Dr. Lamer earned her Ph.D. in Social, Affective, and Cognitive Psychology from the University of Denver.  Prior to that, she earned her B.A. in Psychology with a certificate in Public Policy and Community Action from Connecticut College. Her primary research interest is in examining the ways that social inequity develops and is maintained in sociocultural environments. Outside of research, she enjoys playing with her house panthers, playing volleyball, having dance parties with her toddler, and gardening. CV  Contact  Google Scholar ResearchGate  

Darla is a doctoral candidate who earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Critical Sexualities Studies from Rutgers University. She is interested in how stereotypes and cognitive biases influence prejudice and discrimination towards individuals based on their gender, race, and sexual orientation. She is particularly interested in how outgroup member’s perceptions of intermediate groups (bisexual/pansexual, transgender/non-binary, and biracial individuals) influences how they disclose their identities in different social contexts. Darla is also interested in interpersonal, legal, and health implications of prejudice towards LGBTQ+ people.  CV  Contact   Google Scholar

Gillian is a doctoral student with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She is interested in studying the development of racial and gender stereotypes, along with the role identity plays in shaping people's perception of social information. Specifically, she is interested in applied and intervention-based work aimed to reduce bias within contexts such as leadership and media. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her cat, and discovering new music. CV  Contact Google Scholar ResearchGate

Megan Ruskey is a doctoral student who has earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Rutgers University. She is interested in how stereotypes about social groups can impact how those groups are arranged in space. In particular, she is focused on studying how the Spatial Agency Bas influences the arrangement of people of various races. She is also interested in stereotypes regarding women and the LGBTQ+ community. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, reading, and supporting Philadelphia sports teams.  CV  Contact

Myrsine graduated with her BA in psychology and HDFS. She is currently taking a gap year to gain more experience before applying to clinical psychology PhD programs. She is interested in working with children and expanding her knowledge of research & experimental methods. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies with her roommates, trying new recipes, and spending time with her kitten. CV

Clara graduated with a major in Psychology with minors in Child and Family Studies and Neuroscience. She is interested in studying how prejudice develops in children and how social norm information impacts people's behavior. After graduation, she plans to pursue research in social developmental psychology. Outside of the lab, she loves to explore nature, cook new things, and hang out with her cat. CV

​Chelsea is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology with a minor in Human Developments and Family Studies. She aspires to work as a therapist for kids! Chelsea is interested in learning more about play therapy and family dynamics. She is currently working on her honors thesis in collaboration with Gilllian Preston and Sarah Lamer. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat and two dogs, volunteering and watching documentaries. 

Alexandria is a third year undergraduate student studying Psychology with a minor in Art History. She plans to earn her doctorate in Psychology with her primary research interest in the relationship between development and the integration of the arts into everyday learning and life. Alexandria seeks to improve the quality of learning through research-supported programs in the future.

Maggie is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology with a minor in Child and Family Studies. She is especially interested in studying psychology and understanding neurological mechanisms, to learn how they can impact individuals daily. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school for an MD. In her free time, she enjoys pilates, lake days, and spending time with friends!

Austin is a fourth year undergraduate student studying Psychology. He plans to earn a PhD in Developmental Psychology to become an experimental psychologist. His goal is to improve education spaces through developmental research. Austin enjoys hiking, playing video games, and watching the Vols Football games.

William Komada is a second-year student studying Human Factors Engineering. He is interested in how psychological and physiological limitations may affect the design of systems and machines for safe, comfortable and effective human use. After college his dream is to join NASA’s Artemis project and design the shuttles and habitats that astronauts will live in on the moon and mars. In his spare time, Will likes to rock climb, play video games, and make coffee. https://scholars.utk.edu/archives/people/william-komada/

Brooke Ion is from Tennessee and a current junior student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where she double majors in Psychology and WGS, with a minor in Neuroscience. She is the current co-president of Planned Parenthood Generation Action at UTK as well as Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at Tennessee. When not in class or meetings, Brooke enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with animals–even if they are not her own.

Ghaith is a third year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. He is interested in social perception, emotion, and how people use visual and nonverbal cues to form judgments about others. His research interests focus on how facial expressions, body language, and context shape social behavior and decision making. After undergrad, Ghaith plans to attend medical school. He hopes to pursue a career that combines clinical work with research focused on understanding behavior and improving patient care.

Andrew is a first year undergraduate student at UT majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med route and minoring in 3-D studio art. He is passionate about working in the medical field and continuing his passion for psychology into the psychiatric field.  In his free time, Andrew loves reading, traveling, hanging out in the art studio whenever he gets the chance!

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Dev and Family Science. I plan to get my master's degree, and get licensed as an L.P.C. I am interested in social psychology research, as I believe it will only strengthen my ability to be a counselor. Being able to better understand why people do, or think about certain things, and the thought patterns behind them will be invaluable to understanding my clients.

Ethan is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying Psychology, Anthropology and Political Science. He has gained experience through UTK research programs while also developing experience in healthcare, public service, and community outreach. Ethan hopes to continue working at the intersection of psychology, healthcare, and community service as he pursues his master's degree.  Outside of academics and research, he enjoys history, entrepreneurship, and finding new ways to serve his community.  

Jones is a first-year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Public Affairs and is a Tocqueville Scholar with the Baker School at UTK. She is fascinated by the intersection between those topics and is interested in further exploring how social perception and understanding can influence public service and development. After graduating, she plans on going to law school to receive her J.D. and then to eventually work in the public sector. Outside of academics, she enjoys all things live music, friends, and outdoors! 

Corayma is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Criminology. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus in forensic psychology. Her research interests include social perception, prejudice, stereotypes, and cognitive biases, with a particular interest in understanding how these processes influence legal decision-making and the experiences of immigrant and other marginalized communities. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, and spending time with the people she loves.

Evie Brockhurst is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. She is deeply passionate about studying human behavior, with a specific research focus on understanding gender and racial biases to better explain why people act the way they do. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology to become a research psychologist. In her free time, Evie enjoys nannying, reading, and spending quality time with her sorority sisters

Soha is a second-year undergraduate majoring in neuroscience with a passion for medicine and an interest in pursuing dermatology. She is especially interested in research exploring how everyday social patterns shape perceptions and contribute to social inequities. She hopes to gain meaningful research experience that she can carry into her future career as a physician and plans to attend medical school after college. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, exploring nature, doing arts and crafts, and being with friends and family.

Vale Ospina is a second-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She is interested in understanding the connection between psychology and neuroscience, particularly how social experiences and environments can influence behavior and development. Through her work in the SPAC Lab, she hopes to expand her understanding of social psychology and gain experience in psychological research. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in medicine, with a particular interest in child and adolescent psychiatry. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, running, biking and exploring Knoxville.

I'm a junior studying psychology with a minor in American Sign Language! I am currently an RBT and I work with children and implement behavior change programs by administering ABA therapy. After I graduate I want to get a masters in social work and work in a hospital. Outside of school and work I enjoy hair, makeup, shopping, and painting!

I'm a 3rd year undergraduate student majoring in Biology and minoring in psychology on the premed track. I am interested in social perception, gender differences, and how clinical drugs work in the human body. I also love to teach students in any subject, especially the human body and biology. I have career goals of becoming an anesthesiologist and a professor. I enjoy playing and watching sports, running, and eating at my favorite Mexican restaurants.