Team
Lab Director
Mike Chmielewski
Across all areas of science, it is essential that models of the phenomenon of interest are as accurate as possible. Moreover, measurement is critical to all areas of research. The overarching goal of Dr. Mike Chmielewski's research is to enhance the accuracy of our models of psychopathology/clinically relevant constructs and improve our ability to measure/assess these constructs. Dr. Chmielewski (he/him) accomplishes this through three inter-related programs of research: (1) by focusing on psychometrics, construct validity, measurement, and scale development, (2) by enhancing the conceptualization and classification of psychopathology through empirically based structural models, and (3) by examining links of normal personality traits with psychopathology and other psychological constructs. Dr. Chmielewski also has multiple ongoing collaborations allowing him to apply these lines of research to health and developmental psychology. Recently, Dr. Chmielewski has become interested in identifying other barriers to replicable and valid research.
Email: mchmielewski@mail.smu.edu
CV
Graduate Students
Alexa Jimenez
Alexa Jimenez, M.A. (she/her) is a doctoral student and Mustang Fellow in the Clinical Psychology graduate program, currently completing her predoctoral internship at the University of Buffalo (Department of Psychiatry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences). In May 2020 she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University at Buffalo, earning her B.A. in Psychology with Highest Honors and completing minors in Sociology and Counseling. Her personal research program centers on combining psychometric research and measurement development procedures with Ecological Momentary Assessment methodologies to clarify and model the structure of psychopathology. Alexa aims to understand the differences in within- and between-person structures of personality and internalizing psychopathology, and to use this information to inform dimensional models of psychopathology.
Email: alexajimenez@mail.smu.edu
CV
Caroline Lee
Hyungseo (Caroline) Lee, M.A. (she/her) is a fifth-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Emory University in May 2022, earning her B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Quantitative Sciences. Caroline’s research focuses on improving the measurement of psychopathology, with a focus on substance use and externalizing. Caroline is also interested in assessing the impact of social and contextual factors on the lived experience, conceptualization, and assessment of psychopathology. To investigate these topics, Caroline applies psychometrics, quantitative modeling, and computational methods.
Email: carolinelee@mail.smu.edu
CV
Elizabeth Bell
Elizabeth (Eli) Bell, M.A. (she/they) is a fifth-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program. They earned a BS with research distinction in Psychology and minors in Women and Gender Studies, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Statistics from SMU in May 2022. Their research interests are rooted in a) measurement, b) the dimensional structure of psychopathology, and c) intersectionality. Their current work is on the role of repetitive thinking—a broad construct that taps aspects of ruminations, obsessions, worries, and several other maladaptive cognitive processes—as an underlying mechanism of psychopathology and personality. As they continue studying individual differences in mental health outcomes, they plan to examine factors related to gender, sexual, racial, ethnic identity and community contexts, such as stigmatization and cultural pride. In line with the purposes of open science, their goal is to promote greater inclusivity and representation of diverse experiences in clinical science.
Email: belle@mail.smu.edu
CV
Research Assistants
Alexa Botello
Alexa Botello (she/her) is graduating from Southern Methodist University in May 2027 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Business and Neuroscience. Her research interests include psychopathology, neuroscience, and personality, especially how these areas interact to influence behavior and functioning. She aims to better understand individual differences in behavior and psychopathology to contribute to more effective treatment and improve people's well-being. After graduation, Alexa is considering an M.A. in Counseling or a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Jordan Kahn
Jordan Kahn (she/her) is pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and expects to graduate in May 2027. Her research interests include psychometrics, learning differences, and psychological assessment, particularly among children and adolescents. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a career conducting educational and psychological evaluations with children.
Liam Leahy
Liam Leahy (he/him) graduated from Clemson University in 2024 with a major in computer science and a minor in psychology, and is currently working as an app developer while also volunteering as a research assistant. Liam's interest in the study of the mind and human behavior began at Clemson University, and he hopes to eventually attend graduate school to continue his learning journey and apply his knowledge toward helping others.
Mia Lorenz
Mia Lorenz (she/her) is a junior working towards a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, as well as minoring in neuroscience. Her research interests include personality and eating pathology. After graduating, she plans to pursue her masters and provide evidence-based services to pediatric populations.
Virginia Madden
Virginia Madden (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with a minor in Educational Studies. She plans to pursue graduate study in clinical psychology, potentially through a PhD program, with the goal of combining psychological research with clinical practice. Her research interests include personality, individual differences, and psychopathology, particularly how personality traits and developmental experiences contribute to the onset and expression of mental health concerns.
Lab Alumni
Graduate Students
Mayson Trujillo
Mayson Trujillo, Ph.D. (she/her) graduated from the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at SMU in 2025. After successfully completing her predoctoral internship at the VA Northern California Health Care System, Mayson started a new position as a Postdoctoral Scholar for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Her research interests center on the measurement of personality and psychopathology. In particular, she is interested in improving the psychometric properties of our measurement tools by examining factors that influence reliability, including transient measurement error.
Email: mntrujillo@mail.smu.edu
CV
Research Assistants
Naisha Hasan
Naisha Hasan (she/her) graduated from Southern Methodist University with B.S. in Psychology with minors in Statistical Science and History, and is pursuing her M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at SMU. Her primary interest lies in enhancing psychometric assessments to gain deeper insights into individual and group behavior. Naisha aims to use her knowledge of psychometrics and personality to improve workplace efficiency and strengthen leadership dynamics.
