Rachel Farr

Email: rachel.farr@uky.edu

PhD from University of Virginia, Developmental and Community Psychology (BS from Cornell University)

Dr. Farr's research focuses on diverse families, particularly those parented by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) adults and formed through adoption. Overarching themes in Dr. Farr's writings include how empirical research on LGBTQ+ parent families and on adoption may be informative to public policy, practice, and law, especially given that her research has been influential in media circles, public debates, and legal and policy domains. She serves on her local county school's LGBTQ+ advisory committee, as well as in multiple leadership roles in her department and university, especially as related to diversity and inclusion efforts. Founded the FAD lab: Summer 2015

Madison Diomede

Email: mdi268@uky.edu

PhD expected 2025 (Class of 2020, University of Texas at Tyler)

My research interests revolve around identity development, identity saliency, and socialization. In the past, I have researched developmental and psychological predictors of LGBTQ+ attitudes in college students. Currently, I am exploring the intersection between diverse family structures and identity in adolescents and young adults. I am also interested in perceived social status amongst these populations— more specifically, the relationship between perceived social status and various identities such as racial/ethnic, geographic, gender, or sexual identities. Joined the lab: Summer 2020

Emily Lapidus

Email: emilylapidus@uky.edu

PhD expected 2025 (College of Charleston, 2019)

My primary research interests focus on how and to what extent childhood development is influenced by public policy. Developmental research focused on adoption into same-gender households is still controversial and there can be a lot of changes that can be made for the better. Specifically in the FAD lab, I am interested in seeing how we can better understand development of children in same-gender households so we can better the current adoption systems. Joined the lab: Summer 2020

Kevin McAweeney (he/him)

Email: kamcaweeney@uky.edu

PhD Expected 2027 (University of California Davis 2021)

Major: Psychology, Minor: Women & Gender Studies

Key Professional Goals and Interests: My research interests revolve around LGBTQ+ families and populations with a focus on the impacts of geographic environment and research centered on plurisexual individuals. My research in the FAD lab currently focuses on the experiences of LGBTQ+ parents and the influence of external factors such as community on LGBTQ+ headed families. Joined the lab: Summer 2022

Grant Biggerstaff (he/him)

Email: gbi227@uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2024

Major: Psychology

Key Professional Goals and Interests: My goal is to become a clinical psychologist. Joined the lab: Summer 2022

Simon Boone (he/him)

Email: srbo240@uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2023

Major: Psychology, Minor: Women & Gender Studies

Key Professional Goals and Interests: The next step in my career is to enroll in Graduate school to obtain my Ph.D. in counseling psychology. I hope to open a community center in my hometown that supports LGBT+ youth by providing counseling resources. I enjoy horror and playing video games with my friends, including Dungeons and Dragons on the weekends. Joined the lab: Spring 2022

Mary Rome Daniel (she/her)

Email: mvda223@uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2023

Major: Psychology, Minor: Family Sciences

Key Professional Goals and Interests: After I have earned my bachelor's degree, my goal is to attend graduate school to earn a master's degree in family & marriage therapy. Pursuing a career in family & marriage therapy has always been an interest of mine. Specifically, I am interested in diversity among families, and someday I hope to provide treatment or counseling to families with various conflicts. Outside of my academic career, I practice with the UK Saddle Seat Team and I am a member of Kappa Delta sorority! Joined the lab: Spring 2022

Ryder From (he/him)

Email: rnfr225@g.uky.edu

Expected Graduation: May 2023

Major: Psychology, Minors: Spanish, Journalism

My biggest interest is people. I love trying to understand why some people act and think the way they do. The psychology classes I’ve taken have shed so much light on these mentalities and behaviors. I plan on becoming a child and adolescent therapist in the future and put this learning into action. I want to help children with mental disorders such as anxiety and depression in order to build emotional skills as early as possible and tackle the stressors in their lives right away. In addition to that, my hobbies include singing (very high and very loud), creative writing, digital design, and walking. I also hope to self-publish a book in the future, one that’s already in the works. Joined the lab: Fall 2021

Abby Graham (she/her)

Email: amgr298@uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2023

Majoring in Psychology, Minoring in Classics

I am very interested in public policy and the ways that psychology and research shape them. My more specific interests are LGBTQ+ issues, sexual assault victims and the legal system, and women’s issues. I believe that these groups are still not treated with equality in many of our institutions, and as psychologists, we have the power to change that. Some organizations I’m a part of at U.K are Alpha Phi Omega, the Student Activities Board, the Classics Honors Society, and YDSA. My hobbies are reading, yoga, horticulture, crafting, cooking/baking, and tennis. Joined the lab: Summer 2021

Mandy Martin (She/Her)

Expected graduation: May 2023

Email: ama456@uky.edu

Majors: psychology, sociology; Minors: gender and women’s studies, criminology

After graduation, I hope to get a PhD in clinical psychology then practice therapy and teach. I have a strong interest in mental health, specifically that of marginalized populations such as women, POC, LGBTQ+ populations, children, and survivors of trauma.

Emerson Palazzo 

Email: emerson.palazzo@uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2025

Majors: Psychology and Interdisciplinary Disability Studies

Key Professional Goals and Interests: After I graduate, I hope to go on to get a master's degree with the end goal of working in autism therapy. I am not sure which form of therapy I want to pursue, but I would love to go into both individual and group counseling. My main educational interests are disabilities, autism, and LGBTQ+ issues, so I hope to help individuals in those communities in my future career. In my free time, you can find me at the UK Visitor Center, playing ultimate frisbee on the UK Women's team, or spending time with those I love! Joined the lab: Spring 2022

Lizzie Schreyer (She/her) 

Email: Lizzie.Schreyer@uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2024

Major: Psychology Minor: Spanish

Key Professional Goals and Interests: After graduation I plan on attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D. My research interests are centered around family dynamics, specifically those within the LGBTQ+ community. Joined the lab: Fall 2022

Camryn Thompson (she/her) 

Email: clth245@g.uky.edu

Expected Graduation: Spring 2023

Major: Psychology Minors: English, Gender and Women's Studies

Key Professional Goals and Interests: After I graduate I plan to get my Master's of Social Work so that I can eventually become a therapist. Specifically I want to specialize in marriage counseling, family dynamics, and the LGBTQ+ community. My specific research interests include family dynamics/systems, mental health, and LGBTQ+ related research. Joined the lab: Fall 2022

Chase Myers

Major: Psychology

Key Professional Goals and Interests: I plan on obtaining an undergraduate degree in psychology and continuing my studies at graduate school. I hope to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology. My main research interests are mental health, abnormal psychology, social psychology, and clinical work. Joined the lab: Spring 2023

Kendall Cates (she/her)

Expected graduation: Spring 2025

Email: mailto:keca258@uky.edu

Major: Psychology 

Key professional goals and interests: After graduation I would like to obtain my masters degree and work towards a career in therapy. My research interests include mental health, specifically in children, and family systems. Joined the lab: Spring 2023

Brittany Alexander
Class of 2022
Major: Psychology Minor: Criminology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I am planning on attending graduate school to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology one I graduate from UK. I have a particular interest in child and adolescent mental health research. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time with my roommates. My goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and my main research interests surround the mental health of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Joined the lab: Summer 2020

Chelsea Bass
Email: cba293@g.uky.edu
Class of 2021
Major: Psychology Minor: Family Sciences

Key Professional Goals and Interests: My goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and my main research interests surround the mental health of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Joined the lab: Fall 2018

Jordan Bernard
Class of 2022
Major: Psychology, Topical Studies in Social and Behavioral Science
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I have a strong interest in developmental psychology, with a focus on children, especially those from diverse backgrounds, and their educational process and needs. My goal is to one day be able to aide children going through school by helping them achieve an education that is best suited for them. I plan on going to graduate school to earn my Ed.S in School Psychology after I complete my undergrad. Joined the lab: Fall 2019

Emma Breetz
Class of 2022
Major: Psychology Minor: Spanish

Key Professional Goals and Interests: After graduating, I plan to apply and join the Peace Corps and work with youth in development. Forming human connections and understanding individuals from all different perspectives is what brought me to study psychology. Outside of school you can find me outdoors, running, hiking, and partaking in the occasional barre or cycling class. Joined the lab: Fall 2020

Meg Brown
Email: megybrown@gmail.com
UK alumni, Telecommunications, B.A.
Currently pursuing Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A., at EKU
Key Professional Goals and Interests: My current goals are to complete the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at EKU and begin work towards professional counseling licensure. My current interests are focused on the LGBTQ+ community, adolescents, adoption, socialism, and community organizing. I currently volunteer as a tutor at the Village Branch Library. Joined the lab: Summer 2016

Samuel Bruun, PhD
Email: sbr268@g.uky.edu
PhD in 2021 (Class of 2016, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point)

My broad research interests revolve around the ways in which people use cultural artifacts, such as toys, clothing, and fictional characters to represent and reinforce gender. My most recent research line has focused on understanding how LGBTQ+ people engage in gender presentation, and the unique pressures that these groups might face making presentation choices, in comparison to cisgender and heterosexual people. This line of research has led to a developing interest in discrepancy theory, examining how people’s mental health is impacted when their ideal self feels unattainable, or is blocked by social obstacles. My other research interests include the impact of children’s gender-typed play behaviors, how LGBTQ+ parents talk to their children about sexuality, and identity development in the intersection between race, gender and sexual orientation. Joined the lab: Summer 2016

Calisee Burand
Email: calisse.burand@uky.edu
Class of 2021 Major: Psychology, Topical Studies in Cognitive Sciences
Key Professional Goals and Interests: Currently, I am applying to graduate schools in clinical and counseling psychology to pursue a career as a clinician working with children. I have a particular interest in neurochemistry and developmental psychology. Outside of classes, I love yoga, Zumba, and a hearty bowl of oatmeal. Joined the lab: Spring 2019

Amanda Campbell
Email: mandycampbell412@gmail.com
Class of 2017 Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: social psychology, specifically stereotyping -- I plan to get my PhD in social psychology and later be a professor. Joined the lab: Fall 2016

Krystal Cashen, PhD

PhD, 2020, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Class of 2013, Vassar College)

Dr. Cashen earned her PhD in developmental science frm the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2020. Broadly, her research focuses on development in the context of diverse family systems (LGBTQ+ parent families, adoptive families). Her dissertation examined experiences of stigmatization and community among emerging adults with LGBTQ+ parent(s). She has also been involved in research looking at the close relationships of adopted people through the transition to adulthood. Joined the lab: Summer 2020 (Postdoc)

Indrani Chatterjee
Class of 2018
Major: International Studies & Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: Moving away from psychology (sorry!), I plan to pursue a public health career. My main interest is community-based health education, with a special focus in inclusive sexual health education. I'd love to take my experience abroad and find ways to incorporate these concepts into international development. Post-graduation, I will be staying in Lexington and working an entry-level job in the health field. I eventually hope to serve in the Peace Corps, and earn an MPH (and one fine day, a PhD) in Health Behavior. Joined the lab: Summer 2017

Jessica Cherry
Class of 2017
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: getting a masters degree in school psychology and becoming a school psychologist with hopes in working at an elementary school Joined the lab: Fall 2015

Heather Evans
Class of 2022
Major: Psychology Minor: Sociology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I plan on taking the MCAT this spring and I will hopefully be attending medical school in order to further pursue my psychology interests to become a psychiatrist. I find all facets of psychology research to be absolutely fascinating and I am super happy to be a part of the FAD lab! Joined the lab: Summer 2020

Evelyn Gonzalez
Class of 2020
Major: Psychology & Spanish
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I am interested in developmental psychology, researching the LGBTQ+ community, looking at adoption trends, and child socialization. I hope to go on to graduate school and attain a Ph.D. in developmental psychology. Joined the lab: Summer 2018

Erika Goodman
Class of 2018
Major: Psychology; Minor in Family Sciences
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I plan on obtaining my PhD in counseling psychology and then go on to work as a family counselor with hopes of opening my own counseling center. My research interests include religion, sexual identity, and how those come into play in the family system. Joined the lab: Summer 2017

Rachel Harden
Class of 2018
Major: Psychology; Minor in Family Sciences
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I want to go to grad school and study school counseling. Joined the lab: Fall 2016

Camille Harn
Class of 2023
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests:  After getting my bachelor's, I plan to pursue a PhD in Psychology, and pursue a career in research and academia. Joined the lab: Fall 2020

Morgann Hegge
Class of 2019
Major: Psychology; Minor: Family Sciences
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I aspire to earn my Masters degree in Couples and Family Therapy and hope to someday run my own private practice. My research interests include human sexuality, family systems, ambiguous loss, military families, and religious socialization. Outside of the lab I enjoy spending time with family, crafting, working out, and spoiling my dog. Joined the lab: Summer 2018

Cassie Johnson (she/her)
Expected Graduation: Spring 2022
Majors: Psychology and US Culture & Business Practices
After graduation in the Spring, I hope to work as a policy analyst for the United States government. After a few years, I hope to go to graduate school to pursue a degree in Public Administration or Public Policy. My main interests lie in two different fields. One being environmental infrastructure and the second being families. So, in this lab I hope to learn how family structure and decision-making affect someone's adult life. When I’m not at school or at my part-time job at Chipotle, I love to hike, kayak, read, and drink copious amounts of coffee with my friends. Joined the lab Fall 2021

Stefanie Jones
Class of 2017
Major: Psychology with Communication Minor
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I/O psychology Joined the lab: Spring 2016

Katie Kirk
Class of 2020
Major: English, Minor: Psychology & Theatre
Key Professional Goals and Interests: how LGBTQ+ youth manage their identities in today's world/the role that social media plays in modern sexual identity formation, narrative theory, psycholinguistics. My hobbies are writing plays, acting, going on walks, and playing with my friends' cats. Joined the lab: Spring 2019

Madison Martin
Class of 2018
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I am primarily interested in developmental psychology and children's well-being. Moreover, children in the foster care system and that have been adopted. I hope to go to graduate school for school psychology. Joined the lab: Fall 2018

Caroline Miller
Email: c.s.miller96@gmail.com
Class of 2018
Major: Psychology & English
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I am interested in social and developmental psychology. I think children’s perceptions of gender, diversity, and stereotypes are important in social development. Joined the lab: Fall 2017

Leo Miller
Major: Psychology, Minor: Neuroscience
Key Professional Goals and Interests: As a recent graduate from the University of Kentucky, I will be applying for PhD programs in clincial psychology in the near future. My research intersts revolve around personalized treatments for PTSD, along with exploring possible factors that contribute to substance use and eating disorders. When being specific, I take a look at LGBTQ* status in these areas and investigate what treatment options should improve on and what is missing to give these individuals high quality treatment. The goal I would most like to achieve is to produce research to help further investigation into my interest while also wokring in the role of a clincian.

Jillian Morrison
Email: morrisonja@guilford.edu
Class of 2021
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: While I enjoy learning about all aspects of psychology, my current focus is developmental and abnormal. One day, I hope to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and become a Child Psychologist who works with children and families going through cancer diagnoses. Joined the lab: Summer 2019

Alex Nelson
Email: alex.nelson153@gmail.com
Class of 2017
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: Pursue further education in developmental, make a career out of research, actively work with kids as often as possible Joined the lab: Spring 2016

Reagan Rucker
Email: reaganrenee@hotmail.com
Class of 2018
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I am planning on attending graduate school to earn my LCSW. I want to become a family and marriage therapist. My current interests are focused on studying open adoption, and trauma from sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. Joined the lab: Fall 2018

Kelsey Siebenthaler
High School Student,
Class of 2020 Expected Major: Business & Spanish
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I hope to eventually become a CFO in the very far future and be able to connect with people across the globe through language. Joined the lab: Fall 2018

Kay Simon, PhD
PhD in 2021 (Class of 2015, Ohio Wesleyan University)

Broadly my research interests focus on how we as diverse individuals come to conceptualize sexual identity in relation to other identities (e.g., racial-ethnic, gender) and various ecological contexts particularly family life. Understanding the way sin which we come to create narratives for ourselves as well as the ways in which others view and perceive our identities is my primary interest. My current research is focused on ambiguous loss theory and boundary ambiguity in the context of LGBTQ+ identity development and family stress. Further, this work is often in the context of LGBTQ+ people's perceptions of parenthood, for those who are already parents, or those who want to be parents in the future. In addition, identity-based socialization such as sexual or gender identity, racial-ethnic identity, and adoption status are an additional line of research. A relatively new interest is perceptions of sexual or gender identity that are under-researched such as asexual-identified people. Joined the lab: Summer 2016

Ryan Stephens
Class of 2021
Major: Psychology
Key Professional Goals and Interests:  I am currently applying to graduate schools to pursue my PhD.  I have a broad interest in LGBTQ+ research, especially intragroup/intergroup relationships, identity, and sexuality.  Outside of the lab and working on my senior thesis, I like to play hockey and explore downtown.  Joined the lab: Summer 2020.

Teja Sudhakar
Class of 2022
Major: Psychology, Gender and Women's Studies, and a minor in Creative Writing
Key Professional Goals and Interests: After graduating, I plan on pursuing a PhD in Social Psychology, and hopefully a future career in academia. I am especially interested in learning about how race and gender can play a role in identity formation, relationships, and mental health. Outside of school, my hobbies include writing, painting, and annoying my cat. Joined the lab: Summer 2020

Cristin Sullivan
Class of 2018
Major: Psychology & Anthropology
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I want to go into Clinical Psychology and complete training to do therapy. Some of my interests include mental health, body image, and self-esteem. Joined the lab: Summer 2017

Queen-Ayanna Sullivan
Class of 2019
Major: Psychology and Human Communication
Key Professional Goals and Interests: After graduation I plan on attending graduate school to pursue a graduate degree in either school or counseling psychology. My ultimate career goal is to become a psychologist for the government, focusing on military families. Joined the lab: Fall 2018

Anna Susini
Email: annaksusini@gmail.com High School Student,
Class of 2018
Major: Undecided
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I’m interested in working with or researching bicultural and bilingual families, with a special focus on child development. Joined the lab: Spring 2017 Now attending Brown University, Class of 2022

Casey Vázquez
MS in 2021 (Class of 2017, University of Kentucky)

Primarily, I am interested in how parent-child relationships and communication in diverse family systems relate to adolescent and young adult's sexuality development. Specifically, I intend to explore how sexual minority and adoptive parents talk to their children about sexuality and how these conversations may influence child and family level outcomes and relationships. I am also interested in the perceptions and stereotypes of youth in foster care. Lastly, I have helped spearhead a project exploring birth relatives' experiences of contact with the adoptive families whom they are connected to. Joined the lab: Summer 2016

Joe Walden
Class of 2020
Major: Psychology & Neuroscience
Key Professional Goals and Interests: I hope to one day go to medical school and become a doctor, possibly working in pediatric psychiatry or pediatric oncology. Joined the lab: Summer 2017

Madison Yee
Class of 2017
Major: Psychology with a Minor in Neuroscience
Key Professional Goals and Interests: Clinical Neuropsychology focusing on Traumatic Brain Injury Joined the lab: Fall 2015

Kelsey Young
Class of 2019
Major: Pre-Nursing
Key Professional Goals and Interests: Graduating from nursing school and continuing my education through a master’s program. Joined the lab: Fall 2016