My name is Dr. Nicki Aubuchon-Endsley. An interesting fact about me is that my name contains all of the letters of the alphabet, A-E-I-O-U-and sometimes Y! I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since then, I embarked on an educational journey which took me all the way from the Rocky Mountain Region to New England. I received my B.S. from the University of Denver in Cognitive Neuroscience and my M.S. and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in Clinical Psychology (Behavioral Medicine and Quantitative Methods). I completed an APA-accredited predoctoral residency in Clinical Psychology at the VAMC in Durham, NC while collaborating on research with faculty at Duke University. I then completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship sponsored by the National Institutes of Health at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and The Miriam Hospital.
My interdisciplinary research program broadly includes examination of pre- and postnatal maternal stress-related disorders and health indicators/behaviors that program offspring neurobehavioral and cardiometabolic risk. I am particularly interested in interactions between maternal perinatal depression and obesity/nutrition and the association of these risk factors with infant outcomes. My research also seeks to understand biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying these relations, with a current emphasis on the roles of stress hormones and parenting in underserved and socioeconomically-diverse samples.
My clinical and teaching interests broadly include assessment (cognitive, behavioral, and personality) and provision of behavioral health interventions. I am also interested in quantitative methods and training in Clinical Psychology. During my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family as well as enjoying the wide-open spaces in Oklahoma.
Graduate Students
Ava Hanson
Ava is a fourth-year graduate student who received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Spanish, and Latin American Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College. During her first two years at Gustavus, she was a member of the Center for Developmental Sciences (CDS) research lab. During her last two years, she was a research assistant in a lab that studied trauma and sexual assault (HolmLab). Additionally, during her last year at Gustavus, she received the psychology department’s social justice award for the work she did examining barriers to health care faced by the Latiné population at a local behavioral health clinic. This project helped to inform her passion for studying health disparities.
Alex Gillham Edens
Alex is a third-year graduate student who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Oklahoma State University. She worked throughout her undergraduate degree as a research assistant in the Child Behavior Research Lab with Dr. Maureen Sullivan and the Child Adaptation Maternal Psychopathology Lab with Dr. Lucia Ciciolla. After graduating, she worked as a research assistant at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR). Eventually, she was promoted to Research Specialist in charge of training within LIBR’s NIH-funded Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, the largest long-term longitudinal study examining brain development and child health in the United States. Her primary interest is in maternal psychopathology, specifically Postpartum Depression (PPD), within AI/AN populations and its effects on their child’s emotional development.
Jasmin Kurien
Jasmin is a third-year graduate student who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oklahoma. During her undergraduate degree, she worked as a research assistant in the Human Learning and Memory Lab. After graduating, she worked as a research technician and research project coordinator at the Health Promotion Research Center. Her primary interest is in the relationship between maternal perinatal depression and anxiety on development in infants.
Madison Bissa
Madi is a first-year graduate student who received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from The University of Oklahoma with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. While at OU, Madi worked as a research assistant in the PEANUTs Lab with Dr. Charlie Rioux, was president of the student organization OUr Mental Health, presented on various research projects, and received the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (UReCA) Fellowship. In ties with this fellowship, she completed her Honors Thesis under the advisement of Dr. Rioux titled “The moderation of the association between parental divorce and adolescent externalizing behaviors and substance use: A systematic review.” Much of this research informed her broad research/clinical interests, including the study of moderation and mediation, developmental psychopathology, substance use, LGBTQ+ experiences, familial conflict, and trauma. Since being at TU, these interests have broadened to include perinatal mental health and underserved and marginalized communities. When not in the lab, Madi is likely enjoying the outdoors, reading, or talking with friends.
Macy Keener
Hello! My name is Macy Keener, and I am a first-year graduate student pursuing my master’s at TU. I graduated from Oklahoma State University with my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, minoring in both pre-counseling and neuroscience. During my time at OSU, I was a research assistant for Dr. Juliana French’s EROS Lab and Dr. Jennifer Byrd-Craven’s Psychobiology lab. I was also the VP for the Psi Chi Chapter and outreach chair for the Active Mind’s Non-Profit Chapter. Over time, my broad passion for mental health education and resources has led me to the goal of supporting women through critical moments, such as pregnancy and post-partum. My primary interests are maternal wellness and the intersectionality of biological and social development! I want to use my interests and experience to provide care for both mothers and infants. Outside of my studies I love browsing antique stores, reading theological books, and spending time with my dog.
Undergraduate Students
Ann Dao
Hello! I was born in Vietnam and raised in Tulsa, OK. I study Anthropology and Biology at the University of Tulsa. After undergrad, I plan to enter the healthcare field. I have a particular interest in rehabilitation medicine and pediatrics. Outside of my academics, I am Co-President for MEDx and External Vice President for the Vietnamese Student Association. I am dedicated to serving my community and am a regular volunteer at Saint Francis and Miller Hospice. I love badminton, Pilates, and reading. In my free time, I indulge in a book and a good cup of coffee!
Merari Avelar
I am from Whittier, California and I am going into my final year at TU. I am majoring in pre-med biology with a minor in neuroscience. I plan on attending medical school and becoming a neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases. My dream as a physician is to serve marginalized communities and undocumented immigrants to help fix the health disparities seen in the United States. Outside of class, I work as a Medical Lab Tech and regularly volunteer as an adult literacy tutor at my local library. In my free time, I am usually spending time with my dog or crocheting a new project!
Lauren McCully
I’m from Dallas, TX. I’m a sophomore at the University of Tulsa, majoring in Psychology with minors in Anthropology and Biology. I am looking to gain research experience in order to go to graduate school, and I wanted to work in this lab because women’s health is something I’m very passionate about. I hope to be able to bring more awareness to women’s health through research and to eventually work towards my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. I am a Kappa Delta on TU’s campus, and when I’m not working in the lab, I can be found working at Summer Moon Coffee, spending time with friends, or trying to crochet!
Kadee Jo Ransom
I am an upcoming Senior at the University of Tulsa studying to gain my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduation, I am hoping to attend graduate school for my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and eventually earn my Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) certifications. I joined the lab to further study developmental psychology and its application for attachment-based counseling services. When I am not in the research lab, I stay active in the TU community by participating as Chi Omega’s Vice President, Best Buddies event director, Psi Chi Treasurer, Peer Mentor, and Student Government Association President.
Amila Pieris
I am a sophomore at The University of Tulsa pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry on the pre-med track. Pediatrics has long intrigued me, but I’ve recently begun to explore ideas about local health inequity and support for family units beyond the individual child. I am super excited to work with a lab that considers the mother and child’s health together! After graduation, I plan to attend a medical school and further investigate where I want to work in healthcare. Outside of my studies, I am regularly involved in RUF Tulsa, True Blue Neighbors’ Youth Scholars Program, and the Oxley Dean’s Student Advisory Council. I love writing journals, calling family, and baking extremely old bananas into somewhat-dubious (but delicious!) banana bread to enjoy with friends.
Jenna Chan
I am from Oklahoma City and going into my junior year at TU. I’m a biology major and hope to attend medical school with the hopes of going into pediatrics, specifically neonatology. Outside of research, I am a Tri Delta, president of the Asian American Student Organization, University Ambassador, Peer Mentor and Vice President of Scholarship for the Panhellenic Council. In my free time, I love to explore cafes and read a good mystery on my Kindle!
