Will Bowling, MS
BA in Psychology, Berea College, 2018
MS in Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky, 2022
I grew up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky in a small town called Booneville. After high school, I moved to central Kentucky to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Berea College. This experience prompted my move to Lexington for graduate school, and I am now on internship and in my last year as a student in the UK clinical psychology PhD program in Dr. Burris’ lab. My main research interest involves factors that encourage adaptive health behaviors among cancer survivors. Outside of school and work, I like to spend my time watching scary movies, playing volleyball, and touring local breweries like West 6th.
Abigayle Feather, BS
BS in Psychology, Appalachian State University, 2019
I am originally from Charlotte, NC and moved to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State University. During my undergraduate career, I joined the REACT Lab and became interested in improving mental health treatments in underserved populations. After graduation I moved to Chicago and worked in the CARL Lab at UChicago. While there, I studied factors that lead to substance misuse and interventions for smoking cessation. These interests brought me to UK and Dr. Burris, where I am now a 3rd year student in the clinical psychology PhD program and Dr. Burris' lab. I am interested in understanding health risk behaviors like smoking, scalable interventions, and improving quality of life in cancer survivors. When not working, I enjoy cooking, making coffee, and chasing down the best concerts.
Maisy Webster, BA
BA in Psychology and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2021
I grew up in western NY and attended Johns Hopkins University where my interest in preventing chronic disease through health behavior change was developed. After graduating, I worked as a tobacco treatment specialist and research coordinator in the Lung Screening, Tobacco and Health Lab at Georgetown University. Now a second year student in the clinical psychology PhD program and Dr. Burris' Lab, I am excited to continue research in the areas of smoking cessation and cancer prevention/control, including understanding ways to improve the accessibility of behavioral health services within health systems. In my free time, I enjoy exploring KY through running and hiking as well as cheering for the Buffalo Bills.
Katie Wakeman, BA
BA in Psychology, University of Kentucky, 2023
As a Kentucky native, I naturally decided to attend UK. Ever since I was very young, I have had a deep interest in psychology and providing advocacy to individuals who have undergone traumatic experiences. I also have a deep passion for helping health care patients in general. While in college, clinical experiences with doctors of optometery has included assisting doctors in two eye care practices as an optometric technician and ophthalmic technician. Thankfully, I also had the opportunity to work in the Harris Center as a Clinic Assistant, which led me to the opportunity to assist in Tia's dissertation research. I've continued to work in Dr. Burris' lab ever since that first study. I am currently a Master's student in the UK Counseling Psychology Program. Outside of academics, I enjoy finding new coffee shops, savor browsing at thrifting places, and then to fall in love wherever there is vinyl. I also enjoy singing, animals, and traveling.
Prospective Students
Are you an undergraduate student interested in volunteering in the BIRDS Lab during the 2024-2025 academic year? Since Dr. Burris is focusing on writing grants and teaching PSY seniors in the fall semester and will be on sabbatical in the spring semester, she isn't taking any new students this year. However, she is definitely intersted in having a 394/395 student in 2025-2026. If you're interested in cancer survivorship or health psychology, please email Dr. Burris in March-May 2025 to inquire about a position.
Interested in being a graduate student in the BIRDS Lab? This winter, Dr. Burris will review applications and interview strong applicants for the Clinical Psychology PhD Program, hoping to have a new student start in her lab in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Graduate Student Alumni
Jessica Rivera Rivera, PhD - Clinical Psychology, 2021
Gaby Puleo Carrigan, PhD - Experimental Psychology, 2021
Tia Borger, PhD - Clinical Psychology, 2024
Announcements
6/1/24: In July, Maisy will participate in the Pathways to Military Behavioral Health Careers Summer Institute, a program that involved a competitive application process.
5/17/24: Abbey won 1st place in the poster presentation competition at Markey Research Day. Not to brag, but the BIRDS Lab has placed 1st and/or 2nd every year we have someone present.
2/9/24: The Robley Rex VA Mental Health Service held a continuing education event in which Will and I gave a presentation to about 100 mental health providers on Health Equity and Rural Populations
3/1/24: I'm so happy that Tia will return to UK later this year to join the faculty. She will be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and her job will involve both research and patient care. Congrats!
4/26/23: Katie presented a poster at the UK Undergraduate Research Showcase while Will, Tia and Abbey were allegedly at a conference in Phoenix. Upon their return to Lexington, we all gathered for a lab brunch to celebrate an awesome year. Yay brunch!
![katie](/system/files/inline-images/katie.jpeg)
![brunch](/system/files/inline-images/Image.jpeg)
4/1/23: Katie was accepted into the UK Masters in Counseling Psychology Program and will start in the fall! Tia matched to the internship at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and will start the last leg of her PhD training in July! Will defended his qualifying exam - and in doing so become the 1st student to ever do the clinical case study quals option! Maisy accepted the offer of admission into the clinical program and will join Abbey and Will in the lab in the fall.