Dr. Laura Reid Marks, Lab Director

Dr. Marks is an Assistant Professor in the APA-accredited Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology doctoral program. She is originally from Kingston, Jamaica. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, as well as her Master of Arts in Education and Education Specialist in School Counseling from the University of Florida. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University after completing her pre-doctoral internship at Arizona State University Counseling Services. She spent four years as an Assistant Professor in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Memphis before beginning her position at Florida State University.

Noel Magwood

Noel is a first-year doctoral student in the Combined School and Counseling Psychology program at Florida State University. She is a member of the G.R.O.W.T.H. research lab where she examines microaggressions, and her other research interests include suicidality and perfectionism. Noel hails from Miami, Florida, and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Oral Roberts University. She received her Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Florida State University. During her master’s program, Noel facilitated equine therapy, dance therapy, CBT, and spirituality sessions with women and children with eating disorders. She currently works as a mental health therapist with adolescents in the school setting. At her leisure, Noel enjoys hosting her weekly book club, watching Netflix, dancing, and spending time with her fiancé, family, and Shih Tzu.

Nicholas Reese

Nicholas is a first-year doctor student in the Combined School and Counseling Psychology program at Florida State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Xavier University of Louisiana and master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. He is a member of the G.R.O.W.T.H. research lab where he examines racial microaggressions, career development, mindfulness, and anxiety. His general research interest includes exploring mental health outcome disparities disproportionately affecting African American Males. During his leisure time, Nick enjoys engaging in physical fitness, meditation, chess, and spending time with loved ones.

Monina Reyes

Monina is a first-year MS/EdS student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Florida State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida. Her research and clinical interests include minority stressors, intersectionality of identity, and equitable access to healthcare. It is her hope to continue her education by pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology. She currently serves as the Vice President of Chi Sigma Iota and as a graduate student representative on the College of Education’s Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In her free time, she loves to hike, play tennis, spend time with her friends, and listen to music (especially Taylor Swift!)

Lyds Sherman

Lyds is completing their first year in the Combined School and Counseling Psychology doctoral program at Florida State University. They received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University. Previously, Lyds worked as a Graduate Research Assistant for Urban Child Study Center assessing children using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and Woodcock-Johnson IV to address the educational needs of inner-city children. Additionally, Lyds was a Graduate Assistant for Georgia State’s counseling center providing mental health presentations and group counseling services to students. They completed their master’s internship at Highland Institute working with people who committed sex offenses. Currently, Lyds is working as a Graduate Research Assistant focusing on discrimination and microaggressions within individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or hold intersectional identities. Lyds is focusing their research on individuals who identify as Transgender and oppression. In their free time, Lyds enjoys bike rides, painting, watching TV, and playing with their cats.

Witney Talabert

Witney is a first-year master's student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Florida State University. She is a member of the G.R.O.W.T.H. research lab where she does research to understand racial microaggressions and their influence on mental health and health behaviors. Her other research interests include intimate partner violence, health disparities, and microaggressions. Witney is from North Miami, Florida, and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Health Education with a minor in Health Disparities in Society from the University of Florida. After undergrad, Witney worked as a Peer Specialist at UF Health Psychiatric Hospital where she had the opportunity to help people struggling with mental health issues by providing practical real-world support in coping with life’s day-to-day demands through teaching, modeling, and coaching approaches to rehabilitation. In her free time, Witney enjoys watching TV, spending time with friends, staying active, and traveling

Edwin Tang

Edwin is a first-year doctoral student in the combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program at Florida State University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Master of Counseling at Arizona State University. His research interests include depression, suicide prevention, stigma of mental health help seeking, interpersonal relationships, and mental health of Asian Americans. 

Khyati Verma

Khyati is a first-year doctoral student in the combined Counseling and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Delhi and master's degrees in Clinical Psychology from Amity University, India and Developmental Psychology from Illinois State University. She has worked as a Research Assistant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Her research interests include exploring consequences of racial microaggression, role of bystander intervention in microaggression, risks and effects of imposter syndrome in minority adolescents, and impact of school environment in racial identity and resilience development. Outside school, she enjoys watching Netflix, painting, and trying out new recipes.