PYDL Members and Alumni
As part of my research lab student members are provided with assistance and guidance in the development of their own research ideas and to facilitate their entry into the field of school psychology. In this capacity students provide assistance in conducting literature reviews, article reviews, data collection, and conference poster presentations. This will eventually lead to co-authored manuscript development and conducting workshops at national conventions.
The PYDL Lab members currently consist of doctoral students in Ohio State University's school psychology program. Students interested in joining the PYDL should contact Dr. Graves: graves.388@osu.edu
Take a Scroll Through Lab Happenings !
Current members of the PYDL include:
Mark Jones is a fourth-year PhD student in the School Psychology Doctoral Program at the Ohio State University. Mark received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Capital University in 2017, and graduated with a Master’s degree in Educational Studies from the Ohio State University in May 2021. Mark has a focus on understanding factors that promote success in Black children. His research interests include understanding Black boys’ experiences within the context of the teacher-student relationship (TSR), studying disparities of autism diagnoses in Black children, providing culturally relevant comprehensive sex education programs to Black children, and understanding the needs of neurodiverse graduate students in school psychology trainee programs and how programs can support and embrace students with neurodiverse identities better.
Kyanna Johnson (she/her) is a 4th year PhD student studying School Psychology through the College of Education and Human Ecology. She was born and raised in Harlem in New York City, and received my bachelor’s degree (psychology & sociology) at St. John’s University. My research interests are focused on the social and emotional needs and skills of Black LGBTQ+ youth. She has conducted research on other topics like family engagement for educators and parents with children in special education as well as analyses of the inclusion of Black children in school psychology literature and interventions. I’m passionate about the advancement of Black children and their families through educational equity. Before Kyanna began her PhD program, she worked as a preschool assistant teacher and volunteer coordinator for AmeriCorps’ Jumpstart programs throughout underserved communities in NYC.
Marcel Jacobs earned a BS in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Central Michigan University in 2020. He is currently pursuing his PhD in School Psychology at The Ohio State University, with an anticipated graduation in 2025. As part of Dr. Graves’ PYDL research team, he has presented at posters at the 2023 Nation Association for School Psychologists Annual Convention and soon the 2023 Black School Psychology Summit on Black student academic and social-emotional outcomes in relation to their perception of school climate. Marcel’s research interests focus broadly on the academic and social-emotional outcomes of Black students. Specifically, he is interested in factors related to increasing motivation as well as the experience of Black students experiencing mental health disorders in schools. He is currently in his third year serving as a teaching assistant, teaching both the cognitive and achievement assessment lab courses.
Tisha Owusua earned a BA in Psychology from Kent State University in 2022. She is currently pursuing her PhD in School Psychology at Ohio State University, anticipating graduating in Spring 2027. Tisha is currently a GRA in Dr. Graves Lab and has assisted him on many research projects, within the School Psychology department and the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. Her current research interests lie in the role schemas play in minority children’s math achievement.
Imani Reynolds, M.Ed., M.A., LPC, is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Educational Studies, with a concentration in School Psychology. Imani received her Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a double minor in Pan-African Studies and Criminology and Justice Studies and Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Although she holds many research interests, her current research is focused on Black children success in education through instruction, intervention, and evaluation. She is also interested in the decriminalization of Black girls, and African-centered interventions.
Ebony Mundy, Ed.S., is a Ph.D. student in the School Psychology program at the Ohio State University. Ebony received her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. She also received her Masters of Arts and Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of Toledo. Ebony is a proud Columbus City Schools (CCS) graduate and currently works as a School Psychologist within CCS. She is passionate about dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. Her research interests include improving mental health services in urban schools and promoting culturally relevant social-emotional learning practices for Black youth.
Lexi Myers, Ed.S, is a PhD student in School Psychology in the College of Education and Human Ecology. She is currently a practicing, Nationally Certified School Psychologist while working on her PhD at Ohio State University. Lexi received her Bachelor of Science, Master’s, and Education Specialist degree in School Psychology at Ohio State and currently works in the Columbus City School district. Her research interests broadly include trauma-responsive care and students’ mental health in urban schools.
PYDL Alumni
Dr. Adriana Perdue is a Licensed Psychologist and PA Certified School Psychologist who obtained her Psy.D. in School Psychology from Duquesne University. She completed a predoctoral internship at Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3, followed by supervised postdoctoral training at Pittsburgh Public Schools. Dr. Perdue specializes in the assessment of children and adolescents with complex psychiatric presentations and specific learning disorders.
Dr. Amirah Beeks-Jeffries is a school psychologist in Baltimore County Schools. Dr. Beeks responsibilities included providing a variety of related services to students, staff and parents/guardians of the Baltimore County Public Schools. Her primary services involve consultation, in which she assists students, staff and parents/guardians to solve problems of students learning and behavior. In 2020 Dr. Beeks-Jeffries was named School Psychologist of the Year by the Baltimore County Public Schools, School Psychologists Association
Dr. Candice Aston is and Associate Professor and Program Director of the School Psychology Program at Towson University. She received her PhD from Duquesne University and completed her internship at Sarah Reed Children’s Center, which provides intensive psychiatric services for children with significant trauma and mental health concerns. The focal point of her research has centered on culturally relevant social-emotional interventions for racially diverse populations. Dr. Aston is interested in Black female identity development and disproportionality. She has extensive intervention experience and has published several journal articles on school-based interventions. In addition, she has presented at several national conferences and is currently a member of NASP and APA.
Dr. Kayla D. Nichols is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Texas. Dr. Nichols earned her doctorate in School Psychology from Duquesne University. She completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Center for Psychological Services in Arlington, TX where she conducted mental health assessments for children, adolescents, and adults; and completed her predoctoral internship with Dallas Independent School District with a focus in mental health and crisis intervention. Her research can be broadly categorized as understanding the impact of discrimination and stereotypes, on the identity and mental health development of Black girls.
Dr. Danielle Cimorelli is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Florida and a National Certified School Psychologist. She currently is employed by Bay Area Early Steps Program at the University of South Florida. Her duties include providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers who are birth to 36 months of age and have significant delays or an established condition that may result in a delay.
Dr. Shanye Phillips is an Assistant Professor at Towson University. She received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and completed her internship in Columbus City Schools. Her research interests include understanding how parent involvement and gendered racial socialization influences behavioral outcomes in schools.