SARAH ARIEL LAMER

Principal Investigator

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 cats, doing yoga, playing volleyball, and waiting for new leaves to grow on her calatheas. CV  Contact  Google Scholar ResearchGate  

HALEY B. BECK

Graduate Student

Haley is a second-year doctoral student. They earned their B.S. in Psychology with a Sociology minor from Samford University and completed the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at University of Alabama - Birmingham. Haley is interested in understanding how sociocultural environments (e.g., television) perpetuate stereotypes about social identities such as race and ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. Currently, they study the mechanisms through which popular media transmit stereotypes about Native American Peoples and identity. Haley examines their questions through the lenses of intersectional and critical race theories, and Indigenous ways of knowing. When Haley is not doing research, they enjoy traveling, creating Indigenous artwork, being in nature, and playing with their cat children, Pippin and Merry.  CV  Contact

DARLA BONAGURA

Graduate Student

Darla is a first-year doctoral student 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

LIZ BARRON

Graduate Student

Liz is a first-year doctoral student who earned her B.S. in Psychology with a Women’s Studies minor from Florida State University. She takes an intersectional feminist approach to research, aiming to identify various cultural and psychological mechanisms which preserve social inequity. Broadly, she is interested in investigating how popular media (e.g., TV, movies, news, social media, videogames) and sociocultural environments inform and bias cognitions and perceptions regarding gender, race, and sexual orientation. In her free time, Liz enjoys practicing yoga, cooking, baking, reading, and being outdoors.  CV  Contact

GILLIAN PRESTON

Lab Manager

Gillian recently graduated from UT with a major in Psychology! She is interested in research because she wants to better understand the impact of technology on social behavior and cognition within children and adults. In her free time she enjoys watching crime documentaries, spending time with her cats, and going on nature walks!

JACOB LOVIN

Post-Bacc Research Assistant/Project Manager

Jacob recently graduated from UT with a BA in Psychology.  He first got interested in psychology research because he wanted to understand why people feel the way they do about certain groups of people, and specifically what can cause people to exhibit intergroup hostility.  In his free time, he participates in Mock Trial, explores new music, and reads. 

CLAUDIA LUU

Post-Bacc Research Assistant/Project Manager

Claudia recently graduated from UT with a major in Psychology. She became interested in psychology research because she wanted to explore and understand gender dynamics in gaming culture. In her free time, she enjoys baking desserts not offered in Knoxville, playing board/video games, and going on adventures with her friends.

ASHLYN HAMMONDS

Post-Bacc Research Assistant

Ashlyn is a recent graduate, having majored in neuroscience with a biological sciences concentration. She became interested in psychology research and wants to learn more about social perceptions and how these can be skewed based on media consumption. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and hanging out with her friends.

GIGI PETRELLA

Advanced Undergraduate Research Activity Scholar/Research Assistant

Gigi is a third year undergraduate student majoring in psychology with a double minor in sociology and political science. She really enjoys studying the formation of racial stereotypes and how those stereotypes affect policy making and are reinforced through our social systems. She hopes to eventually take this information to join activist initiatives that fight against racial inequality and injustice. In Gigi's free time, she loves hiking, eating at different restaurants, and seeing live music!

TANNER LAPERE

Research Assistant

Tanner is in his fourth year at UT and started to favor psychological explanations for social and interpersonal phenomena. He thought that the opportunity to be involved with this lab would be a fascinating hands on experience, eventually leading to developing explanations and answer questions of his own.  Outside of school, he enjoys gardening, knitting, hiking, and being outdoors.

ANNA KLAES

Research Assistant

Anna is a second-year undergraduate student at UT majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology and Hispanic Studies. She is interested in Social Psychology research because she enjoys the perspective that social perception and cognition adds to the broader understanding of human behavior. She is passionate about understanding social inequalities and wants to use her work to serve underprivileged populations. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

BROOKE SZURPICKI

Research Assistant

Brooke is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in psychology. She is interested in research because she is fascinated by human behavior and enjoys learning about social perception. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, studying herbal medicine, and spending time with her pets and friends.

ALEX MARLOW

Research Assistant

Alex Marlow is a student in his third year at UT currently studying Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. He is dedicated to the field of Social Psychology, and nothing interests him more than learning about why people do what they do on a day-to-day basis! In his personal time, he likes to read and listen to podcasts that give him a new perspective on things, listen to hip-hop and R&B type music, and brush up on his Japanese.

SAMANTHA STRANDBERG

Research Assistant

Samantha is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology with a minor in neuroscience. She became interested in psychological research and is currently interested in understanding the development of stereotypes upon those in the intellectual and developmental (IDD) community. She eventually hopes to become an occupational therapist and conduct research regarding various therapy modalities. Outside of Samantha's studies, she enjoys hiking, painting, and spending time with her family and friends. 

DANIELLE MASON

Research Assistant

Danielle is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. She is interested in psychology research because she believes it is important to understand people and the way various encounters and messages affect them. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her dogs, get dinner with friends, and listen to her favorite music. 

HAYLEY SIMPSON

Research Assistant

Hayley is a second year undergraduate student majoring in psychology and minoring in leadership studies. She is interested in social psychology research, specifically the formation of attitudes towards conservation and environmental stewardship behaviors. In her free time, she loves hiking with friends, doing crossword puzzles, and practicing yoga.

TIERANNY MCNAMEE

Research Assistant

Tierrany is a third-year undergraduate at UT majoring in psychology. She became interested in psychology research because she wanted to learn more about how people think and perceive the world and what impacts the perceptions people have. She plans to become a child psychiatrist. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and pet rabbit.

CLAIRE HERRINGTON

Research Assistant

Claire is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Hispanic Studies. She hopes to learn more about the impact of psychology on real-life scenarios and power dynamics in order to develop critical thinking skills and apply this knowledge to social change. In her free time, Claire loves reading and watching movies with friends.

RITU PATEL

Research Assistant

Ritu is a third-year student majoring in neuroscience and minoring in public health and biology on a pre-physician assistant track. She is interested in psychological research because it helps her acknowledge what people think, feel, and how they act, and helps us differentiate between psychological disorders to understand symptoms and how they affect individuals as well as society. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and traveling.

LYDIA RATLIFF

Research Assistant

Lydia is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Italian and Psychology. She is interested in research because she finds it fascinating how people influence the behavior of other people. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

KERSTYN RADER

Research Assistant

Kerstyn is a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child and Family Studies. She plans to work as a clinical psychologist for children and adolescents. She is interested in understanding how social perceptions form, both in early childhood as well as through socialization and media, and how easily these perceptions can be reversed. In her free time she loves thrifting, crocheting, hiking, and planning trips for her friends. 

KAITLYN KILBURN

Research Assistant

Kaitlyn is a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. She is interested in how subject presentation affects judgment and responsiveness to questions. Kaitlyn plans to continue her education in France and strives to become a neuropsychologist. 

ABIGAIL MORGAN

Research Assistant

Abigail is a fourth year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Middle Eastern Studies with a concentration in Arabic. She is interested in research because she wants to gain experience and knowledge that will further help her pursue a career in Forensic Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, friends, and boyfriend.