Students

Josh Gordon
1st Year

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Education: B.S. in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Advisor: Dr. Doug Markant and Dr. Sara Levens
Program Track: Behavioral Science

Research Interests: Cognitive psychology and the influence of attitudes and beliefs on behavior

Hobbies: Guitar, reading, hanging out with my wife

Ryan Hall
1st Year

Hometown: Mooresville, NC
Education:

  • B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • M.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Advisor: Dr. Doug Markant
Program Track: Behavioral Science
Research Interests:

Conceptualization of numbers and mathematics. The effects of natural number bias throughout life span. Creating and improving instructional strategies to identify and remediate deficits in numeracy. The impact of numbers on decision making.

Hobbies: Reading, exercise, painting models

Sophie Hirsch

Hometown: Leipzig, Germany
Education: B.A. in Psychology; B.S. in Exercise Science from Catawba College
Advisor: Dr. Jane Gaultney
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Sleep quality and behaviors; inflammation; mindfulness practices, Down syndrome

Current Practicum Placement: UNC Charlotte Counseling Center (CAPS)
Hobbies: Taking yoga and strength classes, trying new foods, playing with my quarantine puppy, Buster

Mackenzie Hood

Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Education: B.A. in Psychology and Dance with a minor in Health Promotion, Education & Behavior, Magna Cum Laude from University of South Carolina
Advisor: Dr. Virginia Gil-Rivas
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Chronic illness in adolescents and young adults, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other GI conditions, patient and self-advocacy, patient-provider relationships, adjustment disorder

Hobbies: Workout classes, outdoor activities, reading fiction novels, drinking coffee, and exploring Charlotte

Kate Hoyle

Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Education: B.A. in Art & Visual Culture and Psychology at Appalachian State University
Advisor: Dr. Amy Peterman
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

The interaction between low SES, unstable housing, homelessness, health outcomes, and quality of life

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, knitting, pottery

Bridget Jules

Hometown: Baldwin, NY
Education: B.A. in Psychology and Spanish Language and Literature from Binghamton University
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Intimate partner violence, consent, risk factors to sexual perpetration of violence, trauma informed care

Current Practicum Placement: UNC Charlotte Counseling Center (CAPS)
Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, yoga, movie watching, spending time with people I love

Noa Leiter

Hometown: Newton, MA
Education: B.A. in Psychology and Organizational Sciences from The George Washington University
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Kilmer and Dr. Laura Armstrong
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

The impact of youth risk and protective factors on health outcomes, and the development of community-driven prevention and intervention programs

Hobbies: Crocheting, playing volleyball, hiking, exploring new places

Jodie Lisenbee

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Education:

  • B.S. in Psychology and Human Development from the University of California at Davis
  • M.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Webb & Dr. Virginia Gil-Rivas
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Maternal and perinatal health, doula care, psychosocial influences on childbirth outcomes, clinical treatments for perinatal mood disorders

Internships/Assistantships: Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship at Duke University Medical Center, Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Dept, Adult Health Psychology track: Duke Fertility Center, Cancer Behavioral Symptom Management & Support Clinic, + Palliative Care Clinic

Hobbies: Live music, boating, hiking, snowboarding, puppies

Maegan (Mae) Mack

Hometown: Rincon, GA
Education: B.S. in Psychology from College of Coastal Georgia, Summa cum laude
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Kilmer
Program Track: Community
Research Interests:

Positive youth development using strength-based approaches, protective factors for at-risk youth, effects of prosocial activities, and mentoring on empowerment and resilience in youth

Hobbies: Upcycling, thrifting, gardening, cooking, climate advocacy

Iris McMillan

Hometown: Hassloch/Pfalz, Germany
Education:

  • B.S. in Psychology with distinction from Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt
  • M.A. in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Use of quantitative methods to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in dating violence research and social/behavioral science more broadly; identity-based dating violence systematically impacting sexual and gender minority youth; promotion of relational health across multiple levels of the bio-ecological model

Current Practicum Placement: Levine Children’s Center for Gender Health at Teen Health Connection
Hobbies: HIIT training, running, binge-watching the newest TV shows, listening to investigative journalism podcasts

Dana Miller

Hometown: Chambersburg, PA
Education:

  • B.S. in Psychology (Neuroscience track) at Penn State
  • M.A. in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Advisor: Dr. George Demakis
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Neuropsychology, Neuropsychological assessment of neurodegenerative disorders, Forensic neuropsychology

Hobbies: Photography, travel, music, and spending time with my husband and 3 ferrets

Alexis Mitchell

Hometown: Abingdon, VA
Education: B.S. in Psychology, summa cum laude from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Advisor: Dr. Sara Levens
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Affective (e.g., positive affect, positive reappraisal) and cognitive (e.g., future thinking) mechanisms underlying health behavior change, mindfulness and emotion regulation, inclusive health promotion approaches, positive psychology approaches to increasing physical activity

Current Practicum Placement: Atrium Health Union Family Practice
Hobbies: Exercise, exploring new walking/hiking trails, baking new recipes, making travel plans, live music, documentaries, cuddling and playing with my dogs