People

Malissa A. Clark, Ph.D.

Visit Malissa Clark's Research Gate page for full-text copies of many of her publications.

Hello, my name is Malissa Clark, and I am have been an Assistant Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of Georgia since 2013. I earned my B.A. at the University of Michigan in 2002, and my Ph.D. at Wayne State University in 2010. Broadly, my program of research focuses on four main areas: 1) work-family conflict, 2) workaholism, 3) women and the workplace, and 4) emotions at work and home. My research in work-family has focused on the how personality and affect are related to perceptions of work-family conflict, and how individuals cope with work and family stressors. In my workaholism research, I am interested in what it means to be a workaholic, the emotions experienced by workaholics, and how their workaholic behavior affects one’s family. I am also currently conducting research on specific issues faced by women workaholics. I am also researching the experiences of women who are returning to the workforce after taking a career break. Lastly, I am interested in studying emotional experiences of workers, both at work and at home. Outside of research, I enjoy playing soccer and spending time with my family.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Katelyn Sanders- Lab Manager

My name is Katelyn Sanders and I am originally from Snellville, Georgia, which is only about an hour outside of Athens. I graduated in May of 2016 with my bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Women's Studies from UGA and I couldn't be more excited to have the opportunity to continue my education here. My research interests generally include work-family conflict and employee well-being. More specifically, I am interested in the experiences of underrepresented groups within the work-family literature. Additionally, I am interested in diversity within the workplace. As an undergrad, I was a member of the WAFER Lab and I am so excited to continue working in the lab as the new Lab Manager!

Olivia Vande Griek

My name is Olivia Vande Griek and I am originally from Burlington, Vermont. I am a first year graduate student in the I-O Psychology program, working with Dr. Clark and Dr. Eby. I graduated this past May from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in business. My current research interests include work-family conflict and employee wellbeing, particularly as they relate to women in positions of power. I am also interested in mentoring and possible workplace interventions that can be used to improve organizational environments and employees' career development. I am excited to be a member of the WAFER Lab, and to further explore Athens!

Angela Beiler

I’m originally from Arizona, and received my B. S. in psychology at Arizona State University in 2011 before going on to receive my Master’s of Science from Auburn University in 2013. I moved to the University of Georgia this to finish out my PhD with Malissa Clark. Current research interests include workaholism and the differential experiences of male and female workaholics, as well as the unique work-family experiences of female employees. Additional research interests include the influence of mood on employee performance and employee multitasking.

Lauren Zimmerman

I’m a third year graduate student here at UGA, however I initially began working with Dr. Clark at Auburn University in their I/O psychology program. I graduated from High Point University in High Point, NC in 2012 with a B.S. in Psychology. My current research interests include work-family issues, emotions in the workplace, and workaholism. Additionally, I’ve become increasingly interested in women’s specific experiences within the workplace as well. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed working with Dr. Clark in the WAFER lab, as well as getting to know everyone here at UGA!

Melissa Mitchell

I come from Vancouver, Canada and received my Bachelor of Arts Honors in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in June 2012. I have really enjoyed my time at Georgia since joining the I/O program in Fall 2012, and am so excited to be a member of WAFER lab! I am primarily interested in how workplace and family relationships are associated with work outcomes and employee well-being. Currently, I am working on projects related to workplace mentoring relationships, work-life issues among frequent gamblers, and how couples manage work and family.

Rachel Williamson

I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I only lived 10 minutes from the South Carolina border; however, so I've always identified as more of a South Carolinian! I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in psychology. I took a psychology course in Industrial/Organizational psychology and immediately knew this was the specialty area I was meant to pursue! However there was not an I/O field at the University of South Carolina, so I became involved with a School Mental Health Lab which helped me gain a ton of research experience! I am still figuring out my specific interests in I/O, but I am currently focusing on personality disorders in relation to the Big 5. I plan to go into a career in academia one day to become a tenured professor!

Nick Haynes

Hi, I’m Nick Haynes! I was born and raised in St. Clair, MI — right across the river from Canada. I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Taylor University in 2015 and have been doing various research-related jobs since then. I am a first-year graduate student in the I-O Psychology Program with research interests in workaholism, the work–family interface, and employee well-being. I’ve always loved traveling and learning about other cultures — I’ve traveled to Canada (of course!), Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Basque Country, Ireland, and South Korea. This passion for other cultures has led to my desire to research the cultural influence on the above research interests.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Dillon Patel: Undergraduate Lab Manager

Hey! My name is Dillon Patel, and I am fourth year student from Kennesaw, Georgia! I'm a pre-med student majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish. My primary research interests include studying workaholism, re-entry into the workplace, and work-family conflict. After completing my Bachelor's Degree in Biology, I will attend medical school at the Medical College of Georgia! Outside of the lab, I am a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Society, and UGA Red Cross. Additionally, I spend time volunteering as a youth basketball coach. In my free time, I love playing soccer, basketball, hiking, and listening to podcasts!

Rose Cahill

My name is Rose Cahill and I am double majoring in psychology and biology. I am from Dunwoody, GA and come from a big family. After completing my undergrad, I hope to go to pharmacy school. I started working for the WAFER lab two years ago and have really enjoyed getting to work on all kinds of projects. When I'm not in the lab, you can most likely find me studying, running, or baking chocolate chip cookies at home!

Jessica Keever

Hello there! My name is Jessica Keever and I am a fourth-year student from the sweet little town of Sugar Hill, Georgia. I am a psychology major, women's studies minor, and I have a certificate in personal and organizational leadership through the Terry College of Business. My research interests include leadership development and work-life balance. After graduation, I plan to pursue my Ph.D. in I/O Psychology. Until then, here on campus I work as a Resident Assistant for first-year students as well as serve on the executive board of The Arch Society. I'm excited to continue working in the WAFER Lab this semester! Go Dawgs! Go WAFER!

Cooper Drose

Hi, my name is Cooper Drose. I am a third year psychology major and cognitive science minor from Atlanta, Georgia. This is my first semester in the WAFER lab and I could not be more excited! I plan on graduating next May and hope to attend graduate school in order to earn my PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology. When I am not in class or the lab you can normally find me singing. I am a member of UGA’s all-male a cappella group The Accidentals and love traveling around with the group to perform for a wide range of audiences. Besides that I am also a member of UGA Miracle on their morale committee.

Monica Cheung

Hi! I'm Monica Cheung, and I was born and raised in Duluth, GA. I'm a third year student majoring in psychology with a minor in human services. After graduation, I hope to get a couple years of experience in the workforce before pursuing a master's degree in I/O psychology. I love journaling, making videos, and playing the trumpet. I'm also always down to have an adventure and to try new places to eat!

Divya Patel

Hi, I'm Divya Patel! I graduated from UGA this past May as a psychology major and am interested in pursuing a doctoral program to further study I/O psychology. In terms of research interests, I want to examine the characteristics that make an effective leader, the qualities that lead to the derailment of a leader, and how organizations can best understand these relationships to develop successful leaders, ultimately leading to greater organizational functioning. Prior to delving into grad school in the fall, I hope to travel and spend as much time with my family and friends as possible.

Emily Moody

My name is Emily Moody, and I’m a third year from Perry, Georgia! I’m majoring in psychology with a minor in music and a certificate in African studies. I hope to go to graduate school after graduating in 2019 to obtain a PhD in either I/O Psychology or Counseling Psychology. Right now, I’m excited to be involved with WAFER Lab to learn more about the research process and what I/O is all about!

Fransuave Moore

My name is Fransuave Moore and I am a third-year majoring in Psychology and minoring in Cognitive Science. I am from Lawrenceville, Georgia, which is midway between Athens and Atlanta. Research interests of mine include work engagement, team dynamics, organizational structures, gender, and race. After completing my bachelor’s degree at UGA, I aim to pursue a PhD in I/O Psychology. Outside of the lab, you can find me at the Main Library behind the reference desk, hiking, running, or taking photos somewhere.

Madi Bush

Hi, I’m Madi Bush! I was born and raised on St. Simons Island, GA. I’m a fourth year student majoring in psychology. This is my first semester in the WAFER lab, and I’m super excited for the next year. After graduation next December I hope to go to grad school to pursue a PhD in I/O Psychology. I love the beach, reading, hanging out with my friends and family, and playing soccer!

Aiyanna Bonner

My name is Aiyanna Bonner and I’m a senior from Acworth, Georgia, close to Kennesaw. I’m majoring in psychology and have a profound interest in women’s studies and social work. I’m excited to help my former professor, Dr. Clark, in the WAFER lab before I graduate! I’m very involved in service, both through the Guide Dog Foundation and my service sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma. After I graduate, I plan on taking a gap year to hopefully work with and mentor high school students in lower-income communities to help them apply for colleges. I hope to get my Masters in Social Work after that and continue to work within the communities around Georgia. Until then, you can find me snuggling my cat, building 1000+ piece puzzles, and trying every type of coffee available!

Emily Pascavage

My name is Emily Pascavage, a third year undergraduate student from Valdosta, Georgia! I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. I hope to further my education by enrolling in the CNL Program with Augusta University after graduation. I'm excited to participate in the WAFER lab this semester and have real experience in a research setting. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, watching movies, and listening to music!

Mennah Abdelwahab

Hi, my name is Mennah, and I am a high school senior at Georgia Cyber Academy. I have been interning with the WAFER lab since Fall 2017 through the Young Dawgs program. I was born and raised in Athens, Ga alongside my twin sister. I chose to work at WAFER because I found psychology to be really interesting and wanted the opportunity to further explore this interest. I have really enjoyed my experience at WAFER so far and look forward to the rest of this semester. Outside of the lab and high school, I enjoy volunteering with 4-H and Athens Peer Court. I also like reading and watching anything true-crime.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Former WAFER lab
undergraduate research
assistants have gone on
to a variety of Master's
and Ph.D. programs!

I/O Ph.D. program at University of Houston (Olivia Childers, 2012 graduate)
I/O Ph.D. program at Wayne State University (Daniel Krenn, 2012 graduate)
I/O M.A. program at Middle Tennessee State University (Kallie Revels, 2013 graduate)
I/O M.A. program at University of Tennessee Chattanooga (Christopher Morgan, 2014 graduate)
I/O Ph.D. program at University of South Florida (Ben Listyg, 2016 graduate)
Organizational Behavior Ph.D. program at University of Central Florida (Lauren Locklear, 2016 graduate)
I/O Ph.D. program at Central Michigan University (Ian Armstrong, 2016 graduate)
Clinical Medical Psychology Ph.D. program at Mercer University (Selin Odman, 2017 graduate)
Human Development Counseling M.A. program at Vanderbilt University (Kailey Orkin, 2017 graduate)
Public Health in Epidemiology M.A. program at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health (Amita Joshua, 2017 graduate)
MD program at the Medical College of Georgia (Dillon Patel, 2018 graduate)