Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Tackett

Dr. Tackett completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology with minors in statistics, behavior genetics, and personality at the University of Minnesota. She is a graduate of the Texas Academy of Math and Science and of Texas A&M University. Prior to coming to UH, she completed her clinical internship at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and was a tenured member of the faculty at the University of Toronto. Her research is grounded in an interest of the many personality characteristics that exist early in life and their influence on behavioral development. When she isn’t working, she enjoys exploring Houston restaurants and museums, camping and hiking across the American South and Southwest, and soaking up the hot Texas sun. She also enjoys spending time (some of which is during the day) with her son, Jarrett, whose temperament indicates that he is a happy baby (high Positive Emotionality) who is, historically, not that interested in sleeping (high Activity).

Graduate Research Assistant

Kathrin Herzhoff, M.A.

Kat is a doctoral student in clinical psychology under the supervision of Dr. Tackett. Her primary research interest lies in the development of a personality construct called Openness-to-Experience and its effect on behavioral competencies and problems in childhood and adolescence. Kat’s secondary research interest lies in assessment issues regarding personality and behavioral problems in childhood. She joined the Tackett Lab as an undergraduate RA in Toronto in January 2008 and currently helps manage our lab in Houston. When Kat is not working, she enjoys exploring the world--most recently Texas--with "deals of the days" by going on horseback, helicopter, or roller-coaster rides with her friends and family

Kathleen Reardon

I am a graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 with a B.S. in psychology. After graduation, I worked as a research assistant for the Pitt Parents and Children Laboratory. My interests include studying the development of antisocial behaviors and severe conduct problems from a developmental psychopathology perspective. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my dog Tilly, and cooking or trying new restaurants!

Avante Smack

I am a graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program under the supervision of Dr. Tackett. I graduated from Spelman College in 2011with a B.A. in Psychology. After graduation, I worked at Covenant Community Inc. a residential life stabilization program in Atlanta, Georgia. My interests include understanding how culture influences the development of psychopathology in internalizing and externalizing disorders. When I am not working, I enjoy listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and cooking.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Deneisi Berrios

I was born and raised in Houston, TX. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Houston in where I will major in psychology and minor in Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS). I am an active member of Psi chi, the International Honor Society in psychology, and also apart of the girls soccer club team at UH. My hobbies include, going to the gym, shopping, drawing, spending time with my family, and taking my dogs for long walks. I am looking forward to working in Dr. Tackett's lab in the fall of 2012, where I'm given the opportunity to learn about children's personality and their influence on their behavior. I am excited to take part in the research of personality and psychopathology topics this lab has to offer.

Lizandra Gonzalez

Currently I am an undergraduate student at the University of Houston, majoring in a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Human Resources Management (HRM). I have always been interested in the field of psychology that deals with children. This field has always interested me because I have a family member, who was diagnosed with a developmental disorder. Although he was diagnosed with this disorder he is very smart when it comes to technology, which has always caught my attention. I hope to learn more about this field and believe Dr. Tackett’s lab will help me to understand children more in depth. On my free time I try to spend it with my family and go out with them, as well as read an interesting book, and do outdoors activities.

Shayleen Haas

I was born in Georgia, but raised in San Antonio, TX. I have 2 step sisters and a younger brother all of which who still live in San Antonio. I graduated early at 17 and began college the next semester at Northeast Lakeview College in San Antonio. At 18, I decided I needed a change and abruptly moved to Houston. I transferred to Houston Community College to finish my basics. Afterwards, I transferred to the University of Houston to begin studying psychology. Currently, I am in my senior year, and anticipate graduation in December of 2012. I have a 3.8 GPA, am a member of Phi Beta Phi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Psi Chi. Upon graduation, I hope to continue my studies at the University of Houston in the PhD Counseling Psychology program. I hope to one day be a counselor in treatment and drug programs for adolescents and children. I hope to specialize in adolescent depression and addiction. My hobbies include reading, horseback riding, and relaxing!

Najwa Mata

Najwa is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Houston. She has always been interested in human behavior and cognitive development. Her interest in psychology grew when she volunteered as a counselor in the Houston Area Women's Center for the Spanish speaking community. Najwa is interested in neuroscience, clinical psychology, and industrial organizational psychology. For now, she is excited to work with Dr. Tackett's lab where she has the opportunity to learn about children's personality in a longitudinal study. In her spare time, Najwa enjoys going to drink coffee with her sister, dancing, going to museums, including the Jung Center, reading, and of course spending time with family and friends.

Ashley Meachen

I graduated from the University of Houston in May 2012 with a bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in political science. I intend to pursue a career in the forensic psychology setting. My specific interests in forensic psychology, at this time, are still too broad for me to decide exactly what specific area I would like to study or work in. My hope is that working in this lab could help me to narrow my interests by deciding exactly which population I would like to work with in regards to children or adults. When I have spare time, I enjoy spending time with family, doing something that spikes my adrenaline, and being outdoors.

Haina Modi

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Houston working on a major in psychology and a double minor in biology and dance. I am interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology, and although I cannot yet confirm the concentration I wish to undertake, psychopathology and neuropsychology appeal to me more so than any other subject.  I am looking forward to working in Dr. Tackett's lab, where I have the opportunity to learn more about the differing dimensions of childhood personality and its relation to behavior. My pastimes include reading, dancing, rock climbing, and relaxing with friends

Darcey Philipp

I am a senior at the University of Houston working on my second bachelor's degree. I have a B.A. in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and I'm currently working on a B.S. in psychology. My interest in this particular field stemmed from being a guardian ad litem at Child Advocates, Inc. for abused and neglected children that have been placed into CPS care. Understanding the development of psychopathology (especially personality disorders) is paramount for being able to predict and ultimately change maladaptive behavior. I am also interested in forensic psychology - when psychopathology manifests into criminal behavior. I look forward to expanding my skill set, making new friends and applying these experiences to a clinical Ph.D. program. In my spare time, I like to volunteer, read, watch sports, exercise and hang out with my Golden Retriever.

Karen Springer

Karen Springer completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Management at the University of Houston in May 2012, and plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Karen has been actively involved as a Research Assistant in the Developmental Psychopathology Lab and joined Dr. Tackett's Personality Across Development Lab in May 2012. She is also an active member of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology, and enjoys volunteering in community service projects, festivals, and walks in Houston. Karen's research interests include etiology and treatments of depression, substance-related disorders, and schizophrenia, and wishes to work adolescents in the future.

Summer Interns

Roger Sun 

Roger is a recent graduate from the Texas Academy of Math and Science Class of 2012 (same school as Dr. Tackett). Starting this fall, he will be attending the Bauer Honors College at the University of Houston majoring in Finance; he is also a soon decided second business major. Roger is interested in the medical field and starting research with Dr. Tackett may help him to get more motivated in pursuing medicine.