Dr. Isha Metzger
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
STAFF
Julie Nguyen
juliekn@uga.edu
Position: Research Coordinator
Year: Postbac
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
Research Interests: Examining how sociocultural factors impact behavioral health outcomes among racial/ethnic minority trauma survivors.Future Goals: To obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Interesting Fact: I’m learning American Sign Language (ASL).
Luisa Camacho
luisa.camacho25@uga.edu
Position: SAMHSA Project NaviGAtor
Year: 1st Year Master's Student at Boston University
Major: Public Health
Hometown: Cali, Colombia/Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: Designing community interventions to reduce mental health disparities for BIPOC; specifically for Black/Latinx women and justice-involved populations.
Future Goals: Obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and direct my own lab at a university while serving as faculty.
Interesting Fact: I love to travel to see my favorite bands when they tour. (Well, I used to).Wes Unruh
unruh@uga.edu
Position: Digital Media Strategist
Hometown: Twin Falls, Idaho
Experience: From 2014 through 2020 I served as webmaster for The Peabody Awards.
Research Interests: Understanding how online interactions can support the health of a diverse community.Future Goals: Developing safe, engaging online spaces for emotionally charged issues.
Interesting Fact: I was a private adoptee and I've found both my mother and father.
Liana Giglio
lpg12721@uga.edu
Position: Social Media Manager
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
Research Interests: Studying the varying personality development paths and mental health disparities that emerge in different groups of peopleFuture Goals: Obtain a PhD in clinical psychology, become a practicing clinician, and then earn a teaching/research position at a university.
Interesting Fact: I love to play soccer and I have a kitten named June.
Yang Lu
yang.lu@uga.edu
Position: Social Media Manager
Year: Postbac
Major: Psychology/Clinical Psychology
Hometown: Shanghai, China/Alhambra, California
Research Interests: Studying adolescent substance use through neuroimaging and utilizing mobile health solutions for prevention/intervention.Future Goals: To obtain a clinical PhD with a teaching/research appointment at a university while serving as a clinician for the community.
Interesting Fact: I have a small terrier mix named Sesame and a tank of tropical fish.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Briana Spivey
briana.spivey25@uga.eduGraduate Research Coordinator
Year: 2nd Year Doctoral Student
Major: Clinical Psychology
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: Examining the implications of Strong Black Woman Schema (SBW) and cultural coping mechanisms on the mental health outcomes in African American women. Development of culturally-adapted interventions for African Americans.Future Goals: Obtain my PhD in clinical psychology and have a tenure-track position at a university while working as a therapist serving women of color, specifically African American women
Interesting Fact: I am left-handed!
Latisha Swygert
latisha.swygert@uga.eduYear: 2nd Year Doctoral Student
Major: Clinical Psychology
Hometown: Clinton, Mississippi
Research Interests: I am interested in behavioral and mental health outcomes due to interpersonal and racial trauma in African American adolescents.
Future Goals: I'll be here for a while- so we'll see!
Interesting Fact: I can fall asleep anywhere!Ashanti J. Brown
abrown193@student.gsu.edu
Year: 1st Year Doctoral Student
Major: Clinical-Community Psychology
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Research Interests: Improving culturally-tailored interventions for racial/ethnic minorities, risk and resiliency for Black youth and women, and the impact of racial and intergenerational trauma on Black individuals PTSD outcomes.Future Goals: Obtain my PhD in clinical-community psychology and work in mental health research centers while also serving as a practicing clinician.
Interesting Fact: I love all things pink, glittery, and Beyoncé!
Niara J. Carrenard
ncarrenard1@student.gsu.edu
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Research Interests: I am interested in examining the long-term effects of racial trauma and intergenerational trauma and their impact on PTSD outcomes in Black-American adults. I am also interested in reducing the stigma of mental illness in the Black community through outreach and integration as well as developing a therapeutic intervention that targets the needs of Black individuals.
Future Goals: Obtain my PhD in clinical psychology and open a nonprofit organization that provides free access to therapy for Black people in the community and serves as a research center for Black psychology.
Interesting Fact: I am a Mixed Martial Arts fighter!
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Jahi Hamilton
jahi.hamilton@uga.eduUndergraduate Research Coordinator
Year: 4th Year
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
Research Interests: I study the impact sexual orientation has on mental outcomes such as depression and suicidality.
Future Goals: I plan on attending a clinical or counseling Ph.D. program.
Interesting Fact: I own a red-tailed boa constrictor!Gifty Ayawvi
gifty.ayawvi@uga.eduYear: 4th Year
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in the effects of racial discrimination on the physical and mental health outcomes of people of African descent, discrimination in healthcare, and psychological help-seeking stigma among African American families.
Future Goals: To obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical or Clinical Health Psychology.
Interesting Fact: I am a first-generation from Takoradi, Ghana and I speak four languages, three of which are tribal Ghanaian languages.Tyquavious Kelley
tsk65985@uga.edu
Year: 4th Year
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in psychological outcomes in the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.
Future Goals: I plan on attending a clinical or clinical psychology Ph.D. program
Interesting Fact: I have been to London and Paris!Deron Morrison
dam60996@uga.edu
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Psychology (pre-med)
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in the neurobiological impact of racial trauma across the lifespan in African Americans.
Future Goals: I plan on attending medical school and pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery.
Interesting Fact: I have a mini yorkie named Daisy.POST-BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS
Lacey Walker
lnw70453@uga.eduMajor: Psychology, Minor in Human Services
Hometown: Chatsworth, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in the Red Zone and and the impact that sexual assault on college campuses has on the emotional, physical, and social well-being of female college students.
Future Goals: I plan to obtain a clinical psychology PhD.
Interesting Fact: I have a service dog named Sugar Ray!Devon Slaughter
dslaughter3@student.gsu.edu
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: I am a Fall 2019 Georgia State graduate, and I am interested in the impact of generational trauma among the African American community. I hope to examine the negative physical and psychological outcomes associated with high trauma exposure on economically disadvantaged African American men. Additionally, I am interested in community-based interventions and its implications as it relates to resilience and healing in the African American community.
Future Goals: I plan on attending a clinical or clinical psychology Ph.D. program
Interesting Fact: I enjoy challenging myself by learning about topics that are outside of my comfort zone. If you join me for a car ride, my stereo is always tuned into NPR.
LAB ALUMNI
Destin Mizelle
destinmizelle@gmail.comYear: 1st Year Doctoral Studeent
Major: Psychology, Minor in African American Studies
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in researching masculinity, racial socialization, Black resilience and protection
Where is he now? I recently began my training as a Doctoral Student in the University of Kentucky's Counseling Psychology Program!
Interesting Fact: I love to travel! I have been to 5 countries in the past year (Jamaica, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, and Brazil).
Barbara Walcot-Ceesay
barbara.walcotee25@uga.edu
Year: Post-Bac
Major: Psychology, Minor in Women's Studies
Hometown: Lithonia, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in understanding the intersection of race, physical health, and mental health in people of African descent.
Future Goals: I plan to get my Ph.D. in clinical psychology
Interesting Fact: I am a first-generation American!
