Graduate Students

Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Students interested in graduate work with Dr. Taylor are encouraged to explore this site for information on the kinds of research being conducted in her lab. For the 2010 academic year, Dr. Taylor is particularly interested in admitting a student with primary or fundamental interests in substance use disorders. Interested students can get more information about the Clinical program at FSU and about application procedures through the following links:

 FSU's Psychology Department Website

Graduate  Student Online Application

Current Graduate Students

Megan O’Leary

My research is focused on the neurobiological functioning associated with psychopathy, namely cortisol, the end-product of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. My research thus far linking hypo-reactive HPA axis to psychopathic traits has been conducted in college samples, but my dissertation will be conducted in a secure correctional facility, where I will study psychopathy as it is clinically defined. Additionally, I am interested in how HPA axis functioning could convey biological risk for psychopathology and related phenotypes in both the internalizing and externalizing spectrum.

Scott Pizzarello

I am mainly interested in borderline personality disorder. Specifically, I am interested in the emotional dysregulation and affective instability that is inherent in those with this illness. What are the underlying mechanisms of these processes? What are its mitigating/exacerbating factors? Lastly, how do these processes differ in those with BPD and with those who have other personality (and co-occurring) disorders?

Amy Mikolajewski

My research interests include the psychophysiological, hormonal, and genetic correlates of Cluster B personality disorders. Further, I am interested in their relationship to psychopathy, impulsivity, aggression, and criminal behavior. I am also interested in the affective processes that underlie these disorders. I am currently working on a project to examine emotional processing in individuals exhibiting symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder.

Former Graduate Students

Leonardo Bobadilla, Ph.D

Lisa M. James, Ph.D.

Mark D. Reeves, Ph.D.

Reed H. Steele, M.A.