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.
Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences
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Address
College of Human Sciences Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 41250, Lubbock, TX 79409-1250 -
Phone
806.742.3060 -
Email
hs.webmaster@ttu.edu