LADR Alumni

  • Kimia Akhavein, Ph.D.

    Kimia earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Developmental Psychology in 2024. Her research examines how children's cognitive abilities uniquely relate to their math achievement over time and how social influences, such as parents and educators, support children's math learning.

    Currently, Kimia a Postdoctoral Fellow with Research in Mathematics Education in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University.

  • Jenna Barnes

    Jenna is attending the University of South Florida to obtain a doctorate in School Psychology. She was a lab manager with the LADR Group in 2022.

    "I am so thankful for everything I have learned and everyone I had the chance to work with during my time as a research assistant and lab manager. During my time in the lab, I received incredible support and mentorship and was able to truly grow as a researcher and leader. I am forever grateful for my experiences with the LADR Group!"

  • Ali Benda

    Ali graduated in 2022 and is attending Northern Illinois University to obtain a specialist degree in School Psychology. She completed a UCARE fellowship and Honor's Thesis with the LADR group.

    "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an RA in the lab the past few years! I have had the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally throughout my involvement in lab projects. Through the kindness and support of everyone involved, I have been able to achieve more than I ever thought possible in my undergraduate career including UCARE, a thesis, the Wolfe award, and graduating with High Distinction."

  • Karly Boehm

    Karly is attending the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at UNMC starting Fall 2022.

    "I have enjoyed getting to know other students with various backgrounds, passions, and interests. I have learned a wealth of knowledge about sound research practices and the coding process."

  • Nicole Borcyk

    Nicole graduated in 2022 and is attending Colorado State University to obtain her doctorate in occupation therapy.

    "I have gotten to work with so many intelligent and ambitious undergrads and grad students and have learned valuable research-related skills. I am so grateful for the mentorship and support I have received because of the LADR lab."

  • Isis Burks

    Isis graduated in 2023 and is currently a School Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona. She completed a UCARE Fellowship, McNair Fellowship, and a senior thesis with the LADR Group.

    "The LADR Group has been one of the most fundamental experiences I had as an undergraduate student. Learning the research process from such an important lab helped me with the process of graduate school and how to collaborate with a research team on multiple projects. I am so grateful to have experienced working with other wonderful RAs, a graduate student, and a PI who are passionate about progressing research related to children!"

  • Caylin Eastridge

    Caylin graduated in 2023 and is pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to work in the community as a licensed counselor in the future.

    "My favorite part of the lab was working alongside and learning from so many students of all ages with different majors and interests!”

  • Peyton Geiser

    Peyton graduated in 2022 and is now working as a Youth Treatment Specialist in the Extended Day Treatment Program at Hopespoke. She plans on applying to Ph.D. Programs for Clinical Psychology. Peyton completed a UCARE fellowship and senior thesis with the lab.

    "I’ve enjoyed getting to learn about the research process and conducting research as an RA. I have also made so many amazing connections with other people working in the lab!"

  • Amyia Harris

    Amyia graduated in 2021 and is currently a Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student at Texas A&M. She completed a UCARE fellowship, McNair fellowship, and senior thesis with the LADR Group.

    "The Learning and Development Research Group was one of the most impactful parts of my undergraduate experience. Belonging to this group has not only developed me as a researcher but as an individual as well. I would not have the same number of tools and knowledge I currently do without the help of the fantastic director, graduate student, and fellow undergraduate research assistants."

  • Alysha Henrichs

    Alysha graduated in 2022 and is pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Afterwards, she hopes to practice in a school or medical setting.

    "Working in the LADR lab gave me the experience and familiarity to be confident when I encountered research in my major-related classes. On the independent project I collaborated with another research assistant who was majoring in pre-OT, and this allowed me to develop interprofessional practice skills that I will utilize in my future profession."

  • Rachelle Johnson

    Rachelle (she/her) graduated in 2021 and is currently a Ph.D. student in developmental psychology at Florida State University. She researches individual differences in the role psychological factors, such as motivation, play in the reading development of those with learning disabilities. Rachelle completed multiple UCARE fellowships and an Honor's Thesis with the LADR group.

    “LADR is where I fell in love with research and realized that’s what I wanted to do in my life. A big impact LADR had on me was how I was encouraged and shown how I myself could be a researcher and thus able to see myself in a position of being one of those creating new knowledge in the world. Today I take what I gained in LADR forward as I work towards having a research career of my own.”

  • Sophia Lanphier

    After graduating from UNL in 2022, Sophia decided to pursue opportunities in teaching English overseas. She is currently teaching in Busan, South Korea. Sophia hopes to later earn a graduate-level degree that involves her passions for international education and personal development.

    "My time with LADR was definitely a highlight of my years at UNL. I met kind, ambitious, and talented people that helped me grow as a student, researcher, and individual. I am incredibly grateful for everything I learned from my time as a research assistant with LADR!"

  • Olivia Maras

    Olivia is a Developmental Psychology PhD student at Arizona State University. Olivia is interested in studying peer, romantic, and familial relationships, and how these relationships influence healthy development. Additionally, she is interested in the intersection of technology and relationships, as well as preventing digital dating abuse within adolescents.

    "The support I gained from the LADR group was instrumental in my decision to pursue a degree in developmental psychology, as well as enhance my appreciation for research! The research being done in the LADR group on self-regulation and motivation is incredibly innovative and exciting. I am so thankful to the LADR lab for the rich experiences I gained as a research assistant!"

  • Vivian Nguyen

    Vivian graduated in 2021 and is in the master's program in Clinical Mental Health at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is also a Graduate Assistant with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA) working directly with Omaha North and South High School. Vivian completed a McNair Fellowship with the LADR Group.

    "What drew me to the LADR Group was the opportunity to learn and cultivate research skills. This research lab allowed me to gain experience in conducting literature reviews, coding, data entry, and ethical research practice. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with this research lab as a research assistant!"

  • Carsyn Poppe

    Carsyn graduated in 2021 and is a Ph.D. student in the School Psychology program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her current research interests include early behavioral intervention strategies and interventions to promote prosocial behaviors.

    “The LADR lab was a great experience that allowed me to both work with children in a research environment and prepared me for graduate-level work in the field of psychology.”

  • Emily Shurtliff

    Emily graduated in 2023 and is pursuing a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

    "I'm really grateful for the time spent in the lab because I got experience in research that will help me in graduate school. I also got to meet people with similar interests to mine."

  • Colin Thieszen

    Colin graduated in 2023 and is starting a Master's Program in Theology from Gordon-Conwell University while working part time for Lincoln Berean Church.

    "I really enjoyed my time at the lab because of how supportive everyone was and I knew I could always count on the other RAs to give helpful advice and pitch in when needed!"

  • Duncan Works

    Duncan graduated in 2022 and is attending medical school at the University of Nebraska - Medical Center located in Omaha.

    "I really enjoyed the people that I worked with. The environment in the lab is so supportive and understanding. I learned how to manage my time in the lab and also how psychology/in person research studies works."