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Principal Investigator

Sky

Tiffany Brown, PhD (she/her)

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I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Auburn University and Co-Director of the Auburn Eating Disorders Clinic (AEDC).  Prior to coming to Auburn, I was an Assistant Project Scientist and licensed clinical psychologist at the UCSD Eating Disorders Program. My program of research focuses on developing and evaluating interventions for appearance-based and eating disorders in populations, or within constructs, that have been traditionally overlooked. My current research projects focus on developing prevention programs and treatments to reduce eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia risk for LGBTQ+ and male populations, understanding factors related to treatment outcome across gender and sexual identity, the effectiveness of DBT for eating disorders, and how interoception and gastric specific anxiety sensitivity can be targeted in eating disorder treatment (e.g., interoceptive exposure). 

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Graduate Students

Kristin Denmark, BA (she/her)

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Kristin is an incoming first-year clinical psychology graduate student in the ACCEPT Lab. She recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Auburn University in 2022. Her research interests include examining both pathological and nonpathological disordered eating in men and sexual minority populations. In addition, her research seeks to identify sociocultural risk and maintenance factors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating. She hopes to aid in developing prevention and treatment methods for those underrepresented within eating disorder literature. 

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Marley Billman Miller (she/her)

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Marley is a rising first-year clinical psychology student in the ACCEPT and REDS labs at Auburn. She received her BS in psychology from Penn State in 2020 and then served as the Clinical Research Coordinator for the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine for three years. Marley is interested in exploring individual differences in the development and maintenance of disordered eating and how intersectionality may impact response to treatment. Long term, she hopes to use data-driven approaches to individualize and improve eating disorder treatment. 

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Eli Gebhardt, BS (he/him)

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Eli is currently a second-year graduate student in the ACCEPT Lab and is a Presidential Graduate Research Fellow at Auburn. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with his bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017. Eli is interested in investigating how body image concerns, minority stressors, and attention bias influences emotional distress and the development of anxiety and stress-related disorders among LGBTQ+ individuals. Long-term, Eli aims to adapt extant treatments, using the most up-to-date technology, so that treatment accessibility can be improved for LGBTQ+ individuals.

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Graduate Student Affiliates

Dominic Denning, BA (he/him)

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Dom is a second-year graduate student in the clinical science program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His current program of research focuses on the course, phenomenology, assessment, and intervention for self-damaging behaviors (e.g., suicide, nonsuicidal self-injury, disordered eating) in understudied populations (male, sexual, and gender minority). Specifically, he is interested in the interpersonal-emotional processes that interact with stigma, minority stressors, and unreliable social safety to confer risk for self-damaging thoughts and behaviors. Using sophisticated methodology and intensive longitudinal methods, Dom aims to understand how self-damaging thoughts and behaviors manifest and remit over time, with the hopes of identifying targets for treatment and prevention.

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Maurício Almeida, MS (he/him)

Maurício Almeida is a PhD student and holds a Master's degree in Physical Activity and Health from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil). He has a background in Physical Education, Pedagogy, and Sociology. His area of interest includes cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis of measurement instruments for different populations and sociocultural groups. He is also involved in the development, adaptation, and implementation of interventions to prevent eating disorders, muscle dysmorphia, and related constructs. Currently, he is a member of the Interprofessional Center for Studies and Research on Body Image and Eating Disorders (NICTA/CNPq/Brazil), the AMBULIM Research and Teaching Center (NUPE/FMUSP/Brazil), and the AppearanCe Concerns, Eating, Prevention, & Treatment (ACCEPT) Lab (USA).

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Taylor Perry, MA (she/her)

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Taylor is a current 4th year clinical psychology PhD student at SUNY Albany under the mentorship of Dr. Drew Anderson. Dr. Brown was Taylor’s mentor when Taylor was a post-bacc at UC San Diego Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research and she assisted Dr. Brown in research surrounding treatment outcomes, and interoceptive awareness for eating disorders. Currently Taylor serves as a clinical assessor for the More than Muscles Body Project for Dr. Brown. Taylor’s personal research interest are in the overlap between anxiety and eating disorders as well as treatment outcomes and development research for eating disorders.

Will Grunewald, MA (he/him)

Will is a fourth-year clinical Psychology PhD student at Auburn University working under Dr. April Smith. His research interests include identifying shared risk/maintenance factors for male disordered eating/suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with a particular emphasis on muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Several risk factors he is interested in include conformity to masculine norms, interoceptive dysfunction, sexual minority stressors, and internalized stigma. Originally from San Diego, Will graduated with his B.S. in Social Psychology from the UC San Diego in 2018. He later earned his Master's degree in Psychology from San Diego State University in 2020.

Jordan Alvarez, MA (he/him) 

Jordan is a graduate of Auburn University's Counseling Psychology Masters program. After being enrolled in the Counseling Psychology PhD program he decided to explore alternative paths and is now doing community outreach at an eating disorder treatment center in Atlanta, GA. Jordan continues to do research with the ACCEPT lab and is interested in body image and eating disorders in LGBTQ individuals, especially at the intersection of diverse racial identities. Jordan hopes to continue to do research while also continuing to do outreach and help individuals find the care that is best for them. 

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Research Staff

Jorge Castro Lebrón, BS (he/him)

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Jorge is the Project Coordinator for the Body Project: More than Muscles. He graduated from Auburn University in May 2022 with his BS in Neuroscience. He aims to continue his education and obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In his research, he hopes to explore how sociocultural factors may affect mental health, clinical diagnoses, and treatment. He is especially interested in race-related anxiety, stress, and trauma. He is also interested in how identity development for LGBTQ+ individuals may impact mood, anxiety, and self esteem.

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Research Assistants

Rylee Lusich (she/her)

I am a sophomore Psychology major at Auburn University with a minor in Counseling. I plan on attending graduate school to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and I am interested in working with children and adolescents. I am interested in understanding how certain disorders, such as an eating disorder, affect people and how to assist those affected. In my free time I enjoy being active, spending time outside, and reading a good mystery novel.

Miriam Stark (she/her)

I am Miriam Stark, an upcoming senior at Auburn University pursuing a degree in Psychology. Mental health is very important in my life, and I believe needs to be discussed more to keep tearing down the stigma. I am an advocate for accessible mental health resources for all communities, and very excited to start in the lab to promote body acceptance.

Seba Bakoyema (he/him)

I am a junior at Auburn University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. My main focus is studying mental health, and I aim to be a mental health counselor. I am very excited to work with this lab and learn more about promoting positive images in not only men but all people.

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Nicholas Johnson (he/him)

 I am currently a Sophomore at Auburn University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. I plan on attending graduate school to get my PhD in Clinical Psychology. For the longest time it has been a dream of mine to be a therapist. Because of this, I am interested in mental illnesses and treatment for them. In my free time I love to watch T.V, read, play video games and hangout with my friends. I am very excited and fortunate to be a part of this lab!

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Minh Le (he/him)

Hey everyone! My name is Minh Le, and I am a Junior pursuing my B.A. in Psychology. After attaining my undergraduate degree from Auburn University, I plan to pursue a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in mental health disorders. Through my education, I want to advocate for people in marginalized communities and provide resources and support for underrepresented families. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with others, traveling, and cooking.

Becca Hill (she/her)

Hi, my name is Becca! I’m currently a junior at Auburn University. I’m majoring in psychology and minoring in counseling. After obtaining my undergrad, I plan on going to grad school for clinical or counseling psychology. Eventually, I’d like to pursue a PhD or PsyD. I’d love to work with victims of abuse and intimate partner violence. I would also like to specialize in the treatment of eating disorders and other mental health disorders. I enjoy reading, writing, and hiking in my free time!

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Jordyn Beverly (she/her)

My name is Jordyn Beverly, and I am currently a senior at Auburn University and I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in counseling. I plan to attend graduate school to get a master's degree in genetic counseling. In my free time, I love to read, listen to music, and spend time with my family.

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Yamairi Valdez (she/her)

Hi. My name is Yamairi Valdez, and I am a current junior here at Auburn. My major is neuroscience. I am also a mental health associate at EAMC. After I graduate, I hope to either attend grad school for clinical psych, or attend PA school to eventually become a psych PA.

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Reese Hanson (she/her)

Hi! My name is Reese Hanson, and I am a junior at Auburn University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Counseling and Italian Studies. After I graduate, I hope to continue my education by pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am very interested in mental health and would love to become a licensed therapist one day! In my free time I volunteer with the Rape Counselors of East Alabama and I love spending time with others, reading, and watching Auburn football!!

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Past Members

Auburn University

Nikkiye Dzambazi (2021-2022)

Will Kirby (2022)

Alex Behr (2022-2023)

Lindsey Simpler (2022-2023)

Erin Cleary (2023)

Sera Williams (2022

Luke Alexander (2021-2023)

Kaelin Marshall (2022-2023)

Hannah Sullivan (2023)

Sophie Henegar (2023)

Isaiah Bohn (2023)

University of California San Diego

Cesar Rodriguez-Correa (2020-2022)

Carl Hermes Castillo (2020-2022)

Kevin Lin (2020-2022)

Majd Jarjour (2020-2022)

Matthew Jervis (2020-2022)

Nathalie Marquez-Larrondo (2020-2022)

Vicky Nguyen (2020-2022)

Reema Temor (2020-2021)

Sabrina Chen (2020-2022)

Veronica Ho (2020-2022)

Darryl Contrano (2021)

Amy Kung (2021-2022)

Christine Wang (2021-2022)

Emma Thomsen (2020-2021)

Jack Daly (2021-2022)

Nelson Kang (2021-2022)

Angie Yogaratnam (2021-2022)

Thomas Bowers (2021-2022)

Varsha Matthew (2021-2022)

Zachary Boender (2021-2022)

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