Meet the Research Team
Get to know the students and scholars whose research, service, and engagement help advance the work of the R₃ Lab.
Graduate students in the R₃ Lab develop independent programs of research while contributing to the broader mission of the lab.
Current Graduate Students
India Matthews, B.A.
4th Year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Racialized Impostor Phenomenon | Black Youth Mental Health | Internalized Racism
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!
Jennifer Hudson, B.A.
3rd Year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Racial & Ethnic Identity | Belonging | Internalized Racism
Jennifer (she/her) earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Kansas. Her research focuses on how racial and ethnic identity (e.g., US-born African American, African, Caribbean, Afro-Latino) within the Black community shapes experiences with racism, racial socialization, and identity development. She is particularly interested in how these factors influence how Black youth, adults, and their families relate to one another, cultivate a sense of belonging, and maintain psychological well-being. Through her research, Jennifer aims to highlight and celebrate the resilience and cultural wealth of the Black community using community-based approaches and culturally grounded frameworks.
When she's not researching, Jennifer enjoys spending her days crocheting, solving word searches, and overall indulging in cozy hobbies.
Makayla Pollock, B.S.
2nd Year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Parent-Child Relationships | Racial Socialization | Parental Racial Worry
Makayla (she/her) earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Missouri and worked under Dr. Donte Bernard for 2 years as the lab coordinator. Her research interests center on the effects of racial discrimination in the parent-child relationship (i.e., parental racial worry, racial socialization).
Outside of research, Makayla enjoys sewing, knitting, and reality TV shows.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Undergraduate researchers play an important role in supporting the work of the R₃ Lab while gaining hands-on experience in psychological research and exploring opportunities to develop independent research projects.
Chase Robinson
Research Interests:
Chase is currently exploring his research interest
Junior | Psychology Major | Pre-Med Track
Research Involvement with the Lab:
REACH program intervention designed to empower Black youth.
Leslie Navarro
Junior | Health Science | Pre-Med Track
Research Interests:
Leslie is currently exploring his research interest
Research Involvement with the Lab:
Daily Stress Study; Black at Mizzou
We are grateful for the contributions of our alumni, who have played an important role in advancing the mission of the R₃ Lab. We are proud to celebrate the many paths they have pursued following their time in the lab.
Alumni
Class of 2026
Jayda Gooch
B.S. in Psychological Sciences
Joe Hess
B.S. Psychological Sciences; B.A. English
Morgan Jones
B.S. Health Sciences
Coffie Mondaine
B.A. Psychological Sciences; B.A. English
Class of 2025
Hajar Furqan-White
B.S. Psychological Sciences
LeAndra Rhymes
B.A. Psychological Sciences
Class of 2024
Nick Henigman
B.A. Psychological Sciences
Leah Jordan
B.S. Biological Sciences
Nylah McLarren
B.A. Psychological Sciences
Da’Leana Sullivan
B.S. Health Professions