Lab Members
Director
Annie
Murray-Close, Ph. D.
Department of Psychology
University of Vermont
2 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
dmurrayc@uvm.edu
Current Graduate Students
Nicole Lafko
I
am a first year student in the Clinical Psychology graduate program
with a concentration in Developmental Psychopathology. I am
interested in how social factors (e.g., aggression, victimization)
contribute to the development of internalizing problems (e.g.,
eating disorders, depression). Most recently, I have begun research
exploring how one’s physical reactions (e.g., heart rate, blood
pressure) to stressful situations may lead to differential outcomes,
such as engagement in prosocial behavior and aggression.
Current Undergraduate Students
Kate Bailey
I am currently a Senior majoring in psychology and this is my sixth
semester working in the Social Development Lab. I am interested in
Developmental and Biobehavioral Psychology and plan to write my
thesis on the neurological overlap between physical pain and social
pain processing. Following graduation, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in
Clinical Psychology.
Tali Burger
I am a Junior but this is my second year at UVM. I am
majoring in Psychology and minoring in Holocaust Studies. This is my
second semester in the lab and even though I am unsure about my
specific direction with Psychology, I know that I want to work with
children in the future.
Tegan Coley
I am currently a sophomore here at UVM. I am double majoring in
Psychology and Sociology. Thus far in my college career I have taken
interest in Developmental Psychology. I plan to go to graduate
school to study psychology further. I am not completely sure what I
plan to do as a career in the future but I know that I am interested
in working with children and adolescents.
Sasha Finnell
I am a fourth year Psychology and Spanish student. This is my second
semester in the Social Development Lab. I currently work as a
caregiver for dementia/Alzheimers patients at a nursing home in
Shelburne, VT. My future pursuits include counseling and nursing.
Katie Frankenbach
I am currently a senior at the University of Vermont. I am a
Psychology major and a History minor. Although I am unsure of what I
will do after graduation, I know I want to work with children and
adolescents. I am really excited to begin my first semester working
in the Social Development lab!
Casey Gates
I am currently a Junior majoring in Psychology. This is my fifth semester in the lab. I am interested in the behavioral aspect of
Psychology, and what factors lead to criminal behavior later on in
life. I plan on studying Psychology in graduate school, pursuing a
Ph.D.
Caley Holden
I am currently a fourth year student working toward a degree in
Psychology with a minor in Women’s & Gender Studies. This is my
first semester in the social development lab and only my second
semester at UVM. After graduation, I intend to get my Ph.D in
Clinical Psychology and hope to work closely with individuals who
are experiencing gender or sexual identity issues.
Erin Hullinger
I am a sophomore at UVM pursuing a Psychology major and Biology
minor. This is my first semester in the lab, and I am working
towards an Honors thesis. I am interested in the behavioral
development of children, and post graduation, I plan to become a
high school teacher.
Megan Kurmin
I am currently a sophomore psychology major and nutrition and food
sciences minor, and this is my first semester in the lab. I am
interested in school counseling and I plan on pursuing an advanced
degree after I graduate.
Annie Maheux
I am a sophomore studying Psychology and Studio Art and this is my
first semester in the Social Development Lab. I am very interested
in developmental psychology and in the future I hope to work with
children.
Amanda Penney
I am currently a Junior Psychology major and Nutrition minor. This
is my second semester in the lab. I am highly interested in mental
illness and developmental disabilities, but also eating disorders.
My plan as of now is to go for a master's degree in Occupational
Therapy.
Bianca Rizzio
I am currently a sophomore, and this is my third semester in the
lab. Pursing Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies has shaped
my interests in development and aggression, and in the future I hope
to pursue an advanced degree such as nursing, a doctorate, or social
work.
Michelle Rosie
I am currently a Senior majoring in Psychology with an English
minor. This is my fifth semester in the Social Development Lab. I am
interested in adolescent aggression and social development and my
future pursuits hopefully include a Ph.D. in Developmental
Psychology.
Laura Seeman
I am currently a Senior majoring in Psychology with a Studio Art
minor. This is my third semester in the lab, and I am excited to see
where it takes me. After I graduate, I plan on going to graduate
school to study Neuropsychology.
Michelle Sexton
I am currently a sophomore at the University of Vermont. I am a
Psychology major with a plan to pursue a doctorate in physical
therapy. This is my first semester in the lab. I am interested in
Psychology so that I can help people with their physical
rehabilitation while also addressing their emotional and mental
concerns.
Ashley St. John
I graduated in 2011 from Bucknell University and this is my second
year in the lab. I majored in International Relations and became
interested in Psychology during senior year. I have spent the last
year and a half working as a Behavioral Interventionist and taking
classes. I'm applying to Developmental Psychology programs this fall
in the hopes of entering in the Fall of 2013. I'm interested in
studying executive function and theory of mind in preschoolers.
Allie Sullivan
I am a Junior majoring in psychology, and this is my third semester
in the lab. During the summer, I worked in a school serving
adolescents with dual-diagnoses, and I am excited to use that
experience in my new role as assistant lab coordinator. While I
haven't clearly defined my post-graduation plans yet, I plan to
pursue an advanced degree that will permit close, one-on-one
interaction with clients.
Molly Williamson
I graduated from University of Vermont in 2012, where I majored in
Psychology and minored in Studio Art. This will be my third semester
at the Social Development Lab. My interests include Social
Psychology, art therapy, and LGBT population issues. I plan on
pursuing an advanced degree to become a therapist or counselor.
Tristan Sullivan-Wilson
I am currently a Junior majoring in Psychology and Political Science
with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. This is my first
semester working in the Social Development Lab. I am interested in
development of aggression, and plan to pursue an advanced degree
after graduation.
Michelle Wolanski
I am a current Junior with a major in Psychology and a minor in
Human Development & Family Studies. This is my first semester in the
Social Development Lab and I am looking forward to gaining hands-on
lab experience. After graduation, I plan on pursuing an advanced
degree in School Psychology.
Previous Undergraduate Students
Honors Students
2011-2012
Nicole Lakfo
In the spring of 2012, Nicole graduated from UVM with a major in
psychology and a minor in sociology.
In the summer of 2011, Nicole was awarded a UVM Summer Intern Award
to examine the association between distinct forms and functions of
aggression and internalizing problems. In addition, Nicole completed
an Honor's Thesis in the area of relational aggression and
disordered eating symptomatology. Nicole was awarded the Forgays
Outstanding Senior Award by the UVM Psychology department for the
quality of her outstanding work. Nicole is now a graduate student in
the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at UVM.
Elyse Ogletree
In the spring of 2012, Elyse graduated from UVM with a psychology
major. Elyse completed an independent research project for her
Honor's Thesis examining the role of sibling aggression in the
development of relational forms of aggression during emerging
adulthood.
2010-2011
Annie Brady
In the spring of 2011, Annie graduated from UVM with a major in Psychology and
a minor in Dance.
In the summer of 2010, Annie was awarded a Summer Intern Award to
conduct original research examining the association between
relational aggression and narcissistic traits. In addition, she
completed an Honor's Thesis on this topic and was awarded the John
Dewey Award from the UVM Psychology Department for her outstanding
research. Annie hopes to continue her studies at graduate school, where
she plans to study School Psychology.
Christina Moore
In the spring of 2011, Christina graduated from UVM with a major in Psychology with a Dance minor.
Christina worked in the Social Development lab for over two years, and
conducted her Honor's Thesis in the lab examining how teacher
preferences may buffer at-risk children from rejection by peers.
Christina was awarded a
Jeffords Scholarship to conduct her independent research, and was
awarded the George W. Albee Award from the UVM Psychology Department
for her outstanding research. Christina hopes to pursue a graduate degree in Psychology with an
emphasis on developmental psychology.
Erika Weisz
In the spring of 2011, Erika graduated from UVM with a major in Psychology. Erika
conducted her Honor's Thesis in the lab examining whether
popularity buffered relationally aggressive girls from internalizing
symptoms. In 2011, Erika was awarded the Donald G. Forgays
Outstanding Senior Award from the UVM Psychology Department.
Annie Brady and Christina Moore were profiled by the Psychology department for their research in the Social Development Lab.
