Research Team
Graduate Students
Cassidy Armstrong, 5th Year Doctoral Student in the OSU Clinical Psychology Program
Cassidy is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. They are currently a
fifth-year graduate student in the OSU Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. Their
research interests include investigating mental and physical health factors and health
inequities, including trauma, substance use, ecological factors, and mindfulness among
AI/AN (Indigenous) populations. In their free time, Cassidy enjoys spending time in
nature, being active, and cooking. For questions about the lab, Dr. Cole's mentorship
style, etc., please feel free to email Cassidy.
Katherina "Kat" Arteaga, 3rd Year Doctoral Student in the OSU Clinical Psychology Program
Kat is an enrolled member of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. She is currently a third-year
graduate student entering the OSU Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. Her research
interests focus on the intersection of trauma and health risk behaviors, such as substance
use. Through this work, she aims to address barriers to mental health treatment. In
her free time, Katherina enjoys taking peaceful walks with her dog, cooking, and crafting. For
questions about the lab, Dr. Cole's mentorship style, etc., please feel free to email
Katherina.
Alex Blair, 6th Year Doctoral Student in the OSU Clinical Psychology Program, Currently Completing Internship,
BS: Oklahoma State University, 2019
MS: Oklahoma State University, 2022
Alex is a fifth year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Oklahoma State University (OSU). In summer 2022, Alex transitioned to the COLE lab, and she is co-mentored by Dr. Ashley Cole at OSU and Dr. Ashley Clawson at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Alex is originally from Oklahoma City, OK and completed her bachelor's degree in psychology at OSU. Prior to entering the OSU doctoral program, Alex worked as an undergraduate research assistant for Ashley Clawson, Ph.D. and Lana Beasly, Ph.D. Alex is interested in examining cannabis vaping among college students. In addition. In addition, Alex is interested in studying asthma among youth with and without asthma. Alex currently serves as a Campus Representative for the Pediatric Psychology Division 54 Network of Campus Representatives through the Society of Pediatric Psychology.
Lizbeth Rojas, 1st Year Doctoral Student in the OSU Clinical Psychology Program
Lizbeth (she/her) is a first year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral
Program at OSU. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in
Neuroscience from OSU where she worked with Dr. DeMond Grant in the Laboratory of
Emotion and Psychophysiology (LEAP). Following graduation, she continued her research
training in the Diversity in Research and Multidisciplinary Neuroscience (DReaM-Neuro)
Fellowship at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR). At LIBR, she worked
in the Neuroscience of American Indian Resilience and Risk (Neu-AIRR) Lab with Dr.
Evan White focusing on promoting resilience through delineating cultural protective
factors amongst indigenous communities. Her research interests focus on the interaction
between biobehavioral pathways and health disparities/risk behaviors amongst indigenous
communities, through a resilience and risk based framework. In her down time, she
enjoys reading, art history, and attending concerts.
Affiliate Members
Déjà Clement, Ph.D, MPH
Susie Lopez, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Students
Paoge "Pao" Moua
My name is Paoge Moua, and I am currently a senior psychology pre-med major at OSU.
I plan on attending medical school after graduation with a research track. I am interested
in intergenerational trauma examined from a cross cultural perspective as well as
the role ethnomedicine among ethnic/cultural minorities in the US (i.e., Indigenous/Native
populations, Creole people). I hope to pursue a career in research (i.e., translational)
and contribute to the field. In my free time, I enjoy staring out into the horizon
and listening to stand-up comedy.
Bee Ramezani
My name is Bee Ramezani and I am a junior transfer student at OSU. After receiving
a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
My family immigrated to the U.S. from Iran before I was born. My research interests
are centered on understanding neurodivergence within marginalized groups and cultural
minorities, specifically indigenous and interethnic populations. My hobbies include
playing piano, making ceramics, and doing yoga.
Abigail ("Abby") Smith, AIIP Scholar
Abby is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in
American Indian studies from Oklahoma State University. She is a tribal member of
the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Her research areas focus on chronic illness and resilience
factors pertaining to Indigenous and Native American populations. She would also like
to look at research regarding stress factors and how they are intertwined with chronic
illness. Upon graduation, she will attend Masters school with hopes of obtaining a
degree in counseling psychology. A few hobbies of hers include exercising, outdoor
activities, and spending time with friends and family.
Collaborators
Internal
External
(University of North Dakota)
(University of Michigan)
(Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center)
(University of Minnesota)
(University of Oklahoma)
(Mississippi State University)
Jami Gauthier, Ph.D.
(Atlanta VAMC)
Emily Hébert, DrPH
(Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center)
Ashley Helle, Ph.D.
(University of Missouri)
David Hollingsworth, Ph.D.
(Tuscaloosa VAMC)
(University of Mississippi Medical Center)
(Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)
(Chickasaw Nation)
(OKC VA)
(John Hopkins School of Public Health)
Organizational Involvement
Click the links below to find out more about my national organization involvement and collaborators.
Native Children's Research Exchange
The Native Children’s Research Exchange (NCRE) brings together researchers studying child development from birth through emerging adulthood in Native communities. NCRE provides opportunities for the open exchange of information and ideas and for building collaborative relationships, supporting new investigators, and disseminating knowledge about Native children’s development. Supporting the career development of junior faculty and graduate students, particularly those who are American Indian, Alaska Native, or First Nations tribal community members, is central to NCRE’s mission.
Youth Suicide Research Consortium
The Youth Suicide Research Consortium (YSRC) is an interdisciplinary network of researchers dedicated to the study of youth suicidal behavior among diverse populations (i.e., diversity based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and ability), with an emphasis on understanding and decreasing disparities.
OSU Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy
The Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy (CIHRP) brings together scientific collaborators, Indigenous knowledge holders and community leaders to eliminate health disparities and cultivate health and wellness with Indigenous communities.
Undergrad RA Lab Alumni
- Where are they now?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
River Riddle is a tribal citizen of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in May 2024 with his Bachelor's degree in Psychology. River is currently a first-year graduate student in the Master's in Counseling program at OSU. He will be continuing his education with a GRA position working under the mentorship of Dr. Carrie Winterowd. River plans to devote his efforts to advance research areas for Indigenous communities with the goal of providing more effective therapeutic practices for Native American people.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Makiah Torres graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from OSU in Spring 2024. She presented her poster titled, "Trait Mindfulness as a Potential Protective Factor Against Depression Associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences among American Indian/Alaska Native Adults," at the 2024 OSU Undergraduate Research Symposium. Makiah will begin her professional journey as a research assistant at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR), where she will work under the mentorship of Dr. Evan White. Makiah is dedicated to advancing her research interests in Indigenous populations and neuroscience.
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.