People

Ben is an first-year Ph.D. student in the clinical psychology program who will be working with both Dr. Matt Judah in the CODA lab and Dr. Shields. Ben is from Fargo, ND, and earned his B.A. in Neuroscience and Psychology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Broadly, Ben is interested in understanding neural processes that help explain the associations between stress, executive functioning, and psychopathology.

Hannah is a fourth-year student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Arkansas. Her research interests include cognitive processes associated with anxiety and fear-based disorders, as well as social cognitive precipitants of suicide risk. A veteran of the United States Navy, Hannah is also interested in studying these processes among military personnel. In her time outside the lab, she enjoys powerlifting and writing fiction.

Hamrick Vita

Morgan is a third-year clinical psychology student. She earned her Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of Arkansas before changing gears and starting anew as a clinical student. Her current research focuses on neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive control and how those mechanisms might differ for individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. As an Arkansas native, she loves floating rivers, eating BBQ, saying y’all, and howling at full moons.

 Russell is a fourth-year student in the U of A’s clinical psychology PhD program. He is interested in understanding how the utilization of different cognitive control strategies reflects anxiety symptomology. He is also intrigued by the the impact that  researcher “degrees of freedom”  might have on the quantification of event-related potentials. In the future, Russell hopes  to study developmentally diverse populations (I.e., adolescents, older adults) because these data might inform age-dependent risk assessment for internalizing psychopathology. In his free time, he enjoys tending to his chili pepper garden and spoiling his Siamese cat. 

Wesley is a recent graduate from the University of Arkansas, obtaining Bachelors of Science in Biology and Chemistry with minors in psychology, medical humanities, and gender studies. He plans to pursue an MD/PhD in Neuroscience in the next couple years. Wesley’s main research interest is characterizing neurocognitive correlates (using EEG and ERPs, fMRI and BOLD signals, or other neuroimagining methods) of affective disorders, psychological trauma, and substance abuse to synthesize these markers, their plasticity, and treatment to understand “how” and “why” pharmacological interventions like psychedelic-assisted (ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA) therapies have their therapeutic effect. Other interests of his are social neuroscience and the formation of the “self,” impact of chronic and traumatic stress on neurobiology, and investigating heterogeneity in affective disorders and psychological trauma. 

Brynne is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Medical Humanities and Psychology. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a pediatric neurologist. Her research interests include the relations between affective mood and eating disorders, and mental health awareness. 

Casey is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in biology with a minor in psychology. She is interested in the correlation between mood disorders and experiences, along with the neurobiological effects they may have. After graduating, she plans on going to Physician Assistant school. In her free time she enjoys cooking, hanging out with friends, and listening to music.

Catherine is a graduating senior studying psychology and philosophy. Post-graduation, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a neuroscience focus. Catherine is interested in identifying neural characteristics as potential predictors of treatment outcomes for affective and trauma-related disorders. In the future she plans to contribute to the development of treatment and assessment practices to better serve patients. She likes to spend her free time doing aquatic landscaping, spoiling her cat, and going to concerts.

Daniel is a junior honors student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology.  He plans on pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually becoming a psychotherapist. Outside of school he spends most of his free time playing basketball, hanging out with his girlfriend, or writing.

Dylan is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Studio Art and Psychology. He is interested in analyzing the ways in which mood disorders affect the pursuit of creative endeavors and their outcomes. His spare time is spent pursuing craft-oriented wood and metalwork or watching X-files with his girlfriend.

Emmaleigh Moffitt is an undergraduate Honors Biology major with a focus on Pre-Medicine from Rogers, Arkansas. She is also pursuing a minor in Psychology. She is a recipient of the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship and the Chancellor’s Community Scholarship. Emmaleigh plans on attending medical school with the goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Emmaleigh is a member of The Rock Climbing Club at the University of Arkansas, as well as The Biology Club. Her research project focuses on the impacts of time and climate change on the diets of Hyrax by observing the patterns of dental microwear.

Kegan is a transfer to UofA from Texas. He is currently a junior majoring in Psychology, with the goal of obtaining his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology after graduating. He is a Marine Corps combat veteran and has interests in trauma, addiction, and severe cognitive disorders, particularly in the veteran population. In his free time, he enjoys training jiu-jitsu and riding his motorcycles. 

Laurel is a junior majoring in Psychology following a pre-med track. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an M.D. or a PhD in Clinical psychology. She is interested in social psychology and human behavior. Outside of academia, Laurel prides herself in being a Taylor Swift enthusiast and a devout la croix apologist. 

Lily is a senior undergraduate student studying psychology. She is most interested in working with children who have disabilities and implementing better interventions for their success in both academic, social, and emotional life. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in School Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys catching up with friends, trying coffee, and baking new recipes.

Linden is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Science. Linden is interested in the relationship between infections in the brain and the onset of OCD and anxiety symptoms in children. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology.

Natalie is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in the Spanish language. After college, she plans to attend law school in hopes to become a prosecutor. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and is interested in how personality and mood disorders can affect someone’s ability to function properly in aspects of daily life. She is also a proud member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and she enjoys painting and listening to music in her free time.

Neptune is a current undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. Majoring in Psychology and minoring in Substance Use Disorders, she plans on continuing her education with a masters degree within the psychology field. Later in life, she plans on working as a therapist. Current interests of hers outside of school are gardening and art.

Patsy is a graduating senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies. After undergrad she plans to pursue a PhD in experimental psychology. Some of her interests are social psychology and neuroendocrinology, more specifically the effects of hormonal contraceptives on behavior. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, reading, and playing the Sims. 

Robert is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas majoring in chemistry. He is interested in understanding mental illness through a multi-disciplinary approach. His post-graduation plans are to pursue a MD/PhD in biomedical engineering.

Sebastian is a graduating senior majoring in Biology with a minor in STEM Education. He is exploring research interests surrounding sensory processing and attentional biases in affective and trauma-related disorders. After graduation, he plans on pursuing a post-baccalaureate research position before continuing on to a PhD in Experimental Psychology/Neuroscience. He enjoys cooking, gardening, and working out in his free time.

Yodalys, who goes by Yoda, is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in biology and medical humanities. Yoda is is interested in mind wandering and attentional processing. After graduation, Yoda plans to pursue a PhD in biopsychology.