Doctoral students

Shelby Hunter, MS
Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology and social science evidence in the courtroom
Hello! I am a third-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 third-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.
Cassandra Jensen, BS
Research interests: Competency, violence risk assessment, serious mental illness Cassandra is a first-year clinical (psych & law) psychology student. Born and raised in Portland, OR, Cassandra attended college at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (with a minor in Business Administration). Her research interests broadly include competency and violence risk assessments of those diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Additional research areas include policy implications for forensic psychological research and courtroom legal-decision making. In her free time, Cassandra enjoys exploring hiking trails, cooking while dancing to music, and a good cup of coffee. |

Ashley Peck, BA
Research interests: Forensic assessment, competency restoration, and mental state
Ashley is a third-year clinical psychology and law graduate student at the University of Alabama. She is originally from Dallas, Texas, and completed her undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University. Her research interests include forensic assessment, competency restoration, and mental state at the time of the offense. She is particularly interested in how test conditions impact test validity in forensic settings. She plans to complete a clinical forensic psychology internship and post-doctoral program. Her ultimate career goal is to conduct forensic assessment and treatment and supervise clinical trainees. In her free time, she loves to take her chiweenie for walks around the park.
Research interests: Forensic assessment, competency restoration, and mental state
Ashley is a third-year clinical psychology and law graduate student at the University of Alabama. She is originally from Dallas, Texas, and completed her undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University. Her research interests include forensic assessment, competency restoration, and mental state at the time of the offense. She is particularly interested in how test conditions impact test validity in forensic settings. She plans to complete a clinical forensic psychology internship and post-doctoral program. Her ultimate career goal is to conduct forensic assessment and treatment and supervise clinical trainees. In her free time, she loves to take her chiweenie for walks around the park.

Haley Potts, MA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial, competence restoration, and mental state
Haley is a third-year doctoral student in the CLASS Lab. She completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology and women’s studies at Sewanee: The University of the South, and she earned a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of Denver. Her research interests include competency to stand trial, mental state at the time of the offense, and competency restoration. She enjoys working clinically with individuals who have serious and persistent mental illnesses. Haley's career goals include assessment and treatment of forensic patients with mental illness as well as adjunct teaching. In the American Psychology-Law Society, she is chair-elect of the Student Committee and student member of the Professional Development of Women Committee. Haley is a native Alabamian who hates the heat but loves true crime, hiking, and her enormous rescue dog, Doug.
Undergraduate students
Jasmine Arnold
Research interests: Forensic psychology Jasmine is a senior at the University of Alabama from Birmingham, AL. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school in hopes of earning her P.h.D in clinical forensic psychology. On campus, Jasmine is also a Resident Advisor and a BFSA Ambassador. |
Anna Bending Research interests: IO psychology and mental disorders Anna is a junior at the University of Alabama from Chalfont, PA, and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending graduate school in hopes of earning a P.h.D. with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. On campus, Anna is involved with Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the University of Alabama Dance Marathon, and Als Pals, a mentoring program that aids children in local Tuscaloosa schools. Jeniya Harris
Research interests: Forensic and child psychology Jeniya is a junior at the University of Alabama from Atlanta, Georgia and is majoring in psychology with a minor in Spanish. After graduation she plans to receive her master’s in counseling psychology and become a therapist. Her ultimate career goal is to open up her own private practice. On campus she is involved in Al’s Pals and Psychology Club. Just this past summer, Jeniya studied abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. Jeniya spends her free time traveling and trying new places to eat. |
Hannah King Research interests: Forensic psychology and social justice Hannah is a junior at the University of Alabama from Alexandria, VA. Majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice, Hannah hopes to specialize in the field of Forensic Psychology. After graduation, she plans to join a dual degree program where she will earn a J.D. and Phd in Clinical Psychology. On campus, Hannah is involved with the Black Faculty and Staff Association, Future Black Law Student Association, and a mentoring program for first year minority students. |
Beka Lescenski
Research interest: Neuropsychology Beka is a senior at the University of Alabama from Las Vegas, NV and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. After receiving her undergraduate degree she would like to pursue her P.h.D. in Neuropsychology. Her ultimate career goal is to be a Child and Adolescent Neuropsychologist. On campus, Beka is involved with Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, AL’s Pals, and Greek Programming Board. She spent Spring 2019 participating in the Disney College Program where she worked in Front of Park Operations and Event Operations. She also spent Summer of 2018 in Elmina, Ghana shadowing in the regional psychiatric hospital and leprosarium. Marin Montalbano Research interests: Forensic psychology I am a senior at the University of Alabama and I am from Chicago, Illinois. I am majoring in psychology and minoring in human development. After receiving my undergraduate degree I would love to pursue my Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a concentration on forensics. I am also currently a member of Psi Chi's University of Alabama chapter. In my spare time, I work as a barista and I also love going to the gym, spending time with friends, and binging forensic shows on Netflix. Phoebe Ringers
Research interest: Forensic psychology Phoebe is a sophomore at the University of Alabama from Atlanta, GA, and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans on going abroad and attending graduate school. Her goal is to receive a Masters Degree in forensic psychology. On campus, Phoebe is involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and helping at the metro animal shelter. |
CLASS RA awards
Lab alumni
Garett Ostdiek-Wille, BS, 2017-2020, First CLASS Undergraduate RA (!!)
Research interest: Medical research
Heather Whitsett, BA, 2019-2020, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology and psychotic disorders
Margaret Wood, BA, 2018-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Substance use and behavioral medicine
Spencer Anderson, BS, 2018-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology and neuroscience
Mary Tate Thomas, BA, 2017-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Neuroscience and mental state, cultural competence
Whitney Hovater, BA, 2017-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Children, adolescents, and performance validity (effort) testing
Aislinn Tansey, BA, 2017-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial
Mercedes Taylor, 2018-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Mental state and juvenile justice
Research interest: Medical research
Heather Whitsett, BA, 2019-2020, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology and psychotic disorders
Margaret Wood, BA, 2018-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Substance use and behavioral medicine
Spencer Anderson, BS, 2018-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology and neuroscience
Mary Tate Thomas, BA, 2017-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Neuroscience and mental state, cultural competence
Whitney Hovater, BA, 2017-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Children, adolescents, and performance validity (effort) testing
Aislinn Tansey, BA, 2017-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial
Mercedes Taylor, 2018-2019 Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Mental state and juvenile justice