VIP Graduate Students
Samantha Holdren, PhD
Samantha recently graduated from the clinical psychology program at Sam Houston State University after completing her doctoral internship at Oregon State Hospital. She will be completing a postdoctoral residency at Northwest Forensic Institute, performing various types of forensic evaluations in a group private practice setting over the next year while working towards licensure. Her research interests include examining the utility and validity of testing instruments used during forensic evaluations, such as Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) evaluations, psychosexual evaluations, competency evaluations, risk assessments, and mental state at the time of offense evaluations. She has also developed an interest in personality psychopathology, particularly pathological narcissism and psychopathy, especially as they relate to violent behaviors against others and the self.
Annette Addo-Yobo, M.A.
Annette graduated in August 2022 from the Clinical Psychology Master’s program at Sam Houston State University. During her tenure here, she was the Diversity Liaison for the American Psychology-Law Society Student Committee, a member of the Graduate Student Psychology Organization (GSPO), and a founding member of Black Graduate Student Organization (BGSO) on campus. In addition to being a research assistant in the VIP lab, she was also a research assistant in the weTHRIVE lab. She was also a Graduate Teaching Assistant for various classes, including Developmental Psychology, Psychology and the Law, and Close Relationships. After graduation, she will continue her career in research as a Psychological Associate at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX and will apply for admission into doctoral programs in the fall.
Rachel Dugan, M.A.
Rachel Dugan graduated from the Clinical Psychology Master’s Program. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and modern languages (double major) with a minor in criminal justice from Stephen F. Austin State University. Her primary research interests involve the impact of trauma on the development of psychopathological outcomes, gender studies, and the effects of sexual and domestic violence. She loves scary movies and hiking, and she loves to cook.
Kayla Spenard, M.A.
Kayla is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology: Criminal Justice and a minor in Social Science Research Design from Reinhardt University, as well as her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University. Her research interests include recognizing and preventing child sexual abuse, forensic assessment in correctional facilities, the stigma of mental health in the legal system, and jury perceptions of violent offenders. In her spare time, she loves to play video games, bake, and practice yoga.
Alexus Uhl, M.A.
Alexus Uhl graduated from the Clinical Psychology master’s program. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Political Science from Sam Houston State University in Spring 2020. Her primary research interests include the effects of mental health on adolescents and young adults, along with looking at how demographic factors can influence the mental health of individuals (i.e., race, gender, socioeconomic status). Alexus spends her free time watching YouTube videos and reading for fun.
Alison Concannon, M.A.
Ali (she/her) is a third-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program. She graduated with her B.A. in psychology from Creighton University and her M.A. in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Her research interests include personality pathology, psychopathy, sexual offending, evaluation of risk assessment measures, and psychometrics. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and making homemade pasta.
Sarah Barksdale, M.A.
Sarah is a sixth-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at Sam Houston State University. Her primary research interests include trauma, resilience, and psychopathology. She is currently examining positive psychology protective factors and intimate partner violence outcomes in heterosexual and LGBTQ young adults. In her spare time, she likes to hike, road trip, and add to her indoor plant collection.
Caitlin Lefebvre, M.A.
Caitlin is a fifth-year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. Her research interests primarily revolve around the study of childhood maltreatment, including risk and resilience factors associated with experiencing childhood maltreatment, public perceptions and misconceptions about childhood maltreatment, and the impact of training on professionals’ knowledge and reporting of suspected child abuse. She is also interested in jury decision-making, juvenile offending, and personality psychopathology, particularly psychopathy. Caitlin enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and watching The Office and Schitt’s Creek.
Shayon Tayebi, B.S.
Shayon is a third-year graduate student in the clinical psychology program. He graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Louisiana State University. His research interests include anxiety, depression, substance use, racism and its impact on health behaviors, and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of school and the lab, Shayon’s favorite hobbies include watching sports, working out, playing video games, and getting obsessed with new shows and movies.