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.
Ella Dubard
Ella DuBard graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in Winter 2023, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. As a post-bacc, Ella is dedicating her time to research, working as a Lead Research Assistant with the STARR Lab. Ella intends to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Child Psychology. Her research interests include the impacts of trauma and victimization on women and children, and intervention and prevention treatments and programs that can limit these at-risk populations entry into the criminal justice system.
Madison Rivers
Madison is currently a Senior at the University of South Carolina, working towards a BS in Psychology with a minor in Spanish while serving as a lead research assistant in the STARR Lab. Upon graduating, she hopes to attend graduate school to specialize in clinical or school psychology, with a particular interest in trauma studies, focusing on understanding the impact of trauma on children and supporting them.
Alexsia Johnson
Alexsia recently graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in psychological and brain sciences. Since then, Alexia has been working as a post-bacc RA in Los Angeles, where she assist in research assessing cognition, affect, and neurodevelopment in youth. At STARR Lab, Alexsia assist in manuscript editing and preparation. She is excited to apply to clinical psychology doctorate programs this fall, and is interested in elucidating developmental trajectories for depression through biological and behavioral markers. In her free time, she enjoys all things beach related as well as tending to her garden!
Paige Gagerman
Paige is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing. Upon graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school and go on to get her PhD in Clinical Psychology. She is specifically interested in mental disorders and behaviors and is looking forward to pursuing those interests in a career in private practice. Outside of school, Paige enjoys time with her friends, long walks, and greasy food.
Amar Abushanab
Amar is a junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Public Health with a minor in Psychology. She is passionate about healthcare and plans to attend PA school, aspiring to specialize in Pediatrics. She has a longstanding interest in Psychology and hopes to pursue a Master’s in the field to deepen her understanding. In her free time, Amar enjoys reading, cooking, and going on walks
Asha Bhatt
Asha Bhatt is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with double minors in Chinese Studies and Neuroscience. Passionate about mental health, she aspires to specialize in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, focusing on adolescent well-being. Beyond academics, Asha enjoys embroidery, cooking, and exploring nature through hiking.
Carolina Silva
Carolina is a current senior at the University of South Carolina who is pursuing a Bachelor’s
degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. She currently plans to apply for a
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and to specialize in trauma and rehabilitation. Outside of
school, she enjoys reading, cooking, and ballroom dancing.
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.
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.
Carlie Ellison
Carlie is in her second year of her undergraduate and pursing a BS in Nursing and a BA in Psychology with a minor in criminal justice. She is very passionate about destigmatizing mental health and helping marginalized communities. She wants to get her DNP in Psychiatric nursing and PhD in psychology and specialize in trauma care for adolescents. Outside of academics she enjoys crocheting, reading, cooking and mountain biking.
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.
Alumni
Katie Brundage
Katie Brundage
Katie Brundage
Miranda Dunkin
Katie Brundage
Katie Brundage
Jailah Layton
Katie Brundage
Ella Kowaleski
Ella Kowaleski
Katie Brundage
Ella Kowaleski
Brenna Calandra
Curtisha Shacklewood
Brenna Calandra
Logan Ellis
Curtisha Shacklewood
Brenna Calandra
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha Shacklewood
Anna Leah Davis
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha Shacklewood
Rhoda Witmer
Mackenzie Dubberly
Mackenzie Dubberly