Clinical Psychology Research Labs

Graduate students in the Clinical Psychology Program are paired with a major professor who serves as a research mentor. This pairing takes place at admission for students admitted to the doctoral program (i.e., doctoral students are admitted to work with a specific faculty member). Participation in the major professor's research lab/team allows students to become active in the process of research at the beginning of their doctoral education and obtain transferable experience in their field of study.

Clinical Psychology Program Research Labs

Dr. Kelsey Bonfils: Social Cognition and Recovery in Schizophrenia Lab 

The Social Cognition and Recovery in Schizophrenia (SCORS) lab is directed by Dr.%20Kelsey%20Bonfils and conducts research on social cognition, or the mental processes that support social interaction, in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The lab examines factors that influence social cognition, such as distress tolerance and sleep, as well as how we can positively influence social cognition through treatment to promote recovery in people with mental illnesses like schizophrenia-spectrum disorders or PTSD.

Dr. Bonfils will be accepting students for Fall 2024 admissions.

Dr. Nora Charles: Youth Substance Use and Risky Behavior Lab

The Youth Substance Use and Risky Behavior Lab is directed by Dr.%20Nora%20Charles and focuses on externalizing behaviors in children and adolescents, risk-taking during adolescence and young adulthood, the effects of stress on children and adolescents, the development of substance use disorders and juvenile delinquency, and community-based interventions for at-risk and delinquent youth.

Dr. Charles will be accepting students for Fall 2024 admissions.

Dr. Sara Jordan: Child Routines and Behavior Lab

The Child Routines and Behavior Lab is directed by Dr.%20Sara%20Jordan and conducts research on child routines as they relate to behavioral outcomes, particularly among young children. A primary focus of the lab's work has been on development and psychometric evaluation of assessment instruments related to children’s routines. Bedtime routines, and routines and behavior of children with chronic illness have also been examined. A secondary focus has been the broader interplay of child and parent characteristics such as maternal depression, parental stress, marital conflict, parenting practices and child behavior problems, with a particular emphasis on relations with child routines.

Dr. Jordan will be accepting students for Fall 2024 admissions.

Dr. Freddie Pastrana Rivera: Child and Family Equity Prevention & Research (CAFÉ PR) Lab

The Child And Family Equity Prevention & Research (CAFÉ PR) Lab, directed by Dr.%20Freddie%20Pastrana%20Rivera, investigates the impact of adversity on child mental health and socioemotional well-being. CAFÉ PR focuses on youth exposure to social (e.g., bullying, exclusion, discrimination) and contextual adversity (e.g., family stress, traumatic events). To mitigate risks, we aim to advance early screening, preventive intervention, and culturally congruent supports in schools and communities. CAFÉ PR aspires to support youth, especially from racial and ethnic minoritized backgrounds, at risk for experiencing stigma, prejudice, and victimization.

Dr. Pastrana Rivera will be accepting students for Fall 2024 admissions. 

Dr. Megan Renna: Psychophysiology, Emotions, and Treatment (PET) Lab

The Psychophysiology, Emotions, and Treatment (PET) Lab is directed by Dr.%20Megan%20Renna and broadly focuses on the intersection between psychological and physical health. Using a multi-methods (e.g., self-report, interview, behavioral, psychophysiological, and immunological data) approach, the PET lab is specifically interested in understanding how emotional distress and emotion dysregulation disrupts basic biological functioning to increase risk for chronic health issues.

Dr. Renna will be accepting students for Fall 2024 admissions. 

Dr. Stephanie Smith: Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab

The Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab is directed by Dr.%20Stephanie%20Smith%20and conducts research examining risk/resilience factors of externalizing behaviors in children/adolescents and how to augment intervention and prevention efforts for these youths. She is also interested in using technology to enhance the delivery of efficacious treatments and applying state-of-the-art EEG methods to clinical research.

Dr. Smith will be accepting students for Fall 2024 admissions.

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Dr. Dan Capron: Dr. Capron has accepted a new position at Louisiana State University.