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.
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 legal 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.
Undergraduate students
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Kat Georgious
Research interest: Forensic psychology Kat is a junior at the University of Alabama from Louisville, KY. She is majoring in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Political Science. After graduation she plans to attend law school and earn a J.D. to pursue a career as a criminal defense attorney. On campus, Kat is involved in Psi Chi, Pre-Law Student Association, Legal Research Club, and Boxing Club. In her free time, she likes to read, cook, and hike. Bailee Hughes
Research interest: Forensic psychology and intersectionality Bailee is a junior from Lexington, KY majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women’s Studies and African American Studies. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to obtain her PsyD in Forensic Psychology. Her ultimate career aspiration is to become a forensic psychologist and open her own multi-disciplinary criminal justice nonprofit organization that assists in criminal cases and uses an intersectional lens to advocate for social change and marginalized communities. On campus, Bailee is a member of the Theta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a WGRC Safe Sister and member of the Action Team, the Elliott Society, Tau Sigma National Honor Society, and Women of Excellence. In her free time, she loves to watch true crime shows, read, work out, travel, and spend time with her dog. |
Elise Powise
Research interest: Forensic psychology Elise is a freshman at the University of Alabama from Traverse City, Michigan majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she will either be pursuing her Ph.D in forensic psychology or attending law school. On our campus, Elise is involved in Delta Zeta sorority, University Honors Program, and the Emerging Scholars Program. In Elise’s free time she loves to travel, watch crime shows, and spend time with friends. Piper Taylor
Research interests: Forensic and child psychology Piper is a Junior at the University of Alabama from Nashville, TN and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. On campus, Piper is involved with Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Psi Chi, Cardinal Key Honor Society, and she serves as the VP of Operations for the B+ Foundation. In Piper’s free time, she likes to travel, watch Netflix, and try out new restaurants with friends. |
CLASS RA awards
Lab alumni
Anna Bending, 2019-2022, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: IO psychology and mental disorders
2021-2022 CLASS RA Award
Kate Petrafesa, 2020-2022, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic Neuropsychology
Olivia Redding, 2019-2022, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Forensic psychology
Jasmine Arnold, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology
Beka Lescenski, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Neuropsychology
2020-2021 CLASS RA Award
Marin Montalbano, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology
Jeniya Harris, 2019-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic and child psychology
Taylor York, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Clinical and forensic psychology
Sydney Moore, BS, 2021, Masters RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology, child/adolescent psychology
Hannah King, 2019-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology and social justice
Garett Ostdiek-Wille, BS, 2017-2020, First CLASS Undergraduate RA (!!)
Research interest: Medical research
2019-2020 CLASS RA Award
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
2018-2019 CLASS RA Award
Aislinn Tansey, BA, 2017-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial
2018-2019 CLASS RA Award
Mercedes Taylor, 2018-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Mental state and juvenile justice
Research interests: IO psychology and mental disorders
2021-2022 CLASS RA Award
Kate Petrafesa, 2020-2022, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic Neuropsychology
Olivia Redding, 2019-2022, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Forensic psychology
Jasmine Arnold, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology
Beka Lescenski, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Neuropsychology
2020-2021 CLASS RA Award
Marin Montalbano, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology
Jeniya Harris, 2019-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic and child psychology
Taylor York, 2020-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Clinical and forensic psychology
Sydney Moore, BS, 2021, Masters RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology, child/adolescent psychology
Hannah King, 2019-2021, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Forensic psychology and social justice
Garett Ostdiek-Wille, BS, 2017-2020, First CLASS Undergraduate RA (!!)
Research interest: Medical research
2019-2020 CLASS RA Award
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
2018-2019 CLASS RA Award
Aislinn Tansey, BA, 2017-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial
2018-2019 CLASS RA Award
Mercedes Taylor, 2018-2019, Undergraduate RA
Research interests: Mental state and juvenile justice