205-348-5083
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Research
  • Members
  • Activities
  • Pubs/Posters
  • Applicants
  • Psychology-Law
  • Contact
  • Placement Opportunities
  • Lab Pictures
  • Lab Awards
  • Graduates
  • Archived Lab News

Recent Graduates and Former Students

Picture
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!

Picture
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.

Picture
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.
Picture
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!

Picture
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.

Picture
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.


Equal Opportunity | Disclaimer | Privacy
Copyright © 2017 The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 | (205) 348-6010
Website by Center for Instructional Technology Multimedia Services