Lab members

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Sophia is a first year graduate student in the Communication & Advocacy program. Her research focuses on mental health advocacy, specifically campaigns in suicide prevention & awareness. 

Throughout her undergraduate career at Penn State Schuylkill Campus, she presented research at the Eastern Communication Association’s 2021, 2022, and 2023 Undergraduate Scholars Conference and at the National Communication Association’s 107th and 108th Annual Convention. She has also co-authored three papers with her research mentor Dr. Valerie Schrader. "I am very excited to continue my research in mental health communication and advocacy and suicide prevention at JMU."

Anitha is a first-year master's student in Communication and Advocacy and a current Fulbright Scholar at James Madison University, specializing in health communications. Her research is focused on mental health advocacy, especially on health campaigns that advocate accessible and affordable mental health services for the most vulnerable. Anitha is Global Health Corps Alum and as a global health champion who has been recently exposed to working with global health institutions, she is driven to tackle health inequities by leveraging her skills and experience in communications, marketing, and social initiatives she has been a part of in both corporate and non-profit settings in Rwanda.

 “I’m looking forward to learn from the Terror Management Lab and work with the team particularly on mental health related research.”

Outside of her studies and work, Anitha loves outdoor adventures, hiking, and listening to music.

Emily is a first year graduate student in Communication & Advocacy. Her research focuses on both organizational communication and mental health advocacy, especially focusing on issues relating to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Driven by an extensively academic family background, Emily transferred to JMU after two years of undergraduate study at Carthage College and joined the Terror Management Lab during her senior year. She presented research with the lab at the Virginia Association of Psychological Sciences and has helped organizing such events as the AFSP Out of Darkness Walk. She intends to continue to a PhD and becoming further involved in proliferating communication research and education

Paige graduated from JMU in May 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a first year graduate student in Communication & Advocacy and has always wanted to pursue a master's degree and is excited to be continuing her career at JMU. 

Paige is interested in the intersection of psychology and communication in two different areas: sports and the criminal justice system. She is looking forward to applying the advocacy component of her degree to one of those field in order to make improvements throughout her career. 

Helly is an accomplished graduate with a Master’s in Global Mental Health from the University of Glasgow, where she systematically reviewed anxiety disorders and self-injurious behavior in South Asia. Her research expertise lies in the realm of social psychology, specifically exploring death anxiety and the Terror Management Theory. She aims to design culturally appropriate intervention and prevention strategies that resonate across diverse populations. 

Driven by her passion for positive impact, Helly aspires to be a proactive researcher, catalyzing transformative change in suicide prevention research. Her commitment to developing effective strategies reflects a profound dedication to creating a meaningful and lasting impact on mental health outcomes within her community and beyond.