SAPR Lab - University of Florida

 

Graduate Trainees

Elena Kalina

Ph.D. Student

Background: Elena Kalina, B.S., is an NIH NIAAA T32 Predoctoral Research Fellow (PhD student) in the Department of Health Education and Behavior in the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida. She holds a bachelors of science in psychology from Barrett the Honors College at the Arizona State University. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Nichole Scaglione. 

Research Interest: Elena's research focuses on developing, testing, and evaluating health education interventions designed to reduce harm associated with substance use among young adults. She is currently designing a dissertation using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to collect momentary data about intentions and motivations to limit alcohol consumption in a social drinking space. This EMA data collection will answer questions about how individual differences on impaired control over alcohol (e.g., drinking more or longer than intended) at baseline are related to in the moment changes in intentions and motivations to limit alcohol consumption among young adults who drink socially. Results will have implications for intervention development, a future direction that Elena plans to pursue as a postdoc. 

Graduation Date: Summer 2026


Samantha Goldstein

Ph.D. Student

Background:Samantha (Sam) Goldstein,B.S., is a PhD student in the Department of Health Education and Behavior in the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida. She was recently selected to receive the Grinter Fellowship Award, which is awarded to truly exceptional incoming graduate students. Her primary research mentor is Dr. Nichole Scaglione and she is currently funded through a research assistantship within the University of Florida SAPR Lab. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Florida

Research Interest: Broadly, Sam's research interests are at the intersection of women's mental, sexual, and reproductive health. More specifically, she is interested in exploring the long-term health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV)-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in female and gender/sexual minority (GSM) victims/survivors. 

Graduation Date: Summer 2028


Cary Carr

Current Involvement: Serving as Director of Health and Wellbeing Education at Haverford College & as an adjunct instructor with the University of Florida

Background: Cary Carr, PhD, MPH is an adjunct instructor in the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida. She is also the Director of Health and Wellbeing Education at Haverford College. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, Master of Public Health, and graduate certificate in women's studies from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Temple University. Cary has more than seven years of experience working with survivors of violence and abuse. 

Research Interest: Cary’s research focuses on responding to and preventing violence against sex workers in the United States. Cary’s research focuses on responding to and preventing violence against sex workers in the United States. Cary aims to incorporate feminist methodologies within her research and is passionate about the role of academia in advocating for social justice. She hopes that her research can amplify the voices of those who have been stigmatized and lead to improvements in culturally competent violence response.

External Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarr/


Shea Cunningham

M.S. Student

Background: Shea Cunningham, B.S., is a Master of Science student in the Department of Health Education and Behavior in the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at Carson-Newman University. During her undergraduate degree, Shea completed two semesters of a teaching assistantship for an introductory psychology course. She also investigated gender differences in Martin Seligman's theory of learned optimism. Shea presented her findings in a symposium at the Southeastern Psychological Association conference. While Shea has spent several years working outside of the field, personal experiences led her to obtain her master's degree. Dr. Scaglione is advising Shea on her independent research project.  

Research Interest: Shea's primary research interest is in the area of menstrual health. She is specifically interested (1) menstrual product insecurity and education in the disabled population, (2) menstrual health, attitudes, and knowledge from the non-menstruator's perspective, and (3) the history and origin of terminology and semantics in women's health. Shea's current project investigates the intersectionality of menstrual product insecurity and disability.

Graduation Date: Summer 2024


Emily Murray

M.S. Student

Background: Emily Murray is a MPH student in the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida (UF). Emily's first introduction to health behavior and violence prevention was when she volunteered as a violence prevention trainer with the University of South Florida's Center for Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention (CVAVP). From meeting and working with survivors, Emily found her passion in becoming involved with and leading research efforts that work to prevent violence. 

Research Interest: Emily's research interests focus on preventing the occurrence of sexual violence, as well as exploring how substance use impacts sexual violence. In addition, Emily is interested in the application of health behavior theory within sexual violence and substance use prevention programs and is determined to investigate how prevention strategies and programs can be adapted and integrated into other fields. Emily is currently working with UF's Equal Access Clinic Network to conduct a qualitative research study that explores the need for sexual violence prevention resources and services among underserved populations. Emily hopes that her role in academia can provide new and mobilize existing violence prevention efforts that better serve her community.