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Meet the Team

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Lab Coordinator and Research Fellow

Ywomie Mota, B.S.

I graduated with a degree in Psychology and concentration in Forensics. My research interests include interrogations, jury decision-making, and eyewitness testimony. I recently completed a research fellowship investigating the influence of eyewitness AI-generated facial composites of suspects on recognition performance. I plan to pursue my graduate studies in forensic psychology

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Lab Coordinator and Research Fellow

Morgan Stum, B.S., B.A.

I recently graduated and majored in Psychology, with a Forensics concentration, and Language and Intercultural Studies. I have a minor in French and a Cultural Heritage Studies certificate. My research fellowship project examined how AI LLMs affect eyewitness identification procedures. In my master's program, I plan to study art crime and perceptions of art. 

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Research Fellow

Frankie Cullen

I'm a Psychology major with a concentration in Forensics. I’m passionate about understanding human behavior, particularly the factors that influence criminal actions. I am currently completing my research fellowship project on how legal officials view the reliability and utility of AI to aid with eyewitness suspect descriptions. My ultimate career goal is to work for the FBI. 

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Research Fellow

Grace Kohls

I am a Psychology major. I am currently completing a research fellowship project focusing on whether the time delay between eyewitness recall, using AI-generative facial composite systems, and recognition influences identification performance. I plan to further my education keeping an open mind with interests in mental health, forensics, and social psychology.

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Research Assistant

Kayla Janssen

I am a Psychology major with a concentration in Forensics. I also have my seal of biliteracy in Spanish. My research interests include criminal profiling, eyewitness testimony, and substance abuse. I plan to continue my studies and develop my research interests in a forensic psychology graduate program. My goal is to become a criminal analyst.

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Research Assistant

Hannah Saluga

I am majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Forensics. My academic and research interests center on the intersection of psychology and the legal system, particularly in areas such as criminal profiling and investigative practices. After undergrad, I plan to pursue graduate school in related psychology or criminology fields.

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Research Assistant

Za'Mya Thompson

I am a senior and will be graduating with my Bachelor's in Psychology with a concentration in Forensics. I have always had a passion for understanding the "why" and why people do what they do. I plan to go to graduate school for clinical psychology. My ultimate goal is to become a forensic psychologist. 

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Research Assistant

Gabriella Pereira

I am a psychology major with a concentration in Forensics. I have my seal of biliteracy in Portuguese and Spanish. My academic interests include criminal profiling and public perceptions of crime descriptions, I plan to pursue a masters in forensic psychology. My ultimate career goal is to join the FBI and aid with investigations.

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Lab Director

Melissa Baker, Ph.D.

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Coastal Carolina University. My primary research interests include eyewitness memory, perceptions of police use of force, and research and quantitative methodologies used in in forensic psychological research. I teach Research Methods, Social Psychology, and Psychology and the Law.​

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Postdogtoral Fellow

Digby

My main role in the lab is providing support for lab personnel. I have learned 12 tricks and am working on more. I am currently pursuing a Good Boy certification. When I am not in the middle of this important work, I like to play ball, frolic in the ocean surf, get my belly rubbed, nap, and squeak toys during movies and phone calls.

Alumni

Norah Sullivan (2026), Ryan Wolyniec (2026), Avery Blinco (2026), Morgan Stum (2026), Ywomie "Ywo" Mota (2026), Za'Mya Thompson (2026), Lauren Leatherman (2026), Samantha "Sammo" Oliver (2025), Kali Goldman (2024), Samantha "Sammi" Leo (2024), Kylie Bruccoleri (2024), Makayla West (2023), Noah Pruett (2023), Tracey Butler (2023), Alex Fusee (2023), Megan Smith (2022), Chandler Flynt (2022), Nicholas "Ralphy" Gardner (2022), Kayce Ebenkamp (2022), Monica Hines (2022), Miranda Reed (2022), Victoria Bratcher (2022), Dawson Young (2022), Alaina Caswell (2022), Adeline Hornsby (2022), Marguerite "Maggie" Reisch (2022), Abigail "Abi" Kemper (2022), Morgan Todd (2022), Skylar Bixby (2022), Meygan Oliver (2022), Grace Ray (2022), Gabbrielle "Gabbie" Gilbert (2022), Loren Pedroli (2022), Madeline DeJesus (2022), Bruce Kane (2022), Sydney Garrison (2021), Piper Scanell (2021), Kathleen "Katie" Gorsky (2021), Braiden Abbott (2021), Rachel Greis (2021), Kristen Starr (2020), Tori Hampton (2020), Sarah Price (2020), Eliza Geis (2020), Chloe Banaszak (2020), Austin Smith (2020), Carlecia "Carli" Gambrell (2020), Austin McClain (2020), Alexandria "Alley" McDaniel (2020), Sydnie Young (2020)

©2026 by PLEA Lab.

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