Lab Personnel

Melissa A. Baker, Ph.D.

Office: Gary Ransdell Hall 3026
Phone: 270-745-2199
Email: melissa.baker@wku.edu

My name is Mel Baker. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Western Kentucky University. My research interests include several lines of inquiry that apply both social and cognitive theory and experimentation to legal contexts. I teach courses in Social Psychology and Psychology and Law.

Kayce Ebenkamp

Co-Lab Manager

I am a junior majoring in Social Work and Psychology. I would specifically like to work with children as my primary population of study. I like studying how topics such as past experiences influence the attitudes of children as they develop. After college, I am interested in working with either the Department of Child Services or within an adoption and fostering agency. I am from a small town in Southern Indiana. I ultimately plan to get certified in Indiana for my future career, but Bowling Green does feel like a second home to me.

Alaina Caswell

Co-Lab Manager

I am a junior at WKU pursuing a major in forensic psychology and a minor in criminology. My research interests include eyewitness testimony and the effects of crime on victims. After graduation, I plan on attending graduate school and earning a master's degree in criminal justice. Eventually, I want to be a victim's advocate for the FBI.

Ralphy Gardner

Research Assistant

I’m a junior at WKU majoring in Criminology and Forensic Psychology with a minor in Arabic Language. My interest in Criminology and Psychology is focused around the mind of criminals and how they think and act. I plan on pursuing a career in federal law enforcement.

Morgan Todd

Research Assistant

I am a junior majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology and Arabic. I also have a minor in Criminology. I am interested in jury-decision making, criminal profiling, and eyewitness testimony. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school and eventually work for the FBI.

Dawson Young

Research Assistant

I am a senior psychology major at WKU and plan to graduate with degrees in both psychology and biology. I am particularly interested in working with individuals who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses and would like to earn my doctorate in clinical psychology post-graduation. Research wise, I am interested in a variety of topics, including the roles psychology plays in police-civilian interaction, metacognition, and the mental health of students.

Chandler Flynt

Research Assistant

I am a senior at WKU, double majoring in Criminology and Psychology. My research interests include actions of police officers, children affected by the legal system, and jury-decision making. After graduation, I plan to attend Law School and further my interests in family law.

Maggie Reisch

Research Assistant

I am a junior at WKU, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health. My main interests include learning how to treat mental illnesses in children and adolescents. Specifically those who have experienced traumatic events. Once I graduate in the spring of 2023 my goal is to attend graduate school and eventually obtain my doctorate in clinical psychology to become a licensed therapist.

Abi Kemper

Research Assistant

Hi my name is Abi Kemper, I am a sophomore at WKU. I am majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychyology. I want to use my degree to either be a rape victim's advocate or for the FBI. I am also minoring in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health. In addition to working in the lab I am also involved in the Phi Mu sorority on campus.

Victoria Bractcher

Research Assistant

I am a sophomore at WKU and am currently double majoring in Forensic Psychology and Political Science. I have a great interest in the American prison systems, psychological impact of incarceration, and re-entry programs for felons. I plan to go on to pursue a masters degree in forensic psychology and work closely with America’s prison systems in the future.

Monica Hines

Research Assistant

I am a senior at WKU majoring in forensic psychology with a minor in business administration. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to become a clinical psychologist. I want to be a play therapist to help young children who have experienced trauma. My career dream is to have my own therapy center for children and teens up to 18 years old.

Adeline Hornsby

Research Assistant

I am a junior at WKU majoring in psychology with a minor in criminology. After I graduate I plan to obtain a masters degree in clinical psychology and become a licensed psychologist. I hope to help those who have suffered traumatic events specifically veterans who have returned to civilian life. My interest also include how the criminal justice system effects those who have been a part of it and how to better the system as a whole.

Meygan Oliver

Research Assistant

Hi I'm Meygan Oliver. I am a senior Psychology student at WKU minoring in Social Work. I am interested in the development of college students emotionally and academically and how related issues affect their development (i.e. perfectionism, anxiety, other mental health issues). After graduation I plan to go to graduate school and obtain a master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education to become an academic advisor.

Skylar Bixby

Research Assistant

I am a sophomore at Western studying psychology with a concentration of forensics and criminology. After college I plan on going to law school to pursue a law career.

Bruce Kane

Research Assistant

Hi I’m Bruce Kane. I’m a junior at WKU majoring in Psychology. After I graduate, I plan to obtain my master’s degree in clinical psychology and become a licensed psychologist. I hope to be able to help fellow veterans who suffer from mental illness or have been exposed to traumatic events that have happened before, during or after their service to our country.

Madeline DeJesus

Research Assistant

I am a senior at WKU majoring in Psychology with a minor in Theatre. After graduation, I plan on pursuing opportunities in the behavioral science research field. I also plan on going to graduate school for social work.

Miranda Reed

Research Assistant

Hi, I’m Miranda Reed. I am a senior at WKU and will be graduating in August with a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health and a concentration in Forensic Psychology. I am interested in how individuals deal with stress, victim advocacy, and the effects of mental illnesses. After graduation, I plan to earn a master’s in Teaching for Elementary Education.

Grace Ray

Research Assistant

I am a junior double majoring in criminology and psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology.  I am very interested in the criminal mind, and the influence of trauma on criminal behavior. After I graduate in the spring of 2023, I plan to attend graduate school and eventually obtain a doctoral degree to become a Forensic Psychologist.  I would love to be involved in assessment and consultation of criminals in the field of the forensic psychology.

Loren Pedroli

Research Assistant

My name is Loren, and I am a junior majoring in Forensic Psychology with minors in Criminology and Clinical and Community Behavioral Health. I am from Saint Louis, and I plan on pursuing a career in clinical psychology.

Digby

Digby is the PLEA Lab's mascot. Digby's role in the lab is to lick and provide support for all lab personnel. In his free time, Digby likes to play fetch, wear bows, chase crickets, and listen to classical music.