I am an Assistant Professor in Berry College's Department of Psychological Science. I came to Berry College after completing a PhD in the Cognitive Control and Aging Lab at Washington University in St Louis with Julie Bugg. My research interests are varied and evolving, but a central theme is how we use our previous experiences to inform goal-directed attention in the current moment.
Outside of teaching and research, I enjoy distance running, indie-rock & synth-pop music, hiking, scrabble, video game speedrunning, basketball, and drinking lots of coffee.
I am currently a senior at Berry College with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. My passion is research and I hope to be a researcher in the psychology field. Once I graduate from Berry I hope to pursue my PhD in psychology. Some interests of mine outside of the lab are reading, skating, and enjoying time with loved ones!
Bella Edwards
I am a senior at Berry College majoring in Psychology. I have great passion and curiosity for psychology, and I hope to explore the field through research and hands-on experience. My hope is to earn my PsyD after I graduate and to become a clinical psychologist. Outside of the lab, I love reading, being in nature, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
Emily Hills
I am a senior Psychology major and Biology minor, and I also work in the psychology department suite. I am passionate about research and after college, I hope to get a Master's degree in Neuroscience and work in some kind of neuroscience lab/biotech facility. Some of my interests outside of psychology include reading, running, playing video games, and watching movies.
Ryn Gaertner
I am a senior Psychology major at Berry College. I am on Berry's Varsity Indoor Volleyball and Beach Volleyball teams. Outside of the lab this semester I will also help organize and teach Berry's Student Athlete Leadership Academy. Post-grad, I hope to apply my study of psychology to coaching the mental performance in sport. Some of my extracirricular interests include watching movies, painting, and serving at church.
Havily Weaver
I am currently a junior at Berry College, majoring in Psychology on the pre-law track. I am excited to explore my interest in research through a hands-on setting. After graduating from Berry, I hope to attend law school with the goal of pursuing a career in family law. Outside of the lab, I love to swim, run, journal, and spend time with loved ones.
I am a current Berry College Sophomore Majoring in Psychology and Biochemistry on the pre-MD/PhD track. I am fascinated with the human brain & mind with all of it's quirks. I have a passionate desire to use our knowledge of the two systems in conjunction with medicine and general health and wellness to help individuals achieve their long-term health goals. After completing my undergraduate degrees I intend to complete an MD-PhD dual degree program, studying medicine and neuroscience, then use my skills and knowledge to expand and use our treatment of mental health. In my free time I enjoy kayaking, pickleball, reading, interior design, and above all participating in my Christian faith.
I am a sophomore at Berry College majoring in Psychology with a minor in Religion and Philosophy. I am passionate about serving individuals with mental health challenges and hope to pursue a master’s degree after college to become a therapist. One day, I hope to own my own practice where I can help others pursue holistic health and well-being. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, working out, and shopping!
Faith Pennino (c/o 2026) - PhD student in Cognitive Neuroscience in progress at Texas A&M: Faith's New Lab!
Sydney Christiansen (c/o 2025) - M.A. student in Counseling in progress at University of North Georgia