Kelsey L. West
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Faculty Page | Curriculum Vitae | Google Scholar
Email: klwest7@ua.edu
Ramya Manikkan
Doctoral student, Clinical Child Psychology
Malerie McDowell
Doctoral student, Clinical Child Psychology
Student Page | Curriculum Vitae | Google Scholar
Email: mmcdowell6@crimson.ua.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Lauren is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She is completing an honors thesis entitled, Connections between parental role-strain and vocal turn-taking among autistic infants, through UA's Psychology Honors Program. Her thesis is supported by an ASSURE research award. Lauren is fascinated by the influence of meaningful interactions on skill development, specifically academic achievement. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in School Psychology, focusing on literacy and language development. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, taking workout classes, and listening to podcasts.
Hali Skelton
Hali is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. As the oldest child in her family, Hali is very accustomed to working with children and loves to do so. Hali is an honors thesis student and loves learning about developmental psychology and seeing those concepts unfold right before her eyes through her 2-year-old sister. After graduation, Hali hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of her studies and the lab, Hali loves to hike, explore nature, and spend time with her family.
Ellie Collins
Ellie is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminal Justice. Ellie is an Honors Thesis student investigating how rural/urban differences impacts access to services and parental role strain in autistic families. She loves exploring the complexities of the human mind and cannot wait to continue delving into the field of Psychology, especially when given the opportunity to learn more about children and their development. In the future, Ellie hopes to get her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus in behavioral analysis. When Ellie’s not in the lab, you can find her on stage dancing with Dance Alabama, studying at the Pi Phi house, or reading a good book.
Reagan Baker
Reagan is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminal Justice. She is from Edgewood, Kentucky and has absolutely loved being around and working with children through babysitting, working in a daycare, etc. In the coming years, Reagan plans to pursue a Ph.D. and wants to work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. In her free time, she loves to paint, get coffee with friends, listen to country music, and loves to travel. She recommends going to the Bahamas and Costa Rica at least once in your life!
Isabella Torres
Isabella is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in English. She is fascinated by the human mind and loves working with kids. Once done with her bachelor's degree, she plans to attend graduate school and earn her Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, singing along to her favorite artists in the car, and finding good restaurants to eat at.
Lindsey Flondro
Lindsey is currently a sophomore at the University of Alabama majoring in Kinesiology on the Exercise Science Track, minoring in Randall Research Scholars Program (RRSP) and Biology, with the hope of attending Physician Assistant School after graduation. In her high school years, she taught ballet lessons to children of ages two to twelve, which initiated her passion and love for children. She enjoys filling her spare time through various groups across campus, including Alpha Chi Omega and Medicine and Community, and by serving at Druid City Hospital.
Parrys Washington
Parrys is a Sophomore at The University of Alabama majoring in biology on the pre-med track. Parrys loves supporting and spending time with children, and this love led her to found a mentorship program for youths that reside at group homes in her hometown of Houston, Texas. After college, she plans on pursuing a career as a pediatric surgeon or pediatric anesthesiologist. Her love and interest in kids inspired her to want to get involved with researching early childhood development to learn more about the science behind how and why children develop the way they do.
Abbie Chan
Abbie is a junior at the University of Alabama majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. Abbie loves to work with children and believes that childhood lays the foundation for the rest of our lives. Abbie's favorite experience was working with children as a travel nanny in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. In her free time, Abbie loves to try new recipes, travel, read, and spend time with her family.
Erin O' Neil
Erin is a sophomore at the University of Alabama, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Communicative Disorders. Hailing from Plymouth, Massachusetts, she actively participates in various on-campus activities, including BRIGHT, READ, Gamma Phi Beta, Student Recruitment Team, and more. Post-graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology with the aim of working in a hospital setting, specifically in the pediatrics department. Erin has a deep love for children and is dedicated to understanding and learning more about their development. Outside the lab, she enjoys cycling, cheerleading, volunteering in the Tuscaloosa County School System and spending time with her French bulldog.
Faith Bartkowiak
Faith is currently a sophomore at UA majoring in Biology on the pre-medical track and minoring in Studio Art. After she completes her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend medical school and become an obstetrician-gynacologist or a pediatrician. Faith is passionate about helping children, especially helping to understand their cognitive development. In her free time, she loves playing tennis, drawing, and crocheting.
Kyle Porter
Kyle is currently a Sophomore at the University of Alabama majoring in Public Health and Chemistry with a minor in Japanese. He also has a concentration in health professions with an intent to earn a Masters of Public Health from the university in the near future. Presented with the opportunity to contribute towards his community and help children throughout the state, Kyle is ecstatic to be able to work in the Bama Baby Lab and create a better community for everyone. Outside the lab, Kyle loves to read on campus, volunteer throughout the community, and study different languages!
Ryan DeGreen
Ryan is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama majoring in Biology on the pre-med track and is minoring in Chinese. Before her time at UA, she worked with children ages 7-10 to help them learn to read and write and she also was a camp counselor that helped children learn over the summer and complete fun activities. She loves children and believes they are a crucial part of society as they are the future. In the future, Ryan plans on pursuing medical school to specialize in oncology and hematology. Along with her studies, Ryan is a part of Alpha Omicron Pi, a sorority at UA, and plays for the UA field hockey team.
Co-mentored Undergraduate Research Assistants
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Desireé Turner
... More to come...