Meet the LEAF Lab team

LEAF Lab - Fall, 2024

Primary Investigator

Austen R. Anderson

Assistant Professor

Doctoral Students

Lauren Hales

Program: Fourth-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology
Career and research interests: My research interests center around the role that lifestyle factors, specifically religion, play in a person’s attitudes towards their own, and others', mental health. Career-wise I’m hoping to work for the VA system!
Career goals: After spending a summer working at the Biloxi VA Medical Center in their Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, I am working towards applying to VA sites for internship and starting a career helping Veterans overcome their mental health challenges and adjust back to civilian life.
Hobbies: I am an avid reader (of just about anything) and love to practice yoga in my spare time. I also love to spend time in New Orleans with my boyfriend and try to check as many restaurants off the bucket list as we can.

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: Third-year doctoral student 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: Second year PhD student in Counseling Psychology with advanced status (graduate of M.S. program at USM)
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: Second 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

Hometown: Austin, TX
Program: First-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology
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.

Master’s Students

Joshua Batia

Hometown: Biloxi, MS
Program: Counseling Psychology, M.S.
Career and Research Interests: Counseling populations with substance use and depression concerns
Career Goals: To have my own practice
Hobbies: Listening to, discussing, and producing music

Hannah Linss

Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Program: Second year Master’s student in Counseling Psychology; B.S. in psychology and sociology at Spring Hill College
Career and Research Interests: How lifestyle factors impact psychological well-being, mental health of student athletes, involvement in nature Career Goals: My goal is to become a Sport Psychologist, whether that be at a university or private practice.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, watching sports, and going on hikes with my dog.

Bridget O’neil

Hometown: Irving, Texas
Program: 1st Year Counseling Psychology Master’s 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!

Enie Lee

Scott Roberts

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Zion Gordon

Hometown: Olive Branch, MS
Program: Psychology, B.S.
Career Goals: Becoming a Licensed Counseling Psychologist
Hobbies: Gym, Gaming, Writing

Megan Marx

Lab alumni (and their next steps)

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

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

Danielle Holiday

Attending Medical School at the University of Mississippi Medical Center

Kristina Diamond

Attending the Marriage and Family Therapy MA program at the University of Southern Mississippi

Lab history

Fall, 2023

Fall, 2022