Graduate Students

Bethany Shorey Fennell, PhD.

Bethany with husband Henry

Bethany’s research interests include the role of affect in health decision making, self-affirmation, health behavior maintenance, and sex education. In her free time, Bethany plays as many board games as possible with her husband, Henry, reads, plays ultimate frisbee, travels, gardens, and daydreams of flying in a Tardis. She is still waiting on her Hogwarts letter.

Congrats to Dr. Shorey Fennell for earning her PhD in Spring 2020!

 

Eric Malain, PhD.

Eric with his partner Bridget

Eric’s research interests can broadly be described as focused on how people respond to threat. For example, following a poor performance on a test, a fight with one’s partner, or unwanted negative health feedback. Currently his research projects are varied and include forgiveness following an interpersonal transgression by a stranger, measuring how self-concept structure relates to self-affirmation, and exploring how naturalistic college students’ study behaviors affect their testing outcomes. Outside of academics, he spends as much time as possible with this partner and friends outdoors — trail running, backpacking, hiking, camping, gardening, and playing softball. He also enjoys board games, reading good books, and enjoying good meals.

Congrats to Dr. Malain for earning his PhD in Spring 2020!

 

Professional Research Assistants

Thomas Hefter, B.S.

Thomas with spouse Erica.

Thomas started with us an undergraduate RA and is now the current project manager for the Cannabis and Health in Young Adults study. His research interests focus on factors that effect treatment seeking or success for populations experiencing mental illness such as personality, distress and dysfunction, and availability of treatments. Outside of the lab, Thomas likes to spend time with his wife Erica, and daughter Parker, playing with their five dogs, working outside, board games, and online gaming.