Graduate Students

Jennifer (she/her) earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kansas. Her research interests center on examining the interplay between ethnic/racial factors (e.g., ethnic/racial identity, racial socialization), racial stressors (e.g., discrimination and microaggressions), and health. Specifically, she is interested in examining dimensions of Black racial identity and how one's identity interacts with the effects of racial stressors. Overall, she aims to conduct culturally responsive research that reduces ethnic and racial health disparities. When she's not researching, she enjoys spending her days crocheting, solving jigsaw puzzles, and thrift store shopping.

Jennifer Hudson, B.A.

India (she/her) completed her B.A. from Cleveland State University. Her research interests encompass understanding risk and resilience in Black youth and how these factors influence mental health trajectories (i.e., depression and anxiety) and development; understanding how intersecting identities may impact these factors; and developing culturally responsive prevention and intervention strategies for Black youth. Her prior work has looked at understanding race-related stress, academic pressure, and internalizing symptoms in high-achieving Black youth. Some things that she likes to do outside of research are go for walks, boxing, and exercising! She also enjoys going to concerts and music festivals!

India Matthews, B.A.

Staff

Makayla Pollock (she/her) is Dr. Bernard’s current lab coordinator. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Psychology and certificates in Addiction Science, Multicultural Studies, and Neuroscience. During her time at Mizzou, she participated in the McNair Scholars program, completed two independent research projects under the supervision of a mentor, and presented at institutional, regional, and international conferences. Her past research examined the differences in neural processing of infant and adult faces due to race. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Makayla Pollock, B.S.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

  • Joe Hess

    Year: Sophomore
    Major: Psychology
    Research Interests: Impostor phenomenon and social media’s impact on adolescents’ mental health.

  • Leah Jordan

    Year: Senior
    Major: Biological Sciences
    Research Interests: The impact of structural racism and its associations with maternal health in Black women, with a focus on identifying strategies to improve maternal and child survival and well-being.

  • Nylah McLarren

    Year: Senior (Honors Capstone/McNair Scholar)
    Major: Psychology
    Research Interests: The impact of micro and macro equity on Black women’s mental health, exploring the Triple Minority Theory, and developing interventions to support Black women at the intersection of race and gender.

  • LeAndra Rhymes

    Year: Senior
    Major: Psychology
    Research Interests: Parental experiences and their impact on youth, particularly focusing on the risks and outcomes of negative mental health in children resulting from having one or more caregivers in the household with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders, while also exploring resilience and coping mechanisms to support these children and families in the long term.

  • Da'Leana Sullivan

    Year: Senior
    Major: Health Sciences with emphasis in Pre-Med
    Research Interests: Factors contributing to higher maternal mortality rates among African American women compared to White women, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue and exploring how timely prenatal care can significantly impact their pregnancy outcomes.