BATLAB MEMBERS

Current Ph.D. Students

KAYLEE COOK is a third-year Doctoral student. She is from Arlington, Texas and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas Tech University. Her research interests include reintegration post-incarceration, systemic stigma toward persons involved in the criminal justice system, and correctional interventions and program participation. Outside of school, Kaylee likes to spend her time crocheting, being outside with her dog, Ellie, watching the Steelers play, listening to music, and watching Netflix.

RILEY DAVIS is a Doctoral student on her predoctoral internship. She is from Mobile, Alabama and completed her B.A.’s in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of South Alabama. Riley’s research interests involve racial disparities in the criminal justice system and legal decision making. She is interested in the mental health of justice-involved individuals and hopes to pursue a career in a correctional setting after the completion of her doctorate. In her free time, Riley enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with loved ones.

MARY DILLON is a first-year Doctoral student. She grew up in Sacramento, CA and spent most of her academic career in Seattle, WA. Mary received her B.A. in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Forensic Psychology at Seattle University and her M.A. in Forensic Psychology at the George Washington University. Her research interests include mental health effects of punishment strategies among incarcerated individuals, cultural competency in forensic assessment, and assessment of justice involved individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time with her senior cat, Bean, listening to podcasts, camping, playing video games, and reading fantasy novels.

TOM EDDY is a second-year Doctoral student. He is from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and his Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology at the University of Denver. Tom’s research interests include competency evaluation, forensic assessments, crisis intervention teams and officer perceptions, bias, and recidivism. His hobbies include cooking, getting outdoors with his dog Ziggy, rock climbing, live music, and exploring Memphis.

JADE HORTON is a third-year Doctoral student. She is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and completed her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Southeastern Louisiana University. Jade’s research interests involve re-entry, restrictive housing, recidivism and racial injustice in the criminal justice system. She is interested in the rehabilitation of justice-involved individuals and hopes to pursue a career in a correctional setting after the completion of her doctorate. In her free time, Jade enjoys reading books about social justice issues and watching documentaries.

ALYSSA HOYT is a second-year Doctoral student. She is from the San Francisco Bay Area. Alyssa completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Arizona State University and her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. Her research interests include effective mental health interventions for those who are justice-involved and clinician effectiveness when working with this population. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling to new cities, reading non-fiction, and watching her favorite TV show, Friends.

ASHLEY JONES is a Doctoral student on her predoctoral internship. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Psychology, both from Arizona State University. Ashley hopes to work in a prison or hospital setting, engaging in research and program development. Ashley's non-academic life goals include hiking a volcano in Costa Rica and spending Halloween at Disney World.

MADISON LORD is a third-year Doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She earned her BS in Psychology and BA in Criminal Justice from Georgia College & State University. Madison received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University. Her research interests center around traditional masculine ideologies that contribute to offending behaviors, prevention strategies, and forensic assessment. For fun Madison likes to watch reality tv shows, spend time with her cat Bug, and listen to murder mystery podcasts.

IVYS MORALES is a first-year Doctoral student. She is from Newark, New Jersey and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Psychology specializing in Forensic Psychology from Montclair State University. Ivys' research interests include competency to stand trial, forensic assessments, legal decision-makers' bias and perceptions, and correctional treatment. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, hanging out with friends and family, and watching true-crime documentaries.

MEERA PATEL is a Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student on her doctoral internship. She is from Knoxville, TN and completed her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee — Knoxville. She completed her M.Ed. at Lincoln Memorial University in Mental Health Counseling. Her ongoing clinical research interests include jury decision making, re-entry programs, criminality in minority populations, and personality disorders. After graduation, she hopes to work in a correctional setting. In her free time, she spends time with her two African Grey parrots, Lance and Rocky and dog, Dillon.

SARAH PRINGER is a Doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD on her predoctoral internship. She is from Jefferson City, Missouri. Sarah completed her B.S. in Psychology at Webster University in Saint Louis, Missouri. She completed her M.S. at Indiana State University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Sarah’s research and clinical interests involve trauma in correctional settings and trauma histories of adults who are incarcerated. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, watching movies, and playing with her dog Winston.

COLIN SMITH is a third-year in the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program. He was born and raised in Annandale, Virginia. Colin received his undergraduate degree in psychology from James Madison University and his Master's from Radford University. His main research and practice interests involve the psychiatric inpatient population. For fun, Colin enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, walking along the Mississippi river, and playing board games.

BRITTANY YOUNG is a second-year Doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. She later earned her Master of Arts in Social work from the University of Memphis. Her ongoing clinical and research interests include Black mental health, intergenerational trauma, and culturally adapted psychotherapy. In her free time, Brittany enjoys visiting local coffee shops, yoga, and reading.

Lab Research Assistants

Nikendra Webber

Lab Alumni

MICHAEL LESTER graduated from the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2022. He is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Pine Grove Evaluation Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

ALEXANDRA REPKE graduated from the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2021.

ASHLEY BOZEMAN graduated from the Counseling Psychology M.S. program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2020.

OLIVIA MILLER graduated from the Counseling Psychology M.S. program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2020.

JA'NISHA ROBINSON graduated from the Counseling Psychology M.S. program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018 and is working as a mental health practitioner in Dallas, Texas.

LAUREN COAKER graduated from the Counseling Psychology M.S. program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018 and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia.