Industrial/Organizational Psychology Students
Katelyn Reeves
Year: 5th Year Ph.D. Student
Research Interests
AI, training and teaching practices, risk perceptions, sleep, and workplace safety.
Education
B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Business, California State University, Fresno (2022)
M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 蜜桃APP (2025)
Background
Katelyn Reeves is a 5th-year student in the Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Ph.D. Program at 蜜桃APP. Her research focuses on understanding how factors such as AI,
training methods, risk perceptions, sleep, and workplace safety influence employee
and organizational outcomes.
Outside the Lab
Enjoys walking in nature, gaming, watching shows, and crocheting.
Sydney Roux
Year: 5th-Year Ph.D. Student
Research Interests
Leadership, trust, intersectionality, and improving employee experiences.
Education
B.S. in Psychology and Organizational Communication Studies, University of North Carolina
at Charlotte
Background
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Sydney is a graduate student in the IDEAL
Lab. Her work is inspired by real-world organizational challenges, and she hopes to
apply her research and professional skills to improve workplace experiences for employees.
Outside the Lab
Enjoys working out, playing video games, and spending time with friends.
Niloufar Dodangeh
Year: 3rd-Year Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Dr. Zhang
Research Interests
Personnel selection, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic decision-making in hiring.
Education
B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, University of Virginia
Master of Commerce, Concentration in Marketing and Management, University of Virginia
Background
Nilou is an Industrial-Organizational Psychology doctoral student whose research focuses
on personnel selection, particularly the use of AI and algorithms in hiring decisions.
Kelsea Williams
Year: 2nd-Year Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Dr. Cobb
Research Interests
Work-family dynamics, occupational health, employee well-being, overwork, irregular
work schedules, work-family conflict, and organizational practices that support sustainable
work experiences.
Education
B.A. in Psychology, North Carolina State University (2025)
Background
At North Carolina State University, Kelsea conducted field research in agricultural
settings and contributed to the Law and Development Lab. Her research focuses on workers
in high-demand occupations, particularly blue-collar and healthcare settings.
Outside the Lab
Enjoys playing golf, participating in her church community, and spending time with
her pet, Gizmo.
Samantha Kaczmarek
Year: 2nd-Year Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Dr. Burke
Research Interests
Workplace technology, hiring procedures, criminal justice professions, and fair and
effective selection practices.
Education
B.A. in Psychology, Criminology, and Sociology, North Central College
Background
Samantha is a graduate student in the IDEAL Lab. Her research examines the role of
technology in the workplace and ways to improve hiring processes to support fairness,
effectiveness, and organizational well-being, particularly in criminal justice settings.
Outside the Lab
Enjoys collecting vinyl records, crocheting, and watching Formula 1 races.
Mekhi Batiste
Year: 1st-Year Ph.D. Student
Research Interests
Psychological contracts, remote, hybrid, and traditional work arrangements, employee
engagement, turnover intentions, and advancement opportunities for underrepresented
populations.
Education
B.A. in Psychology, Concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Southeastern
Louisiana University
Minor in Communication, Southeastern Louisiana University
Background
Originally from Lacombe, Louisiana, Mekhi is a graduate student in the IDEAL Lab.
His research explores how psychological contracts intersect with different work arrangements
and influence employee engagement and turnover intentions.
Outside the Lab
Enjoys spending time with friends, creating graphics, and watching shows.
Ava Rettig
Year: 1st-Year Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Dr. Cobb
Research Interests
Occupational health psychology, work-family issues, and chronic health conditions
in the workplace.
Education
B.S. in Psychology, 蜜桃APP (2025)
Background
As an undergraduate at 蜜桃APP, Ava assisted with research on family-supportive supervisor
behaviors and job-level moderators of well-being among employees with ADHD. She is
currently a doctoral student in the BOSS Lab.
Outside the Lab
Enjoys making art, trying new recipes, reading, listening to music, and rock climbing.