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 two cats, playing volleyball, and gardening. CV  Contact  Google Scholar ResearchGate  

Darla is a fourth-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   Google Scholar

Gillian is a second year doctoral student with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She is interested in studying how children develop racial and gender stereotypes from their social environments and peers. Specifically, she is interested in applied and intervention-based work aimed to help reduce children’s development of harmful biases to foster better inter-group relations and life outcomes among individuals with marginalized identities. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking fun recipes, spending time with her cat, and discovering new music! CV  Contact

Megan Ruskey is a first year 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 is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and currently conducting an honors capstone with Darla and Dr. Lamer. She is interested in various research aspects, including the exploration of the impact of stereotypes, and how speaking multiple languages affects how people communicate. In the future, she hopes to become a family therapist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with friends, trying new foods, and finding new musical artists.

Willem graduated in Spring 2024 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. They’re interested in research that relates to social identities and the way they play a role in the formation of self-image/mental health outcomes. Their immediate plan is to attend a graduate program on their way to being a therapist/counselor. In their free time they like to play video/tabletop games, chat with friends, and find new music.

Julia is a third year undergraduate student at UT majoring in psychology with a pre-medical focus. She is interested in research because she will be working one on one with people, so it is important to understand their behaviors and attitudes. After UT, she plans to attend medical school for oncology. In her free time, she likes to be outside with friends and family. 

Hope is a senior undergraduate majoring in psychology with a sociology minor. She plans to earn a doctorate in psychology. Her primary research interest is the influence of maternal self-perception and personal goal-setting on those of her children. As she also holds a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish, Hope spends her free time reading, writing, and thinking about psychosocial themes in literature and poetry.

Kiley is a third year undergraduate student studying Psychology with minors in Interpersonal Development and Hispanic Studies. She aspires to work in Industrial Organizational Psychology post-grad and earn her Masters. Kiley is interested in studying workplace behaviors and perceptions and their impact on job satisfaction and wellbeing.

Barrett is a third year undergraduate student at UT majoring in Psychology. He is hoping to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology post-undergrad, with a current focus on how the environment an individual is raised in affects mental health outcomes. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, oil painting, and reading.