Kirsten Christensen, MA
Kirsten (she/her) is a 5th year graduate student in TRTL. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in psychology and statistics from Florida State University in 2018, and previously worked as a research coordinator at McLean Hospital. Her research interests include suicide risk assessment and interventions for acute risk (e.g., inpatient hospitalization). She enjoys hiking, board games, and exploring cities. 





Amanda Bianco, MA
Amanda (she/her) is a 4th year graduate student in TRTL. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University in 2019 and with her master’s degree, also in psychology, from Stony Brook University in 2020. She is interested in studying the suicidal process and identifying potential functions of suicidal behavior to inform future interventions for high-risk clinical populations. In her free time, Amanda enjoys staying active by hiking, or engaging in outdoor activities, and traveling to new places. 


Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hoelscher, MA
Lizzie is a 3rd year graduate student in TRTL. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2020 with a bachelor's in psychology and sociology. Before attending TTU, she worked as a research assistant at Butler Hospital/Brown University in the Psychosocial Research Program. Her research interests are focused on identifying dynamic and intraindividual affective and psychosocial risk factors for suicide and self-harm using EMA. She is also interested in risk and resilience factors for suicide and self-harm in populations at elevated risk (i.e., individuals leaving psychiatric inpatient care, LGBTQ+ individuals). In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, puzzles, and exploring the outdoors with her dog, Roo.


Stacey Demirelli, MA
Stacey (she/her) is a second-year graduate student in TRTL. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology with three minors in business, German, and chemistry (2015) at The College of Idaho and her master’s degree in psychology (2017) from Stephen F. Austin State University. Stacey’s research interests focus on mechanisms that influence risk, resiliency, and treatment of populations at high-risk for suicide and non-suicidal self-injury in individuals whose work involves frequent trauma exposure (e.g., veterans, first responders, etc.). Outside the lab, she enjoys stand-up paddle boarding, reading, and gaming. 


Swanaya Gurjar, MA
Swanaya (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in the TRTL. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, journalism, and women’s studies from Bengaluru City University (2021) and a master’s degree in psychology from Cleveland State University (2024). Her research interests lie in understanding when, for whom, and how emotion regulation deficits confer an increased risk for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, specifically among LGBTQ+ individuals. Outside of work, Swanaya enjoys traveling, reading, and playing card and board games.




Current Undergraduate Researchers: Emilie Nelius, Viviana Rodriguez, Nicole Martinez Castro, Sierra Miller, Kaila Dietel
 

Viviana (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student in TRTL. She is planning to graduate with

her bachelor's degree in psychology while double minoring in Addictive Disorders and Recovery

Studies and Forensic Science here at Texas Tech University. While she is not entirely sure, yet,

what her research interests are, she hopes to pursue a career in forensic psychology and work with

those involved in the justice system. In her free time, she enjoys skateboarding, reading, and

watching TV shows.

Kaila (she/her) is an undergraduate research assistant in TRTL. She is currently studying to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human development and family sciences. She is interested in studying emotion regulation strategies and suicide risk factors, specifically within the adolescent LGBTQ+ population. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and family, and playing games.