Our People

Lab Director:

Dr. Katherine Warnell Bio PhotoDr. Katherine Rice Warnell

The SCAD Lab is directed by Dr. Katherine Rice Warnell.  Before starting at Texas State in 2016, Dr. Warnell completed a pre-doctoral fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center and received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland.  Her research investigates social cognitive development in typical individuals and in autism, with a focus on using naturalistic behavioral and eye-tracking methods that reflect the complexities of real-world social interaction.  Dr. Warnell is excited to be part of the Bobcat family! 

Learn more about her research on her CV

 


Graduate Research Assistants:

Alessandra Rizzo

Alessandra Rizzo

Alessandra is currently a first year in the Texas State MAPR program. Alessandra’s research interests include immigration  psychology and socio-cognitive development. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She hopes to one day work as a Clinical Psychologist specialized to work with immigrant populations.

 

 

 

 


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Hailey Thomas

Hailey is pursuing her MS in Human Development and Family Science, with a concentration as a Child Life Specialist.  Hailey has been involved in the SCAD Lab since she was an undergraduate at Texas State, where she received her BA in Psychology & Spanish.

 

 


Natalie Tucker

Natalie is a first-year student in the Psychological Research Master’s program at Texas State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Science from Texas State, and has extensive experience researching children’s theory of mind development, bilingualism, and social cognition. After her master’s, Natalie plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, and hopes to work in an academic setting conducting research and teaching. Natalie’s research interests include socioemotional development, resilience development, and social cognition. Outside of school and research, Natalie enjoys spending time with friends, thrift shopping, and taking care of her houseplant collection!


Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Santiago Quijada
Santiago is currently a senior at Texas State University, they are pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Human and Child Development. After graduation, they plan to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. Along with being a member of the SCAD team, they are also a statistics tutor at SLAC on campus. Santiago’s hobbies include reading, caring for their houseplants, and creating scrapbooks.

 

 

 


Skylar Fay

Skylar is currently a junior at Texas State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. After graduating, she plans on pursuing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology to further her love for knowledge and helping others. She is a member of the Chi Omega sorority and loves attending Psychology Association meetings, volunteering at the San Marcos animal shelter, and relaxing at the river.

 

 

 

 


Gabriela Valladares 

Gaby is a sophomore earning a Psychology. Her interests include behavioral neuropsychology, and she hopes to study Alzheimer’s disease in the future. Her hobbies include reading novels, crocheting, and hanging out with friends.

 

 

 

 

 


Ke Minh Lam

I am majoring in Sociology. I am focusing on the impact of education on youth’s development and self-esteem. I also want to study how other social factors such as socialization, family, peer relationships determine youth behavior and interaction. I intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree after graduation to become a researcher.

 


Claire Sander

Claire Sander is a senior at Texas State University. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development Family Sciences. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Psychology with a concentration in industrial or experimental psychology. 

 

 

 

 


Tori Villarreal

Hi, I’m Grace Allbritton. I am a senior at Texas State. My major is psychology while my minor is social work. I am a member of Psi Chi, Alpha Lambda Delta, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. After I graduate, I want to go earn my masters in counseling to become an LPC. I love reading and hanging out with my cat Mimi!

 

 

 

 


Lab Alumni:

Graduate Students
Callie De La Cerda (Fall 2018) now PhD Student at UT Dallas
Ashley Frost (Fall 2019) now UX Research Recruitment Coordinator
Aleyda Arreola (Spring 2020) now Data Operations Specialist
Ashley Myers (Fall 2020)
Dominique Gutierrez (Spring 2021)
Alessandra Rizzo
Hailey Thomas
Natalie Tucker

Undergraduate Students
2016-2018 Alumni
Jason Figg
Kayla Grissom
Kasie Ifesinachukwu
Paul Pluymen
Safia Menssor
Taylor De la Mothe
Allison Pequet
Meghan Blake
Lauren Strobel
Kierstyn Schaefer

2019-2021 Alumni
Sarah Everett
Lyric Pullman
Xoe Reneau
Serene Morris
Carmen Salazar
Kaycee Moore
Brynna Pechous
Dominisha Hackett
Kristian Bayko
Sneha Pradhan [honors thesis]
Nohely Gonzalez
McIntosh Woodruff
Kasey Wollenberg

2022-2023 Alumni
Leanne Castro
Bego Contreras
Katelyn Domer
Aylin Fernandez
Dylan Hartman
Bella Iven
Connor MacKinnon
Julie Uptmore
Tori Villarreal
Andrea K. Ortega

 


Interested in joining the SCAD Lab team? The SCAD Lab is accepting graduate students in Texas State’s Masters in Psychology Research program for Fall 2023. Undergraduates interested in joining the lab for experience or course credit should fill out this application and email it to scadlab@txstate.edu.