Doctoral students
Shelby Hunter, MS
Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology and social science evidence in the courtroom
Hello! I am a second year graduate student in the clinical psychology (law track) program. I completed an undergraduate (B.A.) degree in psychology at Butler University and a masters (M.S.) degree in psychology at Arizona State University. My research interests include the use of neuroscience and neuropsychological assessments in courts and other forensic settings, assessment validity, traumatic brain injury and violence/violence intervention. I plan to complete a forensic clinical psychology internship and forensic clinical neuropsychology post-doctoral program. Ultimately, my goals are some combination of forensic neuropsychology practice, research, and mentoring students. In my spare time I love traveling, hiking, yoga, and being a foodie.
Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology and social science evidence in the courtroom
Hello! I am a second year graduate student in the clinical psychology (law track) program. I completed an undergraduate (B.A.) degree in psychology at Butler University and a masters (M.S.) degree in psychology at Arizona State University. My research interests include the use of neuroscience and neuropsychological assessments in courts and other forensic settings, assessment validity, traumatic brain injury and violence/violence intervention. I plan to complete a forensic clinical psychology internship and forensic clinical neuropsychology post-doctoral program. Ultimately, my goals are some combination of forensic neuropsychology practice, research, and mentoring students. In my spare time I love traveling, hiking, yoga, and being a foodie.
Ashley Peck, BA
Research interests: Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, diagnostic biases, and intervention
Ashley is a first year graduate student at the University of Alabama. She is originally from Dallas, Texas and completed her undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University. Research interests broadly include assessment and treatment of inmates with severe mental illnesses. When she “grows up” she hopes to have her own practice in which she conducts clinical and forensic assessments as well as providing treatment for individuals in the forensic population. She enjoys going on walks at the riverwalk and the arboretum. Although she does not have a pet in Tuscaloosa, she loves to play with other’s dogs to get rid of her puppy fever.
Research interests: Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, diagnostic biases, and intervention
Ashley is a first year graduate student at the University of Alabama. She is originally from Dallas, Texas and completed her undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University. Research interests broadly include assessment and treatment of inmates with severe mental illnesses. When she “grows up” she hopes to have her own practice in which she conducts clinical and forensic assessments as well as providing treatment for individuals in the forensic population. She enjoys going on walks at the riverwalk and the arboretum. Although she does not have a pet in Tuscaloosa, she loves to play with other’s dogs to get rid of her puppy fever.
Haley Potts, MA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial, competence restoration, and mental state
Haley Potts is a first-year doctoral student at the University of Alabama, earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a concentration in law and psychology. She completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology at Sewanee: The University of the South. After working in publishing for a few years, she went on to earn a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of Denver. Her research interests include forensic mental health assessment, competency restoration, and non-offending people with pedophilia. Haley's ever-changing career goals include conducting court-ordered forensic assessments as well as teaching. Haley is a native Alabamian who hates the heat but loves yoga, Netflix, and her enormous rescue dog, Doug.
Research interests: Competence to stand trial, competence restoration, and mental state
Haley Potts is a first-year doctoral student at the University of Alabama, earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a concentration in law and psychology. She completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology at Sewanee: The University of the South. After working in publishing for a few years, she went on to earn a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of Denver. Her research interests include forensic mental health assessment, competency restoration, and non-offending people with pedophilia. Haley's ever-changing career goals include conducting court-ordered forensic assessments as well as teaching. Haley is a native Alabamian who hates the heat but loves yoga, Netflix, and her enormous rescue dog, Doug.
Undergraduate students
Whitney Hovater
Research interests: Children, adolescents, and performance validity (effort) testing
My name is Whitney Hovater, I’m a senior from Denver, Colorado. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology and I plan to go to medical school. I’m interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics and research. My research interests include pediatric and adolescent malingering, and neuropsychology. In my free time I love reading, spending time with my friends, listening to podcasts, and finding new coffee shops.
Research interests: Children, adolescents, and performance validity (effort) testing
My name is Whitney Hovater, I’m a senior from Denver, Colorado. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology and I plan to go to medical school. I’m interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics and research. My research interests include pediatric and adolescent malingering, and neuropsychology. In my free time I love reading, spending time with my friends, listening to podcasts, and finding new coffee shops.
|
Garett Ostdiek-Wille
Research interests: Medical research Garett is a sophomore at the University of Alabama from He is from Gretna Nebraska and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. He hopes to attend medical school following his time at Alabama with the goal of becoming a practicing physician. On campus, Garett is involved with the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, where he serves as the Vice President of Member Development. He also is participating in research with the Radiation Oncology Department of the University of Nebraska Medical Center through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Outside of academics and activities, Garett is an avid sports fan. Some of his favorite teams include Alabama Football, Creighton Basketball, and Chelsea Football Club. |
Mercedes Taylor
Research interests: Mental state and juvenile justice
Mercedes Taylor is a junior at The University currently majoring in criminal justice and psychology. After she graduates in 2020, she plans to go straight into a Clinical Psychology Ph.D program with the intent of becoming a Forensic Psychologist in the near future. Her current research interest involves insanity cases and juvenile forensic psychology. Mercedes is involved in Al's Pals, an after school mentoring program, the Student Leadership Council at the Women and Gender Resource Center, and is an Assistant Team Leader for Beyond Bama, an organization that leads domestic and international trips. In her off time, she enjoys coffee shops, baking and exploring flower patches in random cities.
Research interests: Mental state and juvenile justice
Mercedes Taylor is a junior at The University currently majoring in criminal justice and psychology. After she graduates in 2020, she plans to go straight into a Clinical Psychology Ph.D program with the intent of becoming a Forensic Psychologist in the near future. Her current research interest involves insanity cases and juvenile forensic psychology. Mercedes is involved in Al's Pals, an after school mentoring program, the Student Leadership Council at the Women and Gender Resource Center, and is an Assistant Team Leader for Beyond Bama, an organization that leads domestic and international trips. In her off time, she enjoys coffee shops, baking and exploring flower patches in random cities.
Aislinn Tansey
Research interests: Competence to stand trial
Aislinn Tansey is a senior at The University of Alabama with a double major in psychology and criminal justice. Upon graduation, she plans to attend a Clinical Psychology Ph.D program with a concentration in forensic psychology. Her research interests focus on forensic mental health assessments, and she is currently doing an honors thesis on priming effects in competency to stand trial evaluations. Aislinn is also doing research on Dusky Prong failure in misdemeanor defendants in the Forensic Psychiatry unit at Vanderbilt University. In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling and playing with her dog Murphy.
Research interests: Competence to stand trial
Aislinn Tansey is a senior at The University of Alabama with a double major in psychology and criminal justice. Upon graduation, she plans to attend a Clinical Psychology Ph.D program with a concentration in forensic psychology. Her research interests focus on forensic mental health assessments, and she is currently doing an honors thesis on priming effects in competency to stand trial evaluations. Aislinn is also doing research on Dusky Prong failure in misdemeanor defendants in the Forensic Psychiatry unit at Vanderbilt University. In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling and playing with her dog Murphy.
|
Mary Tate Thomas
Research interests: Neuroscience and mental state Mary Tate Thomas is from Birmingham, AL and is a junior at the University of Alabama. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in French and Social Innovation and Leadership. She is also enrolled in Highlands College pursuing her certification in ministry. Outside of school, Mary Tate is involved with a non-profit organization called SOZO Children that supports vulnerable children in Uganda. She enjoys volunteering in Birmingham and also traveling to Africa. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health. Her ultimate career goal is to be a faith-based counselor. |
