Meet the RUSSL Team
Thomas Dinzeo, PhD
My research focuses on schizophrenia and the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. I am interested in understanding the individual risk factors that contribute to the development (or exacerbation) of schizophrenia-related disorders. Most recently I have focused my attention on the relationship between health behaviors (e.g., substance use, stress management, exercise & nutrition) and outcomes in those with schizophrenia-spectrum conditions. The literature suggests a well-known link between schizophrenia and chronic illness / early mortality with lifestyle factors contributing significantly to these issues. I am interested in identifying 1) how problematic health-behaviors develop, 2) how these behaviors are maintained, 3) whether-or-not these behaviors can be successfully addressed through non-medical interventions. Recent research has included outpatients with schizophrenia and high-risk samples (e.g. college students with high levels of schizotypy).
Adriann Lai
Program: Clinical Psychology PhD
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Year in program: 3rd year PhD student
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Years in the lab: Fall 2023 to present
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Academic Interests: Decision making, visual perception, hallucinations, and oculomics in
schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Professional goals: Psychosis research
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Thesis: "The Relationship Between Effort Cost Decision Making, Consummatory/Anticipatory Pleasure, and Health Behaviors in Schizotypy"
Joseph Paul Skinner
Program: Clinical Psychology PhD
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Year in program: 2nd year PhD student
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Years in the lab: Fall 2023 to present
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Academic interests: Generally, I aim to understand how health behaviors related to nutrition, exercise, and sleep might be utilized as points of intervention to better outcomes for those with SSD. Currently, I am focusing on the relationship between schizotypy and problematic technology usage as well as the factors that may be important in developing problematic technology usage for those with high levels of schizotypy.
Professional Goals: I am keeping an open mind about where my path with clinical psychology may lead me. Potentially, I see myself working in an academic medical center splitting my time between clinical work and research.
Katie Beck-Felts, MA
Katie Beck-Felts, MA
Program: Clinical Psychology PhD student
​Year in Program: 4th year PhD student
​Academic interests: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders, prodromal symptoms or clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR), health behaviors, social connectedness, social determinants of health, health intervention.
Professional Goals: Continue contributions to clinical research opportunities that enhance and proliferate healthy lifestyle behaviors in schizophrenia spectrum disorder populations; enhance understanding of social determinants of health as psychosis risk and maintenance factors; investigate the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between social disconnectedness and psychosis risk and maintenance.
Thesis: "A Social Ecology Model for Social Determinants of Health as Psychosis Risk Factors"
Sierra Cook
Sierra Attipoe
Program: psychology BA with neuro minor
​Year in Program: post-bac
​Academic interests: My research interest lies within the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. I am mainly interested in the exposures to a baby prenatally and how these exposures such as air, water, and land pollutants can alter brain structure and chemistry; and, becoming a risk factor for developing schizophrenia later in life. My prenatal exposure research also extends to maternal infection and overall environment.
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Coming
Frances Torres
Program: B.S. Psychological Science
Year in Program: Senior
Years in the Lab: 2nd year
Academic Interests: I want to make sure I'm more than educated enough to make someone feel safe and comfortable in my space in the future. I'm also very interested in art, and how people incorporate it with therapy. I've always loved the expressive aspect of art, and I've always been very passionate about
Professional Goals: Once I graduate and receive my bachelor's, I want to pursue a master's degree in counseling to be able to eventually become an art therapist. It's been my dream for a long time, and I won't stop until I get there. Later in my life I'd like to work in a hospital with children to assist with their mental health needs.
Kevin Rothstein-Kightly, MS
Program: Clinical Psychology PhD
Year in Program: 1st year PhD student
Years in the Lab: Fall 2025 to present
Academic Interests: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders, psychotic disorders, trauma-related disorders, dissociative disorders, health and lifestyle behaviors, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
Sarah-Grace Coren
Program: Biology 3+4 accelerated program
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Year in Program: Sophmore
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Academic Interest: I am interested in women's healthcare
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Professional Goal: I hope to become an obgyn
Jessica Adrianne
Program: Psychology BA, Neuroscience Minor
Year in Program: Junior
Years in the Lab: One
Academic Interests: Mental disorders, treatment approaches for mental health, and diagnostic assessments.
Professional Goals: To obtain my license in mental health counseling and work directly with patients.
Program-Pre health studies Post-Baccalaureate
Year in program-1st year
Years in lab-Fall 2025-present
Professional goals- My goal is to attend medical school in order to pursue a career as a psychiatrist.
Academic interest: Brain function, mental disorders, onset of disorders in childhood
Name: Nelly Garcia
Program: Psychological Science B.S
Year in Program: Senior
Academic Interests: Exploring how the brain functions and its connection to severe mental illnesses.
Professional Goals: Attend medical school to earn an M.D. and pursue a career as a psychiatrist.
Isabella Shleweet
Program: Psychology BA
​Year in Program: junior
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Professional Goals: I am hoping to pursue a Masters. After that, I’d like to get a PHD or go to Medical School.
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Isabella Tilghman
Program: Psychology B.A
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Year in Program: Senior
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Years in Lab: 2nd year
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Academic Interests: I am interested in how psychological disorders affect brain function.
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Professional Goals: My goal is to work in research and to teach at a college level.
Bridget Fellona
Program: Psychology B.A.
Year in Program: Junior
Academic Interest: Relationships, Religion, and Alcohol.
Professional Goal: I'm still figuring it out, but I know I want to work in a counseling setting.
