Student Research Assistants

Sarah Gray

Psychology Major – Class of 2025

Sarah is a senior at the University of New England from Wilmington, Massachusetts. She is majoring in Psychology and has minors in Education, Special Education, and Mental Health Rehabilitation. This will be her third year in the Reading Comprehension and Cognition Lab. After completing her undergraduate at UNE she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Sarah is looking forward to another year in the RCC lab working alongside her fabulous fellow labbies. “I am very grateful for the past two years in the RCC lab working with Dr. Stiegler-Balfour on many different aspects of research. I have learned so much about the research we are doing, created many memories, and I am excited to see all that we will accomplish this year.” 

Ella Murthi

Medical Biology Major – Class of 2027

Ella is a second year at the University of New England from Bedford, NH. She is majoring in Medical Biology. This will be her second semester in the RCC lab. After completing her undergrad degree at UNE, she hopes to attend medical school and become a physician. Ella is excited to continue her work in the lab and learn more about research design this semester. “I am so grateful to have the chance to learn more from Dr. Stiegler-Balfour and the other labbies about cognitive psych and the research process.”

Jadyn Stevens

Psychology Major – Class of 2027
Jadyn is a second year at the University of New England from Rochester, NH. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Mental Health and Rehabilitation. This will be her second year in the Reading Comprehension and Cognition Lab. After graduating from UNE, she plans to attend graduate school and become a Clinical Psychologist. Jadyn is very excited for this year in the lab! “I am so appreciative and grateful for this opportunity to work with the other labbies and Dr. Stiegler-Balfour! I had such a wonderful year working in this lab and I can’t wait to see what other awesome things we do this year!”

Natalie Higgins

Psychology Major – Class of 2028
Natalie is a first-year at the University of New England from Northfield, Vermont. She is majoring in Psychology with hopes of double majoring Criminology and minoring in Mental Health Rehabilitation. This will be her first year in the Reading Comprehension and Cognition Lab. After completing her undergraduate degree at UNE she plans to get her doctorate in psychology and become a clinical psychologist specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and their families. “I am excited to learn more about the research process and grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Stiegler-Balfour.”

Mckenzie Kunesh

Psychology Major – Class of 2026

Mckenzie is a junior at the University of New England from Liberty, Maine. She is majoring in Psychology with minors in Mental Health Rehabilitation and Social Work. After completing her undergraduate degree at UNE, she hopes to attend graduate school for counseling and become an LCPC for kids. “I’m so excited and appreciate the opportunity to get involved in the research process. I can’t wait to learn more about human cognition functioning with the other labbies and Dr. Stiegler-Balfour!”

Mallory Morrissey

Psychology Major – Class of 2027

Mallory is a sophomore at the University of New England from Westfield, Massachusetts. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Mental Health Rehabilitation. After completing her undergraduate degree at UNE, she hopes to work in mental health rehabilitation and possibly go into counseling. “I am so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to work hands-on in the lab and learn more about cognitive functioning with Dr. Steigler-Balfour and the other labbies!”