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 2012 academic year, Dr. Taylor is interested in admitting a student with interests in substance use disorders and other forms of externalizing problems (e.g., antisocial behavior, borderline personality). 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 Wampler

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, and my dissertation investigates whether this finding extends to a sample in a secure correctional facility. 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 primarily interested in the co-occurring relationship between borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders. Specifically, I am interested in examining the environmental and cognitive factors that underlie this diagnostic co-presentation. Currently, I am conducting a dissertation that examines the role of rumination and how it contributes to this co-occurrence.

Amy Mikolajewski

My research interests include the psychophysiological, hormonal, and genetic correlates of Cluster B personality disorders and other externalizing 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.

Jesse Chavarria

My research interests include substance use and abuse and self-regulation. Specifically, I want to understand how self-regulation and impulsivity impact an individual's capacity to use or not use a substance, and the role they play in relapsing for those who are in recovery. Additionally, I would like to investigate if certain levels of self-control and/or impulsivity act as protective or risk factors for developing problems with substance use and addiction.

Former Graduate Students

Leonardo Bobadilla, Ph.D
Lisa M. James, Ph.D.
Mark D. Reeves, Ph.D.
Reed H. Steele, M.A.