Lab Personnel

Dr. Kimberly Meidenbauer

Dr. Meidenbauer is an Assistant Professor in the Washington State University Department of Psychology and a faculty affiliate of the Health Equity Research Center. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 2020 and her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2012. Dr. Meidenbauer worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago’s Environmental Neuroscience Lab before joining WSU. In her spare time, she enjoys biking and hiking, smothering her cats with affection, and reading mystery and sci-fi novels.
Contact Info: Johnson Tower 319 (office), k.meidenbauer@wsu.edu (email)
[Webpage] [Google Scholar] [CV] 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Tiara Rose Freeman

Tiara is a third-year PhD student in the Experimental Psychology program at Washington State University. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University in 2021. Before joining WSU, she worked as a post-baccalaureate researcher at both PSU and the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on wellness, interpersonal relationships, substance use, and suicide interventions among military and veteran populations. Her research interests include exploring how environmental factors, such as extreme weather and natural settings, as well as individual differences (personality traits), impact mental health and emotional well-being. Tiara is an avid environmentalist, hot springs enthusiast, and landscape painter, preferring to spend as much of her free time exploring places outdoors. Morrel and Tonx are her two minions, keeping life eternally fun and sweet. [Twitter] [LinkedIn]

Sanaz Dorri Sedeh

Sanaz is a 1st year PhD student in Experimental Psychology at Washington State University. Her academic journey includes Master’s degrees in Cognitive Sciences from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia (2023) and Clinical Psychology from Azad University of Isfahan, Iran (2019), alongside a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This diverse background informs her research interests, which focus on the influence of environmental factors on human cognition, physiology, and psychology. Her current projects involve using fNIRS and cognitive performance measures to assess the impact of nature-based education on child development.

Lab Manager

PJ Stilson

P.J. is the current SCENe lab manager with a B.S. in Neuroscience (2025). He hopes to one day attend medical school and own his own medical practice. In his free time, he likes to play video games, hike, play with his cats and strength train. He joined the SCENe lab in hopes of learning more about the research process, gaining research experience and fostering connections with others in research. [CV] [LinkedIn]                                                                       

Post-Bachelor Assistants

Isabella Santiago

Isabella graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and an additional major in Human Development in 2024. She is currently pursuing her Ed.S. in School Psychology at Eastern Washington University while working as a paraeducator in her hometown of Spokane Valley, WA. She has contributed to the presentation of projects as well as authorship on a number of the lab’s manuscripts, and continues to work on projects remotely after leaving Pullman. She LOVES research and wants to continue conducting, publishing, and presenting research within the academic community. In her free time, Isabella loves to go hiking, lift weights, eat Taco Bell, and spend time with her loved ones.

Kathrine Hubbard

Kathrine graduated in May 2025 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Leadership. She is currently working full time as a Behavioral Interventionist Technician in Moscow, ID, where she is gaining supervised experience toward becoming a Specialist. In addition, she continues to support her research lab remotely, contributing wherever she can. Kathrine is in the process of applying to Fall 2026 Ph.D. programs in Experimental and Clinical Psychology, both in-state and in neighboring regions.

Her undergraduate involvement in the lab sparked a deep passion for research, which she hopes to carry forward throughout her career. Kathrine aspires to make a meaningful impact—whether through advancing scientific understanding or providing compassionate support to adults and children alike. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys crafting (currently embracing her crocheting era), spending time with her pets, and playing card games with family and friends.

Zaza Hughes

Zaza graduated in May 2025 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. Originally from Snohomish, WA, she enjoys outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, snowboarding, and motorcycling. Zaza is involved in several psychology research labs on the Pullman campus and plans to pursue post-baccalaureate research after graduation before applying to graduate school. Outside of school and work, she loves relaxing with her two cats, building Legos, basking in the sunshine, and sipping coffee, especially when it’s topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Maddie Sherwood

Maddie Sherwood is a recent Psychology grad from WSU in the process of applying to grad school for clinical psychology! She has two cats, loves traveling and honestly, noticing pieces of environmental psychology in each place she visits! Which is why working in the SCENe lab is so much fun!

UNDERGRADUATE RAs

Lizzie McKim

Lizzie is a fourth-year undergraduate student and will graduate in Spring 2026 with degrees in neuroscience and psychology. Upon graduation, she plans on pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, and is an avid puzzler. 

Reagan Gautney

Reagan is a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. Born and raised in DuPont Washington. Outside of doing school and lab work she loves to hang out with her cat, crochet, play video games, cook, and do yoga. Reagan joined to SCENe lab to gain research experience and learn more about the relationship between human behaviors and climate/environment.   

Larissa Allen

Larissa is a senior undergraduate student expected to graduate in Fall 2025 with her B.S. in Psychology. After graduation, she plans on pursuing her PhD in Quantitative or Cognitive Psychology, focusing her research on decision making and the cognitive reserve. After school, she hopes to stay in academia working as a researcher and undergraduate professor. Larissa is currently involved with several research labs and teaching assistant positions within the Psychology department and currently works as a Lead Tutor for the Academic Career and Success Center (ASCC) at WSU. Outside of her work, she enjoys tending to her army of houseplants, coffee, and being a stay-at-home mom to her 2 cats.

Blake Turman

Blake is a computational neuroscience major with minors in anthropology and computer science. Local to the Pullman area, he enjoys playing music, making art, philosophy, linguistics (fav language: Frisian), and generally loves to expand his knowledge across many fields. He joined the team to take on the experience of being in a lab with a special interest in applying and improving his skills in programming. 

Mak Lilley

Mak is a senior pursuing dual-degrees in Neuroscience (with a Queer Studies minor) and Psychology! Born and raised in Billings, MT, they enjoy going on late night drives, star gazing, sledding with friends, and concert-going. Mak also enjoys staying in and playing video games, listening to music, reading, and crafting (of various medias). They are planning on going to grad school for Clinical Psychology and later becoming either a clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist! Mak has joined the lab to get a more hands-on experience with the research process. 

Mason Mastor

Mason is a Pre-Med Psychology major with aspirations of entering into medical school and becoming a psychiatrist. During his gap-year between graduation and attending medical school, he intends to work in a research lab to gain additional research experience. Beyond pursuing his aspirations, he spends his free time running, cooking and drawing.   

Sophia Roemmich

Emily Eddy

Emily is a senior psychology major with an additional major in Spanish. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Emily came to Washington State University to broaden their personal and academic experiences, and to get out of Texas. Outside of the SCENe lab, she is part of the Delevich lab, investigating her individual project on the impact of adolescent social stress and cannabis exposure on adverse behavior and dopamine axon innervation. Emily aspires to go on to graduate school after graduation for a PhD in Clinical psychology to become a psychotherapist. Emily joined the lab to get experience with human research in the psychology department.  

Anjelina Cordova-Pearson

Anjelina is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Psychology. After graduation she plans on attending Dental school to pursue her Doctorate in Dental Surgery. She hopes to one day own her own Dental practice. Born and raised in Forks, Washington she loves to hike ,camp and spend time outdoors in her free time. When she’s not outside, she enjoys staying home with her cat, reading and taking care of her plants. Anjelina joined the SCENe lab to gain a deeper understanding of psychology, neuroscience research and to build connections.

Fatima Sanchez

Fatima Sanchez is a junior at Washington State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She joined the lab because she’s passionate about understanding how the environment influences our lives and well-being. Outside of academics, Fatima enjoys riding her bike, getting lost in a good book, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Duru Hatipoglu

Duru is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Human Development. Raised in Redmond Washington, she enjoys camping, lake days, and rollerblading to enjoy warm weather! Otherwise, she loves drawing, doing nail art, and spending time with friends and family! As for her future goals, Duru aspires to go to graduate school and earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and wants to work with adolescents and young adults. She joined the SCENe lab to gain experience with research skills, and further her understanding of psychology and human behavior. 

Fatima Valencia

ALUMNI:

Darren Caruso

Jack Hermanson

Yanin Duarte-Acosta

Kaylee Gibbs

Cami Hamilton

Amanda Doyle

Abigail Wilkinson

Collaborators

Erika Lutz

Erika is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Experimental Psychology program at WSU. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Towson University in 2020 and her M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Western Washington University in 2023. Broadly, her research interests aim to understand how nature impacts emotions, behaviors, and mental health, and how cannabis use might influence these outcomes. Erika is a joint student in the SCENe lab and Dr. Carrie Cuttler’s The Health and Cognition (THC) lab. Erika enjoys spending time exploring nature, playing with her cats (Charisma and Perception), and attending live music (especially at the Gorge!).  

Lab Purrsonnel

PETS

Sydney Meidenbauer

Having never learned to sound cute at cat school, Sydney shouts more than meows at you when she wants something. She may seem filled with rage but her hard exterior hides her true nature – she is fueled by pets and affection. Despite being “the smart one” of the two Meidenbauer cats, she cannot be trusted around Christmas trees or plastic of any kind. Major: Vocalization studies. Minor: Gargoyle Impressionism

Uno Meidenbauer

Uno, the one-eyed, one-eared wonder, was named after a favorite Wheel of Time character and has a love of food matched only by her fixation with chomping on cables. Given the opportunity, she would spend all day on your lap, catch a ride on your shoulders, or hang out under the same blanket as you. Major: Culinary arts (Speed eating specialization). Minor: Blepping.

Morrel Freeman

Between attending business meetings and cat naps, Morrel makes an effort to get her cardio in by zipping around the house. On occasion, she joins her humans out for a hike or enjoys a good game of fetch. 

Tonx Freeman

Trained in the sacred art of napping, Tonx has spent her life exploring the rich and adventurous world of dreams. Only the sound of kibble hitting a plastic dish has the majesty to move her back into the “real-world” where she then eats her dinner with distinguished grace and speed.

Penny Santiago

Penny has a full-time job that consists of sleeping and eating. Nobody knows how she manages this utterly exhausting, time-consuming, taxing career, but she does it so that we don’t have to. She’s also mastered the art of work-life balance. Some of her favorite things to do on her days off include hissing at her German Shepard sisters, playing soccer with ice cubes, and relaxing with her favorite sister Isabella.

Britta Santiago

Britta may be a German Shepard, but unfortunately, she had to drop out of Police Dog school on account of hyperactivity and a lack of a sharp olfactory system. Nonetheless, she still protects her family’s yard from squirrels and birds with her life and loses her marbles over her sister Isabella’s mere existence

Chloe Santiago

Chloe is the newest addition to the Santiago family. She loves to play with her sister Britta and teach her how to dig massive holes in the flower bed. Her favorite things to do are get head pats and belly rubs from her sister Isabella, and nap under the kitchen table.

Alfalfa Hubbard

Has a stub tail. Major: Stealth and Concealment Studies. Minor: Feline Drooling Studies

Athena Hubbard

Certified cuddle bug. Major: Attention Seeking. Minor: Food Testing

Cinder Hubbard

Crazy energy. Major: Chaos. Minor: Biting

Ella Hubbard

Big Ol’ Goofball. Major: Weighted Blanket. Minor: Sensitive Stomach

Charisma and Perception (aka Squanchy) Lutz

Charisma hails from Baltimore, Maryland and brought all of her attitude with her to the West Coast. Although she appreciates the diversity of birds and squirrels that play outside of her favorite windows, she does not appreciate dogs, delivery drivers, or trash trucks and will growl ferociously at them until she scares them away.

We adopted her baby brother Squanchy (government name Perception) as a Covid baby in Oregon. As such, he is completely spoiled and prances his little kitty paws and “Pews” to demand attention and love.  

Thor & Oreo Stilson

Thor is a wonderful 20-pound orange boy who loves cuddles and food. He is also, surprisingly, the fastest of the Stilson cats.

Oreo is a hair tie and outdoor-loving kitty. He likes to let everyone know when he is not being let outside.

JD, Jack Jack & Salem Stilson

JD is a 19-year-old, grumpy, old man. He loves to fight dogs and sleep.

Jack Jack is a human trapped in a cat’s body (possibly a skinwalker… send help). He loves to talk and open doors and cupboards.

Salem is a sweetheart who likes to squeak at her parents. This little girl does not have a mean bone in her body.

Moose Hughes

Big heart with an even bigger dose of anxiety. A walking allergic reaction waiting to happen, but always down for a cuddle. Loves kisses and belly rubs but is bloodthirsty for squirrels, birds, or anything moving. Hobbies include napping, snacking on human food, chewing the occasional shoe, and occasionally indulging in kitty roca— the audacity.

Momo Hughes

Sweet but will act like your biggest hater until you’re alone, then the biscuit factory opens. Moody and easily irritable, queen of stank faces, airplane ears, and side eyes. Plays it casual but loves sleeping under the covers. Full-time homework supervisor. Suffers from fishy breath and is perpetually tired from transitioning to life as a “mother” after years of being a single child. Her biggest battle? The constant fight for the prized cat tree hammock. 

Mela Hughes

Tiny chaotic fluffball. Specializations include nighttime zoomies, advanced yoga poses, and dramatic falls. She will chirp until you give into her cuddle demands. Notorious for her tendency to disembowel organic matter (plants, flowers, and occasionally fingers). Hobbies include sitting on your face while sleeping and demanding your undivided attention. Burdened by a slightly stinky butt and diva tendencies. 

Lola Turman

Lola is a German Shepherd–Lab mix who was rescued as a puppy after being found wandering alone along a highway. Though she’s a big dog, she is still quite young and still gives puppy energy. She’s highly self-entertaining and easily distractible, and she loves to put anything in her mouth—from rocks and balls to sticks and grass. Major: Ball Pouncing (Front paw specialization). Minor: Munching (Focus: things that aren’t food). 

Biscus Lilley

Biscus is a 1 year old Checkered Giant rabbit who has an odd obsession with socks. He loves to run around and will follow you when in the same room. He is also a big cuddlebug and will snuggle up to you when laying on the bed and with cover you in kisses!  

Tiberius Lilley

Tiberius is a 6 year-old Siberian Husky who super energetic. He loves to run around the dog park with other dogs, and loves to play tug-o-war with his rope toys and roughhouse with people. Hes super talkative, especially when it comes to his favorite treats!  

Cruise Control “Cruiser” & Wynn Allen

Cruiser is a sassy 3-year-old Siamese/Bengal mix. He is the picture perfect, blue-eyed boy of your dreams …so it seems. He has learned many tricks in his time, including ‘spin’ and ‘paw’, and has recently learned how to open doors and kitchen cabinets. Cruiser’s favorite pastimes include frequenting in zoomies, screaming at doors, and escorting people to the bathroom. When he’s not driving his people crazy, Cruiser enjoys long walks around the block, running in circles, and dressing up in his comfiest attire (begrudgingly).

Wynn is a 2-to-6-year-old long hair mix with the voice of a 50-year-old chain smoker. Beyond his RBF and deep-seated frown, Wynn approaches life enthusiastically and with an excitement like no other. This sweet boy is smitten for belly rubs and his share of your dinner (bonus points if it’s taco bell). Regardless of if you’ve only just met him, Wynn is sure to greet you at the door and welcome you into his home.

Marnie Cordova-Pearson

Marnie (a.k.a. Marne’s/ Marnie Bear) named after Marnie in Halloween town (since she’s our permanent Halloween decoration) loves hair ties sunbathing and snuggles. Her hobbies include stealing socks, swiping glasses off tables, and biting toes. In her spare time, you can find her getting her head stuck in the blinds, attempting to break out of her home and yelling for attention. 

Gingerella, Coco & Pinki Hatipoglu

Gingerella is the princess of the family and entitled is her middle name. With the prospect of treats fueling her every move, she meticulously plans an attack on anyone close enough to feed her. Her first course of action is to swoon you, throwing herself in such a manner, you may think it is appropriate to engage and pet her. This is where her plan kicks in, she will attack your hand with no mercy, and lead you, with her fluffy tail in the air, to her treat drawer, where you are expected to pay for disturbing her.

Coco is the scaredy-cat, who loves affection, as long as it is under his terms. He is always on full alert, and while meowing and head butting for ear scratches and love, he will simultaneously be ready for any signs of you getting close enough to pick him up, as that is unacceptable. If he is in an especially good mood, he loves to cuddle up with a blanket, and if he is in an even better mood.. He may use the blanket as his bathroom, his one fault.

Pinkey is our bully and the baby, with that, she loves to tease her older siblings, especially Ginger, who does not take it lightly, but is left defenseless. Her favorite plan of attack is to wait until Ginger is laying on the bottom step, and being much larger than her… jump on top of her, with her white fur completely covering any sight of Ginger being there. She has gotten to this large point by eating at least EIGHT wet foods a day… she is the epitome of greed (and cuteness) 

Binx Gautney

By day, he is a persistent meowing machine. By night he is also a persistent meowing machine who will herd his parents to bed at soon as the clock strikes 10pm. Some of his hobbies include drooling on his toys, opening the cabinets for no good reason, and laying right on top of your keyboard while you’re using it. Major: Persuasion (with an emphasis on food). Minor: Sneezing

Mr. Rodger Sherwood

Mr. Rodger is a rescue from the Moscow humane society! He’s a little awkward, but he is the cutest! And he LOVES cuddles, sleeping, specifically sleeping in his cat tree hammock! 

Poppy Sherwood

Poppy has been sneak attacking since her litter mates when she was 3 weeks old! She’s a talkative, loving girl who loves to take naps on the porch (when she’s allowed) outside!