Hi! My name is Candace Bevill, and I’m a junior from Madison, Mississippi, majoring in psychology with double minors in applied neuroscience and cognitive science. I’ve always been interested in understanding how trauma affects the brain and shapes the way we think, feel, and behave. I joined CHORAL because I wanted to gain more experience in the clinical side of psychology, explore my research interests, and learn more about how community-engaged research can make a positive impact on people’s lives. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I hope to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and eventually specialize in neuropsychology. Outside of school, I enjoy coloring and doing diamond art as a way to relax and unwind. I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and gaining new experiences through CHORAL! 

Hello! My name is Sophia Dalton, and I am a junior at Mississippi State University. I am especially interested in how trauma affects different individuals. I am also interested in mental processes such as memory, attention, and decision-making. My career goal is to become a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in psychological assessments to improve patient outcomes and well-being. I joined CHORAL because I am fascinated by the team’s research interests and want to help make a difference in communities. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading fiction, watching documentaries, and spending quality time with the people around me. 

Hello! My name is Jada Gaston, and I am a senior at Mississippi State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I am particularly interested in childhood psychopathology, behavioral and emotional disorders, and evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents. In the future, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and become a child psychologist, focusing on improving mental health outcomes in underserved communities. I joined CHORAL to gain hands-on research experience, explore community-engaged approaches to mental health care, and contribute to meaningful research. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and exploring creative interests. 

Hello! My name is Taylor Gocal, and I am a sophomore from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. I am an undergraduate Psychology major minoring in Trauma‑Informed Child Advocacy. I am particularly interested in preventative intervention strategies for domestic violence and substance abuse, as well as the accessibility of treatments for these issues in rural and isolated communities. In the future, I hope to obtain a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and work to contribute research in the field. I joined CHORAL to learn from the other members, familiarize myself with community psychology, and gain research experience while exploring topics I am interested in. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy reading, going on walks, volunteering, and crafting. 

Hi! My name is Miriam Lovell, and I’m a junior from Covington, Louisiana! I am passionate about studying the psychological effects of sexual trauma and their emerging treatment methods, including CPT, PE, and TF-CBT. In the future, I hope to attend graduate school and earn a PhD in clinical psychology. I joined CHORAL to gain hands on research experience while making a difference in my community. In my free time, I enjoy reading, photography, traveling, and spending time with friends! 

Hello! My name is Henry, and I am a senior from Saucier, Mississippi. My research interests center on how culture and mental health stigma shape help-seeking, perceptions of mental health treatment, and the therapeutic alliance, particularly among Asian American communities. I joined CHORAL to become more familiar with community-based research and explore how psychological research can be used to better understand and address mental health disparities within communities. In my free time, I enjoy playing the classical guitar and reading. 

Hi! My name is Dynala Sims, and I am from Ridgeland, Mississippi. I am a Microbiology major with a minor in Spanish on the pre-med track. I am especially interested in sexual health and education, as well as learning more about preventative measures that can improve health outcomes. I joined this research lab to gain a deeper perspective on these topics, strengthen my research experience, and develop a more well-rounded understanding of health and human behavior.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a master’s degree at UMMC before attending medical school. I hope to use my education and research experiences to become a physician who values prevention, education, and patient-centered care.

Outside of academics and research, I enjoy building puzzles and playing the piano. 

Hi! My name is Aggie Rieger, and I'm from Kansas City, Missouri. I am an Assistant Professor; I lead CHORAL and the Mississippi Youth Resilience Center. I am passionate about improving interpersonal violence prevention and response, especially for rural youth and youth with developmental disabilities and differences. I started CHORAL because I want to train new scholars in community and clinical-community psychology approaches and to help make a difference in my home - which is now beautiful Mississippi! Outside of the lab, I enjoy endurance running including with groups like the Mississippi Ultra and Trail Society, book clubs, and training my rescue dog, Moody.