Meet the Allen Lab - and see more trainees at
https://aria.ua.edu/members/graduate-students/
We have several graduate and undergraduate students with a variety of research interests and specialties. Read on to find out more about them!
Current Graduate Students |
Danielle McDuffie (at internship)
Danielle is a fifth-year Clinical Geropsychology graduate student originally from a small town called Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She received a BA in Psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and her MA in Clinical Psychology from The University of Alabama. Danielle’s main research interests are minority aging (specifically African American older adults), religion, spirituality, and Positive Psychology. She is currently working on her doctoral dissertation, which is investigating grief trends in African American adults across the lifespan.
Favorite memory from the Allen lab: Dr. Allen’s laugh. Always.
Fun Fact: Her favorite show is Spongebob.
Email: dmcduffie1@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite memory from the Allen lab: Dr. Allen’s laugh. Always.
Fun Fact: Her favorite show is Spongebob.
Email: dmcduffie1@crimson.ua.edu
Candice Reel
Candice is a fifth-year graduate student in Clinical Geropsychology working under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca Allen. She received her BA in Psychology from California State University San Marcos. Her Master's thesis looked at engagement in an art therapy intervention (BATL) with older adults with dementia. She is currently working on her dissertation looking at the feasibility of telehealth delivery of Dignity Therapy with patients in hospice care and their care partners. Candice’s overall research interests focus on family caregiving, hospice populations, reminiscence, and increasing dignity in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: “Everyone is so welcoming. Also, I love that there are so many interesting and diverse research projects underway related to the field of Geropsychology.”
Fun fact: “I am an avid hiker and love exploring new areas.”
Email: cdreel@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: “Everyone is so welcoming. Also, I love that there are so many interesting and diverse research projects underway related to the field of Geropsychology.”
Fun fact: “I am an avid hiker and love exploring new areas.”
Email: cdreel@crimson.ua.edu
Shayne Lin
Born and raised in Taiwan, Shayne received his MA from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and is now an incoming fourth-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Alabama. Shayne's research interest includes clinical neuropsychology, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and gerontology. Clinically, Shayne is interested in neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment.
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: Dr. Allen is pleasant to work with and the lab is very supportive of students' career growth and development.
Fun fact: I LOVE LADY GAGA.
Email: slin20@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: Dr. Allen is pleasant to work with and the lab is very supportive of students' career growth and development.
Fun fact: I LOVE LADY GAGA.
Email: slin20@crimson.ua.edu
Tim Ly
Tim is a third-year Clinical Geropsychology student at The University of Alabama, who hails from Los Angeles, CA. He received a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Gerontology from UCLA. After graduating, he remained at UCLA investigating changes in cognition and structural and functional connectivity in typically aging adults. Tim’s main research interests are in understanding how biopsychosocial and cultural factors influence late-life decision-making, particularly individual and shared healthcare and financial planning and decisions.
Fun fact: “While there are some that eat to live, I live to eat and I can’t wait to taste all that the South has to offer!!”
Email: tkly@crimson.ua.edu
Fun fact: “While there are some that eat to live, I live to eat and I can’t wait to taste all that the South has to offer!!”
Email: tkly@crimson.ua.edu
Alissa McIntyre
Alissa is a second year Clinical Geropsychology student at the University of Alabama. She immigrated from Curaçao to Kansas, where she was raised. She graduated from the University of Alabama with her B.A. in psychology and a minor in the French language. Alissa's main research interests include cultural differences in aging and ACEs effects on cognitive decline due to aging.
Fun fact: “In high school, I was briefly the 3rd best shotputter in the state."
Email: acmcintyre@crimson.ua.edu
Fun fact: “In high school, I was briefly the 3rd best shotputter in the state."
Email: acmcintyre@crimson.ua.edu
Michael Buxton
Michael is a first-year Clinical Geropsychology student. He was born and raised in England but moved to Florida several years ago. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a BS in Aging Sciences and Behavioral Healthcare. After graduating, he worked in the department of Mental Health Law & Policy at USF and was involved with a NIMH-funded behavioral activation study that compared interventions for depression in older adults. Michael’s main research interests involve utilizing an intersectionality perspective to tailor best practices and approaches to care for diverse older adults to reduce health disparities, substance use patterns in older adults, and factors that maximize quality of life for diverse individuals in institutional settings and hospice care.
Email: mrbuxton1@crimson.ua.edu
Email: mrbuxton1@crimson.ua.edu
Undergraduate Students
Amanda Porter
Amanda is a senior undergraduate student from Massachusetts studying Psychology with a Minor in Advertising. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue her graduate degree, focusing on studying romantic relationships and marriage from a clinical perspective. When she's not in the lab, she's hiking, doing yoga, or choosing her next travel destination.
Email: agporter5@crimson.ua.edu
Emma Brennan
Emma is a freshman from Temecula, CA majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology and Mathematics. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and practice obstetrics and gynecology.
Fun Fact: My goal is to travel to as many countries as possible, and I hope to go backpacking across Europe once I graduate.
Email: epbrennan@crimson.ua.edu
Fun Fact: My goal is to travel to as many countries as possible, and I hope to go backpacking across Europe once I graduate.
Email: epbrennan@crimson.ua.edu
Hunter Williams
Hunter is a senior from Slocomb, Alabama majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school, and obtain a Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology.
Fun Fact: I once played Shrek in Shrek the Musical.
Email: jhwilliams6@crimson.ua.edu
Fun Fact: I once played Shrek in Shrek the Musical.
Email: jhwilliams6@crimson.ua.edu
Sophie Dudeck
Sophie is a sophomore from Hoover, AL majoring in Biology with a minor in French. Her career plans are to become a physician, specializing in women’s health. She is excited to begin working with the Allen lab as a part of the Emerging Scholars Program.
Fun Fact: I have two cats named Pink Nose and Gray Nose. You will never guess why they were named that.
Email: skdudeck@crimson.ua.edu
Fun Fact: I have two cats named Pink Nose and Gray Nose. You will never guess why they were named that.
Email: skdudeck@crimson.ua.edu
Former Students
Abbie Sims
Abbie graduated in Spring 2020 and has been accepted into UAB's Biomedical Sciences graduate program.
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: As a Psychology major, getting to immerse myself in research and gaining more hands-on experience outside of the classroom has been incredible. Working with this group of people has already taught me so much, and my interest in Psychology has grown even more after joining this lab.
Fun Fact: My favorite thing to do is travel, and in my free time I love going to the lake to kayak and swim.
Email: agsims@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: As a Psychology major, getting to immerse myself in research and gaining more hands-on experience outside of the classroom has been incredible. Working with this group of people has already taught me so much, and my interest in Psychology has grown even more after joining this lab.
Fun Fact: My favorite thing to do is travel, and in my free time I love going to the lake to kayak and swim.
Email: agsims@crimson.ua.edu
Aja Lucky
Aja is a senior from Chesapeake, VA. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Addiction and Recovery and Criminal Justice. After graduation Aja wants to attend graduate school and get her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: My favorite part of the Allen Lab is learning first-hand about research and collecting data. This will prepare me for graduate school and my career. I also enjoy learning about a topic that I otherwise would not have known about, broadening my educational horizon.
Fun Fact: I have been to 5 countries so far and I hope to see more of the world someday.
Email: alucky@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: My favorite part of the Allen Lab is learning first-hand about research and collecting data. This will prepare me for graduate school and my career. I also enjoy learning about a topic that I otherwise would not have known about, broadening my educational horizon.
Fun Fact: I have been to 5 countries so far and I hope to see more of the world someday.
Email: alucky@crimson.ua.edu
Amy Albright
Amy is a sixth-year graduate student from North Carolina working under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca S Allen. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her MSc in Psychological Research Methods from the University of Glasgow. Amy’s main research interests are health literacy and medical decision-making, and she has a particular interest in end-of-life care. She is currently working on her dissertation, which examines the relationship between health literacy, death exposure, and advance care planning decisions.
Favorite memory from the Allen lab: Putting minion pictures on the weekly lab agendas
Fun Fact: All of her pets are named after Star Wars characters.
Email: aealbright@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite memory from the Allen lab: Putting minion pictures on the weekly lab agendas
Fun Fact: All of her pets are named after Star Wars characters.
Email: aealbright@crimson.ua.edu
Bailey Lanai
Baley is a senior from Nashville, Tennessee majoring in Psychology and minoring in political science and biology. He is currently working on the Bringing Art to Life project. After graduation, he hopes to attend medical school and practice psychiatry.
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: I love being able to work both with a team and as a curious independent researcher. The lab gives me so much freedom to pursue my research interests and make something of them.
Fun Fact: I am very passionate about health care and believe it is a basic human right. Also, I’m slightly obsessed with Steph Curry and J. Cole.
Email: bmlanai@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: I love being able to work both with a team and as a curious independent researcher. The lab gives me so much freedom to pursue my research interests and make something of them.
Fun Fact: I am very passionate about health care and believe it is a basic human right. Also, I’m slightly obsessed with Steph Curry and J. Cole.
Email: bmlanai@crimson.ua.edu
Brighlyn Rowland
Brighlyn is a senior from McCalla, Alabama majoring in Psychology and minoring in German. She is currently working on the Bringing Art to Life project. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and practice psychiatry.
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: Being able to work with real people in real life situations provides the best opportunity to meet many different personalities and backgrounds that will enable me to become a better doctor in the future and allow me to truly connect to those that I work with.
Fun Fact: I played softball my whole life and I use my knowledge of the game to become an umpire for many age groups.
Email: bcrowland@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: Being able to work with real people in real life situations provides the best opportunity to meet many different personalities and backgrounds that will enable me to become a better doctor in the future and allow me to truly connect to those that I work with.
Fun Fact: I played softball my whole life and I use my knowledge of the game to become an umpire for many age groups.
Email: bcrowland@crimson.ua.edu
Caroline Yuk
Caroline is a senior from Crystal Lake, IL, and is pursuing an interdisciplinary degree in Neuroscience with an emphasis on Biology and Communicative Disorders. After graduation, Caroline wants to attend medical school to potentially work in otolaryngology and neuroscience research.
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: Everyone is so passionate about what they are doing, and it’s such a warm and inviting atmosphere!
Fun fact: I am a twin, and I once won a hot dog eating competition!
Email: myuk@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: Everyone is so passionate about what they are doing, and it’s such a warm and inviting atmosphere!
Fun fact: I am a twin, and I once won a hot dog eating competition!
Email: myuk@crimson.ua.edu
Deanna Dragan
Deanna is a fifth-year Clinical Psychology graduate student with a concentration in Geropsychology. She grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and attended a small liberal arts college, Warren Wilson College, in the mountains of North Carolina for her undergraduate degree. Deanna’s overall research interests focus on religion and spirituality, psychological well-being, and death attitudes. Currently, she is working on her dissertation project focused on how people who identify as non-religious engage in meaning making and meaning seeking processes.
Favorite part of the Allen lab: Becky’s laugh and warm personality.
Fun fact: I routinely listen to superhero movie soundtracks while I am working on research projects so I feel like I am saving the world.
Email: dmdragan@crimson.ua.edu
Favorite part of the Allen lab: Becky’s laugh and warm personality.
Fun fact: I routinely listen to superhero movie soundtracks while I am working on research projects so I feel like I am saving the world.
Email: dmdragan@crimson.ua.edu
Kaleb Murry
Kaleb is a clinical geropsychology student working with Dr. Rebecca Allen and Dr. Martha Crowther. Kaleb grew up in Birmingham, AL before receiving his undergraduate degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2015. Kaleb’s research interests focus on mental health disparities among African-American and LGBTQIA+ aging populations.
Currently, Kaleb is a graduate research assistant for the PCORI grant funded SOAR project.
Favorite part of the Allen lab: I love the sense of support that everyone in the lab has for one another!
Email: kjmurry@crimson.ua.edu
Currently, Kaleb is a graduate research assistant for the PCORI grant funded SOAR project.
Favorite part of the Allen lab: I love the sense of support that everyone in the lab has for one another!
Email: kjmurry@crimson.ua.edu
Keisha D. Carden
Keisha D. Carden is a sixth-year graduate student in Clinical Geropsychology at The University of Alabama working under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca S. Allen. She enjoys reading, cooking (check out her instagram handle, #Keishasprocrastikitchen), and spending quality time with her partner and their two dogs.
Her ongoing research interests include:
1) Stress- and resilience-processes in family caregiving for older adults (with and without cognitive impairment/Alzheimer’s disease and dementia) and subsequent intervention development and implementation.
2) PTSD treatment in later life (LOSS/LATR processes)
3) Intersectionality and sexuality across the lifespan
4) Mixed Methodology and Community-Based Participatory Research
Her ongoing research interests include:
1) Stress- and resilience-processes in family caregiving for older adults (with and without cognitive impairment/Alzheimer’s disease and dementia) and subsequent intervention development and implementation.
2) PTSD treatment in later life (LOSS/LATR processes)
3) Intersectionality and sexuality across the lifespan
4) Mixed Methodology and Community-Based Participatory Research
Rumor Zacharia
Rumor is a senior from Los Angeles, CA. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Addiction and Recovery Studies. After graduation Rumor plans on attending graduate school and earning her Masters Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: My favorite thing about being a part of the Allen Lab is that I have the opportunity to work with likeminded individuals who are constantly pushing themselves and others towards their academic goals while also gaining research experience.
Fun Fact: I enjoy learning about mental health and believe that it is important to society that it is something that everybody has knowledge of.
Email: rlzacharia@crimson,ua,edu
Favorite Part of the Allen Lab: My favorite thing about being a part of the Allen Lab is that I have the opportunity to work with likeminded individuals who are constantly pushing themselves and others towards their academic goals while also gaining research experience.
Fun Fact: I enjoy learning about mental health and believe that it is important to society that it is something that everybody has knowledge of.
Email: rlzacharia@crimson,ua,edu
Soohyun Park
Soohyun is a fifth-year graduate student in clinical geropsychology at The University of Alabama working under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca Allen and Dr. Giyeon Kim(Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea). Born and grown from Seoul, South Korea, she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and master’s degree in clinical and counseling psychology at Korea University. In order to pursue her dream of being a clinical geropsychologist who can disseminate this fascinating field to her country, she came to UA for another enjoyable journey. She enjoys playing piano, singing a capella, cooking and traveling.
She is interested in racial/ethnic disparities in mental health among older adults and cognitive aging. Following her first year project about immigrant’s mental health, she is currently working on her dissertation which examines depression’s effect on longitudinal trajectories of cognitive functioning among various racial/ethnic groups.
Favorite part of the Allen lab: “I love this lab because of their welcoming and family-like supportive atmosphere. Also, the Allen lab gives us a lot of opportunities to work on interesting real-life issues in the gerontology field.”
Fun Fact: I started to learn how to cook most of the Korean food since I arrived in the US.
Email: spark6@crimson.ua.edu
She is interested in racial/ethnic disparities in mental health among older adults and cognitive aging. Following her first year project about immigrant’s mental health, she is currently working on her dissertation which examines depression’s effect on longitudinal trajectories of cognitive functioning among various racial/ethnic groups.
Favorite part of the Allen lab: “I love this lab because of their welcoming and family-like supportive atmosphere. Also, the Allen lab gives us a lot of opportunities to work on interesting real-life issues in the gerontology field.”
Fun Fact: I started to learn how to cook most of the Korean food since I arrived in the US.
Email: spark6@crimson.ua.edu
Hillary Dorman
Hillary is a fifth-year graduate student at The University of Alabama. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, she received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at The University of Michigan. Post-graduation Hillary worked for two years at Wayne State University on a
biopsychosocial project investigating toddlers’ emotion regulation among low-income/urban populations. She is very excited to now be working for Dr. Allen’s lab focusing on her true passion, older adults.
Research interests: Utilizing a biopsychosocial and ecological framework to examine mechanisms of resilience across the life-course and specific to late-life; examining the interaction between trauma exposure, PTSD, and aging; Community-Based Participatory Research
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: The people! They are so welcoming and I am thrilled to be a part of this new family.
Fun Fact: I have a slowly growing collection of vinyl records that I enjoy listening to on my record player.
Email: hrdorman@crimson.ua.edu
biopsychosocial project investigating toddlers’ emotion regulation among low-income/urban populations. She is very excited to now be working for Dr. Allen’s lab focusing on her true passion, older adults.
Research interests: Utilizing a biopsychosocial and ecological framework to examine mechanisms of resilience across the life-course and specific to late-life; examining the interaction between trauma exposure, PTSD, and aging; Community-Based Participatory Research
Favorite part of the Allen Lab: The people! They are so welcoming and I am thrilled to be a part of this new family.
Fun Fact: I have a slowly growing collection of vinyl records that I enjoy listening to on my record player.
Email: hrdorman@crimson.ua.edu
Sarah Letang
Sarah is a fourth-year graduate student at The University of Alabama. Coming from Detroit, MI, she received her MS in Clinical Psychology from The University of Michigan - Dearborn. Sarah has gained experience in many clinical settings, however, she spends most of her time working with geriatric adults. Her main area of interest in research focuses on dementia patients, specific brain structures, cognitive performances, and psychological flexibility. Sarah works with both Dr. Allen and Dr. McDonough from the psychology department. She enjoys running, hiking, and SUP (stand up paddleboarding).
Fun Fact: I am a firm believer in mindfulness and attempt to practice mediation throughout the day!
Email: sletang@crimson.ua.edu
Fun Fact: I am a firm believer in mindfulness and attempt to practice mediation throughout the day!
Email: sletang@crimson.ua.edu