Doctoral students
Shelby Hunter, MS
Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology and social science evidence in the courtroom
Hello! I am a fifth-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 fifth-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.
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Cassandra Jensen, BS
Research interests: Competency, violence risk assessment, serious mental illness Cassandra is a second-year psy-law clinical student originally from Portland, OR and attended college at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (with a minor in Business Administration) in 2018. In graduate school, Cassandra is interested in competency to stand trial, and mental state at time of offense assessments, prevention and diversion opportunities for those with SMI involved in the justice system, and the public policy implications of forensic research. In her free time, Cassandra enjoys hiking with her dog Summer, reading fiction, and good coffee |
Ashley Peck, BA
Research interests: Forensic assessment, competency restoration, and mental state
Ashley is a fourth-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 fourth-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 fourth-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.
Cassidy White, BA
Research interests: Competency to stand trial, competency restoration, adverse/traumatic experiences
Cassidy is a first-year clinical psychology student in the psych & law concentration. She completed her undergraduate degree at James Madison University (Roll Dukes) and is from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Her research interests include assessment of competency to stand trial, competency restoration, and adverse/ traumatic experiences. Cassidy's career goals are to work clinically with individuals experiencing severe mental illness in a hospital setting along with advocacy and adjunct teaching. In her free time, she enjoys drinking coffee, reading, and traveling.
Masters students
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Sydney Moore, BS
Research interests: Forensic psychology, child/adolescent psychology Sydney is a master’s student in the Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the University of Alabama. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an adolescent concentration, also from the University of Alabama. Her interests include forensic interviewing of children/adolescents, sex crimes investigations, and investigations of crimes against children. Her career goals include federal law enforcement and/or forensic interviewing for a child advocacy center or the federal/state government. She is also interested in possibly pursuing a PhD in clinical forensic psychology in the future. Her hobbies include spending time with her 5 dogs, photography, art, reading Stephen King novels, and an endless amount of true crime documentaries. |
Undergraduate students
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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. Sahar Aryanpure
Research interest: Child and forensic psychology Sahar is a sophomore at the University of Alabama from Tuscaloosa and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and Biology. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending medical school with the goal of earning a M.D in Psychiatry. She is also involved with the Alpha Epsilon Delta chapter on campus. In her free time, she loves to travel and hang out with her friends at local coffee shops. |
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Anna Bending
Research interests: IO psychology and mental disorders Anna is a senior at the University of Alabama from Chalfont, PA, and is majoring in Psychology with minors in General Business and Biology. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending graduate school in hopes of earning a Ph.D. with the goal of becoming an Industrial Organizational Psychologist. On campus, Anna is involved with Psi Chi, serving as the 2021-2022 Chapter President, the UA-ACTS Program, the Capstone Center, and the Career Center. She also completed a corporate human resources internship over the summer of 2021 with Mark Anthony Services, Inc., where she conducted internal and external research on the company’s DEI strategy in relation to employee performance. 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. |
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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. |
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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. Kate Petrafesa
Research interests: Forensic Neuropsychology Kate is a junior at the University of Alabama from Fairfield, Connecticut. She majoring in psychology and double minoring in criminal justice and neuroscience. After graduation Kate plans to attend graduate school to receive her P.h.D in Psychology and hopes to be a forensic neuropsychologist. Kate is involved with Delta Gamma sorority, University Programs, and the UA-ACTS program. In Kate's free time she loves to watch crime shows, specifically criminal minds. Olivia Redding
Research interest: Forensic psychology Olivia is a senior at the University of Alabama from Orange, CA, and is double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Blount Liberal Arts and Anthropology. After receiving her undergraduate degree she would like to pursue her P.h.D. in Clinical Psychology and she is still deciding between a dual JD or pursuing a Masters Degree in Law. Her ultimate career goal is to be a Forensic Psychologist for the State and work on relevant research at a University wherever she lands. On our campus, Olivia is involved with Pi Beta Phi sorority, the ECHO Research lab, Order of the Omega, and the University Honors Program. She currently works at Indian Rivers Mental Health as a Direct Care staff in the Developmental Disabilities Unit. In her spare time, she loves curling up in her Comfy, drinking some hot tea, and reading a good book. She is also a secret Harry Potter nerd and when it comes to TV shows she's definitely a Spencer Reid fan. Taylor York
Interests: Clinical and forensic psychology Taylor is a junior at the University of Alabama majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice with minors in Neuroscience and Sociology. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree, she hopes to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Forensic Psychology. In the future, Taylor hopes to work as a forensic psychologist and conduct mental health assessments and/or work for the FBI. On campus, Taylor is involved in Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Honors College Assembly, Psi Chi, Psychology Honors Program, and Bama Tutors for Service. She is also an ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In her spare time, Taylor likes to read (Harry Potter in particular), watch Netflix, and spend time with friends, family, and pets. |
CLASS RA awards
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2019-2020 award winner: Garett Ostdiek-Wille
2018-2019 award winners: Whitney Hovater and Aislinn Tansey 2017-2018 award winner: Shelby Hunter |
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
