Dr. Isha W. Metzger
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
LAB MEMBERS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Briana Spivey
Graduate Research Coordinator
University: University of GeorgiaYear: 4th Year Doctoral Student
Major: Clinical PsychologyHometown: 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!
Ashanti J. Brown
University: Georgia State University
Year: 2nd Year Doctoral Student
Major: Clinical-Community PsychologyHometown: 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
University: Georgia State University
Year: 3rd Year Doctoral Student
Major: Clinical-Community Psychology
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Research Interests: I am interested in examining the long-term effects of racial, interpersonal, 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 intervention development, modification, and adaptation that target 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!
Tyquavious Kelley
University: Howard University
Year: 1st Year Doctoral Student
Major: Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: I am interested in HIV stigma and Black MSM living with HIV. I am also interested evidenced based interventions to that target different forms of stigma.
Future Goals: I plan on working close with community organizations offering my resources to improve the mental health and life outcomes of underserved racial and sexual minority communities and adolescents.
Interesting Fact: I love outdoor activities, traveling to new places, and meeting new people.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Past & Present
Olivia King
Year: 4th Year
Major: Psychology with a neuroscience emphasis
Hometown: Savannah, GA
Research Interests: I'm interested in learning the most effective ways to navigate conversations on race and learning how to effectively help those from minority communities. I love anything to do with interpersonal relationships, too.
Future Goals: I’m hoping to go to graduate school for counseling. With this career, I want to take access to mental health care from being viewed as a privilege, to a necessity. I also want to work with marginalized communities who often don’t have access to these resources.
Interesting Fact: I’m currently the Co-President of UNICEF at UGA. Humanitarian issues of all kinds have always been a passion of mine. I’m hoping to continue to raise money for those in need across the globe. In my free time, I love to travel. Experiencing other cultures is something I enjoy and have had the privilege of being able to do.
Deron Morrison
Year: 4th Year
Major: Psychology (pre-med, neuroscience emphasis)
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
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 currently work as a phlebotomist at St. Mary’s Hospital and serve on the executive board for UGA Doctors Without Borders as the CAO/event secretary. In my free time I enjoy playing soccer/working out., and I have a mini Yorkie named Daisy.POST-BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS
Sawyer Adams
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Don't really have one!
Research Interests: I graduated from GSU in fall of 2021 and am interested in the intersection of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC identity. I'd like to understand intersectional identity development and analyse how socialisation either encourages or hinders identifying with multiple marginalised groups (eg. "coming out" as a Latinx/Black/Asian person).
Future Goals: I'd like to get my PhD and develop sustainable intervention/prevention programs to better serve the wellbeing of marginalised communities.
Interesting Fact: I'm a fantasy author in my free time. I hope to one day be published!
Gifty Ayawvi
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Research Interests: I am a Spring 2021 graduate of the University of Georgia, and I am interested in the impact of psychosocial stressors such as racial discrimination and immigration history on the mental and physical health outcomes of people of African descent, with some emphasis on psychotic disorders and the prodromal stage.
Future Goals: I plan on attending a Clinical or Clinical Health Psychology Ph.D. program.
Interesting Fact: I am a first-generation from Takoradi, Ghana and I speak four languages, three of which are tribal Ghanaian languages.
Jahi Hamilton
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!
Devon Slaughter
Major: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Research Interests: I am a first year Master of Counseling candidate at Georgia State University, and I am interested in the impact of intergenerational 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 children. Additionally, I am interested in interventions that promote resilience, healing, and mindfulness in the African American community.
Future Goals: Academically - I plan on obtaining my Ph.D. in Counseling. Professionally – I plan on pursuing private practice.
Interesting Fact: I love reading, so I enjoy finding and supporting Black owned bookstores in the metro Atlanta area. If you join me for a car ride, you will definitely hear audio from the “Black Star Network”.LAB ALUMNI
Lacey Walker
Major: 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!
Destin Mizelle
Year: 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
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!
