Principal Investigator
Current Graduate Students
Kaleb R. Davis, B.S.
I am interested in answering questions about personality, emotions and romantic relationships. Notably, using evolutionary and biological models to better understand how these aspects shape human nature, behavior and other life outcomes.
Emily E. Walker, B.S.
My research interests lie in positive and personality psychology. More specifically, I am interested in optimism and self-esteem and their effects on relationship satisfaction and quality.
Current Undergraduate Students
Timothy James
My interest includes looking at personality disorders, as well as other clinical disorders and studying them to help conclude the extend in which they impact ones functioning from a behaviorist viewpoint. I also enjoy studying different facets of the dark-triad and self-esteem and to draw conclusions on how those variables impact contexts one would experience everyday such as romantic relationships and interpersonal relationships.
Jordan McKay
I am interested in the ways in which the body "keeps the score" as inspired by Bessel van der Kolk's line of thinking. Specifically, I want to look at how clinical and non-clinical interventions can improve PTSD and physiological stress response, especially in those with sexual/relational trauma, through the use of physical simulations. I aim to expand the available literature to include more accurate and plentiful representations of marginalized populations such as the LGBTQ+ community.
Keegan O'Boyle
I am primarily interested in researching relationship structures and human sexuality. Particularly, my research interests regard non-traditional structures including different forms of consensual non-monogamy.
Heather O'Quinn
I am interested in how self-esteem varies across relationships of different lengths of time. Additionally, I am interested in how someone’s romantic relationship status and commitment levels, satisfaction levels, quality of alternatives, and investment size (Investment Model Scale) in that relationship can also influence self-esteem levels.
Catelyn Ray
My interests include psychological research and therapy centered around interpersonal and sexual relationships as well as self-esteem. Specifically, I am interested in intimate relationship satisfaction, body confidence, and how that factors into modern day relationships.
Former Graduate Students
Sierra Rufino, M.A.
My research interests focus primarily on personality disorders. Specifically, I am interested in analyzing and understanding the interpersonal functioning of both romantic and non-romantic relationships for those with personality disorders. My main focus is on Borderline Personality Disorder, as it is primarily characterized by an instability in interpersonal relationships.
Sierra is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Southern Methodist University.
My research interests focus primarily on personality disorders. Specifically, I am interested in analyzing and understanding the interpersonal functioning of both romantic and non-romantic relationships for those with personality disorders. My main focus is on Borderline Personality Disorder, as it is primarily characterized by an instability in interpersonal relationships.
Sierra is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Southern Methodist University.
Garrett Goodwin, M.A.
My research interests include close relationships and human sexuality. Specifically, I am interested in the effects of self-esteem and individual differences on the functioning of close relationships and sexual relationships.
Garrett is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at North Carolina State University.
My research interests include close relationships and human sexuality. Specifically, I am interested in the effects of self-esteem and individual differences on the functioning of close relationships and sexual relationships.
Garrett is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at North Carolina State University.
