Lab Director
Charlie Rioux, Ph.D. (she/her)
Dr. Rioux is an assistant professor of interdisciplinary human sciences at Texas Tech University (TTU). She is also affiliate faculty in Women’s and Gender Studies as well as Human Development & Family Sciences. Her research examines contextual, individual, and developmental factors associated with mental health from the prenatal period to adulthood, including intergenerational effects. Some of her research is focused on developmental theory, aiming to clarify models of resilience and sensitivity to the environment. Finally, her research in methodology aims to contribute to the accessibility of state-of-the-art developmental research methods and improved science communication.
Dr. Rioux completed her Ph.D. in Psychology in 2018 at the University of Montreal. She completed a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship in developmental methodology at Texas Tech University and a 1-year postdoctoral fellowship in clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Manitoba and the University of Calgary. She was an assistant professor of developmental and quantitative psychology at the University of Oklahoma (OU) for two years before joining her current department. She has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé, and Research Manitoba.
In her free time, she likes to hike, play tennis, cook, bake, do puzzles, and – more recently – knit and crochet!
Postdoctoral Fellows
Qili Lan, Ph.D. (she/her)
Qili is a postdoctoral fellow in the PEANUT Lab at Texas Tech University, working with Dr. Charlie Rioux at Texas Tech and Dr. Catherine Lebel at University of Calgary. She completed her bachelor’s and Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Peking University, China. She is currently based in Calgary, Canada.
Her research interests focus on early child development, biobehavioral regulation, mental health, and the family environment. She aims to understand how early life environments shape babies’ development and health. For her Ph.D. project, she examined how moment-by-moment mother-child physiological synchrony during dyadic interactions helps young children regulate their own physiological rhythms and supports better developmental outcomes–essentially, how the family environment gets “under the skin.” For her postdoctoral project, she will work on the Pregnancy During the Pandemic (PdP) study, investigating how pre- and postnatal substance exposure influences babies’ social-emotional and neurodevelopmental outcomes–exploring how the environment gets embedded into the brain as well.
In her spare time, Qili enjoys hiking, city walking, biking, reading nonfiction, cooking, and watching movies.
Masters Thesis Students
Julie Godchaux- Linneman (she/her)
Julie Godchaux- Linneman is a Texas Tech master’s student and a research assistant for the PEANUTS lab. She will graduate with a Master’s of Science in Human Sciences with a focus on Women and Gender Studies and Cross Cultural Studies. Additionally, she works as community analyst focused on CRA regulation for Commerce Bank in Kansas City, Missouri. Through her job she helps organize volunteer events and serves on Commerce Bank’s Employee Council. Julie graduated with her bachelors from the University of Kansas with a double major in History and Psychology, ending her degree by being featured in her University’s Research Symposium with her work on Female Authorship in the Middle East. Once she completes her Master’s degree, she is looking to attain her PhD in Social Psychology.
For fun, she enjoys language immersion programs, gardening, and is working on a embroidering project that has so far totaled over a hundred hours.
Zoe Childers-Rockey (she/her)
Zoe is a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Psychology and Criminology and a minor in Spanish. During her time at OU, she was involved in multiple research labs, with her favorite being the PEANUTs Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Rioux. Her positive experience there inspired her to continue working with Dr. Rioux as both a mentee and master’s student at Texas Tech University.
Zoe’s dedication to research and community service has earned her several honors, including the Oklahoma Psychological Society’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award and the OU President’s Community Scholars Excellence in Community Service Award; however, one of her proudest accomplishments was publishing her first manuscript as lead author. Her current thesis project, under Dr. Rioux’s guidance, examines potential moderators of peer environments and their influence on adolescent delinquency and development.
During her free time, you can find her in the kitchen trying out new recipes! She loves to cook and bake, especially for her friends and family!
Graduate Research Assistants
Madison Bissa (she/her)
Madison graduated in December 2023 with a bachelor’s in honors psychology & a minor in women’s and gender studies from the University of Oklahoma. She completed her honors thesis examining the moderation effects between parental divorce/separation and adolescent externalizing behaviors and substance use using a systematic review method. With experiences in both outpatient/inpatient clinical settings and working on collaborative research teams, she has interests in topics of family dynamics, perinatal health inequities, risk and resiliency mechanisms, clinical interventions across the lifespan, and developmental psychopathology. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Tulsa, where she studies under Dr. Nicki Aubuchon-Endsley in her Perinatal Psychobiology Lab.
In her free time, she loves to read, go on walks/runs, listen to podcasts, and surround herself with friends who share similar passions!
Undergraduate and Post-Bacc Research Assistants
Madison “Maddie” Barrington (she/her)
Maddie is a Junior Psychology major at Texas Tech University with a minor in Human Development & Family Sciences. After graduation, she plans to obtain her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and work as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP). She is passionate about mental health issues, specifically concerning children and adolescents.
In her free time, she likes to volunteer with her student organization, read, and spend time with family and friends.
Julie Cappellucci (she/her)
Julie is a junior at Texas Tech University, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. As a student following the pre-med route, Julie intends to become a psychiatrist as a way to blend her love for psychology with a career that would allow her to help others.
In her free time, Julie enjoys to crochet, play video games, and bake various pastries
Jocelyn Chiramel (she/her)
Jocelyn is a 3rd year student at Texas Tech University who is majoring in psychological sciences with a minor in cognitive science. She enjoys being involved in mental health organizations on campus. Jocelyn was previously a research assistant for the Cognition Lab. She is primarily interested in mental health across the lifespan among different age groups and the influences on mental health and behavior. Jocelyn plans to attend graduate school and become a clinical psychologist.
She loves reading, traveling, trying new food, music, listening to podcasts, and volunteering.
Annika Farrell (she/her)
Annika graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Criminology and Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Psychology with a thesis track at the University of West Georgia. She loves all aspects of Psychology, but specifically enjoys learning about Forensic and Cognitive Psychology. Before working in the PEANUTs Lab, Annika worked in a Cognitive Psychology Lab at OU. She hopes to obtain her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Psychopathology focus.
In her free time, Annika enjoys painting, spending time with friends and family, playing with her dog, Stevie, and watching movies
Emily Flesher (she/her)
Emily is a research assistant and website manager for the PEANUTs Lab and a dual-degree student at the University of Oklahoma, earning a B.A. in Sociology and a B.S. in Clinical Research with an emphasis in Psychological Methods. She is earning certifications in Data Analytics and Applied Statistics. Currently, Emily is a Pediatric Oncology Education Intern at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she conducts psychology, genetics, and pediatrics-focused research. She also conducts research on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) programs in rural school districts through the Center for Applied Social Research and has contributed to pediatric emergency medicine and hate crime policy research with the National Science Foundation.
Emily’s research interests include: resilience, psychosocial determinants of health, identity, child development, mental health interventions, and chronic illness. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology to integrate research, clinical care, and policy to improve child mental health outcomes.
Outside of research, Emily enjoys podcasts, painting, hiking, yoga, and relaxing in her hammock with a good book or coffee.
Carson Freeman (he/him)
Carson is a Junior Psychology major with a minor in Public and Community Health and an Applied Statistics Certificate. He will graduate from the University of Oklahoma with honors in December 2025, and plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. His specific interests are in anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, social media use, and interventions for mental health issues. He is also the president of Psychology club and a mental health technician at a children’s psychiatric inpatient center.
In his free time, he enjoys reading epic fantasy books, video-games, and longboarding! Carson also enjoys taking photos with his film camera!
Shelby Hadrick (she/her)
Shelby Hadrick is a junior at Texas Tech University and is majoring in psychology with a minor in business. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and become a licensed therapist, eventually opening up her own practice. She hopes to work with teens and young adults, particularly those struggling with depression and anxiety. She is a member of Psi Chi and hopes to continue her academic and professional development there.
In her free time she enjoys going on walks outdoors, spending time with friends, fishing, and doing art.
Lindsey Hinkle (she/her)
Lindsey is a senior majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Applied Statistics. Prior to joining the PEANUTs Lab, Lindsey worked in the DISCOVER Lab examining the effects of substance abuse on college students, solidifying her passion for research. She also works as a TA for Understanding Statistics as a way to further develop her skills and share her love for statistics. Being a person with ADHD, Lindsey is passionate about studying mental health disorders and their effects on children and young adults. Following her undergraduate education, Lindsey plans to pursue a graduate degree in applied research and statistics.
In her free time, Lindsey can be found in the Pride of Oklahoma marching band. She also loves playing the flute, crocheting, running a small business, rock climbing and hiking!
William Jamison (he/him)
William is a sophomore at Texas Tech who is majoring in Psychological Sciences and minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. He is especially interested in adolescent and developmental psychology. He wants to further understand how to help struggling youth with mental health challenges and provide the much-needed support to at-risk adolescents. William is gaining hands-on experience by mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lubbock and the YWCA.
In his free time, William plays the trombone in the Texas Tech Goin’ Band. He also enjoys drinking coffee, camping, biking, and finding new board games.
Jonathan Mitchell (he/him)
Jonathan is a senior at Texas Tech University. He is majoring in psychological sciences with a minor in history and health professions, graduating in the fall of 2026. Jonathan also works as a medical assistant at an otolaryngology clinic. Jonathan plans to attend graduate school to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology. His specific interests are ADHD and chronic disease.
He likes the outdoors, fly fishing, reading, and his dogs, Bonnie and Daisy.
Christian Neufeld (he/him)
Christian is a Senior at Texas Tech University with a Major in Psychological Sciences and a Minor in General Business. Following his graduation in May of 2026, he plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with the goal of working as a licensed therapist. He is interested in the complexities of mental health and passionate about helping others navigate their lives in the presence of mental health issues. Additionally, Christian is the Treasurer of the Psi Chi and Psychology Club Organization at Texas Tech.
In his free time, he enjoys going to coffee shops, playing video games, playing piano, skiing, and spending time with friends.
Mckenna Nhem (she/her)
McKenna graduated from OU with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors in December 2024. She will be starting her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Texas this fall. She is involved in many campus organizations including the OU Food Pantry, Women’s Health Advocacy, and Delta Gamma sorority. Her research interests focus mainly on health equity, including mental health intervention, gene-environment interactions domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ health.
In her free time, she loves volunteering, baking , and lifting!
Christina Personette (she/her)
Christina Personette is a first year clinical psychology PhD student and research fellow at the University of Pittsburgh where she studies perinatal mental and sleep health. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a certificate minor in applied statistics at the University of Oklahoma. Her areas of interest include risk and resiliency factors in the context of child trauma and adult psychology, as well as factors that impact perinatal mental health in order to target accessible treatment intervention.
While not on campus, Christina is a musician who enjoys playing live shows, creating music, and meeting new people! Her hobbies include wood working and trying new activities. While she loves her hobbies, she also believes that they are all more enjoyable surrounded by friends and family
Lily Reyes (she/her)
Lily Reyes is a junior at Texas Tech University and a first-generation college student from Lubbock, Texas. She is majoring in psychology and plans to graduate in May 2027. Lily is an undergraduate research assistant in the Selective Attention & Perception Lab, where she studies stress and visual memory. Lily’s academic and research interests center on clinical psychology and neuropsychology, particularly the links between trauma, stress, and long-term cognitive outcomes. She aspires to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and to work at the intersection of research and practice, providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.
Cayden Smith (he/him)
Cayden Smith is currently a second year at Texas Tech who is majoring in Psychological Sciences and minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. He is interested in pursuing either adolescent based counseling, or family and marriage therapy. He wants to help create healthy home environments for both couples and kids. Cayden is currently assisting the PEANUTs lab as an undergraduate research assistant.
In his free time, Cayden loves to play trombone any chance he gets as well as go to the gym, and play video games with his friends.
Jacob Ivan Stephens (he/him)
Jacob is currently a Senior Psychology major at the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, he plans on attending graduate school to obtain a doctorate so that he may become a Clinical Psychologist. He will be specializing in helping patients who deal with mental illnesses/complications such as schizophrenia, depression, and dissociative identity disorder. Being close friends with people who have autism, depression, and schizoid disorders has motivated him to continue his education of Psychology, so that he may help people who suffer from such disorders/complication to have the best possible life that they can. He also has brief experience working as a Paraprofessional at a high school.
In his free time, he enjoys playing games with his friends in Georgia, Virginia, and Texas, and recently, going to the gym with his local friend. He also enjoys learning facts about animals, past and present.
Berfin Tasasiz (she/her)
Berfin graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Throughout her studies, she cultivated a strong interest in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience, with a specific focus on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. She has gained hands-on experience working in various research labs, and she is eager to continue her academic journey with the aim of bridging cognitive processes and clinical outcomes. In the future, Berfin plans to further her education in graduate school, where she will pursue a PhD and contribute to advancements in the field of mental health.
Virginia Vaquera (she/her)
Virginia Vaquera is a senior at Texas Tech University, majoring in psychological sciences with a minor in health professions. She hopes to deepen her understanding of research and gain hands-on experiences as she prepares for graduate school. She hopes to achieve a PhD and become a clinical or forensic psychologist.
In her free time she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and arts and crafts.