Affiliated Students

Graduate Students

 

Joshua Awua
PhD Student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies
Joshua Awua is a Ph.D. student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies at the Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences, Texas Tech University. He obtained his master's and bachelor's degrees in Clinical Health Psychology and psychology from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He is a licensed Clinical Health Psychologist in Ghana and served as a Health Tutor at the Department of Mental Health, College of Health and Wellbeing, Kintampo-Ghana. He is interested in examining the role of mental health literacy (substance use literacy) on social norms, attitudes, perceived control, and how that influences behavioral intentions and health behaviors such as substance use and help-seeking.

 

Nephtaly Joel B. Botor, M.A.Ed.
PhD Student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies
Nephtaly Joel B. Botor is a Ph.D. student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies, affiliated as a research assistant at Dr. Tuliao's laboratory on Substance Use, Culture, and Decision-Making. He earned his B.S. Psychology from the Ateneo de Naga University and M.A. in Education, specializing in guidance and counseling from the University of the Philippines. He is a Philippine-registered psychometrician and professional teacher in values education, and serves as faculty in human and family development studies at University of the Philippines Los Baños. His prior research and extension work focused on mental health, family resilience in disaster situations, and gender.  His doctoral research delves on minority stress processes (e.g., microaggression) and their intersection with substance use outcomes.  
 

Kelly Chroback
Ph.D. Candidate in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies
Kelly Chroback is a doctoral candidate in the Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies program at Texas Tech University. She completed her bachelor's degree in Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences in 2016 from Texas Tech University. She then received her master's degree in Social Work in 2018 from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include adversity in childhood and maladaptive adult health outcomes, such as mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Upon graduation, Kelly plans to conduct research and teach at a university.

  

William Gerber, MPA 
Ph.D. Candidate in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies
William Gerber spent almost 20 years in the insurance industry prior to returning to college. William is currently a Ph.D. student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies (ADRS) at Texas Tech University. William has also acted as a graduate assistant at the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities at Texas Tech University where he was a member as an undergraduate and graduate student. William has been involved in the treatment industry for 5 years in an administrative capacity. William's area of research is focused on recovery capital and policy decisions.
 

Uibin Lee
Ph.D. Student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies
Uibin (Caleb) Lee is a doctoral student in ADRS program at Texas Tech University. He is working as a research assistant under Dr. Mills and ASH (Addiction & Social Harms) research team. His research interest focuses on behavioral addictions, specifically addictive behavior regarding gambling and gaming with the Self-determination framework. His current research projects include exploring motivational process underlying problematic financial trading. He is originally from South Korea and he completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology at Handong University. He worked as a counselor at the Handong student counseling center and Korea Center on Gambling Problems.   

Lauren Lewis
Ph.D. Student in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies
Lauren Lewis is a Ph.D. student in the Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies program at Texas Tech University. She has a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling and has worked as an addiction counselor over the last 7 years as a licensed LPC and LCDC. Lauren is currently researching under Dr. Thomas Kimball and Dr. Antover Tuliao on the experience of students in Collegiate Recovery Communities. She is interested in lapse and relapse prevention, harm reduction models, and college student recovery.   

Undergraduate Students

 

Claire Babcock
Claire Babcock is an undergraduate student at the Texas Tech University Honors College studying Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She is affiliated as a research assistant at Dr. Tuliao's laboratory on Substance Use, Culture, and Decision-making with her research interests relative to public health and the biophysiological underpinnings of addiction. At Texas Tech, Claire is an undergraduate research scholar and an undergraduate teaching assistant for Biology. She is on the President's list and a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor's Society. Claire's postgraduate plans include attending medical school with aspirations of matching into an emergency medicine residency. 

 

 

Jack Benner
Jack Benner is an undergraduate Pre-Med Nutrition major, in the College of Human Sciences, at Texas Tech University. He is minoring in Biology, Chemistry, and General Business. He is affiliated as a research assistant at Dr. Tuliao's laboratory on Substance Use, Culture, and Decision-making and is interested in researching the thought process to addiction and recovery, as well as the impact on physical and mental health to general wellbeing, such as social status, family nuclei, and self-perspective. He has worked in advocating against gentrification and aiding the lower socio-economic in his hometown of Austin Texas. He has also done some volunteer work in Costa Rica, and Thailand with the Academy of Global Studies at Austin High School, where he was also inducted into the National Honors Society. 
 

Marshall Eric Bergman
Marshall Eric Bergman is an undergraduate Pre-Med Biochemistry major at Texas Tech University. His first semester at the campus he became a dedicated affiliate to Dr. Tuliao's lab for the Center of Addiction Recovery Research as a research assistant. Marshall is an aspiring surgeon who hopes to have an impact on the vast world of health and to make a change to better those in need. Outside of academics, he is a competitive climber and has been a registered volunteer for the “We Are Blood” blood bank for two years. 
 

Quiana Diaz
Quiana Diaz is an undergraduate student majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in chemistry, human sciences, and human development and family studies. She is a research assistant at Dr. Tuliao's laboratory on Substance Use, Culture, and Decision-making within the Center for Addiction Recovery Research. Her interest is on the different contextual factors that influence substance use, specifically the role of cultural diversity and decision-making.  

 

Tiana Hammock
Tiana Hammock is an undergraduate student at Texas Tech University. She is currently on the Pre-Nursing track in hopes to be a Nursing Student at TTUHSC. She is affiliated as a research assistant at the  Center for Addiction Recovery Research. She is associated with Kindred Hospice Care as an active volunteer while she also volunteers at Covenant Hospital. She also is a member of the Honors Association for Aspiring Healthcare Tracks and the Pre-Nursing Association. 
 

 

Dmitra Kentera
Dmitra Kentera is a sophomore in the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University. She is on a pre-PA track, earning her bachelor's degree in Nutrition, and is eager to soon join the medical world as a Physician Assistant. She is starting her first semester as a research assistant at Dr. Tuliao's laboratory on Substance Use, Culture, and Decision-making within the Center for Addiction Recovery Research. As a beginner, she hopes to expand her research experience and has developed a strong preference in addiction recovery concerning the development of medical treatments. She plans to explore this interest and gain a better understanding of the relationship between health care and addiction recovery. 
 

Alliyah Vedder
Alliyah Vedder is an undergraduate student at the Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University. She is affiliated as a research assistant at Dr. Tuliao's laboratory on Substance Use, Culture, and Decision-making and serves as an undergraduate research assistant for the Center of Addiction Recovery Research.  She earned her associate's in Biological Sciences from El Paso Community College. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences to apply for medical school.