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.
Curtisha Shacklewood
Curtisha is a third year PhD student in the Clinical Community Psychology Doctoral program at the University of South Carolina. Prior to coming to USC, Curtisha worked at the Medical University of South Carolina as a Program Assistant in the National Crime Victims Center. Curtisha holds her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Criminology from Florida State University (2018).
Research
Curtisha’s research interests include community violence exposure and how this exposure affects the mental and behavioral outcomes in Black and Brown children and adolescents.
Anna Leah Davis
Anna Leah is the research/lab coordinator for the STARR lab. She graduated with her BS in Psychology from Yale University in May 2022. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, early prevention of psychopathology, and therapeutic interventions. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, Anna Leah enjoys reading, yoga, and rewatching her favorite TV shows.
Savannah Woods
Savannah (Sav) J. Woods is a second year PhD student in the Clinical-Community Psychology Doctoral program at the University of South Carolina. Before coming to USC, Sav obtained her Master of Science in Psychological Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and completed a thesis project on “The Role of Shame in the Relationships Among Childhood Maltreatment, Fears of Evaluation, and Associated Submissive Behaviors”. Additionally, Sav completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Florida State University.
Research Interest:
Sav’s research interests revolve around studying maltreated adolescents and how experiencing adverse separation from a primary caregiver affects this population (e.g., parent incarceration). She is specifically interested in identifying resiliency factors (e.g., quality peer relationships) that reduce social fears, negative emotions of the self (e.g., shame, guilt), and delinquent and aggressive behaviors in this population.
Jailah Layton
Jailah Layton graduated from the University of South Carolina with her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on counseling education in fall of 2022. Jailah is currently a graduate student in a clinical mental health counseling program at Winthrop University. She is passionate about mental health and learning about new therapeutic skills. In her free time she likes to go hiking, play games, and travel.
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.
Miranda Dunkin
Miranda is currently a senior at the University of South Carolina, currently studying Biological Sciences and Psychology. She found her interest in child development while taking her Developmental Psychology class and in the future hopes to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology.
Rhoda Hostetler
Rhoda earned a BA in Psychology from Waldorf University in 2021. Prior to this, she worked with a team to prevent the trafficking of at-risk youth in Cambodia. Rhoda has also advocated for the welfare and rights of Mennonite women and youth. Her research interests involve policy work, relationship networks, and trauma-related dynamics such as moral injury, shame, and the intergenerational transmission of resilience. She enjoys baking, reading, and hosting friends and family.
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.
Mackenzie Dubberly
Mackenzie Dubberly is a Senior at the University of South Carolina working towards a B.S. with a major in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. After graduation she hopes to go to medical school with hopes of becoming a psychiatrist. In her free time Mackenzie enjoys discovering new cities and coffee shops, swimming, and painting.
Ella Kowaleski
Ella is a junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. She is still undecided on the career that she plans to pursue after graduation, whether that be a Child Psychologist specializing in children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or an Animal Physical Therapist. In her free time, Ella enjoys going out to eat, watching shows with her roommates, and sitting on the couch with her dog.
Brenna Calandra
Brenna Calandra is a senior at the University of South Carolina, currently working towards a B.A. with a major in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She intends to pursue graduate school in the field of Psychology, specifically in community-clinical psychology with a specialization in addiction treatment and familial bonds. In her free time, she likes to workout, read, cook and travel.
Madison Rivers
Madison Rivers is currently a Junior at the University of South Carolina, working towards a BS in Psychology while minoring in Spanish. Upon graduating, she hopes to attend graduate school to specialize in clinical psychology, with a particular interest in trauma studies. Outside of academics, Madison finds joy in crocheting, cooking up new recipes, and watching movies.
Logan Ellis
Logan Ellis graduated from USC with a B.A. in Psychology and a Political Science minor. He tutored and aided middle school students who were struggling with their academic and personal life. Apart from the lab, he teaches English to refugees who are struggling to adapt to American culture. Aside from academics and teaching, he also enjoys writing, learning guitar, and listening to music and podcasts!
Alumni
