Madeline Brodt
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Boston, 2020
mbrodt@memphis.edu

Interests include multicultural issues (particularly disability, gender, LGBTQIA+, and racial justice issues), sexual and interpersonal violence, intersection of culture and trauma, and creating effective and socially just psychologist training. 

Sara K. Bridges
Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Memphis, 1999
sbridges@memphis.edu

Interests include counselor training, couples and family therapy, human sexuality, and constructivist theory.

Constructivist Sexuality Research Lab

Suzanne H. Lease
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1989
slease@memphis.edu

Current interests are masculinity and gender norms, career/work issues with underserved populations, and health behaviors (integrated primary care, health promotion) as they intersect with gender and career. The research team currently has a masculinity and health focus, but I'm always interested in career research also.

Masculinity and Health Research Team

Richard Lightsey
Professor
Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1992
olightsy@memphis.edu 

Interests include resilience, the relationship between stress and depression, stress and coping strategies.

Wellness/Resilience Research Team

Rosie Phillips Davis
Professor
Ph.D., Ohio State University, 1977
rbingham@memphis.edu

Interests include multicultural career counseling, ethics, health and health disparities, and university and college administration. Dr. Davis is currently serving as President of the American Psychological Association.

Chrisann Schiro-Geist
Professor
Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1974
cschrgst@memphis.edu 

Interests include international, vocational, and disability-related issues in counseling. Current research projects are in the areas of vocational psychology, as it relates to return-to-work for incarcerated persons, and transitions to work for high school seniors with disabilities.  The research team is examining the role of animal-assisted therapy in the prison and academic settings.  In addition, the TigerLIFE program has a focus on  working with young adults attending the University of Memphis in a post-secondary transition program. Graduate students are working with these post-secondary transition students as they accomplish career decision-making for persons with special needs. A "systems approach "to the team’s work addresses the individuals’ characteristics, as well as environmental barriers.

Institute on Disability