People

Lab Director

Morgan Jerald

She/Her
Email: mjerald@wisc.edu
CV

Morgan Jerald is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also an affiliate of African American Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, and the Institute for Diversity Science. Originally from Atlanta, GA, she received her B.A. from Spelman College and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Her research examines sociocultural factors, such as the media and stereotypes, that influence Black women’s gender beliefs, sexual well-being, and experiences of sexualization. Before joining UW-Madison, she was an Assistant Professor at Macalester College. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys traveling, spending time outside, watching soccer, and discovering new music/TV shows.

Graduate Student

Elizabete Romanovska

She/Her

Email: romanovska@wisc.edu

Elizabete Romanovska is a 4th-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, advised by Dr. Morgan Jerald. She earned her BA in Psychology and International Studies with a minor concentration in Political Science at Macalester College. Her research interests include intersectionality and sexuality. She is currently interested in researching how pornography shapes Black girl’s understanding of sexual pleasure and their sexual attitudes overall. Elizabete enjoys hiking with her dog, pilates, and volunteering with animals. She is also a certified birth doula with a focus on women who have experienced sexual trauma in the past.

Lab Affiliates

Nasitta Keita

She/Her

Email: nkeita@wisc.edu

Nasitta Keita, MA, is a 5th-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned her BA in Psychology and Education at UW-Madison and her MA in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri. Framed by Black Feminism and Liberation Psychology, her research interests explore (1) mechanisms of healing amongst Black workers and college students experiencing anti-Black racism and (2) how collective action impacts psycho-social outcomes. Her passion is to promote social justice through her research, teaching, clinical work, and critical community engagement. Nasitta enjoys watching sports, hiking, and participating in social gatherings in her free time.

Abbie Clapp

She/Her

Email: arclapp@wisc.edu

Abbie is a 4th-year doctoral student in Social Psychology and Gender and Women's Studies. She is primarily interested in research questions related to women's sexuality, including sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual scripts, as well as the role of objectification in shaping sexual experiences. Additionally, she is interested in measurement and scale development. When not conducting research, she enjoys thrifting, hiking, trying new recipes, and playing with her cat, Beans.

Brittney Pemberton

She/Her

Email: arclapp@wisc.edu

Brittney Pemberton is a 5th-year doctoral student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) program at UW-Madison. As an interdisciplinary scholar, her research investigates the role that intimate relationships (e.g., friends, family, romantic partnerships) play in Black women academics’ work/health (im)balance. As the eldest daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Brittney’s navigation through academic spaces has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. Relationships have been essential for her success, shaping her interest in rejecting exploitative academic norms to uncover success and well-being as simultaneous goals for Black women.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Brittney received a dual degree in Human Development (B.S.) and Psychology (B.A.) from SUNY-Binghamton and an M.A. in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs from Boston College. Her favorite pastimes include listening to podcasts, social dancing, and spending quality time with friends and family."

Undergraduate Students

Apoorva Kasireddy

Pronouns: She/Her
Class of 2029
Sophmore
Majors: Neurobiology and Psychology
Hobbies: I like to watch movies, hang out with friends and family, listen to music, and try new foods!
Dominic Jaccard

She/Her
Junior
Major(s): Psychology
Hobbies: I enjoy listening to new music, writing, spending time in nature, and playing board games.
Emily Mattson

She/ Her
Junior
Major(s): Psychology and Theatre with a certificate in Arts and Teaching
Hobbies: I enjoy acting and singing, listening to music, writing poetry or short stories, and spending time with my family and friends!
Hita Rithesh

She/her
Freshman
Psychology and Economics
Hobbies : I enjoy listening to music, reading books, swimming, and watching movies. I also love a good sunset!
Peyton Berman

She/Her
Senior
Major(s): Psychology with a certificate in Integrated Liberal Studies
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my friends, playing sports, and hanging out with my bunny, Bogey!
Selah Cole

She/They
Class of 2027
Senior
Psychology & Gender and Women Studies
I enjoy watching live music, hanging out with friends, going to the lake or outside in nature, trying new restaurants around campus, and thrifting
Sylvia Nygard

She/Her
Sophmore
Major(s): Political Science and Social Welfare
Hobbies: I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and camping, and I enjoy painting and writing fiction novels, making music, spending time with friends and family, and playing with my cat, Lucky.