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!
Graduate research assistants
Madison Bissa (she/her)
Madison graduated in December 2023 with a Bachelors in Honors Psychology & a Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She completed her Honors Thesis examining the moderation effects between parental divorce/separation and adolescent externalizing behaviors and substance use using a systemic review method. Thus, she has specific interests in topics of substance use, diversity and equity, community intervention programs, clinical psychology, family dynamics, and neurocognitive development and disorders. She has spent time working at in-patient & out-patient facilities and is excited to pursue this career further!
In her free time, she loves to read, go on walks/runs, listen to podcasts, surround herself with friends, and do workout classes!
Post-Bacc research assistants
Nicole Barton (she/her)
Nicole graduated from OU in Spring 2023 with a bachelors degree in psychology with a history minor. She plans on applying for a clinical psychology doctorate program this Fall. Nicole would like to work with young children.
In her free time, she likes to hike with her dog Heidi and read psychological thrillers.
Zoe Childers-Rockey (she/her)
Zoe has extensive research experience through her roles in several psychology labs; however, her favorite experience has been working for the PEANUTS Lab under the direction of Dr. Rioux. Her dedication to research and community service has earned her several awards, including the Oklahoma Psychological Society’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award as well as the OU President’s Community Scholars Excellence in Community Service Award.
Zoe will be pursuing her Master’s degree under Dr. Rioux at Texas Tech, focusing on the moderators of the relationship between peer influences, peer environments, and adolescent delinquency.
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!
Delaney Fulp (she/they)
Delaney graduated this past summer with a Bachelors in Psychology & a Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. Additionally, they were the Top Outstanding Psychology Student of 2024 for General Psychology. Her current work in the lab that she is passionate about is on sensory sensitivity. Outside of academics she works as an indoor and beach volleyball coach. Some of their other interests are writing, tennis, history, and rock climbing. Looking forward, they are looking to attend law school soon in hopes of becoming a public interest attorney.
In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction alike, playing volleyball and tennis, writing, and playing video games.
McKenna Nhem (she/her)
McKenna graduated from OU with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors in December 2024. She hopes to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. 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!
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.
Annika Testerman (she/her)
Annika just graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Criminology and Psychology. 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 is currently working towards obtaining her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Psychopathology track.
In her free time, Annika enjoys painting, spending time with friends and family, playing with her dog, Stevie, and watching movies!
Undergraduate research assistants
Abdulkader “Abdul” Almosa (he/him)
Abdul, born and raised in Houston TX, is a senior at Texas Tech University pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology with minors in Chemistry and Health Professions, as well as a B.G.S. in General Studies with concentrations in Arabic, Biology, and Public Health. He is passionate about public health and how various factors influence human health and behavior. Abdul has research experience in oncology, ophthalmology, infectious diseases, and public health. He is actively involved in several organizations on campus, advocating for public health improvements, particularly in early disease detection and prevention. In the long run, Abdul aspires to become a physician-scientist.
In his free time, Abdul enjoys art, traveling, baking, trying new restaurants and boba shops, and giving back to the community.
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.
Jocelyn Chiramel (she/her)
Jocelyn is a 2nd 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.
Savannah Davis (she/her)
Savannah is a Texas Tech University senior and a first-generation college student from Omaha, Texas. Savannah is majoring in psychological sciences and minoring in sociology, and she will graduate with her bachelor’s in May 2025. She is also a senior research assistant in the Pathways to Resilient Youth Development (PRYDe) Lab at Texas Tech. Savannah is an officer of Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology and works as a pharmacy technician. She plans to attend graduate school in the Fall 2025 semester to pursue her dreams of working with children and adolescents through clinical or school psychology. Savannah has specific interests in child and adolescent development, adverse childhood experiences, attachment styles, learning, and personality disorders.
In her free time, Savannah likes to go to concerts, hang out with her friends, listen to music, and spend time with her two cats, Goose and Ivy.
Emily Flesher (she/her)
Emily Flesher is a research assistant and the website manager for the PEANUTs lab. She is a junior majoring in Art, Psychology, and Sociology with certifications in Data Analytics and Applied Statistics at the University of Oklahoma. Her research explores resilience, psychosocial determinants of health, sexual/gender identity, child development, mental health interventions, social medicine, and program/policy evaluation. She is a member of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program at the OU Health Sciences Center (OUPEMRAP). Additionally, Emily works as an research assistant at the Center for Applied Social Research assessing implementation of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for preschoolers in rural southern school districts. She has experience studying hate crime victimization and hate crime policy at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on a National Science Foundation grant. Emily is a former DUET Student Fellow, developing pedagogical strategies and improving student experiences in university classrooms. She also has experience as an early childhood educator in Northwest Arkansas.
After finishing her undergraduate education, Emily is determined to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology and an Master’s in Public Health (MPH) to pursue a career as a Pediatric Consultation-Liaison psychologist. She hopes to work at the intersection of research, clinical work, and policy/program evaluation to improve child mental health outcomes.
Outside of academia, Emily enjoys listening to podcasts, doing yoga, hiking, drinking coffee, painting, reading, or taking a (much-needed) nap in her hammock!
Sindhu Guntur (she/her)
Sindhu is a first-year undergraduate student in the Texas Tech University Honors College, pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biology. As a part of the Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative, Sindhu aspires to become a physician, both due to her love for science and to her desire to give back to her community. Her previous research experience has been in musculoskeletal disorders with the University of Texas at Arlington’s Bone and Muscle Research Lab, focusing on how biomaterials affect bone formation. Her time there has helped her explore her love for research, biology, and psychology.
Outside of school, Sindhu competes on TTU’s Bollywood dance team, Tech Kahaani. She also enjoys singing and playing video games.
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 teaching assistant for Elements of Psychology.
In his free time, he enjoys reading epic fantasy books, video-games, and longboarding! Carson also enjoys taking photos with his film camera!
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.
Morghan Oaks (she/her)
Morghan is an undergraduate student at Texas Tech University and is studying Counseling and Addiction Recovery Sciences. After she graduates in December, she plans to further her education by applying to graduate programs for Clinical Mental Health to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.
In her free time, she loves to hangout with friends, go one walks, and relax.
Christina Personette (she/her)
Christina is majoring in Psychology with a minor is criminology and hopes to graduate in the fall of 2025. Her main areas of focus are counseling and clinical psychology. However, she maintains a strong curiosity for social and cognitive psychology. Christina is motivated to pursue masters and doctorate programs in hopes to become a clinical psychologist. Her areas of interest Include child trauma’s effect on adult psychopathology and strengthening treatment options in the mental health field through exploring unique solutions. Christina is determined to explore the world in a new way, in hopes to better understand and improve it.
While not on campus, Christina works as both a bartender and housekeeper. She is a local musician and enjoys playing live shows, creating music, and learning new instruments! Her hobbies include woodworking, rock climbing, and trying new things. While she loves her hobbies, she also believes that they are all the more enjoyable surrounded by friends and family.
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.