Graduate Students

Kaetlyn Cordingley, M.Ed., M.A. 
Doctoral Student

Katie is a fourth-year doctoral student in the University of Montana Experimental Psychology program. She currently serves as Assistant Dean and Director of Career Development, Community Partnerships, and Scholarships at the Davidson Honors College. Katie earned an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Washington, an M.Ed. from Harvard University in Education Policy and Management, and an M.A. in Developmental Psychology from University of Montana. Prior to moving back to her home state of Montana, she worked as a policy advisor in the United States Senate and as a government relations associate and consultant for universities and scientific research associations.

Katie's research focuses on identity development in emerging adulthood, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' identity development and political identity. More broadly, she is interested in the developmental significance of college for emerging adults, seeking to answer the question of why higher education is important, developmentally, in creating well-rounded individuals and what initiates and fosters this developmental transformation. 

Tom Macko
Doctoral Student

Tom is a third-year doctoral student in the Experimental Psychology program at the University of Montana. He received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Akron in 2018 and spent the intervening years working in Applied Behavior Analysis, delivering therapeutic services to children who have been diagnosed, typically, with Autism Spectrum Disorder through evidence-based practices. With respect to research, Tom is interested in understanding how children interface with humanoid artificial intelligence and the implications that relationship might have on moral development. Down the road, his aim is to remain in academia to continue the pursuit of his research interests while concurrently sharing his passion for psychological theories and phenomena with other like-minded individuals.

In his free time, Tom enjoys seeking out new adventures through either a book or the woods. Being a native Ohioan, he is taking advantage of his time in Montana as an excellent opportunity to do the latter.

Sarah Sweezy, M.A.
Doctoral Student

Sarah is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Experimental Psychology program at the University of Montana studying developmental psychology. She obtained a B.S. in Psychology from Tennessee Technological University in the fall of 2019 and an M.A. in Psychology from UM in 2023. Her research examines children’s interactions with embodied or personified technologies and explores how children attribute internal states or perceive technologies, such as robots, to be alive. Sarah's long-term career goals consist of remaining in academia as a researcher or teacher.

Sarah enjoys being outside with her dog, drinking coffee, reading books, and crocheting.

Staff

Lydia Owings
Living Lab Manager

Lydia is a first-year graduate student in the Counselor Education Masters program at University of Montana. She completed her BA  in Psychology from UM in 2022.

Lydia grew up in Missoula and loves the beautiful mountains. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, drink tea and coffee, and play games with friends.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Alexys Anderson

Majors: Psychology and Sociology (Criminology)

Year: Junior 

Alexys is passionate about working with children and expanding research within the field of behavioral development; therefore, following her undergraduate studies, Alexys plans to continue her education through the School Psychology PhD program. After grad school, she plans to pursue a career in developmental behavioral pediatrics in either a clinical or counseling setting. 

Alexys is originally from Illinois. Her personal hobbies and interests include reading, writing, volunteering, DIY art projects, and brain puzzles. Upon moving to MT in 2016, she has cultivated a deep appreciation for the outdoors and exploring new places with friends. She is also an advocate for mindfulness-based practices. In her career, Alexys hopes to effectively integrate evidence-based research with such exercises to improve clients' social-emotional well-being.  

Kennedi Bouchee

Major: Psychology
Minor: Biology
Year: Junior

Julia Brink

Majors: Cognitive Neuroscience and Relational Communication Studies

Minor: Psychology

Year: Sophomore

Academically, Julia is very interested in the ways and behaviors that surround relational communication. Neuroscience and Communication Studies compliment each other well as she builds an understanding of interpersonal communication. Julia is interested in pursuing a career in Interpersonal Neurobiology or Clinical Psychology. Although there are many different career options, she does know that in the future she would love to work closely with trauma victims and individuals with PTSD. 

Growing up in the foothills of Colorado, Julia grew a deep appreciation for nature, so outside of the classroom she spends a lot of time outside, backpacking, camping, or just walking. She is a big puzzle gal and aspiring coffee conisseur. But her true joy is hanging out with her dog whether that’s outside or while completing a 1,000 piece puzzle. 

Seely Garrett

Majors: Psychology and Dance (Pre-Dance Therapy)
Year: Senior

Seely will be graduating in the spring of 2024 with hopes of continuing her education in School Psychology and Pre-Dance Therapy in graduate school. She first became interested in both of her majors after helping teach an adaptive dance class in high school. The class focused on movement and fun for people of all physical and cognitive abilities.

Seely is from Helena, MT, and enjoys all that Montana outdoors has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, swimming, floating, dancing, going to Griz games, camping, skiing, and wake surfing.

Noah Paulson

Major: Psychology
Year: Junior

Noah is studying Psychology and plans to attend grad school to get a Master of Social Work after wrapping up his undergraduate studies. He is from Billings, Montana, and loves to get out in the beautiful Montana backcountry and backpack in his free time. Noah also likes to read, bake/cook, and hang out in Missoula with his friends. 

Kylin Spangler

Major: Psychology
Year: Junior

Kylin plans to obtain a graduate degree in clinical psychology, to become a counselor or clinical psychologist. Kylin is also a second-year resident assistant at UM, a responsibility that includes planning activities around campus and within the residence halls for residents and staff alike. 

She loves reading and writing fiction, and dancing! Her interest in dance stemmed from ballet as a child and have continued and expanded in college. She has been involved in New Visions Dance for the past three semesters, where community members of all abilities are invited to dance with the student dancers. This experience has been a highlight for Kylin! 

Lab Alumni

Graduate Student Alumni

Shailee Woodard, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Keene State College

Phoebe Bean, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate, Clinical Psychology

Cali Caughie, Ph.D., Neuropsychology Fellow

Jessica Hudson, SSP

Lee Curran, M.S., Computer Science

Undergraduate Student Alumni