Human Behavioral Ecology Research Group (HBERG)

HBERG is my lab, which is active every Friday, 9-noon in Rowand-Johnson 37 during the academic year. HBERG is a teaching lab, meaning the primary purpose of the lab is to train students in research. I train students through a variety of real research projects, but since I prioritize teaching, the process takes precedent over the research product. Nevertheless, training takes place through participating in ongoing HBERG studies like the Fireside Relaxation Study or Inking of Immunity or by assisting with a variety of other projects taking place in the lab.

To apply to join HBERG, fill out this form.

Following is a roster of current and past HBERG members.

Director
Dr. Christopher Lynn 

Pronouns: He/him/his
Dr. Lynn received his PhD and MA from the University at Albany (SUNY) in 2009. He started HBERG in 2009. He’s interested in cultural impacts on health, cognitive evolution, and body use. He works or has worked in New York, Alabama, Costa Rica, the Samoan Islands, and Madagascar. (Pronouns: he/him/his)

PhD Students

Sherrie Alexander (MA, UAB, 2018)
Eden Blackwell [Chair: Courtney Helfrecht] (BA, Miss; MPH, Tulane)
Lisa Brazelton (BA, Florida State; MA Florida State, 2019)
Lindsey Clark (BA, S. Alabama; MA, S. Alabama)
Kayla Jordan 
​Caelan Koncan (BA, UCSB, 2024)
​Austin Lee (BA, Miss State, 2022; MA, UA, 2025)

MA Students

Arriyanna Brooks [Chair: Stephanie McClure] (BA, UA, 2023)
Jess Dees [Chair: Elliot Blair]
Michelle Fleishman (BA, UA, 2024)
Josh Lockhart (BA, UA, 2023)

Undergraduate Students

Phineas Fleming-Smith
JB Foster
​Abigail Gomez
Grant Pethel
Sophia Zeller

Past HBERG Members

​PhD Alumni
Francois Dengah [Chair: Bill Dressler] (MA, Colorado State , 2008; PhD 2013; Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Utah State University) 
Mandy Guitar (BA, UNM; MA, Psychology, SUNY New Paltz; MA, Anthropology, Binghamton; PhD, Anthropology, UA)
Avery McNeece (BA, Mississippi State; MA, Mississippi State)
Michael Smetana (BS, Biochemistry, Notre Dame College 2013; MSc, University of Kent [UK], 2017)
Max Stein [Chair: Kathy Oths] (PhD, 2018) 
Ashley Stewart [Chair: Keith Jacobi] (MA, 2012; PhD, 2020) 

MA Alumni
Sherrie Alexander [Co-Chair: Lori Cormier] (MA, UAB, 2018)
Patricia Arnett (MA 2022)
Brianna Bryan (MA 2022)
Catherine Buzney [Chair: Jason DeCaro] (BA, 2009, Harvard University; MA 2011; MD 2015, Tufts Medical School) 
Johnna Dominguez (MA 2015) 
​Steve Filoromo [Chair: Elliot Blair] (MA, 2022)
Juliann Friel (MA, 2017)
Denise Gonzalez (MA 2013) 
Kelsey Herndon [Chair: Keith Jacobi] (BA, 2012, Auburn University; MA, 2015)
Austin Lee (BA, Miss State, 2022; MA, UA, 2025) 
Monika (Wanis) Mayfield [Co-Chairs: Sonya Pritzker & Kathy Oths] (MA, 2018)
Cassie Medeiros [Chair: Ian Brown] (MA, 2016)
​​​Tanvi Padalkar [Chair: Holly Horan] (BA, University of Florida, 2021; MA, UA, 2024)
Olivia Radcliffe [Chair: Kathy Oths] (MA/MPH, 2022)
Nick Roy (MA, 2018)
​Alex Sents [Chair: Jason DeCaro] (MA/MPH, 2022)
​Emi Smith (MA, 2021)
​Julia Sponholtz [Chair: Katie Chiou] (MA, 2022)
Max Stein [Chair: Kathy Oths] (MA, 2011)
Fiona Taylor [Chair: Flavio Silva] (BA, University of Virginia, 2022; MA, UA, 2024) 

Undergraduate Alumni
Harold Acosta (BS, 2018)
​Jack Adams 
Ayesha Al-Akdhar (BA, 2021)
Miriam Anderson
Nia Anderson (BA, 2021)
Jonathan Belanich (BA, 2014; MA, Mississippi State, 2016; PhD, Mississippi State) 
​Caity Bell (BA, 2018)
Kat Biedler (BA, Earlham College) 
Andrew Bishop (BA, 2011; MA 2015, Arizona State; PhD 2020, Arizona State) 
Taylor Burbach (BA, 2015) 
Melinda Carr ​(BA, 2016) 
Ashton Cochrane (BA, UA, 2023)
Ashley Daugherty ​(BA, 2016) 
Laura (Moore) Ditmore
Johnna Dominguez (BA 2011) 
Sophia Fazal (BA, 2014) 
Jennifer Fourroux (BA, 2018) 
Juliann Friel (BA 2015)
Denise Gonzalez (BA, 2010) 
Nat Graham (BA, 2014) 
Carly James (BA, 2011; MA 2014, McGill University: PhD, Harvard) 
Chloe Keck (BA, Biological Sciences and Classics, 2021)
Alex Landgraf (Philosophy Major)
Sierra Lawson (BA, 2017) 

Flynn Lewellyn (Anthropology/Creative Media Double-Major)
​Kelly Likos (BA, 2017)
Kayleigh Meighan (BA, 2019; MA, Arizona State, 2021) 
​Emma Mural
Jessica Muzzo (BA, 2016) 
Lauren Nolan (BA, 2016)
Matthew Pappalardo (BA 2022)
Lauren Pratt (BA, 2016) 
Taylor Puckett (BA, 2019)
Isabella Rivera (BA, 2017)
Hansen Roberts (BA, 2012) 
Marina Roberts (BA, 2014) 
Kim (Roy) Harris (BA, 2012)
Nick Roy (BA, 2016)
Erica Schumann (BA, 2015)
Julia Sponholtz (BA, 2020)
Brittany Starliper (BA, 2012)
Megan Steel (BA, 2014)
​Owen Stoker (BA, 2023)
Emma Terrell 
​Hannah Tytus (BA, 2017)
Kira Yancey (BA, 2018)