The SWAG lab is directed by Dr. Mary Himmelstein, an associate 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,  listening to audiobooks, embroidery, LEGO bricks, camping, and engaging in random shaninigandry.

Dr. Himmelstein's CV

Maddie is a 3rd year graduate student in the Psychological Science Ph.D. program at Kent State University (KSU), specializing 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 broadly fall at the intersection of stigma and health. Currently, two areas of her work center around, 1) examining the relationships between weight stigma, food/body moralization, and eating behavior, and 2) examining the influence of lay beliefs about weight (e.g., controllability, regain, managements strategies) on person perceptions. In her free time, Maddie enjoys rewatching her favorite TV shows and movies, having game nights with friends, interior decorating, and going on walks with her partner and Italian Greyhound, Juniper. 

Lauren is a 3rd year graduate student in Psychological Sciences at Kent State University, with a concentration in Social and Health Psychology. She completed her Bachelor's degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology at Kent State University, where she worked in the Gilman Health & Behavioral Neuroscience Lab. Lauren's research interests focus on how stress and genetic factors influence psychological health, particularly in the context of weight stigma or chronic health conditions. In her free time, she enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with her five cats, and loved ones. 

Angelina is a first-year graduate student in Psychological Sciences at Kent State University, with a concentration in Social and Health Psychology. On her journey to KSU, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in sociology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, where she worked in Dr. Christian End’s social psychology lab. Angie’s research interests focus on perceptions of weight controllability and their cultural and individual influences, with the goal of informing stigma-reduction interventions. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new coffee shops, traveling with loved ones, visiting shelter dogs, and supporting small businesses

Zihan is a junior undergraduate student majoring in psychology. She plans to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology after graduating from college. At the SWAG Lab, she is most interested in exploring how weight stigma influences the way society perceives others. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, watching TV shows, and spending time with the people she loves, her family and friends.

Lilia is a senior 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

Tori is a senior, undergraduate Psychology student at Kent State with a minor in Criminology and Justice Studies. Tori plans to graduate in Spring 2026 and pursue a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology to research more about human behavior in the workplace. She hopes to become an Industrial Psychologist and a Special Agent in the FBI in the far future. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, watching movies, and playing soccer

Krysa is a senior 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. They plan to graduate in Fall 2026.  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. 

Donovan is a junior at Kent State working a double major of Psychology and Philosophy. With the SWAG lab their goal is to gain an understanding as to how vocabulary and language impacts our perception of objects not only limited to food, and how it shapes our understanding of self. Donovan plans on eventually applying for graduate school in clinical psychology and with the end goal of getting into a counseling profession or psychotherapy. Other interests include reading, collecting vinyl, powerlifting and travel along with being a member of the Writer's Bloc writing club at Kent State.

Meadow graduated in August 2026 with a BA in Psychology! She plans to apply to graduate schools in the next year. She is interested in doing research long-term, particularly with societal behavior and isolation effects. I mentor other veterans with AFW2, and volunteer playing flute with Kent State’s Communiversity band. In my free time, I enjoy playing my instruments, relaxing with my kitties, and playing Animal Crossing New Horizons.

Orane is a second-year undergraduate at Kent State on a pre-medical track with a strong interest in social psychology, health and identity. He hopes to integrate research with a future career in medicine. He is actively involved in leadership and service, with experience in student organizations and community engagement. Upon graduation, Orane plans to attend medical school and then pursue a career as a physician in the U.S. Army. In his free time, Orane enjoys being outside, traveling, running, cycling and listening to music. 

Dorothy is a senior undergraduate student studying Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is interested in learning how gender identity may impact the severity of body dissatisfaction. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, going shopping with friends, and binge-watching TV

Bio Coming Soon 

Liam is a Senior Psychology B.S. major with an interest in neuropharmacology, psychopathology, and social psychology as it applies to vulnerable groups . His long term goal following graduation is to attend my masters at OSU where I plan to become a PMHNP.  He spends most of his time outside of academics playing video games with my reliable small group of friends, or by himself, learning to draw, or working out. 

Tanner is a poli-sci psych student who has worked in immigration outreach, dementia caretaking, and animal welfare. He enjoys photography, cartography, cooking, outdoor exploration, movies, and most branches of philosophy! He also enjoys writing for the school paper and also shared a paper series at his last college titled "Don't take the red pill: healthy masculinity

Jude is a freshman at Kent State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Additionally, he plans to attend graduate school externally and pursue a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. His areas of interest include connecting cognitive and behavioral psychological theories to modern organizations to preserve efficiency, cost, and quality. In the SWAG lab, Jude wants to investigate the grasp that stigma around weight and eating in public has on behavior and interpersonal interactions across various contexts. Beyond his studies, he is making his start as a board member of a non-profit spiritual organization called Luciferian Outreach Corporation, with charity, private education, and community at the heart of its goals.

 Jasmine is a senior student at Kent State majoring in Psychology. She is especially interested in assessing and treating mental and behavioral disorders in adolescents. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology to become a clinical psychologist. In her free time, she loves to read, play video games, and spend time with family.