Current Graduate Students

Maddy Rodenbaugh, M.S. (2023 - Present): I started the UNT Clinical Psychology Doctoral program in 2023. My research interests include using positive psychology to develop new interventions for PTSD treatment and risk factors for the development and maintenance of co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder. In my free time, I enjoy taking my dog Haze to the park, reading, and going to concerts. Email:maddyrodenbaugh@my.unt.edu

Siyuan Wang, M.S. (2023 - Present): I began at the UNT Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in 2023. My current interests include the epidemiology of PTSD among underserved populations and the application of quantitative methods in psychopathology. Outside of school, I like recharging myself at coffee shops and exploring new places with good people! Email: SiyuanWang@my.unt.edu | ResearchGate:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Siyuan-Wang-66/research

Maddie Straup, M.S. (2022 - Present): In 2019, I began the UNT Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. My research interests broadly include cultural influences of traumatic experiences and PTSD symptomology, risk and protective factors for the development of PTSD, and trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling, exploring the DFW area, and binge-watching baking competition shows on Netflix! Email: maddiestraup@my.unt.edu

Andrea Fentem, M.A. (2021 - Present): I was accepted into UNT’s Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program for the Fall of 2021. I am currently involved in the forensic track within our program. My overarching research interests include examining the behavioral and personality aspects of those who engage in post-trauma risky behaviors, particularly those within the criminal justice system. Outside of school, you will more than likely find me reading, playing video games, or hanging out with my two cats, Luna and Tigger! Email:andreafentem@my.unt.edu | ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrea-Fentem

Sidonia Compton, M.S. (2020 - Present): I am a fifth-year clinical psychology doctoral student under the mentorship of Dr. Contractor. My research interests include PTSD assessment and treatment, mental health disparities, and neuropsychology. Beginning July 2024, I will be completing my predoctoral internship at the Missouri Health Sciences Psychology Consortium in the University of Missouri Department of Health Psychology (UM-DHP) Adult Psychology track. Email: sidoniacompton@my.unt.edu | ResearchGate:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sidonia-Compton

Current Postbaccalaureate Research Assistants

Michelle Cornish (2022 - Present): Hello! I'm a post baccalaureate research assistant who graduated with a B.S. in psychology and B.A. in English. My interests include studying resilience, barriers, psychosis, and anything clinical trials. Aside from research, I've been recently occupying myself with making crafts, collecting candles, and looking out of the window with my cat, Gus.

Current Undergraduate Research Assistants

Jack Pyatt (2022 - Present): I initially started at UNT as a dual enrollment student in their new research-based learning program. Two years later in 2022, I started my undergraduate degree in psychology here on the main UNT campus in Denton. My research interests include the study of music in relation to anxiety disorders and developmental trauma in adults. Outside of school you can find me in bookstores around Denton!

Haley Dickens (2023 - Present): Hello, I started at UNT in 2021 majoring in psychology. My research interest include risky behaviors, trauma informed care, and PTSD. Outside of school I enjoy seeing my family and friends, and finding new places to explore. 

Saher Sayed (2024-Present): Hello! I am a second year Psychology student here at UNT, and am minoring in Data Analytics and Management. My research interests include behavioral addictions, adolescent learning & memory, and cognitive rehabiliation in trauma care. Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching horror movies, crocheting, building legos, and talking to my cat Colby!

Lab Alumni

Graduate Students

• • Ifrah Majeed (2021-2024)
  • Megan Dolan (2017-2022)

Graduate Research Assistants

• • Brett Messman (2020-2024)
  • Lizzie Griffith (2021-2023)
  • Alana Fondren (2019-2021)
  • Stephanie Caldas (2016-2020)
  • Ling Jin (2017-2020)
  • Monica Gerber (2016-2017)
  • Hanan Rafiuddin (2020-2021)
  • Fallon Keegan (2018-2021)

Postbaccalaureate Research Assistants

• • Gurleen Kaur (2021-2024)

Visiting Scholars

• • Alejandro de Miguel Álvaro (2023)

Undergraduate Research Assistants

• • Preston Gould (2022-2023)
  • Suzy Mneney (2022-2023)
  • Aliya Izhar (2021-2022)
  • Ashley Bocanegra (2020-2022)
  • Jade Binford (2019-2021)
  • Andreina Duran (2019-2021)
  • Nicole Watson (2019-2021)
  • Christa Cantu (2018-2019)
  • Joseph Koh (2017-2019)
  • Seanne O'Hara (2017-2019)
  • Shelby Thornton (2017-2019)
  • Sara Koh (2017-2018)
  • Kelsey Oudshoorn (2016-2018)
  • Jackeline Marquez (2016-2017)

Collaborators

Dr. Anu Asnaani, Associate Professor, University of Utah

Dr. Danica Slavish, Assistant Professor, University of North Texas

Dr. Matthew Price, Associate Professor, The University of Vermont

Dr. Prathiba Natesan Batley, Professor, University of Louisville

Dr. Maria Crespo, Professor, Complutense University of Madrid

Dr. Rachita Sharma, Chair of Rehabilitation & Health Services, University of North Texas

Dr. Jon D. Elhai, Professor, University of Toledo

Dr. Cherie Armour, Professor, Queen's University-Belfast

Dr. Nicole Weiss, Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island

Dr. Heidimarie Blumenthal, Associate Professor, University of North Texas

Dr. M. Tracie Shea, Professor, Brown University

Dr. Anne Banducci, Assistant Professor, Boston University 

Dr. Lily Brown, Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Katherine Dixon-Gordon, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Dr. Talya Greene, Associate Proffesor, University College London