Who is WITY?
Principal Investigator
Summer Braun, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology | Center for Youth Development and Intervention
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SummerBraun_PhD
Google Scholar
Pronouns: She/her
Dr. Braun is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and affiliated with the Center for Youth Development and Intervention. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at The Pennsylvania State University, where her training motivated her to consider development in context. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Alabama, Dr. Braun was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development.
Faculty Affiliates
Alison Hooper, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Email: alhooper2@ua.edu
Google Scholar
Pronouns: She/her
Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Email: alhooper2@ua.edu
Google Scholar
Pronouns: She/her
Graduate Students
Dr. Braun is accepting graduate students in the Developmental Psychology Ph.D. Program to begin in Fall 2024. Please see the Join Us page for more details.
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Zachary Schornick is a second year Ph.D. student in Developmental Psychology program. His interests include emotional intelligence/regulation and implementation strategies within educational contexts. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and hiking, spending time with his friends, pets, and loved ones, and playing games. What he wanted to be when he grew up: An astronaut |
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Avery Westbrooks is a second year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Kennesaw State University where she found her initial love for research. Her current interests include student anxiety, student-teacher interactions, and the application of mindfulness in educational settings. In her free time, she loves to read, paint, play a variety of sports, and travel. What she wanted to be when she grew up: A federal judge |
Undergraduate Honors Students
The WITY Lab welcomes undergraduate Honors students. Please see the Join Us page for more details.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
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Renni Fultz is majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Biology and Psychology of Sports Science. She wants to help high performing athletes work through mental and psychical barriers in order to achieve their full potential, and plans to go to graduate school to get a master’s in Sports Psychology after graduation. In her free time, she likes to partake in any outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, or paddle boarding. Fun Fact: Renni is on the University of Alabama's Rowing team. |
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Sim Hartsfield is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Professional Writing. After graduating, he plans to continue his education at a graduate school with the ultimate goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar and piano, lifting weights, and hanging out with his Border Collie named Ben. What he wanted to be when he grew up: A railroad conductor. |
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Madison Nivens a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She has an interest in psychology and law and plans to go to graduate school to get her master's in psychology. In her free time, she likes watching The Office, listening to music, and taking care of her many plants. Fun fact: She likes to raise and release butterflies in the summer. |
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Olivia Schnotala is from Chicago, Illinois and is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Liberal Arts. In her free time, she likes to go on runs, travel, read, and spend time with her family and friends. Fun Fact: Olivia really enjoyed volunteering with Helping Hand, a center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this past summer. |
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Kaitlyn Schroeder is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She loves working with kids, and during the summer she works as a Daycare teacher! She has taught children aged from 15 months to 8 years old but her favorite age to teach is children 3-5 years old. She also volunteers for “Als Pals” a student organization that goes to local schools to help students academically in after-school activities. She hopes to connect her teaching experience with the WITY lab's ideals of supporting the health and well-being of teachers and students! |
WITY Lab Alumni
Graduate Students
Jacob Miranda (he/him) | 2022-2023
Jacob graduated from the Social Psychology Ph.D. program in 2023. In the WITY Lab, he explored how political climate and legislation was associated with teachers' occupational health. After graduating, he began a faculty position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University-East Bay.
Undergraduate Honors Students
Anna Catherine (AC) Henley | 2021-2023
AC completed her Honors Thesis under the mentorship of Dr. Braun. Her Thesis examined the association between pre-service teachers' knowledge of ADHD, stress, and mindfulness on teachers' support of students with ADHD. After graduating, AC joined Duke University as a Clinical Research Specialist, and is preparing to begin a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program.
Erin Eickholz | 2022-2024
Erin's Thesis examined the associations between college instructors' use of snark and students learning experiences in the classroom. After graduating, Erin started a Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Southern Methodist University.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Maddie Kafer | 2023
Maddie supported the WITY Lab's social media during her time in the lab. After graduation, she moved to Chicago to start a job in marketing.
Madison Krieger | 2022-2023
In the WITY Lab, Madison worked on thematic analysis of teachers' classroom expectations after a brief mindfulness intervention. After graduating, Madison started a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Florida International University.
Claire Maurer | 2022-2023
Claire played many roles in the WITY Lab. She helped prepare for data collection on new projects, used thematic analysis to code teachers' classroom expectations after a brief mindfulness intervention, and was the WITY Lab's social media manager. After graduating, Claire was a Fulbright Scholar to Slovakia.
Caroline Wittekind | 2022-2023
In the WITY Lab, Caroline worked on thematic analysis of teachers' classroom expectations after a brief mindfulness intervention. After her involvement in the WITY Lab, Caroline began a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.