Meet the LEAF Lab team

LEAF Lab - Fall, 2024

Primary Investigator

Austen R. Anderson

Assistant Professor

Doctoral Students

Lindsey Ostermiller

Hometown: I grew up in Northern Utah where I spent my winters working as ski patrol and my summers working as a whitewater river guide.
Program: Doctoral candidate and psychology intern in Counseling Psychology. Received a bachelors in Outdoor Recreation and Psychology from Southern Utah University.
Career and research interests: My research focuses on how lifestyle behaviors predict mental health primarily in sexual and gender minority students.
Career Goals: I am excited to pursue a career that provides ample opportunities to explore my curiosities and have meaningful interactions with a diverse group of individuals.

Mallory Lastrapes

Hometown: Opelousas, LA
Program: PhD student in Counseling Psychology and psychology intern. Career and research interests: I am interested in studying how health behaviors affect mental health and well-being particularly within the college student population.
Career Goals: My career goal includes pursuing clinical experiences within a private practice setting serving college-aged individuals.
Hobbies: I enjoy exercising and playing with my dog Oreo

Isabel Rice

Hometown: Louisville, KY
Program: Fourth year PhD student in Counseling Psychology; M.S. in psychology - University of Indianapolis; B.S. in psychology- University of Louisville;
Career and research interests: animal-assisted therapies, particularly equine-assisted; involvement in nature and mental health; mental health in rural populations
Career goals: Open at this point, leaning more towards private practice but also interested in research and teaching
Hobbies: reading, exploring outside with my husband and dogs, spending time with my horse Winston, watching true crime documentaries, and trying anything crafty or DIY

Cassi O'Rourke

Cassi O’Rourke

Hometown: Austin, TX
Program: Thirdd-year doctoral student in Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology - Florida State University
Career and research interests: I am interested in the impact of lifestyle factors on mental health, with a special focus on athlete mental health.
Career goals: My goal is to become a sport psychologist. I aspire to start by working at a university, then progress to the professional level or open a private practice that caters to athletes of all levels.
Hobbies: I enjoy watching sports, especially football and basketball, with a strong allegiance to Texas Tech where I earned my undergraduate degree! I also love travelling, cooking, and hanging out with my family and friends.

Ben Myers

Hometown: Springfield, VA
Program: Second-year doctoral student in Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology - Florida State University; MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Jacksonville University; BA in Psychology – Clemson University
Career and research interests: I am interested in how lifestyle factors, health behaviors, and social determinants influence psychological well-being.
Career goals: My career goal is to become a health psychologist. I seek a career that combines research, clinical practice, teaching, and advocacy.
Hobbies: I enjoy running and practicing yoga, trying new foods, traveling to new places, reading anything investigative journalism, and spending time with family and friends.

Charlotte Edds

Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Program: Third-year doctoral student in Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology-Florida State University.
Career and research interests: I am interested in the protective role of lifestyle behaviors against depression, as well as suicidal ideation and behavior.
Career goals: My goal is to become a licensed clinician specializing in depression, using research to deliver practical, evidence-based care.
Hobbies: I enjoy baking, spending time outside, learning guitar, and watching movies!

Bridget O'Neil

Bridget O’Neil

Hometown: Irving, Texas
Program: 1st Year PhD Student
Career and research interests: My research interests are in the psychology and counseling of athletes, and the lifestyle factors that affect athletes and their mental health.
Career Goals: My career goal is to enter clinical practice working with athletes and help them achieve their goals!
Hobbies: I love running, spin classes, watching sports (basketball is my favorite), and doing craft projects! Above all, my favorite thing is to spend time with my family and friends!

Master’s Students

Maddie Evans

Janos Bjoernvig

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Lab alumni (and their next steps)

Doctoral students

Lauren Hales

Postdocoral Fellow at the American Lake VA Medical Center

Master’s-level research assistants

Enie Lee

Scott Roberts

Hannah Linss

Working as a clinician in the Mobile AL area

Bachelor-level research assistants

Samari Ards

Frankeya Weatherspoon

Working as a therapist within Pine Grove Behavioral Health

Sydney Lord

Attending the Counseling Psychology MS program at the University of Southern Mississippi

Cameron Broadway