Blake A. Allan
CURRENT TEAM
Christina Segura, BS: Christina was born in College Station, Texas, and raised in Anahuac and San Antonio, Texas. She received her BS in corporate communication from Lamar University in 2020 and started her MEd in counseling at the University of Houston in 2021, which she plans to complete en route to her doctorate in counseling psychology. Broadly, her research interests include access to meaningful and fulfilling work and equity in higher education and the workforce. Specifically, she is interested in how work precarity affects working Latina mothers and relates to health disparities experienced in that population. She is also interested in the relationship between trauma and mental health, how people create meaning from their experiences, and the process of resilience. When not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, exercising outside, cooking/eating good food, reading, and bingeing Netflix shows.
Abha Prasad, MBBS, MD: Abha is from Coorg, India and received a MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore in 2008 and an MD in Psychiatry from Government Medical College, Kozhikode in 2012. Abha's research interests are in decent work, meaningful work, access to decent work and meaningful work in the marginalized communities, individuals of lower socioeconomic status, and individuals with chronic mental illnesses and mild intellectual disabilities. She is also interested in studying the impact of Covid-19 on low wage workers and burnout in mental health professionals. In her spare time, Abha enjoys cooking, reading books, and listening to (and attempting dance moves) with her family!
Haleem A. Brown, MS: Haleem was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2018, and master's in community psychology in 2020. Haleem’s research interests include examining Black students success and academic motivation at the collegiate level. When he’s not working, Haleem enjoys hiking, playing and talking basketball, photography, talking with family, and creative stuff.
Journa Njoh, MEd, EdS: Journa is of Haitian descent and was primarily raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, as well as a master’s of education and education specialist degree in Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling concentration) from the University of Florida. Her research interests are focused on exploring health disparities related to accessibility and quality of mental healthcare and social/cultural influences as they relate to chronic stress, particularly among Black and ethnic minority groups. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, fitness, cooking, and binging shows.
Tracie Liu, B.A.: Tracie was born in Harbin, China and spent most of her life just south of Nashville, Tennessee. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University in 2018, and her current research interests include bridge employment and meaningful work after retirement for older adults. She is also interested in employment among immigrants, positive psychology, racial/cultural factors, and mindfulness. Her favorite pastimes include dancing, wandering around new places, reading and writing, rewatching the same three shows on Netflix, and eating desserts.
Patrick Murphy, BA: Originally from Rensselaer, IN, Patrick lived for 7 years in Fort Wayne, IN, where he attended Purdue University and earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology. His current research interests focus on the relationship between social mobility and psychological outcomes. Patrick is also interested in exploring how principles of positive psychology can be used to develop strength-based interventions among low socioeconomic status populations. When he's not working, he enjoys traveling, listening to live music, reading, and almost anything that gets him out in nature.
PAST TEAM MEMBERS
Taewon Kim, PhD: Taewon was born in South Korea and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Science, and Women's Studies from Ewha Womans University. She graduated with her PhD in Counseling Psychology in 2023 and now works as an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida.
Haley Sterling, PhD: Haley was born in Zanesville, Ohio and moved to Highlands County in Florida in 2008. She attended the University of Florida and attained an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2011. She graduated with her PhD in Counseling Psychology in 2022 and currently works as a postdoc in the Orlando VA.
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Eileen Joy, PhD: Originally from Queens, New York, Eileen obtained her BS in Psychology from Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Washburn University in Kansas. She graduated with her PhD in Counseling Psychology in 2022 and currently works as a postdoctoral fellow in the VA.