People

Tony T. Wells, Ph.D.  

Director of the BAT Lab

Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University

Email: tony.wells@okstate.edu

My primary research interests focus on how cognitive biases may be relevant to the identification, prediction, and prevention of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). I am also interested in improving the communication of safe storage methods and means safety for firearm owners. I have broad interest in screening for suicide risk and how we may improve the process. 

I am also a licensed clinical psychologist (Health Service Psychologist) in Oklahoma, and I maintain a very small private practice where I provide evidence-based therapy and assessment.  

Emma Unruh-Dawes, M.S.

Fifth-year graduate student in clinical psychology

Email: emma.unruh_dawes@okstate.edu

Emma Unruh-Dawes is a fifth-year graduate student in the clinical psychology program at Oklahoma State University. She began her work in the BAT lab as a post-baccalaureate research associate in Summer of 2018. Emma was raised in Oklahoma, received her BS in psychology from OSU in May of 2018, and her MS in clinical psychology in 2020. Her research interests include social media and mental health, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) as a research tool, and mobile-delivered interventions. In her free time, Emma likes to jog, watch movies, and try new restaurants. 

Harley Layman, M.S.

Fifth-year graduate student in clinical psychology

Email: hlayman@okstate.edu

Harley Layman is a fifth year graduate student in the clinical psychology program at Oklahoma State University. Harley was born and raised in Michigan  and graduated from The College of Wooster (Wooster, OH) in 2019 with her BA in psychology.  She earned her MS in clinical psychology from OSU in 2021. A long time friend of the lab, she officially joined the BAT lab in Summer of 2022. Harley is currently funded by an NIH T32 training grant for biomedical researchers from underrepresented populations. Her research interests include the relationship between mental and physical factors related to body image disturbance, specifically  how the internalization of, and drive for, different body ideals are associated with different eating and exercise behaviors, psychological factors, and physiological and neurocognitive consequences. In her spare time, you can find her at the gym, walking her dog, Winston, watching Greys Anatomy, and playing games with friends. 

Kayla Wagler, B.S.

Third-year graduate student in clinical psychology

Email: kayla.wagler@okstate.edu


Kayla Wagler is a third-year graduate student in the clinical psychology program at Oklahoma State University. Kayla is originally from Sarasota, Florida and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Spanish with a minor in Biology from Florida State University in 2019. Prior to graduate school, Kayla was a project manager for a clinical trial working with the Mississippi National Guard at the University of Southern Mississippi. Kayla’s research interests include cognitive aspects of suicide risk, suicide risk and resiliency in gender and sexual minority individuals, and lethal means safety. In her free time, Kayla enjoys baking, painting, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. 

Collaborators

Much of the work in the BAT lab involves collaboration with outstanding researchers and colleagues at OSU as well as other institutions. The brief list below does not do justice to the importance of their contributions.

Collaborators at other institutions:

Collaborators at Oklahoma State University: