Previous Undergraduate Research Assistants
Jenn Demiter, M.S., TLMHC
Jenn, a former research assistant, is a current therapist specializing in helping individuals and couples navigate relationships, trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-growth. Using a Psychodynamic and Trauma-based approach, Jenn integrates ACT, IFS, mindfulness, and EMDR to promote healing and change. Jenn earned a B.S. in Psychology and Criminology from Iowa State in 2018 and a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Drake University. With experience in both community mental health and private practice, they take a compassionate, collaborative approach, empowering clients to explore their experiences and reach their goals.
Taryn Guthrie
Taryn, a former research assistant, is a senior at Iowa State. She is from West Des Moines, IA, majoring in Psychology and minoring in criminal justice and sociology. Some of her favorite hobbies include coaching tennis, spending time with friends, and playing with her dog at home. Taryn’s future goal is to attend graduate school and become a counseling psychologist. Her current research interests are looking at addiction and how all different kinds (drugs, gambling, sex) affect different people.
Kathryn Lang, M.S., Doctoral Intern
Kathryn, a former research assistant, is a master-level clinician pursuing her doctoral degree as an intern at Vail Health Behavioral Health. Kathryn earned their undergraduate degree in psychology from Iowa State and a master’s in clinical psychology from Western Carolina University. A generalist clinician, Kathryn specializes in sports and performance psychology and provides emotion-focused couples therapy. Grounded in cognitive behavioral and acceptance-based approaches, she takes a collaborative, biopsychosocial perspective in her work with clients aged 13 and older. In her free time, she enjoys preparing for RAGBRAI, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Ollie.
Tessa Logan, M.S.
Tessa, a former research assistant, earned a B.S. in psychology with a minor in statistics in 2020 at Iowa State University before completing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at California State University, Fullerton, in 2024. They gained clinical experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Phoenix House – Lake View Terrace, providing community-based mental health counseling to children and adolescents.
Charlotte E. Moser, PhD
Charlotte, a former research assistant, is a current social psychologist researching how privileged identities can be leveraged to promote social justice. Charlotte earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Iowa State before completing a PhD at the University of Kansas. Now a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Colorado Boulder, they work with Dr. Tiffany Ito and Dr. Eva Pietri. They enjoy reading, hiking, and spending time with their partner and two cats in their free time.
Kristin Porstmann
Kristin, a former research assistant, is a current graduate student pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at the University of Northern Iowa. With a background in psychology and a minor in child, adult, and family services, they aim to become a licensed professional counselor in Iowa. Passionate about making a difference, Kristin hopes to work in a non-profit or private practice setting to support individuals on their mental health journey.
Teri Schnelle, M.A.
Teri, a former research assistant, is the Director of Projects and Partnerships in the Division of Student Life at the University of Iowa. In this role, they lead strategic projects, oversee the Office of Assessment, Improvement, and Research, and foster connections between the DSL and academic programs. Teri also serves as the Project Director for the Office on Violence Against Women Campus Program Grant. They earned a B.S. from Iowa State University and an M.A. from the University of Iowa and grew up on a farm near Laurel, Iowa.
Nicole Trout
Nicole is a former research assistant. She is currently in pursuit of a clinical mental health masters degree. Nicole majored in psychology and minored in HDFS. Nicole’s research interests include working with older adults specifically with grief/loss and life satisfaction. Her current projects include producing two manuscripts. She hopes to continue to work on research as well as working with clients once entering the professional realm.
Meagen Wistrom
Meagen, a former research assistant, is currently earning her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. She graduated from Iowa State with a major in Psychology and a minor in HDFS. Meagen currently works full-time at WEAP as a managing technician. She is from Kronenwetter, WI Within the lab, Meagen was interested to see how lack of sleep can affect an individual with a mental health diagnosis. Meagen enjoys reading romance books in her free time and going to concerts with her friends and family.
Kaitlynne Bizoukas
Kaitlynne, a former research assistant, is currently pursuing her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Clemson University. She is currently completing her practicum at the VA. Her future goals include becoming a counselor specializing in the care of the Veteran population. During her time at Iowa State, she majored in Psychology and minored in Leadership Studies. Her hobbies include baking, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends. Her current research interests include the effect of sleep deprivation on mental health, PTSD in veterans, CBT-I, and biological components contributing to the development of PTSD.