Our team

Dr. O’Brien is a developmental psychologist and health scientist who joined the faculty in the Department of Psychology at the University of Mississippi as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2024. She earned a B.S. in Sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and a Ph.D. in Psychology from North Carolina State University. Before joining the faculty at the University of Mississippi, she completed postdoctoral training in the Center for Healthy Aging at Pennsylvania State University as a NIH T32 Fellow and K99 awardee. 

Fara earned her degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tehran before moving to the United States for her graduate studies. Her research interests focus on cognitive functions, specifically exploring how cognitive and developmental factors influence prospective memory. She is particularly interested in the role of aging and views of aging in shaping individuals' prospective memory performance. 

Maddy McKay is a senior majoring in Allied Health Studies on the pre-PA track. Throughout undergrad, she developed an interest in public health and even got her CNA license. She enjoys research focused on local communities and older populations. Outside of school, she loves to read, be with friends, and try new activities. After graduation, Maddy plans to take a gap year and work as an ER tech before applying to PA school.

Andi is a Junior studying public health and am on the Pre-Med track. She looks forward to applying the knowledge gained from assisting in the lab to other interests and pursuits in the future.

Alexus Bailey is a sophomore biochemistry major with a minor in psychology. She aspires to be a physician, possibly a radiologist. In her free time, she likes to paint and read fantasy novels.

Kirsten Willis is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health on the pre-med track. Her academic and professional interests center on rural health, health disparities, and the role of policy in improving access to care for underserved populations. She is actively involved in clinical and community service through her work with a mobile health clinic and Oxford Medical Ministries. In the future, she hopes to become a physician who integrates clinical care with advocacy to address systemic barriers in healthcare.

Alexandra was in the lab while a senior at the University of Mississippi, pursuing a degree in Psychology with a strong passion for cognitive psychology and the study of aging. She is particularly fascinated by how memory, attention, and decision-making change across the lifespan, and how research in these areas can improve quality of life for older adults. She is planning on pursuing graduate studies in clinical psychology.