Research

Virtues and Well-being (VW) Lab

I direct the Virtues and Well-being (VW) Lab at the Australian National University. Virtues, such humility and transcendence, are character strengths that help people lead fulfilling and meaningful lives by guiding behavior in ways that promote personal growth, interpersonal harmony, and social functioning. Although humility sits at the core of what we study, we also explore topics such as gratitude, self-compassion, impermanence, equanimity, and resilience. We examine their impacts on a variety of outcomes such as vaccination and climate change attitudes, interactions with medical providers, processing of mis/disinformation, and stress.

I also co-direct a lab that's resulted from a National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant, where we examine academic and well-being outcomes associated with social comparison for students at Hispanic Majority Schools. Click here for more details.

If you're interested in getting research experience or joining our lab as an HDR (PhD) student, or as a research assistant (undergraduate), feel free to reach out, by either using the Contact page or by sending me an email.

If you're interested in seeing my publications, go here to my Google Scholar page, or you can also see my CV to see some more current works, for example, papers under review or in prep, which might be more representative of my current interests. If you need a PDF of any of the papers, just send me an email and I'd be happy to send it to you for free.

You can see some of our research/gatherings below, and past and present researchers in our lab below.

Former Research Assistants at A&M - San Antonio

Analise Espinoza is currently a junior enrolled at Texas A&M University-San Antonio pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology along with a minor in Criminology. After graduating, she plans to continue her education striving to receive her PsyD and eventually become a Clinical Psychologist. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, playing volleyball, and cherishing time with her loved ones.

Briella Nava is currently a Texas A&M University-San Antonio senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After graduating, she plans on attending a pre-professional school of medicine to become a trauma doctor. She enjoys exercising, reading comics, thrift shopping, and spending time with her four rabbits in her spare time.

Caitlin Weldon is currently a senior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. After graduating, she plans on getting her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to become a clinical psychologist. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her pets, family, and gaming.

Brianna Williamson is currently a senior at Texas A&M University- San Antonio pursing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology. After graduating, her goal is to attend a Physician Assistant program to earn a MPAS and work as a physician assistant in pediatrics or neonatology. She enjoys spending her free time with friends, family, and her cat.

Echo Rhodes is a senior at Texas A&M San Antonio pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After graduating, they hope to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics. In their spare time, Echo likes spending time with their two chihuahuas and their family, painting, and gaming.

Sofia Ibarra is currently a senior at Texas A&M University San Antonio pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in English. After graduating she plans to seek employment opportunities related to the psychology field and continuing her education. In her spare time, she likes to read, write, and occasionally create various forms of art.

Caitlyn Nelson is senior at Texas A&M San Antonio and is working towards a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biochemistry. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, knitting, and gardening.

Oney Arredondo is currently a senior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minor in Criminology. She is a mother of four beautiful children and currently works as a wound care nurse. On her spare time she enjoys going on walks with her dog. After graduation she plans on achieving her Ph.D. in Psychology to become a professor and continue conducting research.

Former Lab Manager
Lisset Martinez-Berman completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, with a minor in History at Texas A&M University-San Antonio in Spring 2020. She also worked as a writing tutor on campus.
*She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Health/Social psychology at the University of Connecticut.

Elia "Marleen" Bautista comleted her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas A&M University-San Antonio in Spring 2020. In her spare time she enjoys going bowling and volunteering. She plans on continuing her education and attend graduate school.

Luis Perez is currently attending Texas A&M University to accomplish a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. He aspires to become a counselor and a business consultant after attending and finishing grad school. In his free time, Luis enjoys talking with his friends and family, playing video games, watching movies, and doing his own personal research on topics of his interest (e.g., philosophy, pedagogy, and movie analytics).

Maija Arthur completed her B.S. in psychology, with a minor in women and gender studies, from Texas A&M University - San Antonio in Spring 2020. She is pursuing her B.S. degree in psychology with a minor in women and gender studies. In her free time, Maija enjoys going on walks with her dog, as well as being outdoors and hiking. After graduation, Maija plans to go on to graduate school for social/health psychology.

Evelyn Escamilla completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at Texas A&M University San Antonio. After graduation she is planning on getting her teaching certification. Her ultimate goal is to become a School Counselor. *She current works as a registered behavioral therapist.

Katherine Sifuentes completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Spring 2020 from Texas A&M University-San Antonio.. She enjoys going for runs with her dog in her spare time.

Yolanda Valdez completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas A&M University - San Antonio in Fall 2019. She is a mother of a teenage boy and an Air Force retired veteran. After graduation, she plans to seek employment opportunities in the human services field and attend graduate school.

Alicia Gamboa completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University San Antonio in Fall 2019. Her interests outside of school include sand volleyball, biking and skating with her dogs, and exploring the city. After graduation she plans on achieving her Ph.d in Psychology to become a professor and continue conducting research.

Amy Senger completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas A&M University-San Antonio in Spring 2019. She is an aspiring clinical psychologist with an interest in health psychology research. One of her goals is to work with people who have anxiety disorders.

Angelica Torres completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Texas A&M University in San Antonio, TX. She works full time as Teen Coordinator for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. There she helps run multiple youth focused programs across the city. After graduation, she plans to continue her work with the YMCA and hopes to continue working with youth as she helps grow and develop youth and teen programs within the Y.

Former Research Assistants at Armstrong State University

Clint E. Johnson is currently working toward his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. After graduation, he plans to continue coursework to complete his Doctorate degree in Experimental Quantitative Psychology. Clint and his husband enjoy globetrotting with their daughter and delving into Savannah history, as well as encouraging their daughter’s current passion.

Alex Avina is currently a junior at Armstrong. He is on the B.S. track in psychology and is working toward a political science minor. After graduation, he plans on getting a PhD in Industrial/ Organizational psychology or a masters in political science. His ultimate goal is to one day work for the FBI as a field agent or an intelligence analyst.

Sara Budde is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. In her downtime, she loves swimming and going to the park with her two dogs. After graduation, Sara plans on working as a psychiatric technician at one of the local hospitals in Savannah. She ultimately wants to pursue her Masters degree in addiction counseling one day.

Elias Frazier is a junior at Armstrong State University majoring in Psychology. After graduation he plans on attending graduate school and eventually a doctorate program. He plans on becoming either an Industrial Organizational psychologist or potentially a Clinical psychologist specializing in young adult counseling.

Kityara James lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and a Minor in Criminal Justice. On her spare time she likes to go to the gym, teach group fitness classes and go shopping. After graduating from Armstrong she plans on going on to graduate school to earn a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and ultimately work law enforcement for the federal government.

Hayden C. Osborne graduated from Armstrong State University with a B.A. in Psychology. Since graduation, he returned to school to purse a career as a veterinarian tech. Strangely, this passion came from his work with animals (rats) in psychology.

Timothy "Justin" Walter is a senior at Armstrong State University in pursuit of his B.A. in Psychology. Justin is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and now calls Savannah home. After graduation, he plans on pursuing his PhD in Clinical Psychology. His goal is to work with veterans, as he is an Army veteran, and in particular work with those that have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Erin McGillen (former lab manager) is from Woodstock, Georgia. She enjoys swimming, hiking and loves to surf. She completed her B.S. in Psychology at Armstrong, She currently lives in Los Angeles where she works as a behavioral analyst assistant. She loves her live and the beach!

Marek Pesicka is currently a senior at Armstrong, and a member of the men's tennis team. He is originally from Milevsko, Czech Republic. He is completing his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After graduation, he plans on getting a PhD in Sports Psychology. He wants one day to work with professional athletes and professional teams.

Jessica Johnson is currently a senior at Armstrong.
She is currently on the B.S. track in psychology. After graduation, she plans on getting a PhD in clinical psychology. Jessica's goal is to graduate with her PhD in clinical psychology and work with veterans who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Jessica Bain graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from Armstrong.
She is currently pursuing her plan to work with people who are going through treatment for cancer. When not in school she enjoys riding dirt bikes, nature, and playing with her reptiles.

Skylar Bosak graduated from Armstrong State University with Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Skylar is currently pursuing her nursing degree at Georgia Southern- Armstrong. Once she graduates, she wants to work in the emergency department to get patient care experience. After that, she would like to go back to school to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).

Sean Hendrix (former Lab Manager) graduated from Armstrong State University in Spring 2016. He plans on attending graduate school to receive a masters or doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and plans to have a career in human resource or research.

Sophia Laska graduated from Armstrong State University with her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology in Spring 2016.
She is currently working and planning to apply to graduate school.

Rebecca Carter (former lab manager) graduated from Armstrong in Fall 2015. Rebecca is currently pursuing her Masters in Counseling at Texas Women's College.

Kayla McKissick graduated from Armstrong with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Spring Fall 2015.
She is currently enrolled in the Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Mercer Univeristy.

Megan Turpin graduated from Armstrong in Fall 2015 with a degree in Rehabilitation Sciences. She is applying to graduate schools for physical therapy. While she is waiting on her acceptance into school she is working at two different physical therapy clinics as an aide. When she is not working she enjoys playing volleyball and hanging out at the beach.

Hannah Clements graduated from Armstrong in Spring 2015. After graduation, Hannah went on to earn her masters in special education and became board certified as a behavior analyst. She works with kiddos with autism and she loves it! In addition, she's planning to travel the world (Iceland is up next).