Meet The Team

Lab Director
Ivan Vargas, PhD
Dr. Ivan Vargas completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program and the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Vargas' research interests focus on the etiology and treatment of insomnia. For example, his research is currently supported by an NIH career development award funded by the National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute (K23HL141581). His work also includes a number of other projects that evaluate behavioral interventions for sleep (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia or CBT-I).

Graduate Student
Jamie Walker, MA
Jamie Walker is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at The University of Arkansas. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman’s University and her B.A. in Sociology from The University of Texas at Arlington. Jamie has broad research interests in Health Psychology and Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Her work examines the biopsychosocial correlates of sleep and health, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms at the intersection between insomnia, stress, inflammation, and chronic illness.

Graduate Student
Mara Egeler
Mara Egeler is a second-year student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Arkansas. She completed her undergraduate studies at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana where she earned her B.A. in Psychology. Mara is interested in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and looks to focuses her research on the relationship between insomnia, depression, and cardiovascular health.

Graduate Student
Veronica Floyd
Veronica is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Arkansas. She also completed her B.A. in Psychology at the UofA. Veronica's research currently focuses on mobile app-based interventions for sleep disorders and symptom reduction in populations with insomnia.

Graduate Student
Harrison Dickens
Harrison Dickens is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Arkansas. He received his B.S. in Psychology from Mississippi College. Harrison’s research interests are broadly focused on stress exposure, stress reactions, and how these patterns influence mental and physical health outcomes. He is interested in exploring contextual and historical factors that influence psychological and physiological stress responses.

Undergradaute RA
Koushik Thudi
Koushik is a senior Psychology major from Coppell, TX. His post-undergraduate goal is to attend medical school. His research interests include looking into the benefits of mindfulness techniques in the treatment of sleep disorders and seeing if the findings can be applied to the treatment of non-sleep-related illnesses. Outside of classes, he enjoys spending time with friends and family and watching movies.
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Undergradaute RA
Ethan Coombs
Ethan is a senior with a major in psychology, mathematics, and music. Currently, his research interests are in the interplay between hormonal contraceptives and sleep pathologies, both clinical and sub-clinical. After graduation, he intends on pursuing graduate school to obtain a PhD in Neuroscience. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing piano, composing, and learning extraneous subjects.

Undergradaute RA
Jessica Bell
Jessica is from Houston, Texas and a senior at the University of Arkansas . She’s pursuing a double major is psychology and criminology with future goals of obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology with a specialized focus in neuropsychology. She hopes to do research in neurological disorders within adolescents.

Undergradaute RA
Marissa Kosir
Marissa Kosir is from Edmond, Oklahoma, and is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas. She is pursuing a psychology major and a minor in social work. Marissa is working towards graduating in 2025 and is hoping to attend graduate school for Counseling Psychology. She is interested in abnormal psychology including post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, depression, and anxiety disorders, and is hoping to pursue that interest by becoming a Military Counselor.

Undergradaute RA
Olivia Lasater
I am a second year student at the UofA and I'm from Siloam Springs, AR. I'm working on my Bachelors degree in Psychology. My goals are to attend graduate school and study consciousness or cognitive science.

Undergradaute RA
Deborah Devaraj
Deborah is from Dallas, Texas and a junior at the University of Arkansas. She is pursuing a major in public health with a minor in biology with hopes to become an ophthalmologist one day. Deborah Devaraj is interested in psychological research and enjoyed understanding and learning about how stress impacts sleep levels.

Undergradaute RA
Brittany Boyer
Brittany is a Senior Public Health Major on the pre-medical track. I am from Springfield, MO but plan on remaining in Arkansas and applying to medical school after I graduate this spring! I am involved on campus with the pre-med honor society. Outside of the school/lab I enjoy walking my dog on campus, photography and traveling!

Undergradaute RA
Alexa Ruder
Alexa Ruder is a senior at The University of Arkansas from Houston, Texas. She is pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology with aspirations to attend dental school and become an Orthodontist in the future. Outside of the lab she enjoys staying busy with work, reading, and baking anything and everything!

Undergraduate RA
Khushi Mehta
Khushi Mehta is from Bentonville Arkansas, and she is a Freshman who plans to major in Psychology and Minor in Biology and Criminal Justice. Khushi plans to go to PA school and attain her master's degree after graduating college. Outside of school Khushi spends most of her time working at the hospital, dancing and simply relaxing.

Undergraduate RA
Allie Doner
Allie Doner is from Bentonville, Arkansas and is a freshman at the University of Arkansas. She is working on a bachelor's in psychology and hoping to continue her education in graduate school. She joined the lab to get hands on experience in research and learn more about both stress and abnormal psychology.

Undergraduate RA
Cameron Turney
Cameron is a sophomore Psychology major from Jonesboro, Arkansas. She is planning on pursuing her education in graduate school and hopes to go into clinical psychology. Cameron is interested in studying anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and memory. Outside of being a student, she enjoys to paint, read, and cheer on the Razorbacks.

Undergraduate RA
Olivia Wier
Olivia Wier is from Monroe, Louisiana, and is a senior at the University of Arkansas. She is pursuing a double major in psychology and biology, with a minor in medical humanities. Olivia is working towards graduating in 2024 and hopes to attend Medical School after graduation.

Undergraduate RA
Milo McCamant
Milo is from Mount Vernon, Texas and is a sophomore student majoring in Psychology. After she obtains her bachelor's degree, she is hoping to pursue a master's in Environmental Psychology or Ecopsychology. Milo ultimately would like to help others understand how important it is to take care of our earth, and conduct research in other countries to highlight the differences between sustainability practices around the world.

Undergraduate RA
Hadeel Saleh
Hadeel Saleh has a bachelor's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Jordan. She is interested in sleep, depression, and anxiety disorders, and is currently trying to develop research skills to better prepare for grad school.

Research Project Coordinator
Natalie Krogull
Natalie Krogull is from Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her undergraduate degree with majors in English and secondary education at Knox College. She currently works as a project coordinator for the CREST study. In this position, she assists in recruitment efforts, scheduling, participant intake, and other logistical tasks.