Graduate Students
Jeffrey M. Pavlacic
On Internship
M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of Mississippi, 2019
B.S., Psychology, Missouri State University, 2017
Jeff is currently completing his predoctoral internship at the Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.
Mikaela J. Raley
5th year
CV
M.S., Psychological Science, University of North Florida, 2017
B.A., Psychology, University of North Florida, 2015
Mikaela’s research interests include the interplay between positive psychology and military mental health. More specifically, she is interested in PTSD, meaning in life, social connectedness, suicide, and resilience in the military population. Recently, Mikaela first authored a book chapter entitled “The Disaster Sciences Interdisciplinary Minor at the University of Mississippi: Positive Psychology in Action (2020)” Her previous clinical experience includes a year-long Clinical Health Psychology Internship at Mayo Clinic and working in a Private Practice in Jacksonville, Florida from 2016-2018. Mikaela has presented research at the 2016 Association for Psychological Science and 2017 Southeastern Psychological Association Conferences. Additionally, while completing her BA and MS at the University of North Florida, Mikaela served as lab coordinator for the Health Psychophysiology Lab from 2015-2018 and as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer from 2016-2017.
Victoria McCutcheon
4th year
CV
M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of Mississippi, 2022
B.A., Psychology, Providence College, 2018
Victoria’s research interests include military mental health, post-deployment functioning, purpose and meaning, and the use of cognitive-behavioral strategies for trauma intervention. While pursuing her degree at Providence College, she gained experience as an undergraduate research assistant and co-taught courses in Behavior Therapy and Personality Psychology. Victoria also gained clinical research experience as an intern at the Providence VA Medical Center where she worked on a veteran-focused trauma-related anger study.
Joshua Semko
4th year
CV
M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of Mississippi, 2022
B.S., Psychology, Boise State University, 2019
B.A., Philosophy, Boise State University, 2019
Josh’s research interests include constructs related to perceived meaning in life, humor, the dissemination of evidence-based practices, and disruptive innovation in mental healthcare.
Katherine Lucas
3rd year
CV
B.S., Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 2019
Katherine graduated from Purdue University with a concentration from the Research Focused Honors Program. During her time at Purdue she gained clinical research experience through 3 years as a research assistant. In addition, she completed an honors thesis focused on personality profiles in relationships involving partners with pathological personality features. She also gained clinical experience as an intern for the YWCA Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program. Her research interests include trauma within the military, individual differences, and factors associated with lower PTSD symptom severity.
Brittany HamptonBrittany’s research interests include military mental health, PTSD, and integrated care. More specifically, she is interested in improving the accessibility and quality of mental health treatments for veterans. During her time as an undergraduate student at Marist College, Brittany gained research experience through her various research assistant positions and National Science Foundation REU fellowship. She also gained clinical experience as a rape crisis counselor at the Center for Victim Safety and Support (CVSS). After graduating, Brittany worked as a research health science specialist at the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare in Syracuse, NY where she assisted with three clinical trials evaluating primary care-based behavioral health interventions for veterans.
