The SWAG lab is directed by Dr. Mary Himmelstein, an asoociate professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University

Dr. Himmelstein completed her PhD in social psychology and intradisciplinary Health at Rutgers-New Brunswick and her postdoctoral fellowship at the UConn Rudd Center. Dr. Himmelstein's research centers on understanding the ways in which overlapping identities, stress, and strategies for coping with stress impact physical and psychological health in the areas of weight stigma and masculinity. When she's not in the lab Dr. Himmelstein enjoys making nerdy science jokes, camping,  listening to audiobooks, embroidery, and engaging in random shaninigandry.

Dr. Himmelstein's CV

Karen is a 5th year doctoral candidate in Psychological Sciences at Kent State University, with a concentration in Social and Health Psychology.  She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Florida State University, where she worked in the Gerend Health Psychology Lab at the FSU College of Medicine.  Karen’s primary research interest is weight stigma through an intersectional lens.  She is specifically interested in how identity and self-perception impact coping strategies, health behaviors, and prejudiced beliefs.  In her free time, Karen enjoys all things music and pop culture.  She also spends time hiking, camping, horseback riding, and golfing.

Maddie is a 2nd year graduate student in Psychological Sciences at Kent State University, with a concentration in Social and Health Psychology. Before coming to KSU, she earned her Master's in clinical psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and completed a postgraduate clinical fellowship with St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute’s Eating Disorder Program. Maddie’s research interests include the impact of weight stigma on health behaviors, especially in the context of healthcare and health-promoting settings. In her free time, Maddie enjoys reading, watching TV/movies, shopping, interior decorating, and spending time with her partner and Italian Greyhound, Juniper. 

Ray Brennan is currently an undergraduate at Kent State, with a major in Psychology and a concentration in Child Psychology. Ray plans to graduate in fall 2025 and continue their education with a master’s program. Previously, Ray was a part of a Learning Differences in Cognitive Development lab under Dana Miller-Cotto, examining the presence of whole number bias in both children and college students. Ray’s current research interests include the impact of stigmatization and different environments can affect a person’s mental health and well-being. In Ray’s free time, they love to coach soccer, read, and spend time outdoors. 

Lilia is a junior Psychology student at Kent State University, focusing on counseling careers. She is especially interested in mental health within adolescent communities, particularly in relation to the rapid spread of social media. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree and work toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, crafting, keeping up with pop culture, and thrifting

Krysa is a third-year undergraduate at Kent State University majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology and is double minoring in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion and LGBTQ Studies. In the future, Krysa is interested in pursuing a career in clinical, child, or social psychology. In their free time, Krysa enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies, gaming, and spending time with friends. 

Meadow is currently a junior, working toward a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology. She plans to further her education in graduate school with a master’s degree. She is interested in working in therapy, while strongly advocating for mental health. She is also a mentor in the Air Force Wounded Warriors (AFW2) program. She was previously in the Air Force for 3 years and worked in law enforcement; since then she has  pursued  Bachelor's in Psychology. In her free time, She loves to play music (flute and drums), relax with her kitties, or watch Youtube

Tori is a Senior at Kent State University pursuing a degree in Psychology. She also plans to go to graduate school for a master's degree in psychology. After graduation, Tori hopes to continue pursuing areas relating to social psychology, clinical psychology, and personality psychology. From the SWAG Lab, Tori hopes to acquire more hands-on lab experience, while also learning more about masculinity in relations to the stereotype threat. In her free time, Tori enjoys crocheting, drawing, gaming, and hanging out with friends."

Sedona is a current third-year undergraduate student studying Human Development and Family Science with minors in Peace and Conflict Studies and Jewish Studies. She plans to attend graduate school to earn a Master's degree in Social Work. Her research interests include the impact that pop culture and social media have on identity formation, particularly that of marginalized individuals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing saxophone, and building LEGO sets.

Lauren is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Kent State studying to receive her B.A. in psychology with a concentration in child psychology. She plans on continuing to graduate school to get her master’s in clinical mental health counseling and wants to work with children and teenagers. Lauren has previously worked as a Behavior Technician through Applied Behavior Analysis with young children with developmental disabilities. When she is not working as a server or in class she enjoys spending time with her three cats and a dog, baking, or being around loved ones. 

Leah is a senior Psychology major at Kent State University. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in School Psychology where she hopes to apply her interest in identity and stress to support students’ academic and emotional development. Leah’s passion for psychology began while working as a Peer Success Mentor, where she guided first-year students and connected them with resources to promote their academic and personal success. In her free time, Leah enjoys traveling, shopping, listening to music, and spending time with loved ones.

Sydney is a fourth-year undergraduate at Kent State, majoring in psychology and minoring in print media/photography. She graduates in Spring 2026 and plans to complete a master’s program upon graduation. She is interested in research, art, and art therapy as well. In her free time, Sydney enjoys being outside, being active, spending time with loved ones, and traveling.

Bingo and Banjo completed homeschool obedience training at casa Himmelstein.  Their primary interests are snuggles, long walks, eating delicious snacks, playing ball, fighting amongst themselves, eating bones, and stealing things that do not belong to them.  They distrust other dogs, rain, and changes to their routine more generally. They aspire to be good boys someday, but likely not today. 

Sacha  studied at Princeton, Rutgers, and the University of Connecticut before settling in NE Ohio at Kent State.  Her primary interests involve sleeping in sun spots, demanding snuggles while Dr. Himmelstein is in virtual meetings, purring loudly, meowing at birds, and staring fixedly into space.  She does not suffer fools including those damn fool dogs Bingo and Banjo. She rues the day they were born.  She aspires to rule over all from the comfort of her own perch.