Our Team

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Dr. Cowan is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at Michigan State University, whose research focuses on understanding the developmental psychopathology of serious mental illness. Dr. Cowan's work incorporates current transdiagnostic, longitudinal, and narrative methods to improve assessment of psychosis experiences and improve early intervention and risk prediction. Dr. Cowan’s work has received numerous research awards including an Early Career Award from the Schizophrenia International Research Society; the Serious Mental Illness Research Award from APA Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service); and the Frederick & Alice Coles and Thomas & Nancy Coles Young Investigator Award from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

GRADUATE STUDENT

Anna is a third-year clinical science graduate student at Michigan State University. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Neuroscience & Behavior and English and an honors concentration in Creative Writing. After graduation, she worked as a CRC for 3 years on the Neurobehavioral Research Team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, studying developmental disabilities using fNIRS-EEG. She is the founder of the Our Stories Project (OSP), a memoir co-writing initiative between university students and members of Clubhouses (psychosocial rehabilitation centers for adults with serious mental illness). Through OSP, she has led, taught, and/or mentored over 120 students and community members and published two books of own-voices narratives and artwork. Anna is interested in studying mechanisms of resilience, narrative identity, self-perception, creativity, language, and functional outcomes in individuals across the schizophrenia spectrum. In her free time, she writes creatively, reads, crafts, stays active, and spends time outdoors with good company.

GRADUATE STUDENT

Kristen is a second-year clinical psychology graduate student at Michigan State University. Previously, she completed a master’s in psychology at the University of Chicago and a post-baccalaureate in psychology at Northwestern University. She has been fortunate to work with a number of labs over those years, including the Susan Goldin-Meadow Lab, Dr. Marisa Casillas' C.H.A.T.T.E.R. lab, Dr. Hollen Reischer's Narrative Lab, Dr. Dan McAdams' Study of Lives Research Group and Dr. Molly Losh’s Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Lab. Kristen is interested in the intersections of narrative identity, human development, and neurodiversity. Formerly, Kristen worked in Chicago as a theatre and film director. Studying the human experience and narrative from a multi-modal perspective is an integral part of the work she has always done. When not conducting research or working with neurodiverse children, Kristen loves to garden, cook, and travel.

LAB COORDINATOR

Kayla Tracey (she/her) graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. Kayla was a member of the Honors College, Social Science Scholars, and Women’s Leadership Institute. She completed a senior honors thesis evaluating prevalent themes in GLP-1 content on TikTok. Kayla’s research interests lie in improving identification of early risk of serious mental illness through better understanding mechanisms of psychosis. Kayla is interested in assessing how individual differences contribute to both person-centered and clinical outcomes in individuals with serious mental illness. In the WELL, she is conducting a systematic review evaluating stakeholder engagement in review papers and managing current lab projects. Kayla hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring museums, and learning Spanish.

ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

Joshua Pierce (he/him) graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Social Science Quantitative Data Analytics and Cognitive Science. Joshua is currently a second-year medical student at Michigan State University. Joshua’s research interests lie in understanding the mechanisms underlying psychotic disorders and how individual differences may influence treatment outcomes in psychiatric conditions. In the WELL, Joshua conducts diagnostic interviews and clinical assessments of symptom severity. He is also developing a protocol to analyze narrative identity in an inpatient population. Following medical school, he plans to complete a residency in psychiatry and wants to conduct clinical research as a psychiatrist. In his free time, Joshua enjoys reading philosophy, listening to podcasts, and playing soccer.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Abigail (she/her) is a senior at Michigan State University pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Human Behavior & Social Services. She is the vice president of MSU’s chapter of Psi Chi and is a member of the PSY Scholars program at MSU. Abby’s research interests center on socioeconomic disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of psychosis. In the WELL, Abby is leading a narrative identity coding team and contributing to a narrative identity systematic review. She is also working on her senior thesis, a mixed-methods study that evaluates emotional resolution of the greatest life challenges of those on the early psychosis spectrum. After completing her undergraduate degree, Abby hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. In her free time, Abby enjoys cooking, taking care of her plants, and spending time with her friends and family.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Rhys (they/them) is a senior working toward a B.S. in Zoology with a concentration in Animal Behavior & Neuroscience. Rhys is interested in comparative psychology and neurodivergence, specifically in understanding how behavior, personality, and well-being differentiate humans and other species. In the WELL, they work on multiple narrative coding projects and with undergraduate participants in a study of developmental functioning. Rhys hopes to earn a master's degree, and later a PhD, in the field of animal behavior to prepare for a career in post-secondary education, ideally teaching students and conducting research at somewhere like MSU. In their time off, they enjoy exploring the great outdoors, feeding squirrels, teaching their two cats tricks, raising jumping spiders, watching true crime, and spending time with their fiancé & friends.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sawyer (he/him) is a sophomore majoring in psychology within the Honors college. He is in the Social Science Scholars Program and a member of the MSU Crew Men's team. Sawyer is interested in person-centered research and ensuring that individuals with serious mental illness have their perspectives heard in research. In the WELL, Sawyer works on narrative coding projects. After his undergraduate studies, he would like to go to medical school in pursuit of becoming a doctor. In his free time, Sawyer likes to play the guitar and piano. He also likes to read fantasy books and watch movies.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Kayla (she/her) is a junior in the Honors College, majoring in Psychology with an additional major in Criminal Justice. Kayla is part of CAPS as a mental health ambassador and POE as a peer educator. She is particularly interested in forensic psychology, especially understanding the psychological factors that contribute to criminal behavior. She is interested in learning more about individuals with severe mental disorders and how assessment and treatment can be used within forensic and clinical settings. In the WELL, Kayla works on a narrative coding team and works with undergraduate participants in a study of developmental functioning. Kayla is interested in pursuing graduate school in a clinically oriented field, including clinical psychology or social work. Her long-term goal currently is to work in the forensic psychology field, applying psychological knowledge within legal and justice-related settings. In her free time, she likes reading, playing video games, painting, and spending time with friends.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sydney (she/her) is a junior majoring in Psychology. She is the Director of External Relationships for Sigma Kappa Panhellenic sorority. Sydney is interested in neuropsychological assessment, particularly in child and adolescent populations. She is interested in exploring how childhood home environment impacts mental health across the lifespan, and how it relates to PTSD. In the WELL, Sydney works on narrative coding projects. Sydney hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology following her undergraduate degree and ultimately aims to open her own private practice. In her free time, she loves to stay active through lifting weights, heated Pilates classes, walking outside with her dog, and cycling.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Samantha (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Peace and Justice Studies. She is a member of the Psychology Club and the Triathlon Club. Samantha is interested in understanding adolescents’ experiences with emerging symptoms and how early support can promote recovery and improve long-term emotional well-being. In the WELL, she works on narrative coding projects. Samantha hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology after her undergraduate degree. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and training with her team.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sean (he/him) is a sophomore majoring in Psychology. He recently completed a summer camp program at the University of Michigan working with neurodivergent children. Sean is interested in using quantitative methods to better understand the intersections of personality, emotion, cognition, and behavior. In the WELL, Sean works on narrative coding projects. Sean is interested in applying to medical school and ultimately becoming a psychiatrist providing evidence-based care to patients. In his free time, Sean enjoys playing the guitar, staying active, and spending times with friends and family.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Ananya (she/her) is a junior majoring in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Business. She is part of the Social Science Scholars Program and is the Secretary for Generations Connect. Ananya is interested in person-centered research examining individual experiences and differences in approaches to recovery, especially among adolescents and young adults, as well as people of color across diverse environmental contexts. In the WELL, Ananya is working on narrative coding projects. After her undergraduate studies, she hopes to gain more research and work experience prior to pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she loves to dance, read sci-fi and fantasy books, listen to music, and find new movies and tv shows to watch.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Chloe is a sophomore majoring in Psychology. She is a Wielenga Research Scholar in the Honors College and an Undergraduate Learning Assistant for ISP Natural Hazards. She recently completed an internship in the Department of Psychiatry at Hue Central Hospital, where she worked with patients with serious mental illnesses. Chloe is interested in how individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders navigate social relationships and what factors support emotional well-being across the lifespan. In the WELL, Chloe is working on narrative coding projects. After her undergraduate studies, she hopes to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology and would like to pursue a career integrating research and clinical practice. In her free time, Chloe enjoys going on a walk, grabbing a Starbucks drink, and going on solo sushi dates.