Our TeamThis is our current OSU research team. Also listed are alumni that Dr. Morris mentored in the past. If you are interested in becoming part of our team, please click here for more information. If you are an alum and would like to update your information, please send us an email.
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Amanda Sheffield Morris, PhD
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Jennifer Hays-Grudo, PhDDr. Hays-Grudo's research is focused on identifying and modifying the risk factors in the socioemotional environments of young children that contribute to long-term disparities in health and developmental outcomes. As a developmental psychologist, she began her career applying knowledge about the systems and strategies that promote cognitive and socioemotional development to the acquisition of positive health behaviors in low-income and minority families. During the past six years as the PI of the Kaiser Foundation-funded Tulsa Children’s Project, she led an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional team in developing and evaluating a highly integrated set of interventions to lessen the impact of poverty on the health and development of young children. She has mentored numerous students and faculty over her career, and is currently Department Head for the Department of Human Development and Family Science at OSU.
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Michael Criss, PhDDr. Criss earned his PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University. His research focuses on the impact of parents and peers on developmental psychopathology, emotion regulation, and sleeping habits among adolescents from high-risk families. In collaboration with experts in the field, Dr. Criss has started exploring the role of various bio-markers of adolescent psychopathology and emotion regulation, such as vagal tone, brain functioning (via fMRI scans), and the gene X environment interactions (oxytocin receptor gene, OXTR). He is currently working on two projects: R15 Girls Project (funded by NIH with Dr. Amanda Morris) and Adolescent Sleep Project (funded by OCAST with Dr. Amanda Morris).
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Amy Williamson, PhDDr. Williamson's research broadly focuses on 1) infant/toddler social-emotional development and mental health and 2) early care and education. Specifically, she is interested in teacher-child and parent-child interactions and relationships and the subsequent socioemotional outcomes for very young children. She is also interested in the development and well-being of ECE professionals. Some of her recent work includes a study of well-being and beliefs about infant mental health in the general population and in a sub-sample of ECE providers and a study examining caregiver psychosocial characteristics as predictors of classroom interactions in Early Head Start. Currently, she is designing and piloting interventions in ECE programs related to teacher self-regulation and building relationships with infants and toddlers as well as collecting data as part of a longitudinal study of infants in Oklahoma. Dr. Williamson is the Director of the newly created Institute for Building Early Relationships (IBEaR).
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Lana Beasley, PhDDr. Beasley is a licensed clinical child psychologist and Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science at Oklahoma State University. She is a mixed-methods researcher with a focus on child abuse prevention within home visitation models. She also has research interests in cultural adaptation of treatments, family environment of children exposed to maltreatment, and foster children. Clinical interests include child trauma, anxiety, parent training, pediatric disorders, and the use of Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and other empirically supported treatments for children and families.
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Mallory BranchMallory graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. She completed her internship working in the Family and Youth Development Project Lab as a Research Assistant. After graduation, she began working on the CAP Family Life Study as a Research Assistant/Data Manager. Mallory now also works across projects, including the CAP Family Advancement Study, Legacy for Children, and the Oklahoma Baby Study. She is an integral part of CAP FLS/CAP FAST team by entering and managing data, and conducting child assessments and parent surveys. Mallory also manages scheduling for Legacy for Children and the Oklahoma Baby Study.
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Ruth Slocum, LCSW, IMH-E®(III)Ruth Slocum, LCSW, IMH-E®(III) serves in a few roles in the Tulsa Children’s Project at OSU. Ruth is an author for the Super Parents program, a parenting program that combines the basic child development and parenting principles of Active Parenting: 1, 2, 3, 4 with training in executive function skills for adults and children and basic mindfulness practice for parents. She co-facilitates OSU’s first Legacy for Children group for mothers and babies. And she provides ABC (Attachment Biobehavioral Catchup) for families in the community. Additionally Ruth provides reflective supervision/consultation services for Tulsa Educare’s Mental Health Specialists and some administrators.
Ruth earned her Master’s in Social Work from Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research in Pennsylvania. Since then she has provided clinical services in a variety of settings, including outpatient general counseling, adolescent in-patient, and early childhood programs. During the years Ruth lived in Philadelphia, she served on the Board of Directors of the Women Against Abuse Emergency Shelter, one of the first emergency shelters for battered women in the US. She currently serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Oklahoma Infant Mental Health Association. |
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Cara Bosler, PhDDr. Bosler earned her PhD in Human Sciences in 2013 with a focus in Human Development and Family Science. Her main focus of research is how parents influence the socio-emotional development of their children. She has experience studying infants, toddlers, preschoolers, adolescents, and emerging adults. Her role with the Child and Adolescent Lab as an Evaluation Coordinator allows her to evaluate how well parenting programs that our team provides work. Another important task she performs is disseminating the lessons that our team learns about parenting and child development to researchers, service providers, and parents.
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Martha Zapata, PhDDr. Zapata was a mental health practitioner and manager of programs aimed at immigrants before she became an academic researcher. She earned her PhD in 2014 with a focus in Human Development and Family Science and conducted post-doctoral work at the OSU Center for Family Resilience. Her experiences working with predominantly Latino immigrants have shaped her program of research and the questions she seeks to answer. Her research projects have examined contextual factors contributing to the development and health of children of immigrants in the United States (FARO Project: PI, Zapata) and emergent adults in Colombia (Proyecto Juventud: PI, Zapata; Co-PI, Betancourth). She is particularly interested in understanding the consequences of undocumented status for adolescent development and adult health. Her dissertation, a mixed-method study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, examined the association between parents’ undocumented status and adolescents’ substance use. In Colombia, she has been studying the association between crime victimization and suicidal ideation, psychosocial factors associated with marijuana use, and predictors of self-efficacy to enact safe sexual practices. Her publications include nine peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter. Dr. Zapata is certified to facilitate Active Parenting™ and has held numerous parenting workshops for Spanish-speaking families in the Tulsa area. She coordinates evaluation of Talking is Teaching-related projects for the CAD Lab.
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Sandy BoyaciSandy is a part-time Bilingual Research Assistant working with the CAP FAST study. She conducts parent interviews and child assessments for the study.
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Diane DudleyDiane Dudley has over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood Education in the Tulsa area. She has taught Preschool and was a Parent Educator. Diane teaches CDA Certification Courses for local Technology Schools and has been a PD Specialist for the National CDA Council for several years. At the Lab, Diane works on the CAP FLS project, conducting parent surveys.
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Therese HubbleTherese earned a BS in Child Development and Family Relations with a Minor in Psychology from Southeast Missouri State and an MA in Education, with an emphasis in Special Education from Lindenwood University St Charles, MO. She has a 25 year certificate as a Certified Parent Educator from the National Parents As Teachers (PAT) Center in St. Louis and has worked with PAT programs in both Missouri and Oklahoma. She also served as an Oklahoma PAT Field Mentor and grant reader for the state of Oklahoma.
Prior to working at OSU, she served as a Research Associate for the Educare and CAP projects at OU-Tulsa. Therese is also a 14-year OSU Master Gardener, serving Tulsa County by teaching science enrichment classes to elementary students in local school districts and by serving as a field mentor to OSU Master Gardner interns. For the CAD Lab, Therese is a Research Assistant conducting child assessments for both the CAP Family Life and Family Advancement studies. She is also working on the Legacy for Children and OK Baby Projects as an assessor, PICCOLO coder and child care assistant. Therese appreciates the opportunities the CAD lab provides in helping families and children in our community! |
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Angela Lievano-HessAngela Liévano-Hess is a native of Bogotá, Colombia and has lived in Tulsa since 2001. Angela received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design in Colombia and a Bachelor in Graphic Design at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She has worked as an artist and designer for over 15 years in a variety of creative disciplines: graphic designer, children book illustrations, mixed media art and marketing. During which time she has had several art expositions and she was awarded the National José Martí Publishing Award for Broadsheet Format for a Bilingual Newspaper in Tulsa.
Her bi-cultural background and focus on community collaboration has led her to a number of community opportunities and leadership roles in the last five years. She specializes in working with Hispanic families and children providing an environment of support to help them overcome obstacles to move forward and face a new culture. She works with the Child and Adolescent Lab at Oklahoma State University as a Research Assistant on Tulsa Children's Project and CAP studies, where she continues to serve the community through family research programs. |
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Rashmi Singh, PhDRashmi earned her bachelor's degree in microbiology and her master's in biotechnology from India. She completed her PhD in 2010 from OSU-Center for Health Sciences, in Biomedical Sciences. Rashmi's research focused on understanding the role of estrogen in regulating immune responses during female urinary tract infection. Her post-doctoral work at Laureate Institute for Brain Research focused on understanding the role of immune responses and exploring various biomarkers as indicators of functional recovery (including psychological and behavioral) following sports related mild traumatic brain injury. Besides pursing her research career, Rashmi has taught developmental biology, cell biology, and microbiology as an adjunct faculty at NSU and TCC. She has enjoyed her post-doctoral work, published her research in respected journals, and is now interested in the field of early childhood development and education. Rashmi is drawn to working with children and pursuing research in the area of early childhood brain development, particularly the role of environmental interactions and different educational approaches in development of child psychology, education, and behavior. To gain experience working with children, Rashmi volunteers in the early childhood and infant programs at Undercroft Montessori School and Riverfield Country Day School. She is also a mentor for with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and is a Reading Partners volunteer at Marshall Elementary School. Rashmi is enthusiastic about joining the CAD Lab team and looking forward to learning in collaboration with other researchers in this journey to realize her passion and objective in becoming a guide for young brilliant minds.
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Kelly Titchener
Kelly Stiller Titchener is a Bilingual Research Associate, working on the CAP Family Advancement Study and the Legacy for Children Project. She earned a Masters in Science in Geography from Oklahoma State University, and two Bachelors of Arts (Spanish and Political Science) from Oklahoma State University as well.
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Alumni
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Past Post-Docs and Doctoral Students
Dr. Amy Treat Dr. Tolonda Age Dr. Katie Aucoin, Acadian Care, Louisiana Dr. D'Lee Babb Dr. Cara Bosler, Oklahoma State University Dr. Brenda McDaniel , University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Dr. Lixian Cui, New York University, Shanghai Dr.Benjamin Houltberg, Fuller Theological Academy Dr. Aesha John, Texas Christian University Dr. Rachel Kaufman Dr. Angela Keyes, Tulane University Dr. Mumbe Kithakye, Oklahoma State University Dr. Sonya Myers, Louisiana Office of Public Health: Maternal and Child Dr. Elisabeth Ponce-Garcia, Cameron University Dr. Brittany Reyes Dr. Lara Robinson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Martha Zapata Roblyer, OSU Research Scientist Dr. Andrew Terranova, Coastal Carolina University |
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Past Masters Students (let us know your current position)
Amber Biesley
Cheryl Delk, OSU doctoral student
Sally Eagleton
Tammy Lee
Antoinette London-Johnson, Florida State University doctoral student
Jordan Love, OSU, Project Coordinator and Lab Manager
Monica McCann
Meagan Meadows
Chandra Prevost
Amy Smith, Florida State University doctoral student
Julie Staton, OSU doctoral student
Nicole Stevenson
Jerri Stewart
Amy Treat, OSU doctoral student
Kim Whitty, Oklahoma Health Department, Child Development Specialist
Amber Biesley
Cheryl Delk, OSU doctoral student
Sally Eagleton
Tammy Lee
Antoinette London-Johnson, Florida State University doctoral student
Jordan Love, OSU, Project Coordinator and Lab Manager
Monica McCann
Meagan Meadows
Chandra Prevost
Amy Smith, Florida State University doctoral student
Julie Staton, OSU doctoral student
Nicole Stevenson
Jerri Stewart
Amy Treat, OSU doctoral student
Kim Whitty, Oklahoma Health Department, Child Development Specialist
Past Undergraduate Students (Let us know where you are! If you want your name added to the list, let us know.)
Yvette Abbott
Rebecca Cassel
Daniel Chadburn
Libby Jennings
Megan Johnson
Katy Gestland
Marie Land
Richard Laurent
Dzintra Leimane-LeBlanc
Simmone Miller
Mark Pitre
Alecia Reavis
Tiffany Reed
Malena Rodriguez
Caitlyn Russell, Colorado State MFT program
Sara Simpson
Amy Smith, OSU MS, Florida State doctoral student
Tracy Staten
Julie Staton, OSU MS, current OSU doctoral student
Yvette Abbott
Rebecca Cassel
Daniel Chadburn
Libby Jennings
Megan Johnson
Katy Gestland
Marie Land
Richard Laurent
Dzintra Leimane-LeBlanc
Simmone Miller
Mark Pitre
Alecia Reavis
Tiffany Reed
Malena Rodriguez
Caitlyn Russell, Colorado State MFT program
Sara Simpson
Amy Smith, OSU MS, Florida State doctoral student
Tracy Staten
Julie Staton, OSU MS, current OSU doctoral student
Past Research Staff
Heather Means
Veronica Camp
Heather Doss
Patricia Gosnell
Rebecca Hubbard
Ava Armstead
Jamie Bechtelheimer
Amy Huffer
Melissa Shell
Heather Means
Veronica Camp
Heather Doss
Patricia Gosnell
Rebecca Hubbard
Ava Armstead
Jamie Bechtelheimer
Amy Huffer
Melissa Shell
In Memorium
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Julie Staton |
Julie was a second generation OSU student (Go Pokes!) completing her PhD in Developmental and Family Science. She married her high school sweetheart and they have two amazing children. She worked with children and families for over 20 years and loved working with Early Childhood teachers as well. Julie enjoyed getting to know families in our area and being able to connect with them each year through her work in the CAD Lab.
The Human Development and Family Science department has established an award in Julie's memory, the Julie Branch Staton Outstanding Graduate Student Award. It will be awarded each year to a student who embodies the character, service, and academic excellence that Julie displayed each day during her career at OSU.
