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 Rymer
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 development of self-perception in toddlerhood and childhood and its effect on role-taking dynamics. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, focusing on relational stressors that may shape development. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, taking workout classes, and listening to podcasts.
Hali Skelton
Hali is a junior currently 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 sophomore 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 sophomore 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.