CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS:
Jaylan Aliev, M.S.
Jaylan was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. In 2024 she received an M.S. in Experimental Psychology with a concentration in Law from the University of Wyoming. She is a fourth-year graduate student in the Psychology and Law PhD program. In 2024 she received a fellowship from the NSF GRFP. Her research interests include jury decision making in relation to discrimination/prejudice towards child victims of sex crimes, and disparities in the U.S. juvenile legal system. In her free time, she enjoys reading and crafting.
Jayla Edwards, M.S. (she/her/hers)
Jayla, originally from Fresno, California, earned her M.S. in Forensic Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles in 2025. She is currently a first-year experimental graduate student in the Psychology and Law PhD program. Her research interests include perceptions of police officers and racial disparities within the juvenile justice system. Outside of school, Jayla enjoys taking care of her plants, going to concerts, and spending time with her pets.
CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS:
Dylan Chatterley - Lab Manager
Dylan grew up in Rock Springs, Wyoming and is currently working on graduating with his B.S. in psychology with a minor in honors. After graduation Dylan plans to pursue a PhD, and would like to study different facets of psychology and law, contributing to research in the field. Dylan's interests include hiking, camping, estate sales, and hanging out with friends.
Malena Seipel, B.S., B.A. - Assistant Lab Manager
Malena recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. She is currently working as an NSF-funded research assistant in the lab. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, or doing arts and crafts.
Bella Brubaker- Research Assistant
Bella Brubaker is a psychology student at the University of Wyoming and will graduate in May 2026 with a B.S. in Psychology. She was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming, where she attended Casper College before transferring to the University of Wyoming for her final two years. She plans to continue to graduate school to pursue a clinical or counseling doctoral program, with the long-term goal of working as a licensed psychologist. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, learning languages, PvP games, and creative projects, and she values spending time reconnecting with nature.
Aurora Volkmar - Research Assistant
Aurora Volkmar was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. She is graduating this May (2026) with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Literary Studies and Honors. She will also be presenting her Honors College Capstone at the 2026 APLS conference! Her plans after graduation are to take some time working in the psychology and law industry before pursuing graduate school for a doctorate in Forensic Psychology. She is interested in jury decision making, mental illness and disability in the court room, and expert witnesses. She was a member of the Western Thunder Marching Band for her three years at UW, playing in the piccolo section. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cozy games, crafting, and more!
Nathaniel Moreno - Research Assistant
Nathaniel grew up in beautiful, sunny (and sometimes much too hot) Southern California. He is a studying Psychology, with a minor in Neuroscience, here at the University of Wyoming. After he graduates, he intends to pursue a clinical psychology Ph.D, and become a neuropsychologist. In his spare time, he loves doing just about anything outdoors, hiking, camping, or fishing, and spending time cooking and eating with friends and family.
Kat Bassett - Research Assistant
Katherine grew up in Aurora, Colorado. She is pursuing a B.S. in psychology with dual minors in Neuroscience and Dance at the University of Wyoming. After graduating, she plans to earn a master's in Neuroscience and specialized training in MRI imaging and EEG data acquisition. Outside of class, Katherine enjoys dancing, hiking, and reading.
LAB ALUMNI:
Amanda Anzovino, PhD
Amanda Anzovino earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology and Law with a graduate minor in Statistics from the University of Wyoming. She is a proud alumni of the Social Cognition & Law Lab. Amanda’s professional interests are in social justice research, advocacy, and public policy analysis. Using robust research methodology, Amanda applies social and cognitive psychological theories to the criminal-legal system to identify biases, better understand legal decision-making, and inform public policy. Through multiple research awards and grants, Amanda has collaborated both domestically and internationally to examine ways we can better support survivors of sexual assault as they navigate the criminal-legal system. Additionally, Amanda has utilized her research background to bring science to policy in various roles, including as the 2025-2026 SPSSI James Marshall Public Policy Fellow/AAAS Congressional Science & Engineering Fellow, in two graduate internships with the Government Accountability Office, as a research assistant and intern for social justice non-profits, and as a research consultant for law centers.
Olivia N. Grella Robichaud, PhD
Olivia earned her PhD in Experimental Psychology with a minor in Statistics from the University of Wyoming in 2026. She is now an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at Fitchburg State University, where she teaches courses in research methods, legal psychology, forensic psychology, human sexuality, and health psychology. Her research focuses on how language surrounding sexual violence influences juror decision making.
Ryen Hunt, B.S.
My name is Ryen Hunt, and I graduated from UW in 2023 with my BS in Psychology. I was a part of the SC&LL for a year or so, where I found I like working with people who are affected by our legal system, specifically youth. I'm now working at Youthworks in North Dakota as a youth engagement specialist, where, during the day, I engage with kids who are suspended, doing online school, or have nowhere to go after school.
I enjoy social work and hope to expand my skills within this field, even though I never expected myself to go into it. But, it's one of the most rewarding and enjoyable jobs I've had, and I plan on staying in this career where I find meaning in helping others with few resources. My husband and I plan on moving back to WY sometime soon, although we love where we're at right now.
Grant Dillivan, B.S., B.A.
My name is Grant Dillivan and I was part of the Social Cognition and Law Lab during
my Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years at the University of Wyoming. While working
in the lab I found my research interests centering around private prisons, the public’s
perceptions of them, and how education on private prisons might affect the public’s
views of them. During my time in the lab I was fortunate to run my own research projects
on public perceptions of private prisons, and I was able to present my results at
several conferences! I formally graduated from the University of Wyoming with my B.S.
in Psychology and my B.A. in Criminal Justice in May of 2025.
During my final year of college, I served in the year-long Community Health Fellowship
with the nonprofit Project Horseshoe Farm. During this experience I lived in Greensboro
Alabama where I worked to improve the health and wellness outcomes for older adults
in the community, volunteered with residents of the Hale County Jail, and facilitated
educational/development programs for K-12 students. After this immersive and life
changing experience I moved to Washington, DC, in July of 2025, where I have been
since. I originally moved to DC to take part in the Truman Albright Fellowship, a
professional development program for recently graduated students in the Truman Scholarship
Program.
Since moving to DC I have been working full-time for a local nonprofit called The
h3 Project as an Outreach Specialist. This organization conducts street outreach for
those experiencing homelessness in Washington DC. Those of us in the organization
seek to support those we work with through case management services and basic needs
support. Looking forward I plan to pursue my Master’s in Social Work next fall. I
continue to miss and think about my home state!
Harrison Blakely, B.S.
Melissa Galles, B.S.
Gavin Derosas, B.S.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.