About Us - Department of Psychology
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Who We Are — Current Student Perspective
Leonardo Giorgioni
Psychology Junior
"Coming from the European education system, I was eager to experience the renowned American undergraduate education that so many of us work hard to pursue. I applied without a clear idea of where to go or what my future goals looked like. It wasn't until I applied to Professor Garcia’s tDCS lab and held an interview with her that I realized neuropsychology might not be the right fit for me. Professor Garcia then introduced me to Professor Askew, a Quantitative Psychologist who became both a mentor and a friend.
The psychology department has provided me with countless opportunities to explore different career paths, from receiving direct mentorship from Stetson graduate students to gaining hands-on lab experience with faculty members.
Currently, I’m working in Professor Eskenazi’s lab on eye tracking and preposition stranding research, Professor Garcia’s lab on trans-cranial direct current stimulation, and assisting Professor Askew with behavioral statistics as a teaching assistant. These experiences have equipped me with the tools to cultivate my skills independently and apply them in practical settings. I now encourage others to take full advantage of these opportunities."
Audrey Best
Psychology Senior
The Stetson Psychology Department has been at the heart of my academic and personal growth. As a work study student in the department since my first year, I have had the privilege of forming close relationships with faculty and staff who continually invest in my development. They check in on my progress, hold me accountable to my goals, and help me turn them into achievements. The department’s supportive and intellectually engaging environment has shaped not only my skills but also my sense of purpose.
Through this foundation, I have thrived both within psychology and across campus. As a dedicated member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, I have served first as Vice President and now as President, promoting professional development and student engagement among psychology majors. My studies in psychology have strengthened my ability to think critically, interpret human behavior, and analyze complex problems, all of which have been essential to my leadership roles and will continue to strengthen the foundation for my academic journey and professional aspirations in law.
Beyond the department, I have remained deeply engaged in Stetson’s prelaw and global communities. I serve as President of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, where I have expanded our organization’s reach through philanthropy, networking opportunities such as an LSAT partnership with Testmasters, and collaborations with Stetson Law. I am also a Coach for Model United Nations, where I mentor students in diplomacy and international relations, and will take over fully as Head Coach in spring 2026. As a World Ambassador, I help welcome international students and promote cross-cultural understanding on campus.
Academically, I have served as a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Robert Askew in Behavioral Statistics, where I supported students in mastering statistical concepts, data analysis, and interpretation. Through this experience, I strengthened my own understanding of quantitative reasoning, learned how to communicate complex ideas clearly, and developed patience and leadership in an academic setting. I also served as a Research Assistant for Dr. Steven Smallpage in the Political Science department, where I studied susceptibility to misinformation. Working closely with these professors also gave me valuable insights into how research and data can inform decision-making, a skill that will be vital in my future legal studies.
The Psychology Department’s mentorship and support have been instrumental in all of these experiences. Through their encouragement and guidance, I have grown into a more thoughtful leader, researcher, and future law student committed to combining psychological insight with legal reasoning to serve others.
Julia Ramos de Camargo
Psychology Sophomore
"My involvement in the Department of Psychology at Stetson began in October 2023. I arrived as a discovery major, exploring classes in both the School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, including Introduction to Psychology with Professor Medlin. It was in Professor Medlin’s class that I first felt a spark. Our conversations during office hours opened my eyes to my true interests, and I realized how fascinated I was by the human brain and its complexities.
In October 2023, I declared my major in Psychology, and soon after, I applied to be a Research Assistant in Professor Garcia's neuropsychology lab, and I was thrilled to be accepted. She has not only guided my academic journey as my advisor but has also become a mentor who genuinely believes in my potential. During Spring 2024, I embarked on training in the SCN lab under her guidance, diving deep into trans-cranial electrical stimulation and its effects on the brain. I also declared a second major in Biology to complement my studies as I want to pursue a career in Neuroscience.
Now, I am actively running participants in the lab and interning at the Brain Fitness Academy, where I connect with the senior population affected by Alzheimer. This semester, I am particularly excited to dive into the positions I currently hold and get even more involved in the department. I am also eager to deepen my knowledge about Behavioral Neuroscience as I am taking Biological Psychology with Professor King. So far, I have had the opportunity to dissect a sheep brain to learn about its structures and similarities to the human brain. It was a truly fascinating experience that deepened my understanding of brain anatomy and function, reinforcing my passion for this field.
As an international student from Brazil, my time at the Psychology Department has been both amazing and fulfilling. I cherish the hands-on experiences that are shaping my skills and future career, as well as the meaningful relationships I have built with my professors.
One year later, I am confident in my chosen path and deeply grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and support I’ve received from those who saw my potential, even when I didn’t. I look forward to the next years and the new opportunities that lie ahead as I continue my journey as a Psychology student."
To see our faculty members' academic degrees and professional accomplishments, choose a name below to visit the faculty profile page. But to see random facts about who they are as people and to find out about their research interests, keep reading...
- Robert Askew is an amateur art critic and hound aficionado who often brings his best friends--Fern and Ivy--to school with him. His research is concerned with pain and health.
- Michele Camden is a self-proclaimed theater nerd who dabbles in stage acting and scriptwriting. One of her current interests is animal-assisted therapy.
- Michael Eskenazi's top bucket-list item is to visit all 59 national parks in the country. He uses eye-tracking to examine word learning and reading.
- Chris Ferguson plays guitar and sings in a local band called Gods of Avalon, knows how to swordfight, and eats just about anything (jellyfish, python, etc.) except vegetables. His research focuses on whether playing violent video games makes people more aggressive, as well as, more recently issues related to crime, policing and race.
- Sarah Garcia enjoys traveling to places of historical art & culture. Her research focuses on non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive change in a variety of populations.
- Camille King has completed three Tough Mudder races and has promised herself to do at least one every five years until she's not able to anymore. She studies the neural basis of taste functions in rats.
- Jessica Kissane, PhD, Florida International University
- Danielle Lindner was planning to become a high school music teacher before she decided to pursue a career in psychology, and she still spends much of her free time singing as both a cantor and choir member at her church. Her research focuses on body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.
- Rick Medlin grew up on the Stetson campus (his childhood home was where the Lynn Business Center is now) and has taught in the Psychology Department since 1981. He studies the development of homeschooled children.
- Nazike Mert, PhD. Psychology - Cornell University
Some of our adjunct faculty bring real-world experience from clinical practice and scientific research into the classroom. We typically have one or two each year:
Cassandra Hansel, Ed.D. Central Michigan University; MA. Counseling Psychology- Western Michigan University