Graduates

Recent Graduates and Former Students

Tess M. S. Neal, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with emphases in Forensics and Statistics, 2012
The University of Nebraska Lincoln, B.A., 2005; Majors: Psychology and English, Minors: Criminal Justice and Sociology
Master’s Thesis: Are Male Experts More Believable than Female Experts? Credibility of Expert Witnesses as a Function of Gender and Eye Contact Behavior. (See Neal, T.M.S.& Brodsky, S.L., 2008, Expert witness credibility as a function of eye contact behavior and gender. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 35, 1515-1526.)
Dissertation: The Objectivity Demand: Experiences and Behaviors of Psychologists in Capital Case Evaluations
Internship Site: University of Massachusetts Medical School & Worcester State Hospital
Current Position: Tess recently accepted a 2-year postdoctoral position at UMass Medical School (clinical-forensic training and research) (tmneal@crimson.ua.edu)

Looking back…The best thing about being in the Witness Research Lab was being part of the synergy of the group and getting to know and work with so many wonderful people. It was nice to be able to enjoy graduate school – a luxury not all students experience! Stan’s mentorship style is a fairly flexible one, which is great for meeting the needs of different students as well as the needs of individual students over the course of their professional development. My research interests evolved throughout the years I worked with Stan, and he was always ready and willing to dive in head-first with me when I sometimes changed waters. It was also nice to work in this lab because it allowed students with different balances of clinical and scientific priorities to flourish: some of us were more clinically-oriented, others more basic research-oriented, with still others working to integrate the two in applied research. We all fit and benefitted from each others’ perspective. Plus, we always had a ton of fun together! And finally, who can forget the football?….Roll Tide!

Mitch Ziemke, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2012
University of Wisconsin, 2007, BA, Majors: Psychology, Legal Studies; Minor: Criminal Justice
Master’s Thesis: To Flatter The Jury: Ingratiation Effects During Closing Arguments (2009)
Dissertation: Unloading The Hired Gun: Inoculation Effects In Expert Witness Testimony (2011)
Internship Site: Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Rochester, Minnesota
Current Position: Mitch recently accepted a position at the Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca, Minnesota (mhziemke@crimson.ua.edu)

Shalene M. Kirkley, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2008
Simmons College, Boston, BA in psychology, 1997
Master’s Thesis: Attitudes towards Mentally Ill Offenders: A Comparison of College and Forensic Staff Populations (Carl Clements, Chair)
Dissertation: The Impact of Neuropsychological Testimony: Malingering, Cognitive Impairment, and Language Complexity
Current position: Private practice conducting forensic evaluations and providing consultation (Arizona PsychServices, PLLC) and part-time Assistant Professor at Argosy University-Phoenix teaching assessment courses

Looking back… I migrated into Stan’s lab in my 3rd year and completed my dissertation with him. My research interests were in exploring the potential prejudicial impact of some diagnoses (e.g., malingering) in juror decision-making. Stan and I also took a trip to Cuba to explore cultural variations in the treatment of forensic populations. The best part about being in Stan’s lab is it is by far the most fun and most productive lab on campus! Stan fosters an environment of respect, collegiality, and good will; I found the lab to be a tremendous source of support and encouragement while also challenging me to produce my best work.

Virginia Cooper, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2004
Kenyon College, BA in Psychology, 1996
Master’s Thesis: Competency to stand trial decisions: Predictor variables and examiner differences. Cooper, V.G. & Zapf, P.A. (2003). Predictor variables in competency to stand trial decisions. Law and Human Behavior, 27, 423-436.
Dissertation: Waiver of Miranda rights in psychiatric patients. Cooper, V.G., & Zapf, P.A. (2008). Comprehension of Miranda rights in psychiatric patients. Law and Human Behavior, 32, 390-405.
Current Position: Instructor, University of South Carolina

Looking back… I was not a part of Stan’s research lab, but Stan was my psychotherapy supervisor and a very dear friend and mentor while I was in graduate school. In school, my research interests were primarily forensic assessment. Stan is a wonderful person, psychologist, and mentor.

Michael Griffin, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2007
Loyola University Maryland, BA in Psychology, 1999
The College of William & Mary, MA
Master’s Thesis: “Anger, Meditation, and Mindfulness”
Dissertation – “The effects of presentation software, need for cognition, and evidence complexity on persuasiveness of closing arguments”
Current Position: Psychologist at HRC Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, PA in Chapel Hill, NC

Looking back… I received my PhD from the University of Alabama after completing an internship at UNC – Chapel Hill and a postdoctoral fellowship at Florida State Hospital. I worked at Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility for two years, have maintained a private practice since 2008, and recently moved to North Carolina with my wife where I joined HRC Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, PA. I helped (physically) build the Witness Research Lab and investigated the impact of technology, graphic photographs, and expert witness testimony on jurors. I also assisted Stan in creation of the Witness Credibility Scale. The best part about being in the lab was actually two-fold. Stan’s constant support and encouragement throughout my time at UA, as well as the dynamics between he and the rest of my colleagues in the lab – many of whom I remain close with to this day.

Marla Domino, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2001
University of Santa Cruz, BA in Psychology, 1992
Northeastern University, MA in Criminal Justice
Master’s Thesis: Mental health services in the Massachusetts correctional system
Dissertation: Homophobia and fear of AIDS among mock jurors
Current Position: Chief Psychologist at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, Asst Professor at the University of South Carolina’s Dept. of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral health

Looking back… I was born in the Bronx, raised in Tucson, AZ. Went to undergrad at UCSC, masters in criminal justice at Northeastern University, worked for several years in Boston at a research consulting lab, went to UA, internship at UNC-Chapel/FMC-Butner, forensic post-doc at UMass, and have been at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health since, also teach evening classes at USC. Married, 1 year old girl, 13 year old step-daughter, 2 dogs, 1 cat. The best thing about being in the lab was time with Stan!!! Also, sharing of ideas, capitalizing on others’ strengths, having Stan prompt you along.

Rob Cramer, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2010
Loyola University, BA in Psychology, 2004
Master’s Thesis: Juror Personality and Expert Witness Confidence as Predictors of Expert Witness Credibility and Sentencing Outcomes
Dissertation: Witness Self-Efficacy: Development and Validation of the Construct
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Psychology, Sam Houston State University

Looking back… My research interests include witness testimony, hate crimes & LGB issues, suicidality & depression. While at UA, the best part of being in Stan’s lab was Stan’s mentorship and modeling a true collaborative spirit!

David Cannon, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2006
The University of Southern California, BA in Biology, 1998
Masters Thesis: Effects of Ingratiation in Attorney Conducted Voir Dire
Dissertation: Coming Out Bad
Current Position: Co-founder of Trial Innovations, a California based national trial consulting firm. I’m a trial consultant based in the Los Angeles area with interests in the practical applications of psychology to the legal field. I use both traditional and online methods to study juror perceptions of a variety of cases throughout the country.

Looking back… When I was at the University of Alabama, I was most interested in looking at the impact of attorney presentation styles and characteristics on juror perceptions of the attorney and case. The best part of being in the lab was Stan’s openness toward any topic a student was passionate about. He was an excellent advocate for students and their interests.

Mark Boccaccini, PhD

UA Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 2003
Santa Clara University, BA in Psychology, 1995
Master’s Thesis: The Attorney-Client Trust Scale: A Measure of Affect- and Cognition-Based Trust in the Attorney-Client Relationship (see Boccaccini, M. T., & Brodsky, S. L. (2002). Attorney-client trust among convicted criminal defendants: Preliminary examination of the Attorney-Client Trust Scale. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 20, 69-87.)
Dissertation: Impact of Witness Preparation Training on the Use of Targeted Testimony Delivery Skills, Perceived Credibility, and Evaluations of Guilt (see Boccaccini, M.T., Gordon, T., & Brodsky, S.L. (2005). Witness preparation with real and simulated criminal defendants. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 23, 659-687; and Boccaccini, M.T., Gordon, T., & Brodsky, S.L. (2003). Effects of witness preparation on witness confidence and nervousness. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 3, 39-51).
Current Position: Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Sam Houston State University

Looking back… My work in the Stan’s lab resulted in 17 peer reviewed publications. The studies reported in these publications addressed a wide variety of issues relating to the intersection of psychology and law, including attorney-client relationships, the evaluation of competence for execution, expert witness testimony, and witness preparation.