Current Graduate Students
IRIS FRAUDE MCMILLAN (she/her)
Iris is a doctoral candidate in the clinical concentration of the Health Psychology PhD Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Previously, she completed her undergraduate and graduate level training in Psychology at the Alpen-Adria University in Klagenfurt (Austria). Her research focuses on the use of quantitative methods to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in dating violence research as well as dating violence prevention efforts. Specific research and clinical interests include dating violence within the LGBTQIA+ community as well as the promotion of relational and gender health, particularly during developmental transitions. Her career goal is to work as a pediatric psychologist in an academic medical center where she can maintain active involvement in equitable whole-person care, research, education, and advocacy. Currently, Iris is completing her predoctoral APA-accredited internship at Duke University School of Medicine - Child Pediatrics Track and working on her dissertation titled "Project TDVx3 – A three-article dissertation using measurement invariance testing, differential item functioning, and integrated data analysis to advance dating violence research on sexual minority youth". In her free time, Iris enjoys going to workout and cycling classes, listening to investigative journalism podcasts, and binge-watching the newest TV shows.
BRIDGET JULES
Bridget is a fourth-year doctoral student in the clinical program. She graduated summa cum laude from Binghamton University in 2020 with a BA in Psychology and Spanish Language and Literature. Bridget is passionate about work related to building healthy romantic relationships, servicing victims of interpersonal violence, and understanding perpetrator risk factors. Bridget was previously placed at the UNC Charlotte Counseling Center and is currently placed at Atrium Health - Elizabeth Family Medicine/Biddle Point Family Practice. Bridget is interested in working with couples, and LGBTQIA+ populations. In the future, Bridget would like to work in an academic health center where she can pursue both research and clinical work. In her free time, Bridget likes to hike, spend time with her friends, and binge the newest crime series.
ALEXA SOTIROFF
Alexa is a fourth-year student in the Clinical Health Psychology program. Alexa is originally from Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for her B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests lie at the intersection between clinical psychology and forensic psychology, specifically in perpetrators of violent behavior. She currently is placed at the VA. In the future, she hopes to have a career that is grounded in research.
DANIEL DICKIE
Daniel is a third-year doctoral student in the clinical program. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2015 with a BS in Psychology and from Pepperdine University in 2019 with an MA in Psychology. His primary research interests are risk factors of relationship violence, consent, suicide proneness, risk-taking behavior, and substance use and expectancies. He is currently placed at Kintegra Health. In his free time, Daniel enjoys staying active, traveling, and visiting local coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in academia as a professor.
CHLOE WOODLING
Chloe is a second-year doctoral student in the clinical program. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Redlands in 2019 with a B.A. in psychology. She continued her education at Ball State University where she completed an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and an M.S. in Quantitative Psychology. Her research interests broadly include disparities in healthcare, trauma-informed care, and institutional betrayal. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs, hiking, kayaking, going to coffee shops, and watching a good Netflix show.
GRACE SCHROEDER
Grace is a first-year doctoral student in the clinical program. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte summa cum laude with a B.S. in psychology. Her research interests broadly include intimate partner violence, ACEs, and sexual violence. In the future, Grace wants to work in academia as a professor. In her free time, she loves to spend time traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and her dogs.
LILLIAN CAI
Lillian is a first-year student in the UNCC clinical program. She graduated from VCU magna cum laude in 2023 with a BA in psychology as a Presidential Scholar. Her research interests include healthcare, chronic illness impact on mental health, caregiver - client relationships, and institutional betrayal effects on health outcomes in various populations, particularly underserved groups. When she has the time, she likes to play tabletop RPGs, read, write, or watch the occasional nature documentary.
Affiliate Lab Members
PEDRAM RASTEGAR
Pedram is a fourth-year student in the Clinical Psychology Program. Pedram is from Alabama and attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham for his B.S. in Psychology. His research interests include how individuals respond to trauma as well as mental health and trauma experiences among Middle Eastern Muslim Americans. In his spare time, Pedram loves playing basketball, hiking, or watching Netflix.