Our Team | Healthy Families Research

Patricia N. E. Roberson, PhD

Lab Director

Dr. Roberson is faculty in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee. When she is not obsessively watching romcoms or the latest period drama, she teaches graduate statistic courses and leads a team of undergraduate research students from psychology and nursing. Her research focuses on how marriages and families impact health for low-income and rural populations. Ongoing projects include the role of these close relationships on diabetes management for families in rural Appalachia and how to improve the close relationships for pain management among breast cancer patients living in Appalachia.

Holly Hawkins, Lab Manager

Holly is a junior at the University of Tennessee, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Pre-health professions. She plans to attend PA school after graduation. Holly is an active volunteer with Clinic Vols and is a member of the UTK Physicians Assistant Student Association. She is also an Undergraduate Learning Assistant in an Anatomy lab on campus. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and cheering on the Vols.

Olive Schubert, Project Manager

Olive Schubert is a University of Tennessee graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. At UTK, they focused on research in mental health and relationship dynamics while contributing to peer-reviewed publications. Since graduating, Olive has worked at the University of Utah and the University of Colorado, coordinating and conducting research, specifically in cancer clinical trials, neuropsychology, and health access studies. Before joining the lab, Olive helped with statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and research methodology in collaboration with Dr. Roberson. Outside of work, Olive enjoys rocking, climbing, and exploring the outdoors.

Laney Puhalla, Project Coordinator

Laney Puhalla is a University of Tennessee graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. During her time at UT, she stayed busy as the feature twirler for the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, First-Year Council, and Boss Dance Society—all while working as an emergency room medical scribe. Since graduating, Laney has dived deeper into research and gained hands-on experience shadowing in various departments at UTMCK. She also co-owns Studio Orange Baton and Dance in Knoxville, TN, where she shares her love of baton with the next generation. She recently applied to graduate school to pursue a master’s in pathology assistance and is excited to see where this next chapter takes her.
When she’s not teaching or in the lab, you’ll likely find Laney reading, hanging out with friends, or attempting to conquer the New York Times games.

Presley Nichols, RA

Presley is a senior at the University of Tennessee, majoring in Neuroscience with an Honors concentration. She is currently President of the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors and Editor-in-Chief of the PURSUIT Undergraduate Research Journal at UTK. Following graduation, Presley aspires to attend medical school and pursue her M.D. One fun fact about her is that she has two older sisters!

Diana Richards, RA

Diana is a fourth year student at UTK studying Psychology on a pre-med track. She is double minoring in Leadership and Pre-health. Diana is passionate about mental health awareness and takes any opportunity she can to learn about processes in the medical field. Her favorite part of human psychology is our innate curiosity that pushes us to theorize and explore answers to our questions. She hopes to put her own curiosity to use and is excited for all the possibilities that are yet to come.

Dimara Carberry-Beattie, RA

Dimara is a senior at The University of Tennessee, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Pre-Health Professions. She is currently a Registered Yoga Teacher teaching at TRECS on campus, along with other off campus studios. Her interests blend fitness, psychology, and well-being, and she hopes to continue her journey in a sports psychology master’s program after graduation.

Kendl Reagan, RA

Kendl is a senior at the University of Tennessee, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Pre-Health Professions. She is currently a part of MedLife and Sigma Phi Lambda on campus. After graduating, she aspires to attend medical school in hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Outside of school she works as an ER Tech and enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching hockey, and cheering on the Vols.

Maya Ibrahim, RA

Maya is a senior at the University of Tennessee who is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in Pre-Health Professions, and her goal is to pursue medical school after undergraduate school. On campus, she is a part of Clinic Vols, Spanish Club, and Chi Omega. Maya spends time volunteering with Remote Area Medical, Make-A-Wish, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, and the animal shelter. In her free time, she love to spend time with my friends, go on walks, and love to travel.

Aritzy Hernandez, RA

Aritzy is a junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Neuroscience. She is a student leader for Bridges International on the UTK campus. After graduation she wishes to take a gap year to join the Peace Corps before attending medical school. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, reading novels, and learning to cook new dishes.

Hibah Javed, RA

Hibah graduated with her BA in Psychology from UTK. She is currently working as the administrator for Tayseer Seminary in Knoxville while pursuing research. She hopes to further her studies in psychology, and has a particular interest in Islamic psychology. She is passionate about community work, is a volunteer medical assistant for Shifa Medical Clinic, as well as a licensed community health worker. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with family and friends.

Omar Hewezi, RA

Omar is a Sophomore at the University of Tennessee, majoring in Biomedical Engineering on the Pre-med track. He is currently involved with the Wood Mentoring program, assisting upcoming Engineering freshmen. He works at National Fitness Center (NFC) as a childcare attendant. He volunteers with Centro Hispano as an ESL tutor. He is also a part of an Intramural soccer and basketball team here at UTK. After graduation, he wishes to attend medical school. In his free time, he loves to watch sports, try new foods, and travel.

Mariah McDonald, RA

My name is Mariah McDonald and I am a Junior at the University of Tennessee. I have a major in Psychology and a minor in pre-health, with the goal of Physician Assistant school after graduation. I am a member of the UTK Pre-Physician Assistant Student Association and the Healthy Families Research Lab. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my friends, watching movies, going to the lake, snowboarding, and trying new restaurants!

Addison Riddell, RA

Addison is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee studying Neuroscience with a minor in American Sign Language. After graduation, she hopes to go to medical school and become a Pediatric Oncologist. On campus, she’s involved in Delta Gamma Sorority and the Society of Future Women in Medicine. This past summer, Addison studied abroad in Italy and can’t wait to keep traveling and discovering new places!

Kawthar Aouda, RA

Kawthar Aouda is a senior at the University of Tennessee majoring in Neuroscience with plans to apply to medical school after graduation. During her time at UT, she has been involved with Clinic Vols, volunteered with Remote Area Medical, and served as Nurse Tech Council Chair at UT Medical Center while working as a nurse technician on the vascular and transplant floor. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family.

Kaitlin Evola, RA

Kaitlin is a junior at the University of Tennessee studying Neuroscience with a minor in American Sign Language. After graduating she hopes to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a pediatric neurologist. Outside of school she works as a pharmacy technician and loves shopping, traveling, and spending time with friends!

Graduate Students

Msgana Araya, Graduate Student

Msgana is in her fifth year here at UT pursuing my masters in philosophy with a focus on bioethics. As she finishes out her last year of collegiate athletics, she is working on a masters thesis that will highlight the underrepresentation of minorities in medicine/clinical settings. Msgana is also a teaching assistant for Philosophy 101.

Patricia N. E. Roberson, PhD

Graduate Students

Lab Alumni