Director

Thomas Holtgraves, Ph.D.

Dr. Holtgraves’ primary research investigates the social psychological factors involved in the production and comprehension of language. Current research is focused primarily on the social, cognitive and neural processes underlying instances of miscommunication. For more information about Dr. Holtgraves you can go to Researcher of the Year.

 


Back row (left to right) – Collin Kriegbaum, Skye Allen, Emily Cronk, Dr. Holtgraves, Rishi Sarin, Rebecca Wood, Carson Brooks
Front row (left to right) – Jenna Kelly, Lex Brown, Anna Gick, Ana Julia Nogueira Mourao, Holley Hannegan

Graduate Students

Rishi Sarin, B.A.

Rishi Sarin is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological Science Master’s of Arts program at Ball State University. Rishi’s research interests include gender socialization in children and how it contributes to gender inequality. In his spare time, he likes playing video games, dancing, and cooking.

Rebecca Wood, B.A.

Rebecca Wood is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s of Arts program and the Quantitative Psychology Master’s of Science program at Ball State University. Rebecca’s research interests include learning and memory, undergraduate education, and the impact of nutrition on mood. In her spare time she enjoys reading, puzzles, and hiking.

Eshmehar Sahni, B.A.

Eshmehar Sahni is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Masters’s of Arts program and the Quantitative Psychology Master’s of Science program at Ball State University. Eshmehar’s research interests include adverse childhood experiences and how they could potentially lead to negative mental health outcomes. Eshmehar is also interested in bilingualism and language-switching. In her spare time, she likes to read and go for walks.

Lex Brown, B.S.

Lex (Alexis) Brown is a second-year graduate student in the Social Psychology Master’s of Arts program. Lex’s research interests include socioeconomic status, gender, and social dominance orientation. She loves playing with her husky puppy, Navi, reading, and creating things (crocheting, writing, etc.).

Emily Cronk, B.S.

Emily Cronk is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s of Arts Program at Ball State University. Emily worked with Dr. Holtgraves during their junior and senior undergraduate years, and as part of their work in the lab, they’ve presented studies at the Ball State 2022 and 2023 Student Symposiums and MPA 2023. Emily’s research interests include social media and mental health, but they are also interested in aspects of adolescent/adult research. In their spare time, Emily enjoys playing video games, reading comics, and making art.

Ana Julia Mourao, B.A.

Ana Julia Mourao is a first-year graduate student in the Psychological Science Master’s of Arts program at Ball State University. Ana Julia’s research interests include emotions, emotion regulation, cognition and executive functions. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with her friends, riding a bike, and watching series on Netflix.

Collin Kriegbaum, B.S.

Collin Kriegbaum is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s of Arts program at Ball State University. Collin’s research interests include adolescent peer relationships and the development of psychopathology, and parasocial interaction/relationships and how they interface with psychopathology. His hobbies include writing, playing and singing music, and woodworking.


Undergraduate Students

Carson Brooks

Carson Brooks is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Psychological Science Bachelor of Science Program at Ball State University, with minors in Counseling Psychology and Social Work. Carson works as a crisis prevention specialist for the 988 hotline and a first-year social science mentor for the University College. Carson volunteers his time in both the Communication & Experimental Pragmatics Lab led by Dr. Holtgraves, as well as the Personality and Psychopathology Lab led by Dr. Lee. In his spare time, Carson enjoys traveling in nature, doing cardio workouts, eating new foods, and reading psychology novels.

Skye Allen

Skye Allen is a third-year undergraduate student in the Psychological Science Bachelor of Science Program at Ball State University, with minors in Counseling and Psychology of human development. Skye works as a student secretary for the Department of Media. After graduation, she is interested in getting her masters in social psychology and clinical mental health counseling. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, playing with her dog, and playing video games.

Jenna Kelly

Jenna Kelly is a third-year undergraduate student in the Psychological Science Bachelor of Science Program at Ball State University, with a minor in History. Jenna works as a section editor of the Honors College Literary Magazine, The Odyssey, reviewing visual art and poetry. She volunteers at a local elementary school as a literacy buddy for a third-grade class. After graduation, she hopes to work towards getting a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and work as a mental health therapist. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, and movie nights with her friends.

Holley Hannegan

Holley Hannegan is a third-year undergraduate student in the Psychological Science Bachelor of Arts Program at Ball State University, with minors in Peace Studies/Conflict Resolution and German. Holley’s research interests include interpersonal communication/miscommunication. She also works at Muncie Children’s Museum as an exhibit educator. In her free time, Holley likes to thrift shop, crochet, and paint.

Anna Gick

Anna Gick is a second-year undergraduate student in the Psychological Science Bachelor of Science Program at Ball State University, with a minor in Studio Art. Anna’s research interests include language development and communication. In her spare time, she likes reading, spending time with friends, playing sports such as softball and bowling, and baking.