Principal Investigators
Dr. Mark Galizio
Our research focuses on the study of the complex behavioral processes such as remembering, concept formation, relapse and resurgence. Our general strategy is to adapt techniques and procedures that originated in these various fields to advance theoretical understanding of behavior as well as to develop new animal models to study drug effects and new ABA treatments.
Dr. Kate Bruce
I am an interdisciplinary experimental psychologist especially interested in the field of comparative cognition, or similarities and differences in learning patterns across species. We study learning and memory in rats, especially related to evolutionary processes. We use olfactory cues to investigate working and episodic memory, abstract concept development and effects of extinction on behavior in rats. Many of these topics have direct applications to understanding human behavior.
Graduate Students
Bobbie Wolff
"I am a third-year MA student in the PsychSci concentration. I am passionate about comparative cognition and my research focuses on select and reject forms of stimulus control in rats. Following the completion of my MA, I plan to pursue a career in veterinary behavior and behavioral welfare, especially for zoo and aquarium population animals."
Genny Guidone
I am a third year Psych Sci student who's research focuses on relapse and the basis of addictive behavior. I graduated from UNCW in December 2017 with a BA in Psychology with a cognitive concentration and minoring in Neuroscience. My passion is bringing the importance of Psychology to the public view and will be pursuing a PhD in Molecular Neuroscience at the University of Wyoming to do my part in bridging the gap between Psychology and Neuroscience. I am so proud to have been a part of the ABC lab for these past two years and feel so lucky to have worked with such an amazing group of scientists. Once a part of the Rat Pack, always a part of the family!
Kelly Hagan
“I graduated from Appalachian Sate University in 2017 with a major in psychology and a minor in social work. I am currently a second year PsychSci student in Dr. Galizio's lab. My thesis is looking at the effects quetiapine has on working memory in rats.”
Jonathan Shaw
I’m a second year ABA masters student and my thesis is on whether rats demonstrate functional equivalence. Following graduation, I plan to become a BCBA and serve my local community.
Sarah Accattato
“Sarah is a first year Psychology graduate student in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concentration. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis from UNCW in 2017. She completed her undergraduate Honors Thesis in the ABC Lab where she examined the effects of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) on working memory in rats. Sarah is now working with her thesis mentor Dr. Galizio, with a primary focus on the translational research applications of resurgence and renewal for her thesis topic. After UNCW, Sarah plans to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist and provide ABA therapy and consultation to those diagnosed under the autism spectrum.”
Kyndra Lawson
“I graduated from UNCW in 2018 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis. I am now a first year Applied Behavior Analysis Masters Student. Once I graduate, I plan on becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. “
Melissa Meglin
Melissa is a first year Psychology graduate student, focusing on a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. She graduated from UNCW in 2014, majoring in psychology and minoring in anthropology. Melissa is currently working under the mentorship of Dr. Bruce, focusing on oddity and identity relations. Melissa has a passion for children and nonhuman animals and hopes to make an impact as a future BCBA.
Undergraduate Researchers
Nick Blackburn
“I am a UNCW senior majoring in Biology, with minors in psychology and neuroscience. This is my third year as a part of the ABC lab, and I am currently working to complete a departmental honors project centered around the effect of long delays on the Odor Span Task. My career interests revolve around the applications of animal behavior research for conservation and enrichment purposes.”
Calista Holt
“I am a senior undergrad working on an honors thesis observing the effects of memantine on a match-to-sample task in the olfactometer. I hope to continue working in the field by getting a PhD in Neuroscience.”
Ceili Casadei
Haley Markham
Sophie Pinneke
“I am a senior undergraduate student at UNCW majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. In the future, I hope to go to graduate school to further my education in animal behavior, and to pursue a career in the field of animal rescue and rehabilitation.”
“I am an Undergraduate senior at UNCW from Durham, NC majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish! I have been in the ABC Psychopharmacology lab for about a year now and loving every minute of it; with the rats AND people! I hope to get my doctorate in Clinical Psychology with the hope to utilize my Spanish minor to give the Spanish-speaking community more access to mental health services.”
“I’m an undergraduate senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in applied behavior analysis. This is my second semester working in the ABC lab with Dr. Galizio and Dr. Bruce. I hope to get my masters in ABA and work within the field of psychology.”
Nori Mohamed
“I am a junior in the UNCW Honors College majoring in Psychology. Currently, I am researching in the Bruce/Galizio lab and planning on beginning my thesis there this summer. I plan to use this research experience to assist me in pursuing my goal of graduate work in psychopharmacology and eventually work in adolescent therapy. “
Caroline Krieman
Haley Morman
“I am a freshman planning to major in Psychology with a minor in neuroscience. I am so excited to get some hands on experience working in the ABC lab with Dr. Galizio and Dr. Bruce! In the future, I hope to attend PA school and specialize in pediatric neurology.”
“I am a freshman participating in the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program in the ABC lab. I plan to major in biology and minor in Spanish and neuroscience and my time in this lab has exposed me to the inner workings of research in a lab setting. I hope to continue research with Drs. Galizio and Bruce in the coming years and will decide what to do after graduation later. “
Kathryn Swaim
“I am a sophomore from Greensboro, North Carolina majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. This is my first semester working in Dr. Galizio and Dr. Bruce’s lab, I am very excited to be involved in their research. I plan to go to graduate school to earn my PhD and to pursue a career in Psychology and research.”
Christopher Reese
“I'm a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. I'm also a pre-med student and plan to attend medical school in the future to pursue a neuro-related field.”
Evan Eisenbarth
Hey, My name is Evan Eisenbarth and I'm a Psychology and Entrepreneurship and Business Development major at UNCW. I plan to graduate in Fall 2020 and I enjoy playing soccer and travelling the world.
Sean Cameron
I am a senior majoring in Marine Biology, Psychology, and Environmental Science. This is my second semester working with the ABC lab in the OST arena. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to study animal behavior in cartilaginous fishes.
Devin Eldridge
I am double majoring in Psychology and Biology. The ABC lab has provided me with research experience, skills, and an appreciation for research. I am using this lab to prepare for a graduate program in Neuroscience. My research interests include applied behavior analysis, endocrinology, and psychopharmacology.