MEMBERS

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Jen Peterson, PhD

My area of interest is how exposure to nature affects cognitive processes in various age groups and specifically in an aging population.

Contact: jrpeterson4@alaska.edu

Daní Sheppard, PhD

I have been a faculty member in the Department of Psychology since 1999. My training and interests are in developmental physiological psychology and behavioral neuroscience, specifically relating to adolescent development, neuroendocrinology, and developmental drug effects. The arctic is a special and unique environment; I am interested in how nature impacts sleep at various times of year, and how that impact differs across ages.

Contact: dani.sheppard@alaska.edu

CURRENT MEMBERS

Chloe DeAngelis

Chloe DeAngelis is an undergraduate researcher pursuing real world experience in the field of her choice- psychology. She currently is participating in Nature Lab’s “Doggie Duties” study, and hopes to not only aid it in becoming published, but also to one day lead her own project. She also enjoys playing the electric bass, Yoshinkan Aikido, and watching horror movies, and, unsurprisingly, her favorite genre of horror is psychological thrillers

Kaylie Breuninger

My name is Kayli Breuninger and I’m a sophomore Psychology student here at UAF. I’m especially interested in neuroscience and I want to learn more about how our environments influence who we are. I was interested in joining Nature Lab because I wanted to learn more about the research process. I’m still deciding what specific career path I want to take, so I knew this lab would help provide some important knowledge and experiences regarding my interest in research.

Aleksandra Milanović

I have been a part of the Nature Lab since its beginning in January 2016. Although, I have graduated from the UAF with a B.A. in Psychology in 2017, I remain involved with the research in the Nature Lab to this day. I am interested in data analysis and have completed the SAMHSA-funded, data-focused internship at the Tanana Chiefs Conference, Department of Wellness and Prevention. My research interests are boredom; self-determination; sleep; the effects of light on mood, well-being, and behavior; the effect of nature and natural environments on human well-being; and more.

Julia Olson

Hi, I'm Julia. I graduated from UAF in December 2017 with a dual-major Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Mathematics. I then served as a TEFL Peace Corps volunteer, co-teaching English in a grade-9 school in the wonderful country of Albania. I'm currently engaging myself as much as possible with the psych community here in Fairbanks, Alaska, before I pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. My field interests include, but are certainly not limited to: existentialism, lifespan development, and consciousness. My life interests include exploring Netflix content, kayaking, and giving as much love to as many doggos as temporally possible.

Catherine Reed-Métayer

My name is Catherine Reed-Métayer and I am an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an interdisciplinary minor in Indigenous Cultural Expressions. I am originally from Québec, Canada, but I have been studying at UAF for 2 years now and I have been enjoying it a lot. Nature Lab is an incredible opportunity to learn more about the research process and gain some experience navigating it, so I am really excited to be part of it this year! Other than being a psychology student, I am part of the UAF women's cross-country and ski team. I enjoy spending a lot of time outside, being active and soaking up the sun when it shows up!

ALUMNI

Sarah Levy

"I will be finished with my Bachelors of Art in Psychology and my Minor in Criminal Justice in early 2021. After I graduate I will be moving to Spokane, WA to work as a clinician in their local prison. With Psychology being my main focus, the chance to be a part of a lab such as this for the last 3 years has been such a privilege. I was able to hone research skills and be taught data entry and analysis by two of UAF's best Psychology professors. While I am no longer a current member of this lab, I will always hold the lessons learned very close to my heart and to my professional career. I am currently working under a case manager here in Alaska, where I am already using the skills I have learned."

Emma Benjamin

My name is Emma Benjamin. I am a senior Psychology student with a particular interest in health, nutrition, and diet. I am a personal trainer, a dance teacher, and an aerial arts performer and I love working with kids in a classroom setting as well as in a home environment. I’ve had a fascination with Psychology since I was in middle school and always knew it was the field I wanted to go into. I’ve lived in Alaska my entire life up to this point but do enjoy traveling out of the state. I love exploring different cultures and meeting new people. Although I travel much of the time I also have a great appreciation for all the beauty and uniqueness that Alaska has to offer and will probably never call another state home because of the bond I feel to this place.

Gabe Cartagena

Gabriel Cartagena is a Ph.D. student of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. His current research emphasis is in Psycho-Oncology, where he is interested in the psychological resilience of cancer survivorship, as well as understanding the psychosocial and physiological effects of treatment on those with cancer and other chronic illnesses. He intends to continue research work in a Masters of Public Health, studying health promotion and infectious disease prevention among underrepresented communities.

Cassidy Kelly

I was born and raised in Flagstaff Arizona and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks May of 2019. While attending UAF I received my bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in marine science as well as swam competitively on the university's swim team. I also participated in and continue to participate in Nature Lab. My interests include animal and people's behavior as well as sports psychology. I have two completed projects that are both in different phases but both are concerned with individuals attitudes towards dogs.This past summer I lived on Oahu and worked with dolphins and sea lions, I am now back in Alaska in Seward interning at the Alaska Sealife Center as a marine mammal intern. I love research and this lab allows me to continue to grow and learn how to become a better researcher!

Isabella Knott

My name is Isabella Knott and I am an undergraduate studying Psychology. I was born and raised in Two Rivers, Alaska where I have enjoyed an adventurous outdoor life. I have loved being a Nanook, but I have especially enjoyed my participation in Nature Lab. The Lab has provided me with exceptional opportunities in research, which is one of my passions. Currently I am researching the mental health of veterinarians, who have a significantly higher suicide rate than the U.S. population, and veterinary students as they navigate the stressful and often competitive environment of their schooling. I will continue researching throughout my undergraduate degree.

Nicole Lindsay

Nicole Lindsay grew up in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Justice from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2018. During her time in undergrad, she participated in Nature Lab where she assisted in the development and implementation of research projects, including her own focused on understanding the emotional responses to natural threatening situations in Alaska. Upon graduating, she began working in the Learning and Development field in healthcare that focuses on providing learning opportunities and job-related training for employees. While she is not working, she is spending time with family, going on road trips, reading, and hiking.

Sara McMurrough

I've lived in Fairbanks since 2009 and nothing has peaked my interest in my 19 years of life as much as psychology has. Even as a kid, I've always been curious about why people do the things they do, and even why I do the things that I do. Through my journey in Nature Lab, this question is one I hope to gather the tools to answer to as I progress through my Bachelor's Degree of Psychology at UaF. Along with Psychology, I also enjoy travelling!

Brynne Myers

I am a second year undergraduate pursuing a BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Cognitive psychology (learning, cognitive flexibility, and general cognition) specifically with relation to environmental psychology is what I am currently studying. I love education and the study of the improvement of the mind, and it has been really interesting learning about the link between nature and my interests.

Devra Norling

I am a senior at UAF and plan to graduate May 2018 with a BA in psychology. I have lived in Fairbanks since fall of 2001 and love the uniqueness that is part of the environment and the people that reside here. I have a career in occupational therapy and my goal is to continue on in graduate school for my doctorate in occupational therapy. I became interested in Nature Lab to further my understanding of and comfort level with research. I am involved with several of the studies currently being run. The Nature Lab’s focus of nature also interests me, especially the effects on health and how people react to being exposed to nature and the “awe factor”.

Hannah Pothast

My name is Hannah and I graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in psychology at UAF. I was a researcher with Nature Lab for a year and a half and piloted my first independent study on how shifting light levels during Arctic equinoxes affect mood and behavior in college students. Now, I plan to pursue a PhD online in Educational Psychology. I currently live in Anchorage, Alaska and during my free time I enjoy road cycling, camping, skiing, backpacking, and cooking.

Talyah Safir

Talyah is an undergrad joining the academic world after 10 years in the workforce. After spending the last 3 years as a certified Substance Use Counselor, she is looking to expand her abilities by pursuing a BS in Psychology. Talyah enjoys participating in research projects through the Nature Lab along with singing with the UAF Symphony Chorus, and hopes to continue these activities while eventually pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Teresa Sample

I am an undergraduate student at UAF with a pre-nursing major. I joined Nature Lab in the spring of 2017 because though I am not a psychology major, I have always been interested in psychology, and it's very important going into the medical field. Living in Alaska my whole life I have always been interested in how the nature and light cycle here has an effect on people.

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