Research Team

Nate Basile, M.A.

Nate Basile is a fifth year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Larry Mullins, Ph.D. Nate received his B.A. in Psychology from The Ohio State University and most recently received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton while also working as a graduate research assistant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. While at Cincinnati Children’s, he provided a psychosocial intervention to parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer and assisted with various research projects aimed at identifying factors influencing the adjustment and adherence in pediatric patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Nate’s research interests include the psychosocial and neurodevelopmental outcomes of pediatric patients affected by chronic illnesses as well as the development and provision of psychosocial interventions for these patients and their families. In the future, Nate hopes to work at an academic children’s medical center conducting translational research and implementing psychosocial services aimed at improving the outcomes of patients and families managing a chronic illness.

 

Taylor Dattilo, M.S.

Taylor is a fourth-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Dr. Larry Mullins. Taylor graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.A. in Psychology. She subsequently spent several years as a clinical research coordinator, most recently at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where she worked with families affected by cancer and disorders/differences of sex development. Her research interests include examining neurocognitive and psychosocial factors that influence the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for youth with complex medical conditions. Taylor’s future goals are to conduct collaborative research with an interdisciplinary healthcare team and provide evidence-based care to families at an academic medical center.

 

Lexie DeLone, M.A., M.S., CCLS

Lexie is a third year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Larry Mullins, Ph.D. Lexie grew up in Central Pennsylvania and completed her undergraduate education at the College of Charleston where she earned a B.S. in Psychology. Lexie completed master’s degrees in Experimental Psychology and Child Life from Wake Forest University and University of Charleston, SC, respectively. For the past five years, Lexie has worked as a certified child life specialist in the Division of Pediatric Oncology at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Lexie’s research interests include identifying mechanisms of disease experience that alter quality of life, treatment and procedural coping, family communication, and psychosocial issues surrounding end of life. As a pediatric psychologist, Lexie hopes to work in an academic children’s hospital providing clinical interventions and completing research to advance knowledge and understanding of the psychological impact of severe medical diagnoses on family units.

 

Rachel Fisher, M.S.

Rachel is a fifth year Doctoral Candidate in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program under the mentorship of Larry Mullins, Ph.D. Rachel grew up in Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in History. After graduation, Rachel spent two years as a clinical research assistant at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where she worked with families impacted by childhood cancer. Rachel’s research interests include the biopsychosocial-ecological promotion of well-being, quality of life, and resilience in families impacted by pediatric medical adversity. Rachel has primarily applied these interests to the childhood cancer and disorders/differences of sex development populations. After graduation, Rachel aspires to work at an academic children’s medical center as a scientist-practitioner conducting collaborative, systems-based research and clinical services for families impacted by life-threatening medical conditions. Rachel serves as the Division 54 Student Advisory Board Service Chair and a Student Representative for the Division 54 Palliative Care & End-of-Life Special Interest Group.

 

Cara Nneka Nwankwo, M.S.

Cara is a sixth year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Oklahoma State University under the mentorship of Larry Mullins, Ph.D., and Ashley Clawson, Ph.D. Cara is currently completing her pre-doctoral internship at Cincinnati Children’s. Cara is originally from Cincinnati, OH, and completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies at Kent State University. Prior to entering the OSU doctoral program, Cara worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center under the mentorship of Lori E. Crosby, PsyD. During her time there, she coordinated studies that focused on shared-decision making and self-management interventions for adolescents and young adults with Sickle Cell Disease. Cara is passionate about working with historically prohibited populations to identify both risk and resiliency factors which informs both her program of research and her clinical interest. In her free time, Cara enjoys cooking and serving as board member of the Umu Igbo Unite and Nuway Foundation organizations.

 

Katie Traino, M.S.

Katie is a sixth year Doctoral Candidate in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Oklahoma State University under the mentorship of Larry Mullins, Ph.D. Katie is currently completing her clinical internship year at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Katie is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Psychology. She became interested in studying pediatric psychology through her Postbaccalaureate Research Fellowship at the NIMH Neuropsychology Consult Service. Katie’s current research interests include better understanding and conceptualizing short- and long-term child, parent, and family adjustment and functioning outcomes in the context of multiple pediatric chronic illness populations. Katie's long term goals are to conduct collaborative research and clinical work aimed at enhancing children’s and families’ skills in managing their own medical care and navigating the larger health care system.

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Research Team Alumni

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Honorary Member

Vaughn O. Vennerberg II

Vaughn O. Vennerberg II is a native of Midwest City, Oklahoma and a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1976. Vaughn excelled during his time at OSU, serving as president of the Interfraternity Council, Student Union Activities Board and Blue Key Honor Society. Vaughn received the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011 and an honorary OSU doctorate in 2012. Vaughn began his career as a landman for Texaco. He later went to work as a land manager at Cross Timbers Oil Company, spending 23 years with the company, eventually serving as president. In 2011, Vaughn co-founded MorningStar Oil & Gas in Fort Worth, Texas, where he is a partner and president. In 2008, Vaughn and XTO Energy established three endowed faculty positions at OSU in art, bioinformatics and molecular genetics, and developmental disabilities psychology. Vaughn is dedicated to the advancement of research on developmental disabilities and has made incredible contributions to such research in the PHP lab. He currently lives in Dallas with his three sons – Trey, Luke and Zachary.