Relationships and Stress Lab

Dr. Gallagher earned her PhD in Family and Human Development with a specialization in Measurement and Statistical Analysis from Arizona State University. Her dissertation examined the longitudinal associations between family and friendship dynamics and sibling relational aggression in adolescence. Her research interests include family and sibling conflict and aggression, youth adjustment, and the development and evaluation of evidence-based intervention and prevention curricula. Dr. Gallagher earned a BS in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State and is excited to be back at her alma matter as a postdoctoral scholar. 

Emily has completed her dissertation and is currently completing a year-long internship at VA Boston. Emily earned her B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. After receiving her degree, she worked as a research assistant at the National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division. Her research interests focus on PTSD and relationship functioning, particularly perpetration of intimate partner violence. She is particularly interested in whether individuals experience moral distress about their aggressive behaviors toward family members, if this relates to PTSD symptoms, and if moral distress may be a mechanism that informs repeated incidents of aggression. Emily is also interested in developing and validating assessment tools related to these constructs. 

Before coming to the PSU graduate program, Zach earned his M.A. from Boston University School of Medicine. He worked as a research assistant at Harvard University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston University, and the Trauma Center at the Justice Resources Institute. His research interests focus on developmental timing of trauma exposure, sex differences in the outcomes of trauma exposure, and dimensional models of adversities. Zach is currently a T32 child maltreatment predoctoral fellow.

Metzli (she/her/her’s) is a current graduate student at PSU in the child clinical track. She earned her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and worked as the lab coordinator at Child HELP Partnership, Dr. Elissa Brown’s lab at St. John’s University. Her research interests include the measurement and classification of childhood maltreatment, the role siblings play in family violence, and cognitive processes impacted by exposure to family violence/maltreatment.

Angie earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State and has enjoyed working with families through various social service agencies and non-profit organizations including the AmeriCorps, the YMCA, the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, and Care for People. She has assisted with research for over 13 years. 

KC received her B.A.in Psychology from the University of New Mexico in 2018. She has enjoyed working in various psychology research labs over the last 6 years. She has experience in labs focused on the mental health consequences of early trauma experiences as well as early intervention and prevention efforts for at-risk children and families.  

Helena received her B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Davis. Her research interests include parenting, adolescence, and psychophysiology. Her senior thesis focused on warm parenting and psychophysiology among Mexican-origin youth. She is especially interested in understanding how parenting among diverse populations differentially impacts child outcomes.

Adriana Méndez-Fernández (she/her) finished her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus in June 2022. She did her major in Special Education with emphasis in behavioral and emotional disorders.  Her research interests include Intimate Partner Violence and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. She aspires to do a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Kelsey is a junior pursuing her B.S. in Psychology emphasizing Life Sciences. Her interests include the psychological impacts of trauma and conflictual life events during development. Upon graduation, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology.

Alexis is a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a focus in Life Sciences and a minor in Crime, Law, and Psychology. She is interested in how trauma exposure can impact the development of youth and adolescents. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a masters in either Clinical psychology, Forensic Psychology, or Clinical Psychology with a focus in Forensics so she can apply psych practices to the field of criminology.

Maria is a junior pursuing her B.S. in Biology with a focus on Vertebrate Physiology. Her research interests include parenting and the developmental timing of trauma exposure. Upon graduation, she plans on pursuing a Master of Physician Assistant Studies.

Yu Liu is a senior majoring in B.S. in Psychology. He is particularly intrigued by understanding the mechanism and contextual factors leading to psychological and physical aggression in close relationships. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology after he graduates.

Cathy received her B.S in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University in 2022.  Cathy is currently working towards a master’s degree in psychology and plans to eventually get a PHD in Educational Psychology.  

Emily is a senior pursuing her B.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience. She is particularly interested in Neuroscience and how the brain responds to outside stimuli (attention, trauma, injury, etc.). After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specific specialization in Neuropsychology.

Lauren earned her B.A. from Swarthmore College and completed a pre-doctoral clinical internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center before receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Penn State in 2014. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, and Yale University Medical Center. Lauren is now an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale University Department of Psychiatry, Research Psychologist at the West Haven VA National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, and the Associate Director of the North East Program Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention within the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Kelly earned her B.A. from Brandeis University and completed a pre-doctoral clinical internship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison Medical Center before receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Penn State in 2015. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, and Boston VA Research Institute. Kelly is a successful independent practitioner and consultant.

Feea earned her B.A. from Carleton College and MPH from Emory University. She completed a pre-doctoral clinical internship at the UCSD/SDSU Consortium before receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Penn State in 2016. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Utah Department of Psychology and the National Center for Veterans Studies. She is currently the Director of Clinical Services at the National Center for Veterans Studies and a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah.

Dr. McGuier earned his Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology from Penn State University. His dissertation examined the impact of hypothetical students’ foster care status on elementary school teachers’ judgments and decisions in the classroom. His research interests include examining the factors that influence children’s academic achievement, better understanding and supporting parents, and identifying and addressing barriers to communication and collaboration between systems that serve youth. Dr. McGuier has worked on multiple parenting studies and works as a therapist for children, adolescents, adults, and families. He grew up on a farm an hour south of Pittsburgh and is a huge fan of the Steelers as well as Penn State Wrestling. 

Jen earned her B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. She previously worked at the University of Southern California as part of Dr. Gayla Margolin’s Family Studies project and Drs. Hanna and Antonio Damasio’s Brain and Creativity Institute. Her research interests include cognitive mechanisms as well as contextual factors involved in psychological and physical aggression in intimate relationships. Jen is now a Psychologist at VA New Mexico.

Alex earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At UW, she worked as a research assistant studying syndromes of disinhibition, including psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder. Her research interests include antisocial behavior (particularly violence perpetration) as well as associated cognitive and neurobiological factors. Alex is now a Psychologist at VA Boston.

Kelly earned her B.A. in Psychology from McGill University and worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Bronx VA Medical Center before coming to Penn State. Her research interests include child maltreatment, developmental timing of trauma exposure, and adult re-victimization. She is also interested broadly in trauma and violence within the context of family systems. Kelly is now a Research Scientist at New York University.