Our Team
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Kat Georgious, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Forensic psychology Kat is a senior 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 is President of the Boxing Club. In her free time, she likes to read, cook, and hike. |
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Bailee Hughes, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Forensic psychology and intersectionality Bailee is a senior 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. |
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Kenedy Johnson
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Lauren Kois, PhD, Lab Director
Research interests: Competency to proceed evaluation and restoration, forensic practice and policy Dr. Kois is a clinical and forensic psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama, teaching undergraduate and graduate students and conducting psychology and law research. She is a core faculty member of the Clinical Psychology (Psychology-Law) PhD program. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Law and Human Behavior; Psychology, Public Policy, and Law; International Journal of Forensic Mental Health; Professional Psychology: Research and Practice; and Brain Injury. Her work has been recognized by the American Psychological Association's Graduate Student Ethics Prize, an American Psychology-Law Society Dissertation Award, and Psi Chi's Mamie Phipps Clark Research Award. She is an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health and serve on the Editorial Boards of Law and Human Behavior; Psychology, Public Policy, and Law; and Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Please find Dr. Kois' CV here. |
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Lauren McDowell, MA, Doctoral RA
Research Interests: Forensic Assessment, Violent Criminal Behavior, Psychopathy Lauren is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology-Law program at the University of Alabama. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice at Indiana University and her master’s degree in Forensic Psychology at Roger Williams University. Her research interests include forensic assessment (violence risk, mental state, competency), violent criminal behavior, and the classification and assessment of psychopathic traits. Ultimately, Lauren would like to conduct forensic psychology related research and maintain a private practice conducting forensic evaluations and providing consultation. In her free time, she enjoys true crime, baking, thrifting, and trying new coffee shops. |
Ashley Peck, MA, Doctoral RA
Research interests: Forensic assessment, competency restoration, and mental state
Ashley is a fifth-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 fifth-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.
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Janona Pirlepesova, Undergraduate RA
Research interest: Forensic psychology Janona is a junior at the University of Alabama from Memphis, Tennessee and is majoring in Psychology with minors in Criminal Justice and German. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans on working on her Ph.D. in forensic psychology. On campus, Janona is involved in the Emerging Scholars Program and the UA Environmental Council and serves as the president of the German Club and secretary of the Asian American Student Association. In her free time, she loves to read, play video games, work out, and dance. |
Haley Potts, MA, Doctoral RA
Research interests: Competence to stand trial, competence restoration, and mental state
Haley is a fifth-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.
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Elise Powise, Undergrad RA
Research interest: Forensic psychology Elise is a sophomore 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. |
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Piper Taylor, Undergrad RA
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. |
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Max Wahoff
Research Interest: Forensic Psychology Max is a sophomore at the University of Alabama from the Cincinnati, OH area majoring in Psychology with a minor in Statistics. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans on working towards his master’s and eventually his Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology. On campus Max is involved with Alabama Men’s Crew Team where he is a varsity member and is also a Fellow/ Co-Chair in the Parker-Adams Arts and Sciences LLC. In Max’s Free time, He likes to cook, work out, watch movies, and travel. |
Cassidy White, BA, Doctoral RA
Research interests: Competency to stand trial, competency restoration, adverse/traumatic experiences
Cassidy is a second-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.
CLASS RA awards
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2021-2022 award winner: Anna Bending
2020-2021 award winner: Beka Lescenski 2019-2020 award winner: Garett Ostdiek-Wille 2018-2019 award winners: Whitney Hovater and Aislinn Tansey 2017-2018 award winner: Shelby Hunter |
Lab Alumni
Shelby Hunter, 2017-2022, First CLASS Doctoral RA!
Research interests: Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology
2017-2018 CLASS RA Award
Dissertation:
Internship: UMASS
Post-Doc: Patton State Hospital Neuropsychology
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: Research interests: Forensic neuropsychology
2017-2018 CLASS RA Award
Dissertation:
Internship: UMASS
Post-Doc: Patton State Hospital Neuropsychology
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
