D. A. Briley, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, department webpage

Jaime Derringer, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, department webpage

My current research focuses on two topics: how we (scientists, the public) understand human behavior genetics; and improving the integration of gender & sexuality concepts in psychological science.

Eleanor Junkins, M.S.

Doctoral Candidate, department webpage

I study personality, social relationships, and mental health across sexual and gender diverse identities. Specifically, the research is meant to 1) reduce negative assumptions about differences of queer people, 2) build theory for interpreting differences research, and 3) generalize foundational psychological processes (e.g., personality, subjective well-being, social support) to underrepresented groups. My aims are to understand psychosocial processes across sexual and gender diverse people, to investigate developmental processes which could differ, if not quantitatively but meaningfully, across people who are sexual and gender diverse (e.g., identity), and how these processes relate to life, work, and relationship outcomes.

Elijah Greenwood

Graduate Student, department webpage

I am interested in researching gender identity development in childhood and across the lifespan, queer relationship dynamics and joy, parent-child relationships, family dynamics, and attachment.

Brooke Kadel

Graduate Student, department webpage

I am largely interested in personality and individual differences, with a focus on the relationship between gender and sexuality, exploring gender identities beyond labels, and the variability of
gender expression within and between groups. I am also interested in researching partner gender identity comparison, assortative and disassortative mating, and partner gender-perception dissonance.

Drew Kirks-Cler, M.A.

Graduate Student, department webpage

My mixed-methods research pursuits largely center the healthcare experiences and relationship dynamics of LGBTQ+ individuals. I aim to unite psychological and sociological ways of thinking to paint a clearer picture of queer physical and mental health, as well as to consider potential interventions for some of the socio-structural disparities impacting LGBTQ+ populations today.

Briana Kunstman

Graduate Student, department webpage

I am primarily interested in BDSM and Kink spaces and understanding the motivating factors for those who are a part of the community. Furthermore, I aim to de-pathologize and eliminate biases surrounding BDSM and Kink practices and dynamics.

Gloria Sunderland

Graduate Student, department webpage

I’m interested in researching personality, attachment, relationships, and gender and sexuality. With a previous interest in relationships and substance use research, I look forward to continuing to explore personality psychology.

Allison Woosley

Graduate Student, department webpage

I’m interested in research on how queerness and gender influence people’s life experiences and developmental outcomes. I’m also interested in how individual differences influence people’s attitudes towards gender diversity.

Viki Xu

Graduate Student, department webpage

My research interest falls on Gender, Social Groups, and Individual Differences in behavior and psychology (e.g., personality, anxiety, risk-taking, etc.) within each group. I am also broadly interested in the feminist topic, not only including women and men but also gender minority groups. More recently, I will focus on how neighborhood poverty would exert its effort on children’s risk-taking, and the possible moderation effect of gender and SES (Social Economic Status).

Dhuha Wasfie

Undergraduate Honors Student

My current research interests are focused on the Queer Arab American experience. More specifically I want to understand the intersections between being queer and Arab in Western society and how this shapes perceptions of belonging. In the future, I hope to expand upon this to include measures of religion and gender.