Semi Ojerinde

Semi received her B.A in Psychology and minor in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2024. At the University of Texas at Austin, she served as an undergraduate research assistant for two years at the Dunsmoor Emotions Lab studying the effects of emotions (fear) on memory with the use of neuroimaging and psychophysiology on individuals without and with PTSD. After graduating, Semi joined TaSSC to continue to further grow and explore her curiosity for psychology in regard to PTSD, substance use, and evidence-based intervention studies. Semi's current research interests include the effects of psychopathological disorders in regard to Depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety Disorders in diverse socioeconomic and minority populations. She is also interested in the interconnection between sociological determinants and psychopathological disorders. Semi hopes that in the future she can work with diverse individuals of ethnic, socioeconomic, and racial backgrounds in the framework of biopsychosocial approaches. In her free time, Semi enjoys traveling, watching tv, cooking/baking, and being actively involved in church ministry! 

Samuel Leonard, M.S., M.A. 

Sam is a sixth-year doctoral student (on internship) in the clinical psychology program at the University of Houston and a clinical psychology intern at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He graduated from Colorado State University in 2013 with a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. He completed his undergraduate honors thesis in a cognitive neuroscience research lab. After graduating, he served two years in AmeriCorps, primarily working with lower income and homeless populations in community non-profit and healthcare settings. This experience led to a role as a care coordinator for a combined assertive community treatment and integrated dual diagnosis behavioral healthcare team. Sam completed his M.S. in General Psychology at the University of Memphis in 2019 and his M.A. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Houston in 2020. His long-term research goals involve examining the relationship between attachment mechanisms and social cognition in the context of trauma-related and substance use disorders. He has previously completed clinical practicums with the Lone Star Circle of Care federally qualified health clinic, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the Houston Fire Department, and the Coping Resource Center in Houston, TX. Sam is currently completing pre-doctoral internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Shelby McGrew, M.S.

Shelby is a fourth-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Texas A&M University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Anka Vujanovic. She received her B.S. in psychology from University of Southern Mississippi in 2018. After graduating, Shelby was a research coordinator at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in the Distress, Anxiety, and Trauma Disorders Laboratory. Here, she worked on an anxiety sensitivity-based pilot intervention for veterans presenting with opioid use disorder. Shelby’s current research interests involve identifying and targeting risk and maintenance factors involved in co-occurring posttraumatic stress and substance use, particularly among first responders and survivors of sexual trauma. 

Darya Vitus

Darya joined Texas A&M University's Clinical Psychology program in Fall 2021. She graduated with a B.S. from the University of Florida (UF) and, prior to joining Texas A&M, worked at the UF Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health and coordinated projects investigating the analgesic effects of alcohol and cannabis. Darya's current research efforts focus on the roles of intergenerational, immigration, and institutional trauma in the initiation and maintenance of substance use/misuse, as well as other co-occurring mental and physical health conditions. Outside of her professional work, Darya enjoys connecting with her community, trying out new recipes, and exploring the outdoors with her rescue pups.

Savannah Woller, M.S.

Savannah is a third-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Texas A&M University. She received her B.S. in psychology and sociology from Florida State University in 2020. After graduating, Savannah worked as a research assistant in the Anxiety and Behavioral Health Clinic at Florida State University. She worked with Dr. Brad Schmidt on several studies and clinical trials related to the prevention and amelioration of anxiety-related pathology. Savannah’s current research interests involve identifying emotion-related risk factors for the development and maintenance of PTSD and co-occurring suicidality among first responders and trauma-exposed individuals. 

Morgan Phillips

Morgan is a third-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Houston. She received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in African American Studies from Georgia State University (GSU) in 2021. After graduating, Morgan worked as an intake coordinator and office manager for a private practice in Atlanta. Additionally, Morgan worked as a research assistant in the Personality, Stress, and Adjustment lab at GSU. She worked with Dr. Kenneth Rice and team on several studies associated with stress and related pathology, as well as coping and resilience.  Morgan's current research interests involve understanding how racial stress and trauma influence risk and resilience in Black populations. Furthermore, she is interested to see how racial identity affects psychological wellbeing and mental health disparities. Morgan is also a member of the Culture, Risk, and Resilience (CRR) lab at the University of Houston. With her research and training in both labs, Morgan hopes to develop individual and community-level interventions to support mental health in Black populations.

Kayla Hall, M.S.

Previously the TaSSC Research Program Coordinator, Kayla is a first-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Texas A&M University. In 2017, she graduated with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Kentucky, where she worked on studies investigating implementation of a mindfulness intervention for risky alcohol consumption and the role of rumination in non-suicidal self-injury. She also received her M.S. in Applied Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) in 2021. Her thesis was titled “Childhood Sexual Abuse Disclosure and Mental Health Outcomes: The Relationship Between Gender, Parental Style, and Masculinity Norms.” From 2021-2022, Kayla served as a research assistant for the Charleston Resiliency Monitoring Study through the INVICTUS lab under Dr. Carla Kmett Danielson at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Most recently, Kayla has collaborated with Dr. Matthew T. Tull to collect and present data related to emotion regulation, PTSD, alcohol use, and related constructs such as cue reactivity and emotional self-efficacy. Her research interests include emotion regulation facets in the development and maintenance of PTSD and alcohol use disorder.  

Aniqua Salwa

Aniqua is a first-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Texas A&M University. She received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Houston in 2022. After graduating, Aniqua was a research coordinator at the Research on Emotion, Substance Treatment Outcomes, and Racial Equity (RESTORE) Laboratory directed by Dr. Michael Zvolensky. In this role, she coordinated several studies and clinical trials on substance use, mental health, and minority-stress-based experiences among the Latino/Hispanic population. Aniqua is interested in developing culturally tailored trauma-focused, evidence-based interventions and health education programs. In particular, she is interested in exploring the compounding impact of sexual and interpersonal trauma, in conjunction with racial trauma, on maladaptive health behaviors among individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Natalie Helms

Natalie is a junior at Texas A&M majoring in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. She plans to attend a surgical neurophysiology master's program after graduation to monitor the neurological status of patients in the operating room. She joined the TaSSC because she is interested in how PTSD affects first responders and veterans during and after their times of service. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family. 

Emma Ledbetter

Emma is a junior at TAMU majoring in psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and get her PsyD in clinical psychology. She is interested in trauma and PTSD, as well as the interaction of trauma with other disorders. By working in this lab, she plans to gain the experience and skills in the field of trauma and PTSD and apply her knowledge to her future career goals as a therapist for children. 

Saoirse Noelle

Saoirse is a junior pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. After she graduates, she plans to get her PsyD in clinical psychology with an emphasis on trauma psychology; she also plans to earn a postdoctoral Master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology. Her aspiration is to help veterans who suffer from PTSD.

Anushka Parag

Anushka is a sophomore earning her B.S. in psychology and minor in business at Texas A&M University. She joined the TaSSC because she is interested in understanding the role of PTSD and substance use on suicide. After completing her undergrad, she plans to attend graduate school for Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, baking, and listening to music. 

Jackie Quiroga

Jackie is a junior psychology major at TAMU. She has plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology upon graduation. She joined the TaSSC lab because she is interested in the roles co-occurring conditions with PTSD, like alcohol use disorders, have on emotional regulation. In her free time, she likes to practice latin dance styles and play her guitar with friends.

Sierra Rambo

Sierra Rambo is a junior psychology major at Texas A&M University. She has plans to attend graduate school to become a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Ultimately, she became interested in the research assistant position because of her interest in how trauma impacts daily functioning. She is eager to learn more about this topic and how it can apply to her future occupation. In terms of her free time, she enjoys making video montages and taking photos!

Sean Simpson

Sean is a sophomore at Texas A&M University majoring in psychology. He plans to attend graduate school for clinical/social psychology upon graduation. He is interested in the relationships between substance use and emotional dysregulation. He loves soccer and spending time with friends.

Josh Schultz

Josh is a senior psychology major with a minor in English. After graduating, he plans on attending graduate school for clinical psychology. He joined TaSSC because he is interested in serious mental illnesses and their comorbidities, with a particular focus on PTSD, schizophrenia, and trauma. In his free time, he enjoys writing, hiking, latin dancing, and spending time with friends.