Current Lab Members
Lab Director
Dr. Ryan L. Brown
She/Her
Ryan Brown is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University and Director of Scientific Communications for the NIA-funded Stress Measurement Network. Trained as a social health psychologist, her research focuses on how fundamental human experiences (love and loss) contribute to mental and physical health as we age. In addition to research on social loss, she considers unique contexts that can inform broader research such as: viral illness and vaccination models, studies of chronic social stress (e.g., caregiving), and experimental manipulations to examine positive effects of acute stress. She began hosting the Stress Puzzle podcast in 2024. Ryan completed post-doctoral training in the Bakar Aging Research Institute and the Psychology and Medicine NIMH T32 program at UCSF. She received her Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences from Rice University in 2022, an MA in Psychological Sciences from Rice University in 2021, and a BA in Applied Psychology from Bryant University in 2017. Outside of the lab, Ryan loves to read fiction, play with her dog, craft, and is always happiest when immersed in nature.
To learn more about Dr. Ryan Brown's qualifications and experience, please view her CV here.
Graduate Students
— DOCTORAL STUDENTS —
Carlos Silvera, B.A.
He/Him/His/El
Carlos is a second-year doctoral student in Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University. He was born in Bayamo, Cuba and raised in Hialeah, Florida. His research investigates how Hispanic cultural constructs—such as Machismo, Marianismo, Familismo, and Fatalismo, etc.—influence stress responses, health-decision making, and health outcomes in Hispanic communities. Drawing from his lived experiences and research background, Carlos aims to develop culturally informed medical models and behavioral medicine interventions to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life for underserved populations. Before joining TTU, he managed multiple NIH-funded studies at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on psychosocial interventions for cancer survivors. He holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University with majors in Psychology, Romance Languages, and Spanish. In his free time, Carlos loves to go to the beach, go to local farmers market, and spend time quality with his husband and Frenchie.
Kristen Stopfer, B.A.
She/They
Kristen is a second-year doctoral student in Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University. Originally from Bangor, Pennsylvania, Kristen did her undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh where she received her B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Political Science. During her studies, she worked as a research assistant with Drs. Peter Gianaros and Mark Scudder, studying biopsychosocial influences on brain and heart health. As a graduate student, she is broadly interested in the physiological changes that accompany negative social experiences, particularly how the cardiovascular and immune systems respond to grief. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and doing any and every art/craft.
— MASTER'S STUDENTS —
Nathan Selvaggi
He/Him/His
Nathan is a M.S. student in Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University, advised by Dr. Ryan Brown, and is originally from Commerce, Texas. He is currently on the Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's track and will soon graduate with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences and a B.A. in Spanish from Texas Tech. In addition to his academics, Nathan has clinical experience as a medical assistant in various outpatient settings. Shaped by his upbringing in rural Northeast Texas and his interest in applied clinical biopsychosocial care, his research focuses on investigating and comparing the allostatic load of multigenerational caregiving among "Sandwich Generation" midlife adults between rural and urban settings. Through this work, he aims to better understand health disparities within these populations and support current and future improvements in primary care delivery in rural communities. In his personal time, Nathan enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling whenever possible!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Logan Foster
He/Him
Logan is an undergraduate psychology student pursuing nursing at Texas Tech University. He is fascinated by topics of attachment and generational trauma. He is passionate about music, coffee, and helping others. Beginning early in life, he played the clarinet and later expanded in conducting and teaching. In his free time, he likes playing video games, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Cailyn Green
She/Her
Cailyn is a senior in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences at Texas Tech University. Her primary goal is to use what she learns through her degree and research experiences to be able to advocate for others.
Olivia McLellan
She/Her
Olivia is a senior completing her B.S. in Human Development and Family Science at Texas Tech University. She loves learning about anything related to social psychology and has really enjoyed learning more about stress and health responses in the lab. In the future, she looks to continue learning and researching in the field of social psychology, and is exploring options for graduate school. Outside of the lab, she loves to workout, cross-stitch, and spend time with her friends!
Kira Murray
She/Her
Kira Murray is a first-generation college student from Philadelphia pursuing a Biology major with a minor in Human Sciences at Texas Tech University. Her research interests focus on a critical gap in medicine, and understanding how chronic stress and systemic inequities drive cardiovascular health disparities in Black women across the lifespan. Recognizing that biology alone cannot explain these outcomes, she examines the intersection of physiological stress responses, social determinants of health, and structural racism to inform more equitable health solutions. Looking ahead, Kira aspires to earn a PhD and become a physician-scientist who bridges rigorous research with culturally competent care. She is committed to being part of a new generation of healthcare leaders committed not just to treating disease, but to dismantling the systemic inequities that create it through science, advocacy, and compassionate practice that serves historically marginalized communities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Lab Alumni
— POST-BACCALAUREATE STAFF —
Imani Sims, B.A.
She/Her
Imani was a research coordinator in the STAR Lab from 2024-2026. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Ethnic Studies. After graduation she worked as a research coordinator in a pediatric psychology lab at Texas Tech University with an emphasis on pediatric behavioral and physical health. Her research interests include the intersection of faith and mental health, and the comorbidity of chronic illness and mental health. Imani also has interest in the development of culturally and racially sensitive mental health programming. Imani will begin her Master of Social Work at Texas Tech University in Fall, 2026.