Dr. Michelle Brown
Dr. Brown is a clinical and developmental psychologist whose research focuses on understanding factors that influence the development of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and other forms of trauma. Specifically, her research uses a developmental psychopathology framework to: (1) understand how interpersonal relationships influence victimized children’s risk for developing adverse socioemotional outcomes and (2) elucidate biopsychosocial factors that influence treatment outcomes for victimized children.
Dr. Brown received her PhD in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development where she specialized in Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Science. She completed her predoctoral clinical psychology internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Child Abuse Pediatrics at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Savannah Woods
Savannah (Sav) is a third-year doctoral student in the University of South Carolina’s Clinical-Community Psychology Program under the mentorship of Dr. Michelle P. Brown. Before entering her doctoral program, she obtained her B.S. in psychology from Florida State University and M.S. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In her M.S. program she completed a comprehensive Master Thesis project titled, “The Role of Shame in the Relationships among Childhood Maltreatment, Fears of Evaluation, and Associated Submissive Behaviors” under the mentorship of Dr. Ashley N. Howell. As a part of UofSC’s doctoral externship program Sav is currently a funded Mental Health Professional at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice where she conducts community evaluations for adolescents entering and currently involved in the juvenile justice system. For her clinical prospects, she enjoys delivering interventions and assessments for youth to young adults and has a special interest in socially anxious and maltreated populations. For her research, Sav considers her research to focus on defining and understanding the mechanisms of shame experiences for maltreated vs. non-maltreated youth regarding social interactions and distress tolerance. For her future career, Sav hopes to deliver interventions and assessments to vulnerable populations, especially those involved in the juvenile justice department.
Kira Wright
Kira R. Wright is a first year PhD student in the Clinical-Community Psychology Doctoral program at the University of South Carolina. Kira completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Utah and worked as post-baccalaureate research associate specializing in data management for Baby Affect and Behavior Study at the University of Utah. Kira’s research interests focus on the long-term outcomes following childhood maltreatment, specifically the role of emotion dysregulation, interpersonal relationships, and intergenerational transmission. Kira’s goal is to study interventions for processing trauma and strategies for preventing and addressing child maltreatment, specifically as they relate to parenting, the family environment, and the community.
Jameka Donkor
Jameka Donkor is a Master’s student in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. Her interests lie at the intersection of psychology and the justice system, with a focus on trauma, mental health and youth development. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, where she hopes to integrate research and clinical practice to better serve individuals affected by trauma and involvement in the justice system. Outside of school, Jameka enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and engaging in community-based initiatives.
Ella Walsh
Ella is a junior at the University of South Carolina pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with minors in Medical Humanities and Culture as well as Forensic Science. She currently plans to apply to medical school to specialize in pediatrics surgery. Ella enjoys reading, games, painting, and spending time with her friends and family.
Camryn Dendy
Camryn (Cam) is a Sophomore at the University of South Carolina, working towards a BA in Psychology with a double minor in athletic coaching and Counselor Education. After college, Cam hopes to go to Graduate School to earn her Doctoral degree in Psychology, focusing on sports psychology or clinical psychology, with an interest in supporting young athletes.
Brienna Blewett
Brienna is a junior at the University of South Carolina pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Data Analytics. She is passionate about women’s health and hopes to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Outside of school, Brienna likes to play the piano, read, spend time with her family, and paint.
Karthikeya Nimmagadda
Karthikeya is a senior at the University of South Carolina. He is currently majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. After graduating, he plans to attend medical school with a long-term interest in Psychiatry, particularly around trauma and mental health. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing sports like golf and tennis, playing video games, and watching movies and TV shows.
Alumni
Katie Brundage
Katie Brundage
Katie Brundage
Miranda Dunkin
Katie Brundage
Katie Brundage
Jailah Layton
Katie Brundage
Ella Kowaleski
Ella Kowaleski
Brenna Calandra
Ella Kowaleski
Brenna Calandra
Brenna Calandra
Brenna Calandra
Logan Ellis
Brenna Calandra
Brenna Calandra
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha Shacklewood
Anna Leah Davis
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha Shacklewood
Rhoda Witmer
Curtisha Shacklewood
Mackenzie Dubberly
Mackenzie Dubberly
Mackenzie Dubberly
Mackenzie Dubberly
Asha Bhatt
Mackenzie Dubberly
Paige Gagerman
Paige Gagerman
Mackenzie Dubberly
Paige Gagerman
Amar Abushanab
Amar Abushanab
Amar Abushanab
Carlie Ellison
Amar Abushanab
Amar Abushanab
Madison Rivers
Amar Abushanab
Madison Rivers
Ella DuBard
Alexsia Johnson
Madison Rivers
Alexsia Johnson
Alexsia Johnson
Alexsia Johnson