COLE Lab

Aleiyah Fields (McNair Mentee) is an OSU student who was co-mentored by Drs. Cole and Ciciolla in the Summer 2023 McNair Program. Her McNair project was titled, "Analysis of the unique challenges and impacts of American Indians living on reservations," which she presented as a poster at several McNair-sponsored conferences. Aleiyah plans to continue conducting research during her undergraduate studies, and she is particularly interested in studying neuroscience/neuropsychology with American Indian populations.

Jade House graduated from OSU with her Bachelor's degree in child and Family Services (May 2023). Jade is currently a first-year doctoral student within the Human Development and Family Science program at OSU. Jade is particularly interested in researching health disparities amongst marginalized communities but hopes to further develop her research interest during her graduate studies.

Grace Walker (AIIP Scholar) is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. She graduated from OSU in May 2023 with her bachelor's degree in psychology. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at OSU under Dr. Leffingwell's mentorship, and she is planning to continue to develop her research interests in American Indian populations and harm reduction efforts in marginalized populations experiencing negative health outcomes relating to substance use behavior.

Anna Denson is an OSU student dual majoring in Psychology Pre-Law and Political Science who worked in Dr. Cole's lab in Spring 2023. She worked on literature reviews and conducted academic source research for the lab's graduate students. She plans to study for the LSAT and will begin researching law schools within the state of Oklahoma where she hopes to continue her education.

Abby Thrash - graduated from OSU in December 2022 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She began serving as a research assistant in 2019 as a freshman research scholar, and worked with Dr. Clawson in the Child and Family Health Promotions laboratory. After graduation, she plans on attending Physician Associate school and furthering her research career in psychology.

Marilysis Saldivar (McNair Scholar) - is an OSU student majoring in Psychology who worked in Dr. Cole's lab in Fall 2021 - Summer 2022. She completed the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at OSU under Dr. Cole's mentorship in Summer 2022, and her project was titled "Changes in Mental Health Among Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) Young Adults during COVID-19: A Literature Review."

Hayley Holstead - is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She graduated from OSU in May 2022 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. After graduation, Hayley will be pursuing her PharmD degree at the University of Oklahoma, and she plans to pursue a career as a pharmacist for the Choctaw Nation Health Services.

Reagan Cole (AIIP & NARCH Scholar) - is an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma State University in May 2022 with her Bachelors degree in Psychology. She has plans to begin her Masters degree in Sociology at OSU in the Fall of 2022.

Blayne Barker (Senior Thesis Mentee) - graduated from OSU in May 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Dr. Cole mentored Blayne's undergraduate senior thesis titled, ""Media Involvement in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Girls (MMIWG) Epidemic," which Blayne presented at the inaugural OSU Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2022. After graduation, she will be working at OU Health Science Center in Dr. Businelle’s research lab. Blayne plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Kaitlyn Dye - graduated from OSU in May 2022 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Kaitlyn will be pursuing a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from OSU in Summer 2022. She plans to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology after graduating with a Master's degree.

Emani Fields (McNair Scholar) - graduated from OSU in December 2021 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in psychiatry and desires to work with historically underrepresented/underserved populations.

Alexandria Cooper - graduated from OSU in December 2021 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in American Sign Language. She plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.

Alexandra ("Alex") Griffin (Honors Thesis Mentee) is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Pre-Law minor (May 2021). In Spring 2021, Alex defended her Honor’s thesis on intimate partner violence in AI/AN populations under Dr. Cole’s mentorship. Alex will be pursuing a Law Degree from the University of Missouri in Fall 2021. In her free time, Alex enjoys being outdoors, cooking, reading, and supporting the OSU Cowboys.

Mary Arena - graduated from OSU with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (May 2021). She will be pursuing a Master's degree in counseling psychology from OSU in Fall 2021. Her research interests include adverse childhood experiences and trauma among underserved populations. In her free time, Mary enjoys yoga, music, and hanging out with friends.

Victoria ("Vickie") Throneberry - graduated in May 2020, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK.

Diana ("Dee") Soriano (McNair Scholar) - graduated in May 2020, and is currently employed as a Research Technician at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in OKC, OK.

Emma Morrone - graduated in May 2019, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science (MS) degree in Counseling Psychology Program at Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX.

Katelynn Pipestem (American Indians Into Psychology; AIIP Mentee) - graduated in May 2019, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree, with a concentration on American Indian/Alaska Native populations, at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.