup dynamics in the workplace, occupational stress, work/life balance
My research interests focus on social motives and intergroup dynamics in the workplace, occupational stress, and work-life balance. Currently, I am engaged in several projects exploring these themes. One of my primary studies examines the social pain bias among managers toward Black employees and its impact on time-off decisions. Additionally, I have investigated potential moderators of this bias, identifying transformational leadership as a promising factor in mitigating its effects. For my master’s thesis, I am examining the experiences of pregnant workers, a particularly vulnerable segment of the workforce that often encounters significant stigma. This research explores how intersecting identities shape the treatment of pregnant employees in professional settings.
Phillip Nguyen
Hometown: Bowling Green, KY
B.S., Western Kentucky University (Sports Psychology)
M.S., Purdue University Global (Industrial-Organizational Psychology)
Research Interests: Occupational Health Psychology, Employee Well-being, Future of work, Artificial Intelligence
Phillip Nguyen is currently a doctoral student in Auburn University's Industrial-Organizational Psychology program. He is a member of the EMPOWER Lab, working with Dr. Paige Watson and fellow doctoral student Tatiana Guevara. Phillip’s research focuses on occupational health psychology, employee well-being, the future of work, and artificial intelligence. He received his Bachelor of Arts in sports psychology from Western Kentucky University and his Master of Science in industrial-organizational psychology from Purdue University.
Taylor Flinn
Hometown Algonquin, IL
B.S., Coe College
M.S., Illinois State University
Research Interests: Occupational Health Psychology, Recovery, Work Stress, Quantitative Methods
Alisha Amin
Alisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka (2018) and a master’s degree in International Studies from North Carolina State University (2021). She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Administration and Policy at Auburn University, which she began in 2022.
Alisha’s research interests encompass environmental policy, environmental justice, and social equity, with a particular focus on evaluating policy outcomes through the lens of equity and fairness. In addition to her academic pursuits, Alisha is passionate about human rights and has actively contributed to this cause through her volunteer work with World Relief Durham. There, she tutored refugee youth, helping them navigate and adapt to the U.S. school system and culture.
She has previous experience working in the insurance industry in the U.S. and has also gained valuable corporate experience back in her home country, further enhancing her multidisciplinary perspective and skill set.
Track: Public Administration, Global Politics
Area of Interest: Environmental policy, environmental justice and sustainability, social equity, human rights, international organizations.
Education
Bachelors of Economics || University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Masters of International Studies || North Carolina State University, NC.
Xiaodan Zhang
Xiaodan Zhang is a Ph.D. candidate in the joint Ph.D. Program in Public Administration and Public Policy at Auburn University. She earned her Master of Public Administration at Auburn. Prior to her studies at Auburn, she worked full-time in the financial industry. Her dissertation research focuses on state nonpoint source water pollution control. She also teaches the undergraduate course on State Policy and Politics at Auburn.
Tracks:
Public Administration, Applied Research
Areas of interest:
Environmental policy, water quality, nonpoint source pollution control, state policy comparison.
Education:
Master of Public Administration, Auburn University
Bachelor of Business Administration, Jilin University
Lucky Chambers Umezulike
Lucky received his Master’s degree in International Studies and Development Economics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. program in Public Administration and Public Policy at Auburn University. Prior to starting his Ph.D. program, Lucky worked with the British Council and Connected Development (a Nigeria-based nonprofit) as a program manager. He also consulted for various international and national organizations/institutions in Nigeria including the World Bank, Public Services International, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation, International Labour Organization, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, among others, on program evaluation and development research.
Lucky’s research interests revolve around nonprofit management and accountability, philanthropy and charitable giving, NGOs and international development, and program evaluation. He has presented his research at conferences such as the Southern Political Science Association and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations & Voluntary Action. At Auburn, he teaches an undergraduate course in nonprofit management.
A member of the International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS), Lucky is one of the recipients of the 2019 Africa Leader Award from the President Barack Obama Foundation, a recognition for emerging leaders across the African continent.
Tracks: Nonprofit Organizations & Community Governance, Applied Research
Areas of Interest: Nonprofit management and accountability; philanthropy and charitable giving; NGOs and international development; program evaluation; structural transformation and industrial policy
Education:
Master of Arts in International Studies and Development Economics, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Nigeria, Nigeria
Jude Ugwuoke
Jude received his Master of Science in Economics from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. Program in Public Administration & Public Policy at Auburn University, where he is completing his dissertation on "Specific and General Regional Analysis of the Impact of Civil Society Density on Education, Political Participation, and Health Outcomes in the United States." Jude is a Graduate Research Assistant and has previously presented at the American Political Science Association (APSA), the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), and The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) with research topics on DEI, public opinion, and civil society density and political participation. He was honored with the Elinor Ostrom Fellowship at George Mason University for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Track: Nonprofits and Applied Research
Areas of Interest: Civil Society and (Health Sector, Service Provision, and Political Participation), Public Opinion, Environmental Policy, Civil-Military Relations, Human Rights, Economic Development, Political Economy, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI).
Education:
Master of Science in Financial Engineering, WorldQuant University (Ongoing)
Master of Science in Economics, Auburn University
Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Bennet Kwadzo Nyadzi
Bennet Kwadzo Nyadzi is a Ph.D. candidate in the Ph.D. Program in Public Administration & Public Policy at Auburn University. He holds a Master of Philosophy in Public Administration from the University of Ghana, where he was also awarded the Professor Denis Kingsford Greenstreet Prize for the Best Graduating MPhil Student in Public Administration for the 2020/2021 Academic Year. In 2020, Bennet was awarded the prestigious European Union ERASMUS scholarship to study at Mendel University in the Czech Republic. Before joining Auburn, he served as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Ghana Business School.
Bennet’s research interests include public policy and administration, international development, political behavior and institutions, and the third sector. He has presented his work at multiple conferences, including the Midwest Political Science Association, Southern Political Science Association, Southeastern Conference for Public Administration, and Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations & Voluntary Action.
At Auburn, Bennet teaches Global Politics and American Government to undergraduates and has also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for courses in Organization Theory and Public Policy.
Tracks: Global, Nonprofit Organizations & Community Governance
Areas of Interest: Public management; environmental policy; E-government and technology; civil society and democracy.
Education:
Master of Philosophy in Public Administration, University of Ghana
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Central University, Ghana
Dorothy Dreelin
Dorothy is a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program. She is interested in studying underlying risk factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder. Additionally, she is interested in exploring the comorbidity of stress-related conditions and substance abuse. In her free time, Dorothy enjoys spending time with friends and her two dogs.
Cambria Beane
Cambria is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program. She is interested in using neurophysiological and behavioral techniques to investigate factors contributing to the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder. She is also interested in exploring the intersection of stress-related disorders and substance use. In her free time, Cambria enjoys baking, spending time outdoors, and trying new restaurants around town with her friends.
Janset Aksoy
I am majoring in Neuroscience and Molecular Biology with an undergraduate certificate in Health Equity Science. I intend on pursuing an MD/PhD and am interested in social determinants of health and how they influence healthcare quality, access, and health behaviors in minority communities. In my free time I like to go hiking, read books, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.
Brianna Butler
My name is Brianna Butler and I am currently a senior at Auburn pursuing my Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. After I graduate, my goal is to complete a Master's program in Forensic Psychology where I can then begin working for the F.B.I. Some hobbies that I enjoy doing in my free time include teaching dance, reading, and trying local coffee shops!"
Kyle Benbow
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2021
B.A. Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis
M.A. Ball State University
Research interests: organizational and coworker support, workplace incivility, social identity threats, employee silence
My research focused on understanding workplace experiences and well-being among underrepresented employees. I explored how organizational culture, leadership behaviors, and workplace mistreatment influence engagement, retention, and professional identity. My work integrates psychological and organizational theories, including social identity theory and job demands-resources theory, to examine how individuals navigate workplace challenges. Through survey research and qualitative methods, I have investigated issues such as workplace incivility, emotional regulation, and the effects of systemic barriers on career outcomes, with findings published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
Thaddeus Lewis
As a psychology major and upcoming graduate, I plan on getting as much experience as I can in research and other clinical studies and fields. My long-term goal is to become a therapist with a focus on adolescent development to help tackle mental health issues before they fully develop untreated in adulthood.
Maizie Schaill
I will be graduating from Auburn in the Spring of 2025 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Business. I’m interested in the way that prejudice and social factors influence organizational culture and job satisfaction, and hopes to pursue a master's degree in I/O Psychology. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hanging out at Chewacla, and spending time with friends and family.
Jules Wideman
I have recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and will pursue a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Fall 2025. In my free time, I enjoy walking my dogs or watching movies; my favorite genre is psychological thrillers!
Brielle Johnson
After graduation, Brielle worked as a consultant for APTMetrics. She now works as a survey researcher at CUPA-HR. In her role at CUPA-HR, Brielle conducts research on the higher education workforce. Her current research interests include issues related to pay equity and representation throughout the higher ed workforce, differences in pay across faculty, and flexible work. She recently published a research report looking at trends in faculty salary and size across academic disciplines. Brielle is passionate about sharing insights on the state of the higher ed workforce and supporting HR professionals in making data-driven decisions.
Claire Faulk
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Health and Human Development and Special Education for Health Professionals
Jessica Ferguson
Garrett Brown
Mobile, Alabama
University of West Florida MA
University of South Alabama BA
discrimination, diversity, and experiences of marginalized groups in the workplace
Jonathan Kunstman, INSPIRE Lab
My research focused on enhancing the experiences and well-being of marginalized groups. My work seeks to understand how we can leverage modern frameworks and technology to improve the lives of employees who belong to marginalized groups. Currently, I am working on projects to further understand the role of empathy on the social pain of marginalized groups, as well as projects seeking to understand the role of generative AI in improving the well-being of employees.
Amy Kim
Auburn, AL
Research interests: Occupational Wellbeing/ Training and Development
Heath Abrams
Hometown: Holtville, Alabama
Research/topics of interest : training development and employee job satisfaction
Natalie Pope
Hometown: Buford, Georgia
Research Interests: AI in the Workplace, Work/Life Balance, Recruiting, Employee Satisfaction
Lucia Hardin
Ph.D. Program Entry Year: 2025
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
BS in Psychology at the University of Central Florida
Research Interest: Work-life, work-family, DEI, coping, and academia
Lucia is a doctoral student in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Auburn. She is working under the advisement of Dr. Jesse Michel in the Work-Life and Organizational Effectiveness (WLOE) Lab. Her current research interests include work-life balance, familial policies, gender and diversity in the workplace, and how people cope with organizational and personal demands. She is also interested in exploring these avenues within the context of faculty in academic institutions. Lucia completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, where she received a B.S. in psychology.
Michelle Nguyen
I am from Houston, Texas, and I am a first-year student in Dr. Paige Watson’s EMPOWER Lab. I earned my BA in Psychology with a minor in Marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio. My research interests focus on occupational health, the future of work, and employee psychological well-being. In my free time, I enjoy staying active, engaging with my community, and experimenting with or creating new dishes and desserts.
Samantha Hoffman
Samantha is a Senior in Neuroscience and has plans to attend medical school after graduating. She is currently very interested in neurology and is excited to see the development of her interests as medical school arises. She has always had a desire to know more and is excited about the idea of eternal learning in the medical field. In her free time, she enjoys doing anything outdoors, whether it be walking, hiking, swimming, playing pickleball or just sitting outside with family and friends.
Ahmad Lodhi
Ahmad is a sophomore at Auburn University studying within the Honors College. He is majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. In his free time, Ahmad enjoys running, watching movies, and going on road trips with his friends.
Bianca Hamm
Major: Graduate School of Speech-Language Pathology, Class of 2026
Interests: I am interested in working as a medical speech-language pathologist in a hospital setting for organizations like the Department of Veterans Affairs and continuing research related to cognition in older adult populations.
Main Project: Cognitive flexibility in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-hamm/
Jala Baugh
Major: Graduate School of Speech-Language Pathology, Class of 2027
Interests: I am interested in working as a medical speech-language pathologist in a hospital setting, where I can provide care to a wide range of patients with swallowing and communication disorders.
Main Projects: Cognitive flexibility in normal aging
Nyla DeJong
Major: Graduate School of Speech-Language Pathology, Class of 2027
Interests: I am interested in working as a medical speech-language pathologist (e.g., Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nyla-dejong
Main Projects: Cognitive flexibility in normal aging
Josh Deutschendorf
Honors Research Fellow (2025-26) Awarded
Anticipated graduation: May 2026 with a BS
Research interests: I am very interested in helping those who suffer from aphasia due to stroke complications. Helping them find ways to communicate is something that makes me passionate about speech-language pathology
Main Project: Improving life quality in individuals with aphasia via cognitive flexibility training
Rachel Adami
Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2027
Research Interests: Adults with acquired communication disorders following stroke or traumatic brain injury, with a current emphasis on alternative aphasia intervention focused on problem solving
Main Projects:
- AI Prompting Strategies in Individuals with Aphasia
- Cognitive Flexibility in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Hyunwoo Lee
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2028
Research Interests: I am interested in human health and helping others, which motivated me to join this lab. Through contributing to intervention research for individuals with aphasia, I can meaningfully support patients while gaining valuable experience for my future career.
Minji Seo
Research Interests: As a bilingual speaker of Korean and English, I wanted to use my abilities in both languages to support individuals with communication difficulties. Through this experience, I hope to contribute to promoting meaningful communication.
Main Project: Multimodality Communication Treatment
McKay Legg
Research Interests: She plans to pursue a career working with older adults with communication disorders following stroke or TBI, and she is excited to learn how research can help achieve her career goals.
Main Project: Training AI Prompting Strategies in Individuals with Aphasia: Improving Problem Solving Abilities
Taylor Hale
Anticipated graduation: May 2026 with a BS
Research interests: I am interested in studying older adults’ problem-solving abilities and how aging affects them. I am particularly interested in helping older adults maintain their independence by understanding how they solve everyday problems.
Main Project: Problem solving in Older Adults
Emily Odom
Undergraduate student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science.
Research Interests: I’ve always been passionate about working with older adults, especially those recovering from strokes or brain injuries. Helping them regain their communication skills and stay connected with their loved ones is what I love about speech-language pathology.
Main Project: Systematic Review: Cognitive Flexibility in Athletes with Brain Injury.
Currently: Attending the University of Montevallo in the fall to receive a graduate degree in Speech Pathology
Ali Walker
My name is Ali Walker, and I am a senior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. I am deeply interested in working with adults and geriatric speech-language pathology, with a particular focus on stroke victims, aphasia, dysphagia, dementia, and other cognitive-communication disorders. Besides research, I am involved in other on-campus organizations such as the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA), Women's and Maternal Health, and an active member of the Delta Delta Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. Off-campus, I enjoy regularly volunteering for REACH, which is a community respite ministry that supports adults with mild to moderate dementia by facilitating social, emotional, and spiritual activities.
Lillie Lassiter
Lillie Lassiter is a junior at Auburn pursuing a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Outside of research, she is a member of Delta Zeta and is involved with Grace Auburn’s student college ministry
Maddie Deakins
My name is Maddie Deakins, and I am from Maple Grove, MN. I am a senior studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in Health and Human Development and Business. I currently serve as the President of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the Vice President of Warmhearted Individuals Nurturing Great Success. In the future, I hope to become a pediatric speech language pathologist specializing in AAC for children with neurodiversity
Rivers Webb
My name is Rivers Webb, and I am a sophomore majoring in Speech Language and Pathology, and minoring in Business. I am a Kappa Delta here at Auburn and hold two leadership positions within my sorority. I am particularly interested in swallowing and pediatrics, and I can't wait to grow my knowledge during my time at Auburn. War Eagle!
Jenna Dekich
Major: Graduate School of Speech - language Pathology, Class of 2028
Interests: I am interested in working as a medical speech- language pathologist
Main projects: Cognitive flexibility in normal aging
Dylan Davidoff
Dylan joined the lab in 2026. Originally from Annapolis, MD, Dylan graduated from Eckerd College with a B.A. in Animal Studies and a B.S. in Marine Science in the Spring of 2023. During her time at Eckerd she conducted research on behavior and learning in horseshoe crabs. Her current research interests include canine learning and problem-solving with a particular focus on individual differences as well as human-canine relationships.
Krissy Busby
Krissy joined the lab in fall of 2024. Originally from Birmingham, AL, she graduated with her B.A. In Psychology from Auburn University in the spring of 2024. Her research interests involve the human-dog social bond and how it influences performance in cognitive tasks, as well as olfactory working memory performance in both dogs and humans.
Lucy Anderson
Reese Behnke
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Human Development and Family Sciences and French
Aidyn Lee
Linggong Kong
Linggong Kong is a Ph.D. candidate in Public Administration and Public Policy at Auburn University. He received both a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Community Planning from Auburn University in 2020.
His research interests span international relations and comparative politics. In international relations, his work focuses on U.S.-China relations, China’s grand strategy, and Northeast Asian security. In comparative politics, his research examines political culture and its implications for political and governance outcomes. His research has been published in Politics & Policy, Asian Politics & Policy, and other academic journals. His public-facing political analysis and commentary have appeared in Asia Times, East Asia Forum, The Conversation, and The Diplomat.
Tracks: International Relations, Comparative Politics
Areas of Interest: U.S.-China relations, China’s grand strategy, Northeast Asian security, Political culture, democratic governance
Education:
Master of Public Administration, Auburn University
Master of Community Planning, Auburn University
Bachelor of International Economy and Trade, Nanjing Audit University, China