Meet the LEAF Lab team

LEAF Lab - Fall, 2023

Primary Investigator

Austen R. Anderson

Assistant Professor

Doctoral Students

Lauren Hales

Program: Third-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: Second-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: First 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: First 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

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Danielle Holliday

Hometown: Moselle, MS
Program: Biomedical Sciences, B.S.
Career goals: Rural primary care medicine
Hobbies: Lifting weights and hanging out with friends.

Joshua Batia

Hometown: Biloxi, MS
Program: Psychology B.S.
Career and Research Interests: Counseling/Marital and Family Therapy
Career Goals: To have my own practice
Hobbies: Listening to, discussing, and producing music

Kristina Diamond

Hometown: Brookhaven, MS
Program: Psychology, B.S.
Interests: I am most interested in Counseling Psychology and hope to eventually pursue a career in that field. I am also interested in research pertaining to how the environment in nature affects the different aspects of mental health.
Career Goals: I hope to get my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and then become a licensed Mental Health Counselor operating my own practice one day.
Hobbies: I love to read, find new coffee shops, as well as go on hikes when the weather is nice!

Zion Gordon

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

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