Isabelle (Izzy) Blaber (she/they) is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology. They graduated from Rhodes College in 2019 with their B.A. in Psychology and a minor in English. Izzy is a member of Dr. Rostosky’s PRISM team: her main research interest is gender- and sexually-diverse (GSD) folks’ well-being, with specific focus on eating and body image distress. They serve as a Teaching Assistant for the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) for their assistantship. In her free time, Izzy enjoys reading, keeping her sourdough starter alive, hiking, and watercolor painting. Email: isabelle.blaber@uky.edu
Ashna Day (she/her) is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. She holds dual master's degrees in clinical psychology from Fergusson College, India, and Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ashna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (WI) with seven years of experience providing evidence-based therapy to individuals with mood, anxiety, and related disorders. Her research focuses on the social and cultural factors that influence professional mental health help-seeking among Asian Indian immigrants. In her free time, she enjoys Latin dancing and spending time outdoors. Email: ashna.sangar@uky.edu
Jasmine Jester is a fifth-year counseling psychology doctoral student from Columbus, Ohio. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in Africana Studies, and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University. Jasmine’s research interests focus on cultural protective factors against drug use, health disparities within the Black community, and social justice issues. Her overarching research agenda aims to leverage the inherent strengths of the Black community to promote health equity and to develop culturally relevant interventions for drug and mental health treatment. Jasmine is advised by Dr. Danelle Stevens-Watkins and will be completing her practicum at The Clinic of Emotional Health. Email: jkje225@uky.edu
Nayeon (Cece) Kim (she/her) is a second-year, pre-master’s doctoral student advised by Dr. Hammer. She graduated from New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) in 2021 with a B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing and a minor in Psychology. She worked as a Project Coordinator for Dr. PJ Henry’s Global Identity in an Uncertain World before finding her research home in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Her primary research interests include eating and body image concerns amongst Asian/Asian American populations and culturally sensitive therapeutic measures for effectively addressing these issues. In her free time, Cece enjoys walking in nature, doing yoga, making playlists, talking to friends for hours, listening to a hodgepodge of podcasts, and writing personal essays. Email: cece.kim@uky.edu
Jordan Brown, B.A. (she/her) is a second-year, pre-master’s Counseling Psychology doctoral student from Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with dual B.A. degrees in Psychology and Sociology alongside a minor in Political Science. As an undergraduate, Jordan served as the University’s Student Body President and a research assistant for Dr. Patrick Grzanka’s Social Action Research Team (SART). As a graduate student at UK, she is a Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship recipient and advised by Dr. Candice Hargons. Jordan’s research interests are focused on the psychological well-being of Black women, aiming to examine the relationship between intergenerational trauma, sociopolitical development, social policy, and community healing. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, playing video games, trying out new restaurants, and listening to music. Email: jordankbrown@uky.edu
Natalie Malone, MS, is a counseling psychology doctoral candidate advised by Dr. Candice Hargons. She received her BA and MS in psychology disciplines from the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on Black women’s sexual/reproductive health and holistic wellness. Additionally, Natalie is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher who integrates complementary health approaches and embodiment practices into her research, clinical services, and consultation. Pronouns: she/her/hers. Email: njma232@g.uky.edu
Melanie Miller, M.S. (she/her/hers) is a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2015. Melanie went on to complete her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky in 2020. She is a member of the Help-Seeking and Multicultural Measurement Evaluation Research (HAMMER) Lab. She is currently working on her dissertation, which is focused on how primary care providers perceived cultural competency impacts help-seeking for sexual orientation minorities. She currently holds a graduate assistantship working to support the Master’s program in counseling psychology. Melanie spends most of her free time catering to her pets, cooking for friends, and playing in the creative world of dungeons and dragons. Email: melmiller931@uky.edu
Destin Mizelle is a fifth-year Counseling Psychology doctoral candidate from College Park, GA. He earned his B.S in Psychology and Minored in African American Studies at the University of Georgia and his M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky. Destin’s research interest broadly includes racial socialization, social justice, mental health disparities in the Black communities, and Black American cultural appreciation. Specifically, Destin is interested in celebrating African American naming patterns and examining the psychological effects of bearing Black Sounding Names. Destin’s primary goal is to improve Black Americans’ spiritual, physical, and mental well-being while appreciating their traditions, culture, and history through the lens of Liberation Psychology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, Destin enjoys exercising, painting, traveling, creative writing, and hanging with friends. Email: Dmizelle@uky.edu
Emily Murphy (she/her) is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She received a B.S. in Psychology at Indiana University and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Emily will complete her practicum rotation at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center within the Substance Use Disorders Treatment Program to supplement the generalist training she received at the Lexington VA Health Care System Outpatient Clinic. She has also worked within Transylvania University Athletics and continues to work for Dr. Alison Arnold — a leading sport psychology consultant for USA Gymnastics.
Emily is a member of the Help-Seeking and Multicultural Measurement Evaluation Research (HAMMER) Lab and the University of Kentucky Sport and Counseling Psychology Research Lab. Her research primarily focuses on the integration of sport psychology and psychotherapy and athlete activism. Additionally, Emily serves as a Student Representative within the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and is happy to answer any questions via email. Email: e.murphy@uky.edu.
Kaylee Palomino, MS (she/her/hers) is a first-year PhD student. She graduated with her B.A. in sociology from the University of Georgia and her M.S. in sport and exercise psychology from the University of Kentucky. Her primary research interests are Black women’s maternal health, sexual well-being, and experiences in academia. She is advised by Dr. Danelle Stevens-Watkins and is a member of her REFOCUS lab. Kaylee has led a project with Dr. Sherry Rostosky on sense of belonging for queer college students and is involved in Dr. Shemeka Thorpe’s research lab in UK’s Kinesiology and Health Promotion department. Kaylee enjoys exercising, meditating, playing board games, and watching sitcoms in her free time. Her email address is kapa231@uky.edu
Rayven L. Peterson (she/her) is a fourth-year Ph.D. Counseling Psychology student from Dayton, Ohio. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Spelman College in spring 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology. She is advised by Dr. Candice Hargons. Rayven’s research interest broadly includes social justice issues, and mental health disparities impacting service accessibility and utilization. Rayven emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and honoring individual unique identities, including her own, to foster both individual and communal healing. She is the Assistant Program Director of the Neighborhood Healers Project. Email: Rayven.Peterson@uky.edu
Amelia Stanley is a Doctoral Candidate in Counseling Psychology and currently a Psychology Intern at the Lexington VAMC. She graduated from Transylvania University in 2017 with a B.A. in Psychology, and from the University of Kentucky in 2020 with an M.S. in Counseling Psychology. As a member of the HAMMER Lab, her research interests include help-seeking attitudes and behavior, particularly amongst survivors of sexual assault and power-based personal violence. Her clinical interests include SUD treatment and psychological assessment. In her spare time, Amelia enjoys reading (as a recent Kindle convert), trying new recipes, telling her dogs how good they are, and showing off their pictures to random strangers. Email: amelia.stanley@uky.edu
Kasey Vigil (she/they) is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology. She completed her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies at Converse College in 2019 and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at Western Carolina University in 2021. They are advised by Dr. Candice Hargons (Emory University) and Dr. Joseph Hammer (University of Kentucky). Kasey’s research focuses on the role of heteronormativity in plurisexual women’s sexual expectations and experiences of sexual pleasure. They are particularly interested in utilizing quantitative analyses informed by critical research paradigms. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat, pole dancing, and going to coffee shops in Lexington. Email: Kasey.Morey@uky.edu
Wenqi Weng (he/him/his) is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. He graduated from Zhejiang University with a B.A. in Psychology and received his master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology from University of Toronto and Zhejiang University. He worked as a CBT therapist at Chinese universities for one year after graduation. Wenqi is a member of the Help-Seeking And Multicultural Measurement Evaluation Research (HAMMER) Lab and currently holds a teaching assistantship for the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. His research interests focus on help-seeking intentions and behaviors. In his spare time, Wenqi enjoys exercising, playing music, hiking and playing dota2. Email: Wenqi.weng@uky.edu
Courtney J. Wright is a fifth year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kentucky. She is a first-generation college student, originally from New Jersey, who earned her BA in Applied Psychology and Human Development with a minor in Philosophy and MA in Mental Health Counseling at Boston College. She is advised by Dr. Candice Hargons and a member of the RISE^2 research team. Courtney is a 2024-2025 FINRA Foundation Dissertation Fellow, and her research investigates how race, gender, and intersectional oppression influence Black women’s financial lives and mental health. In her spare time, Courtney enjoys spending time with her puppy, traveling, exercising, listening to podcasts, and trying new restaurants. Email: cjwr225@uky.edu
Ming “Mindy” Zhang (she/her) is a fourth-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She graduated from Bucknell University in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in statistics and music. She earned her M.S.Ed in Counseling and Mental Health Services and M.Phil.Ed in Professional Counseling from University of Pennsylvania in 2020 and 2021 respectively, during which she provided clinical practices as an eating disorders CBT therapist and counselors for middle and high school students. Mindy is a member of the Help-Seeking And Multicultural Measurement Evaluation Research (HAMMER) Lab. Her research interests broadly focus on mental health service utilization and help-seeking behaviors among international students. In her spare time, Mindy enjoys cooking, singing, music arranging, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Email: mzh240@uky.edu
Hunter Savage (she/her) is a second-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She is a first-generation college student and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology and Gender Studies. She earned her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2023. Her research is primarily focused on Reproductive Justice, with an emphasis on sexual education, motherhood identity development, and birth experiences. She is mentored by both Dr. Candice Hargons (Emory University) and Dr. Lali McCubbin (UK). In her free time she enjoys reality television, horror movies, and hanging out with her 3-year-old pup Vinny.
Email: hasa228@uky.edu
Chloe Benningfield (she/her) is a second-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. She is from Campbellsville, Kentucky and graduated with her B.S. from Western Kentucky University with majors in Psychological Science and English. She earned her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2023. Chloe is a teaching assistant for the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology and is completing a practicum at EKU’s Counseling Center. She is mentored by Dr. Sherry Rostosky and is a member of the PRISM research team. Her research focuses on gender and sexually-diverse (GSD) individuals, specifically emerging adults who do not use sexual identity labels. Her hobbies include reading, baking, going to the movies, watching television, and listening to music.
Email: mailto:cjbe240@uky.edu