The Research Assistant Team
Lead by Dr. Martinque Jones, BWell Lab's current research team consists of both counseling psychology doctoral students and undergraduate students at the University of North Texas. Graduate Research Assistants
Melissa Briones, M.A
Dominque Doty, M.S.
Cassandre Jean-Ceide, B.A.
Gabriella Gaskin-Cole, M.S., M.S.
Quanisha Whittfield, M.A.
Melissa Briones is a 5th year in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at UT-Rio Grande Valley and her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University. She is currently working on research projects centering on the discrimination graduate students of color experience in their academic settings and the impact of marianismo on the association between discrimination and psychological distress among Latina women.
Gabriella "Gabby" Gaskin-Cole is a 6th year student in the Counseling Psychology doctoral program. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research interests center around the messages Black women receive from their mothers related to strength and strong Black womanhood. Additionally, she is interested in the connection between the internalization of strength messages and the impact it has on Black women's platonic and romantic relationships. Her clinical interests include working with children and adolescents in the foster care system, individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment and trauma, and historically marginalized individuals.
Amber Williams, M.S.
Amber Williams is a 3rd year in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. Amber earned her Masters of Science from University of North Texas. Her research interests center on barriers to diversity in psychology doctoral programs. She is also interested in conducting research that prioritizes Black women and improves the quality of care in clinical settings. Amber’s personal values of womanism, social justice, and advocacy informs her professional goals.
Dionne R. Regis, M.A., Ed.M.
Dionne R. Regis is a first year in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in French and African American Studies from University of Virginia and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology: School Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests broadly look at how identity-based discrimination in everyday settings and in media have negative impacts on the self-esteem of women in the Afro-Diaspora andl leads to increased risk of anxiety and depression for women within the Afro-Diaspora. Dionne is also interested in relational support systems..
Dominique Doty is a 6th year student in the Counseling Psychology, Ph.D. program. She earned her Bachelor's degree at UC Davis. She is currently investigating the relationship between gendered racism and psychological distress among Black women, and how gendered racial identity impacts that relationship. Her overarching clinical interests include trauma populations, especially veterans.
Cassandre Jean-Ceide is a 3rd year in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Her research interests broadly center on the experiences of Black women. Currently, she is conducting research on how strong Black women's experiences may be impacted by systems of power such as sexism, racism, and colorism.
Quanisha Whittfield is a 2nd year in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D program. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Baylor University and her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sam Houston State University. Her research interests broadly center the holistic wellness of Black women and culturally relevant intervention development using yoga and meditation to address mental and physical impacts of gendered racism.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Natalia Barrera
Asia Watkins
Lani Ahmed
Madison Fox
Faith Ayaji
Natalia Barrera is a 3rd year student double majoring in Psychology and Integrative Studies with a focus on Women and Gender Studies, Counseling, and Social Work. Her research interests consist of understanding the mental health disparities that exist within Latinx communities, specifically for queer Latines, along with identifying gender roles that permeate the culture. She is involved in a couple of student organizations such as Psi Chi and the Psychology Student Association. Natalia enjoys camping with friends and watching movies with my cat Lucy in my free time. She plans to go to graduate school after completing undergrad, to receive a PhD in counseling psychology.
Asia Watkins is a dedicated junior pursuing her academic journey in the field of Psychology with a keen interest in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. She is an active member of the Institutional Climate Lab and the Colorism Lab, where she contributes her insights and passion for understanding societal dynamics and human behavior. When not immersed in her studies and research, Asia finds solace in watching critically acclaimed films, exploring the depths of cinematic art, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through her love for Pilates and cycling. With her unique blend of academic pursuits and leisure activities, Asia is driven to make a positive impact in the world of psychology and beyond.
Faith Ajayi (Eliza Donner, Philippine Keseberg) is pursuing her BA in Theatre and BS in Psychology. She is a member of the UNT Honor Society and has worked in several scenes and plays in her classes. At UNT Theatre’s scene night, she played in both Mourning Becomes Elektra as Christine and Player in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. This is her first time in a UNT production and after graduation she hopes to pursue a dual degree, a double master’s degree in both Theatre and Psychology with the hopes of becoming an actress and opening up a studio and practice for young actors and actresses of color.
Lani Ahmed is currently a senior double majoring in Psychology and History at the University of North Texas. She works as Director of Internal and Campus Outreach at the Student Government Association. Also, she is a part of the Distinguished Lecture Series Committee and works to bring famous individuals on campus. Lani belongs to a team of peer mentors who help guide freshman and transfer students at the Orientation and Transition Programs. She joined the McNair team at the beginning of 2022 to pursue her research on the link between one’s ethnic background and their mental health. Lani plans on getting a master’s degree in counseling and eventually a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in social psychology and envisions being a clinical psychologist in the future.
Madison Fox is currently a 3rd year undergraduate student in the UNT Honors College program, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Addiction Studies. She plans on eventually earning her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology so that she can focus on researching multiracial children and adolescents’ identity development and the impact of multicultural upbringing on mental health and self-perception. She is very passionate about minimizing mental health disparities for minorities, and perfecting addiction treatment for underrepresented communities as well. On top of being an Honors College student and undergrad research assistant, Madison is also a member and officer in UNT’s chapter of Psi Chi, the international honors society for psychology students, and a student worker on campus. When she has free time, Madison enjoys working out, watching scary movies, listening to music, making art, and being around her friends and family.
Gummer Zackaria
Gummer is a 1st year in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of North Texas. Her research interests include the intersectionality of race and gender, intergenerational trauma in the Black populations, and ACEs. She enjoys going on walks and spending time with her loved ones.