Grief and Response to Illness
into Late Life
Lab
The Team
Dr. Jonathan Singer, PhD
Lab Director
Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University
Dr. Singer dedicates his research and clinical work to improving the psychological health of patient-caregiver dyads who have a life limiting illness. Prior to coming to TTU, he studied multiple psychosocial processes, including but not limited to type of loss and identity, as they relate to pre- and post-loss grief in caregivers of patients with cancer and dementia.
Jonathan enjoys playing golf, watching the Steelers beat the Browns and Ravens, and eating lots of food!!!
B.A. Adelphi University
M.A Teachers College, Columbia University
Ph.D University of Nevada, Reno
Madison Self
Research Coordinator
Madison is a Senior at Texas Tech currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Human Development and Family Sciences and ASL. Her research interests are development through the lifespan, the impacts of trauma on development, and adverse childhood experiences. She plans to further her education by completing a doctoral degree in expiremental psychology as a means to one day obtain her doctorate in Cognitive Neuroscience.
In her spare time, Madison enjoys playing games with her family, fishing, reading, and taking care of her house plants.
Elisabeth (Libby) McLean
5th Year Graduate Student
Libby has been a research assistant in the GRILL lab since 2018, where she has examined various topics in grief and bereavement. Her research interests include topics in loss and grief, including non-bereavement loss, as well as traumatic grief and psychometrics.
Outside of academia, Libby can be found crocheting, watching movies, taking dance classes, and spending time in the mountains.
B.A. University of Nevada, Reno (Research Emphasis)
Carol Fadalla
5th Year Graduate Student
Carol is a 5th year doctoral student at TTU working under Dr. Jonathan Singer's mentorship. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 2018 to teach English in Amman, Jordan. She then spent two years working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with Dr. Wendy Lichtenthal examining the efficacy and feasibility of psychotherapeutic interventions for cancer patients, caregivers, and bereaved parents. She is interested in understanding how systematic inequities, traumatic experiences, and adversity shape grief for individuals living with chronic illnesses and their caretakers, specifically for families with minoritized identities. She strives to use these research purists to advocate and develop culturally-responsive interventions to support minoritized families cope with their loss.
During her free time, she enjoys cooking new recipes, listening to podcasts, and traveling to new places!
B.A. Dickinson College
Lauren Elliott
5th Year Graduate Student
Lauren is a fifth-year doctoral student at Texas Tech University. Her primary research interests relate to the prevention, detection and intervention of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions of aging. Additional interests include post-stroke rehabilitation and factors that benefit recovery. Before joining the GRILL Lab, Lauren worked in a cognitive neuroscience lab investigating the cognitive effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients and the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing violin and cuddling with her cat, Freddie.
B.A. Carthage College
Emily Post
2nd Year Graduate Student
Emily is a first-year doctoral student at Texas Tech University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she began studying late-life depression and interning at Infinity Hospice Care. Following graduation, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and contributed to research at the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center. Her research interests focus on identifying modifiable risk factors and developing non-pharmacological interventions aimed at preventing and altering the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Emily is also active in community outreach through the Alzheimer’s Association.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, and caring for her three cats.
B.A. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Anna Brashear
1st Year Graduate Student
Coming Soon!
Gavin Green
1st Year Graduate Student
Gavin Green is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Texas Tech University. He earned his B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biology and his M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Gerontology from Utah State University. While at Utah State University, he worked as a Research Assistant in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center. He contributed to multiple research projects focused on dementia caregiving, psychological flexibility, quality of life, and cognitive aging. His research interests center on improving the lives of older adults and their care partners by developing and evaluating behavioral interventions, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. He is especially interested in caregiver well-being, dyadic relationships, rehabilitation, and the role of psychological flexibility in promoting resilience and adaptation to cognitive impairment. His work has explored the use of ACT-based interventions to support individuals living with dementia and their care partners, intending to promote resilience, meaning, and quality of life in the context of cognitive impairment.
Outside of research and clinical training, Gavin enjoys spending time with his wife, watching movies, exploring new places, following sports, and working on home improvement projects.
B.S. Utah State University
M.S Utah State University
Anna McClendon
Senior at A&M
Anna is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Biology at Texas A&M University. With a strong academic foundation and a deep interest in the mechanisms of brain function, Anna is particularly focused on research related to degenerative neurological diseases, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other psychological disorders that contribute to neurodegeneration. Her long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and contribute meaningful advancements to the field through dedicated research.
Outside of academics, Anna enjoys reading, walking their dog, spending time with loved ones, baking, and visiting museums.
Bella Henson
Sophomore at Texas Tech
Bella is a Sophomore at Texas Tech University. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. Her goals are to move onto graduate school to pursue a doctoral degree and become a practicing psychologist, along with opening her own practice. As Bella navigates and learns about new niches some of her current research interests include suicide risk and prevention.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring nature and skiing, drawing, and hanging out with her three dogs, Pablo, Biscuit, and Lila, and her cat, Garfield!
Sara Flores-Campa
Senior at Texas Tech
Irene Valenzuela
Irene currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Texas Tech University. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she has long been interested in helping others and contributing to the medical field. Her academic and career goals are centered on becoming a clinical researcher. Irene is grateful for the opportunity to work under Dr. Singer and is excited to begin her role as a research assistant in the GRILL Lab, where she looks forward to gaining hands-on research experience and contributing to meaningful research projects.
Outside of academics, Irene enjoys spending time with friends and family, staying active, and exploring new places.
Lizbeth Weeks
Post Bac
Lizbeth Weeks is a Research Assistant in the GRILL Lab and a recent honors graduate of Texas Tech University, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Her academic training includes coursework in psychological assessment, research methods, statistics for behavioral sciences, developmental psychology, and trauma-related topics.
In addition to her role in the GRILL Lab, Lizbeth serves as Project Director with the Returning Citizens Association (RCA), a nonprofit organization supporting justice-impacted individuals and their families. In this role, she contributes to trauma-informed program development, case management, and community-based reentry initiatives. Her work involves coordinating access to mental health and social services, supporting program evaluation efforts, and examining psychological and systemic factors influencing reentry outcomes.
Lizbeth’s research interests center on trauma-informed care, non-death loss and grief, and the psychological impact of systemic inequities and adversity among criminal justice-involved populations. She is particularly interested in how chronic stress, institutionalization, and social marginalization shape grief processes, adjustment, and long-term mental health outcomes. Lizbeth plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, with the goal of conducting clinically informed research that advances equitable, evidence-based interventions.
Isaac Ortega
Coming Soon!