Who is WITY?
Principal Investigator
![Summer Braun](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/braun-headshot-2022-nov-2.jpg?1698890542)
Summer Braun, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology | Center for Youth Development and Intervention
Email: ssbraun@ua.edu
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.
Zachary Schornick is a first 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 |
Avery Westbrooks is a first year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program. She completed her undergrad 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.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/eickholz-erin.jpg?1674513942)
Erin Eickholz is a junior Psychology major from Paducah, KY. Her interests include interpersonal relationships between children and caregivers, and ADHD in children. In her free time, Erin likes to hang out with her friends, listen to music, and travel.
What she wanted to be when she grew up: A professional ballerina
Undergraduate Research Assistants
![Anna Catherine Henley](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/snyder-matthew.jpg?1664808636)
Matthew Snyder is a sophomore from Goshen, Indiana majoring in psychology and neuroscience. He loves playing any sort of game, rock climbing, music, and cooking food with his girlfriend!
Fun fact: He once owned 12 cats (5 adults and 7 kittens).
Haley Tew is majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Asian Studies. She plans to go to graduate school to get a master’s in Counselor Education: Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She wants to help students have a better education experience. In her free time, she likes to write and relax with her cat named Gus. Fun Fact: Haley plans to teach English abroad in South Korea after she finishes college. |
WITY Lab Alumni
Graduate Students
![Anna Catherine Henley](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/miranda-jacob-2.jpg?1669649858)
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 Henley](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/henley-ac-2_2.jpeg)
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.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/kafer-maddie.jpg?1705684761)
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.
![Anna Catherine Henley](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/editor/kreiger-ac.jpeg?1662999803)
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.
![Anna Catherine Henley](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/editor/maurer-claire.jpg?1663001629)
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.
![Anna Catherine Henley](/uploads/1/3/9/4/139460516/published/img-9872.jpg?1674514026)
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.