Meet Our Students - Ball State University

Meet Our Students
Second-Year Cognitive/Social students:
Front: Kinsey Bryant-Lees, Kao Lee Yang, Kim Buxton, Kayla Alves, Elizabeth Campbell
Back: Matt Ladwig, Ryan Strimple, Chris Thomas
First-Year Cognitive/Social students:
Oscar Vazquez, Melanie Mabrey, Elizabeth Tobin, Amanda Thorpe, Sarah Eagan,
Kyle Olson, Zach Cole
Second-Year Clinical students:
Alyssa Spurling, Sara Comstock, Keisha Woodall, Carin Smith, Meredith Cors, Julia Matsen
First-Year Clinical students:
Brittany Katz, Laura Kooiman, Kelsey Hurm, Nicole Roviso, Courtney Cromas, Brian Kraus
Student Biographies
Cognitive & Social Processes students
Kayla Alves
I am currently a second year student in the cognitive and social processes program where I am
a graduate assistant for Dr. Pickel and Professor Truelove. I grew up in a small town in Rhode
Island and got my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Roger Williams University which is a
small school in Bristol, Rhode Island. During my senior year of undergrad I conducted research
focusing on the impact of cross-examination of victim impact testimony on juror’s confidence in
their sentencing recommendation. I am interested in legal psychology and hope to continue
conducting research within this field. In the future I hope on attending a Ph.D. program in legal
psychology.
Kinsey Bryant-Lees
Hi, my name is Kinsey Bryant-Lees and I am a second year Master’s student in the Cognitive
and Social Processes program. I received my BA in Psychology with a minor in Women’s
Studies from Denison University. As an undergraduate, my research focus was on evaluating the
consequences of gender and sexual orientation stereotypes for agentic and communal job
applicants. For my Master’s Thesis, I aim to examine the consequences of attitudes, and gender
and sexual orientation stereotypes specifically in hyper-masculine and hyper-feminine
occupations. Currently, as a GA I am working with Dr. Kite on several projects in her lab, and
Dr. Gentry on a series of bullying studies. After earning my Master’s degree from Ball State, I
hope to pursue a career in Institutional Research or a related field in the Applied Social Sciences.
Kim Buxton
I am a second-year student in the Cognitive and Social Processes program. I earned my B.S. in
Psychology and B.A. in Philosophy at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.
My primary research interest is in terror management theory. As a graduate assistant, I work with
Dr. Mary Kite in her lab and with Dr. Kerri Pickel for the graduate program. I am also pursuing a
certificate in Institutional Research. I plan to continue refining my interests and knowledge
through my experiences at Ball State to prepare me for the future.
Elizabeth Campbell
My name is Elizabeth Campbell. I am a second year in the cognitive/social program. I received a
BA in Psychology from Marian University. As an undergraduate my research focused on the
effects of position and work experience on self-efficacy and attribution. My career goals are to
continue my education in a doctoral program. Eventually, I want to teach and conduct research at
the collegiate level.
Zach Cole
Hi all! My name is Zach Cole, and I am a first year M. A. student in the Cognitive and Social
Processes program. I was born in California, and raised in Washington State. I completed my B.
S. in Kinesiology and B. S. in Psychology at Washington State University. Upon graduating I
worked two years in construction. I most recently worked with children suffering from various
mental disorders and social/behavioral issues. My passion for teaching and research has drawn
me to pursue a career as a university professor. I originally planned on continuing in the field of
Sport Psychology, where most of my undergraduate research experience was centered. I have
found the study of Psychology to be more worthwhile. My research interests are related to
personality growth and development over the lifetime. After completing my M. A., I plan on
pursuing a Ph.D.
Sarah Eagan
Hi, my name is Sarah Eagan and I am a first year Master’s student in the Cognitive and Social
Processes program. I received my BA in psychology with a minor in sociology from Sonoma
State University in Northern California. While I was an undergraduate, my research primarily
focused on gender, anti-gay prejudice, and masculinity threat. I plan to continue research in
these areas and am currently exploring issues regarding negative perceptions of acquaintance
rape victims. I currently am a GA for Dr. Littleford and Professor Taylor. After I receive my
MA, I plan to enter a Sociology Psychology/Cognitive, Neuroscience, Social Psychology Ph.D.
program.
Matthew Ladwig
Hi, I’m Matt Ladwig! I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at Purdue UniversityCalumet and am now a second-year double master's student with multidisciplinary interests in
cognitive psychology and neuroscience and their relationship with the exercise experience and
associated behavioral decision-making. Specifically, my interests are in affective and emotional
responses to exercise, how these are influenced both psychologically and physiologically, and
the cognitive and neurological correlates that may help to explain these effects. Additionally, I
have interest in how we can use lessons learned in cognitive and other areas of psychology to
help influence research direction in exercise psychology. My research is primarily influenced by
the framework put forth by Hedonic and Dual-mode theories. My most recent projects have
focused on the little-investigated psychological effects of a pre-workout warm-up and the
implication it may have for improving the exercise affective experience.
Melanie Mabrey
Hi, my name is Melanie Mabrey and I’m a first year Master’s student in the Cognitive and Social
Processes program. I am originally from Kansas and I obtained a Bachelor of Science in
Psychology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. My research interests focus on
decision-making and, in particular, consumer behaviors. At Ball State University, I am a
Graduate Assistant for Dr. Michael Tagler and Dr. Darrell Butler.
Kyle Olson
Hi. My name is Kyle and I am a first-year Master's student within the Cognitive and Social
Processes program. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor's of
Science degree in psychology from Baylor University. During my time as an undergraduate, I
studied prejudice, religiosity, moral disgust, implicit attitudes, and personality factors. My
academic interests at Ball State are focused on statistical, cognitive, and personality psychology,
but I enjoy social and positive psychology as well. After this program, my intentions are focused
on obtaining a doctorate degree in cognitive psychology, or to integrate what I understand of
statistics toward a future job in data analytics. If possible, I also think it would be rewarding to
teach cognitive psychology at the collegiate level during my career.
Danielle Sneyd
Hi, my name is Danielle Sneyd and I am a first year Masters student in the Cognitive and Social
Processes program. I completed my undergraduate degree at Roger Williams University in
Rhode Island where I obtained a BS in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I am very interested in
the legal psychology field and plan to do further research in that area while here at Ball
State. After graduating from Ball State I plan to get a Doctorate degree in the legal psychology.
Ryan Strimple
Hi! My name is Ryan Strimple and I am a second year Master’s student in the Cognitive and
Social Processes program. I completed my undergrad here at Ball State where I received my B.S.
in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Some of my research interests include eyewitness memory,
juror decision making, and police lineups. After completing the program, I plan to continue my
education at the doctoral level, perhaps in legal psychology.
Christopher Thomas
Hello. My Name is Christopher Thomas and I am second year Master’s student in the Cognitive
and Social Processes Program. I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychological Science with
minors in Interpersonal Relations and Human Development from Ball State University. My
research interests include decision-making, attitudes, and selective exposure. After completing
my Master’s degree, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Social Psychology.
Amanda Thorpe
I am currently a first year Master's student in the Cognitive & Social Processes program. I
received my BA in Psychology at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Indiana. As an
undergrad, I performed research on the effects of restaurant work and feelings of job burnout on
alcohol abuse. However, this study was a reflection of working in a restaurant for eight years,
and it is no longer an area that I am interested in. I also worked as an aide to a professor at my
previous institution, where our research was focused on stimulus discrimination in horses. I am
also no longer terribly interested in working with horses, but I am interested in Cognitive
Psychology, particularly reading comprehension. I will be working with Dr. Ritchey during my
time at Ball State, and I plan to gain the necessary skills and experiences to be accepted into a
Ph.D. program following graduation.
Elizabeth Tobin
I am a first-year Cognitive and Social Processes Masters student. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts
in psychology from Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne (IPFW). As an
undergraduate at IPFW, I conducted research with two faculty advisors. The research ranged
from computer mediated communication, prejudice and discrimination, and gender differences in
prosocial behaviors. I have two publications in the area of unwanted but consensual sexting and
how it relates to various variables. I am most interested to continue work as a graduate student
in the area of computer mediated communication.
Oscar Vazquez
My name is Oscar Vazquez. I am a first year in the Cognitive & Social Processes program. I
graduated from Lee University with a BA in Psychology. My undergraduate research consisted
of viewing attention in two different topics: consumer decision-making being influenced by
divided attention and facial attraction affecting our attentional scope. My current research
interests still involve attention and also include affection to personal nonliving objects (i.e.,
attachment to our cell phones).
Kao Lee Yang
My name is Kao Lee Yang and I am a second year student in the Cognitive and Social Processes
program. I am from Madison, WI and received my Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the
University of Wisconsin-Stout. My research interests are broad; however, I have an enduring
interest in social psychological research surrounding issues of diversity and pluralistic societies.
Currently, I am assisting in the labs of Drs. Littleford and Holtgraves. Upon graduation from Ball
State University, I will be pursuing a doctorate in Social Psychology.
Clinical Psychology students
Meredith Bucher
Hello! My name is Meredith and I am a second year student in the Clinical Psychology program.
I am originally from Elkhart, Indiana and I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with
a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience from Manchester University. As an undergraduate, I
became involved with SSI testing, learning disability evaluations, and neuropsychological
evaluations for the community. It was then that I became interested in neuropsychological and
psychological assessment, particularly effort testing. Currently, I am working on my thesis with
Dr. Forbey investigating over-reporting response patterns on the MMPI-2. My goal is to pursue a
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the hopes of becoming a Clinical Neuropsychologist.
Sara Comstock
Hello, I am a second year clinical psychology student from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I received my
Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University where I studied psychology and
women’s studies. My primary research interests include anxiety disorders, trauma and women’s
issues. More specifically, I am interested in working with women exposed to domestic and
sexual trauma. Here at Ball State University, I am also a research assistant within the iLearn
department, where I conduct research pertaining to online and distance education. Postgraduation, I will continue my education in clinical psychology at a doctoral level with the
ambition of pursuing a career in both academia and private practice.
Courtney Cromas
I am a first year in the Clinical Psychology Master's program. I graduated with a B.S. in
Psychology from Ball State University. As an undergraduate, I completed several research
projects looking at topics such as the elaboration likelihood model and the relationship between
mood and sexual behaviors. I also served as a research assistant to Dr. Mary Kite and a teaching
assistant to Dr. Heather Adams. Currently, I am a graduate assistant for both Dr. Kristin Ritchey
and Professor Kiersten Baughman. My research interests include predictors of relationship
violence, trauma recovery, and how trauma influences attachment styles. After completing my
Master's degree here at Ball State, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Kelsey Hurm
Hi, my name is Kelsey Hurm and I am a first year Clinical Psychology Master's student from
Fishers, IN. I received my BA in Psychology from Butler University in May of 2014. My
undergraduate research focused on reasoning, decision making and psychopathology specifically
in terms of subclinical symptoms of psychosis. I am currently a GA for Dr. Forbey with whom I
plan to continue my research using the MMPI. After obtaining my Master's from Ball State, I
plan to move on to a doctoral program to earn my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Brittany Katz
My name is Brittany Katz and I am a first year clinical psychology student. I earned my Bachelor
of Science from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. As an Undergraduate, I conducted
research on sexual aggression amid college students. I completed an Honors thesis concerning
specifically how the location a woman is viewed in can change a man’s perception of her sexual
interest. I went on to conduct research at the University of Notre Dame for two years working
with community clients while gaining more field experience. I am currently a graduate assistant
at Ball State University, working with Dr. Paul Biner. Along with earning my master’s degree
here at Ball State, I also hope to complete a research thesis in the area of sexual aggression. My
future goals include earning my Ph. D. in clinical psychology and conducting research that can
help both men and women with the misperceptions and actions of sexual aggression.
Laura Kooiman
I am a first year student in the clinical psychology program. I'm from Seattle, Washington. I
completed my bachelor's degree at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, double majoring
in psychology and English literature. My research interests include adolescence, domestic
violence, and eating disorders.
Brian Kraus
My name is Brian Kraus and I am a first year clinical student in the Ball State M.A. Psychology
program. I am from Albany New York and did my undergraduate at State University of New
York (SUNY) Buffalo where I did work on addiction and how perception alters the planning of
actions. I am especially interested in the brain and my research interests primarily include
neuropsychology and statistics. My goal is to obtain a PhD to continue my research and teach.
Julie Matsen
I am a second year Clinical Psychology student from Leonardo, New Jersey. I completed my
undergraduate degree at Reed College. As an undergraduate, I completed a senior thesis
examining the relationship between classic parenting typologies and disordered eating in the
context of self-determination theory. My interests are in disordered eating, personality, and
trauma. After completing my degree at Ball State, I intend to pursue a PhD in Clinical
Psychology.
Nicole Roviso
Hello! My name is Nicole Roviso and I am a Clinical Psychology student. I am originally from
the Chicago suburbs where I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at Elmhurst
College. I am extremely interested in neuroscience and how it relates to psychopathology. In
particular I am interested in neurological differences between psychopaths and non-psychopaths
as it relates to committing crimes. Upon completion of my master’s degree I would like to earn
my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology.
Carin Smith
Hi! I’m Carin and I am a second year student in the Clinical Psychology program. In May, I
graduated from Ball State University with a B.A. in psychology. As an undergraduate I assisted
in various research topics involving cognition and was a teaching assistant for a few classes
including the Sexual Psychology class. My honors thesis focused on the impact of video on
procedural learning. While I have experience in several subsections of psychology, my main
research interests revolve around interpersonal relationships and what influences the dynamics of
the relationship. In the future I also hope to explore more about what role relationships play in
different settings. I am currently a Graduate Assistant for Dr. Gentry and Dr. Gaither, assisting
with classes and research. I am also working with Dr. Butler on expanding my undergraduate
honors thesis, “The Lego Experiment.” When I complete the Master’s Program, I hope to earn
my PhD in Counseling or Clinical Psychology.
Alyssa Spurling
Hello! My name is Alyssa Spurling and I am a second year Clinical Psychology student. I have
my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri.
During my undergrad I was able to do an internship and an externship. The internship was with
Quincy Medical Group where I worked with speech and occupational therapy. The externship
was at Washington University in St. Louis’s Department of Neurology where I worked in the
Center of Excellence for Huntington’s Disease. At HLG, I was able to do two research studies.
The first was a study on human sexual behavior and the second was a thesis that focused on the
complex facets of marital satisfaction. After BSU I plan to get my Ph.D. in the realm of
Cognitive Neuroscience where I will study the interaction of stress in the brain, and work
towards my ultimate goal of becoming a researcher and professor.
Keisha Woodall
Hello all! My name is Keisha and I am a second year Clinical student. I am originally from St.
Louis, Missouri and graduated with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Missouri
State University. Since graduation, I spent three years working in community mental
health facilities with clients diagnosed with severe mental illness and substance abuse. I then
accepted a research position with the IU Psychotic Disorders Program in Indianapolis,
assisting with clinical trials studying cortical erosion early stage psychosis. Additionally, I served
seven years in the US Air Force. Since beginning the Clinical program here at Ball State, I have
been an active member of Dr. Simon-Dack’s lab where we utilize psychophysiological measures
(EEG/ERP) to investigate individual brain differences. I also work as an RA in Dr. Holtgraves’
lab. Currently, my research interests encompass correlates between resting EEG frequencies,
schizotypal personality traits, and creativity performance in a healthy population. My goal is to
attain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology or Clinical Science where I hope to continue research
pertaining to mental illness (specifically psychosis).

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