Chrystal Spencer is a 5th year graduate student in the Biological and Health Psychology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2018. Chrystal’s research explores how chronic psychological stress confers risk for vascular diseases in midlife, as well as the role that biobehavioral and sociodemographic factors play in explaining/modifying this relationship. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and playing with her dog, Chimnee.

Amanda Johnston is a first-year graduate student in the joint Clinical and Biological and Health Psychology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Physiology from the University of Wyoming in 2021. Her research focuses on how chronic stress and trauma linked to social inequities may impact cognitive, neural, and psychophysiological functioning. In her free time, Amanda enjoys hiking, bird-watching, and spending time with her cat, Bernie.

Carmell Beamon is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Economics. She is interested in promoting public health care and is from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Her interests range from student government to club lacrosse. When she’s away from campus, she values time caring for her grandparents and preparing gourmet meals.

Isabel Contreras-Naranjo is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Applied Developmental Psychology and minoring in Spanish Language. She was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is involved in other activities such as being a BRIDGES mentor (a first-year program at Pitt) and working with Generation Conscious (an initiative fighting hygiene insecurity on college campuses). Isabel’s academic interests include understanding and studying generational trauma in Latin American communities and other areas impacted by colonialism. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career related to developmental psychology, hopefully in a research setting or as a child/behavioral psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, and going to antique shops!

Elena Crespo is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Rehabilitation Science and minoring in Spanish Language. Originally from the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, she works on campus as a student tour guide and is a BRIDGES mentor for students from historically marginalized groups. Her academic interests include human physiology, psychology, disability studies, and women’s health. In the future, she plans on applying to graduate school for Physician Assistant Studies and hopes to make a positive impact on her community as a Physician Assistant and healthcare provider. In her free time, Elena enjoys spending time outdoors, going for walks, baking, listening to true crime podcasts, and painting!

Dextrius Williams Jr. is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, double majoring in Neuroscience and Anthropology. Originally from Hamilton, Georgia, he works as an office manager at Shadyside Hospital and previously served as a Student Behavioral Assistant at Western Psychiatric Hospital. He is the Social Action Co-Chair for Pitt’s Black Action Society and Showcase Manager for Ya’Baso, Pitt’s African Dance Team. Passionate about neuroscience research, he focuses on mental health disparities, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the stress response system. He aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and contribute to the care and prevention of trauma- and stress-related mental disorders. In his free time, he enjoys sewing, designing clothing, dancing, singing, and making people laugh, with dreams of traveling the world.