Graduate Students

Below you will find information about our current graduate students.

Kelly Clemens, M.A.

Email: Kelly.Clemens@rockets.utoledo.edu

Office: UH 6505

Kelly is a fifth-year student working with Dr. Geers. She received her M.A. in Psychology from the University of Toledo, her M.A. in Counseling from Oakland University, and her B.S. in Education from Central Michigan University. Kelly’s primary research focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can alter treatment perceptions and decision-making. She is particularly interested in placebo and nocebo effects, and how these effects can be harnessed to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes. Her work is influenced by complementary and alternative medicine, which owes much of its success to the placebo effect. She aims to empower patients to make informed decisions about their treatments while taking advantage of the integration of psychological and physiological processes. When she is not in the lab, Kelly can be found going for runs, reading books in her hammock, or exploring Toledo’s many parks with her dog, Leela.

Lizz Gallinari, M.A.

Email: Elizabeth.Gallinari@rockets.utoledo.edu

Office: UH 6511

Lizz is a fifth-year doctoral student working with Dr. Rose. She is originally from Freetown, Massachusetts. She earned her M.A. in Psychology at the University of Toledo and her B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Communication Studies at Bridgewater State University. Lizz is interested in how comparative processes, both in person and online, impact well-being, self-evaluations, and future behaviors. She also explores the relationship between cyberpsychology and mental health. Other than research, Lizz enjoys reading, hanging out with her cats, and building D.I.Y. miniature sets.

Noelle Herzog, M.A.

Email: Noelle.Herzog@rockets.utoledo.edu

Office: UH 6506

Noelle is a fourth-year doctoral student in Dr. Jason Rose’s lab. She earned her B.S. in Applied Psychology with a minor in Business, Entrepreneurship at University of Michigan-Flint. Broadly, Noelle’s program of interest is focused on integrating psychology and user experience (UX) to foreground human motivations, thoughts, and attitudes in a multi-methods approach. In particular, she is interested in examining social comparison processes, norm perception/influence, empathy, and trust with online activity. Other than research, Noelle enjoys outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, skiing) and arts/crafts (e.g., painting).

Sam Oswald, M.A.

Email: Samuel.Oswald@rockets.utoledo.edu

Office: UH 6508

Sam is a fourth-year doctoral student in Dr. Rose’s lab. He is originally from Midland, Michigan and earned a B.A. in psychology, with a secondary major in sociology and a minor in philosophy, from Saginaw Valley State University. Sam is broadly interested in social comparison processes in the digital space. Specifically, his research focuses on how upward comparisons through social media and video games might affect an individual’s performance, behaviors, and cognitions and what processes might mitigate these harmful effects. Some of his hobbies include reading fantasy or sci-fi novels, playing video games, baking, brewing, photography, and playing with his adorable cats.

Emily Jason, B.A.

Email: Emily.Jason@rockets.utoledo.edu

Office: UH 6504

Emily is a second-year doctoral student in Dr. Geers’ lab. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Toledo, with a minor in chemistry. Emily is broadly interested in branding designation and placebo/nocebo effects, and how these can alter treatment choice and perceptions. Her research aims to improve patient access to medicines. In her free time, Emily enjoys baking, bike riding, reading, and spending time with her dog, Myles. 

Michael Vang, B.A.

Email: Mvang@rockets.utoledo.edu

Office: UH 6509

Michael is a second-year graduate student working with Dr. Geers and Dr. Tan. He graduated from the University of California, Merced with his B.A. in Public Health and a minor in Psychology. He is broadly interested in treatment (i.e., medicine) side-effects, treatment-related behavior (i.e., adherence), treatment expectations, and cross-cultural research and how they relate to health-related outcomes. Michael enjoys running, going to the gym, exploring new locations, and hanging out with his friends during his free time