Students

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

Kelsey Julian

Hometown: Libertyville, IL

Education: B.S. in Psychology, Minors in Biology and Family Development from The University of Dayton

M.A. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Dayton

Advisor: Dr. Jeanette Bennett

Program Track: Behavioral Science

Research Interests: Long-term effects of early adversity and trauma on health outcomes, identifying biomarkers of chronic disease, gene-environment interactions, mind-body interventions

Hobbies: Weightlifting, listening to podcasts, trying new restaurants, travel

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

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

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

Ameante Payen

Hometown: Jamaica, Queens, New York
Education:

  • B.A. from Queens College City University of New York
  • M.A. from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Advisor: Dr. Jeanette Bennett
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

The effects of stress and inflammation on cognition, the clinical use of biomarkers in neuropsychological testing

Hobbies: Reading, spending time with family and friends, volunteering, traveling, dining out

Daniel Perkins

Hometown: Pittsburgh PA
Education:

  • B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh
  • M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University

Advisor: Dr. Sara Levens
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Applying Social Psychology approaches to understand and predict healthy/unhealthy behaviors, such as exercise or smoking

Hobbies: Playing guitar and collecting records

Sophie Pringle

Hometown: Irmo, SC
Education: B.A. in Psychology from Winthrop University
Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Webb
Program Track: Clinical
Research Interests:

Eating disorders specifically in women of color, weight bias, and weight stigma

Hobbies: Any outdoor activities, exploring new restaurants, coloring