Dr. Maya G. Sen, Director

I am an Associate Professor of Psychology at Northern Michigan University, and Director of the Gender Studies Minor. I have been at NMU since 2000. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. I received my Ph.D. in 1999 from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota, and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Research in Human Development at Concordia University in Montreal. I like reading mysteries and science fiction, traveling, camping, the ocean, and the mountains. I have two cats, Leia and Zoey. I am also a big Star Wars geek, and my favorite TV show is Firefly. You can find out more about me on my personal website at www.mayasen.com.

* * * Students (in alphabetical order) * * *

Craig Bentti

Hello, my name is Craig Bentti. I am majoring in Psychology. My class status is a Junior. I just joined Dr. Sen's lab group this semester (Fall 2009). I am originally from the Upper Peninsula, but have also lived in the Detroit Metropolitan area, Mesa Arizona, Seattle Washington, and Minneapolis Minnesota. My personal interests are fairly eclectic. I won't include a long list of things that interest me here, but feel free to ask me about them at anytime. I can usually be found reading, writing, studying, surfing the internet, making digital visual art, or writing and/or recording and/or listening to music. I am very fond of cats and cats are fond of me. I have a cat named Abra, she is a wonderful Turkish Angora; however, she is currently in my mother's care. I started my early college career studying Graphic Arts, but then decided to pursue Music and the Recording Arts and Sciences and worked in that field for a while - and still do occasionally. Along the way I picked up psychological interests one by one, and eventually decided to come back to school to pursue Psychology. My interests within Psychology are fairly eclectic as well, and those interests grow every day.

Andrea Buggy

My name is Andrea Buggy. I am a junior majoring in Behavior Analysis and minoring in Human Services. I have lived in the U.P. my entire life. I plan to go on to get a masters degree in Clinical Psychology and someday I hope to work with children in a clinical setting. I love spending time with my friends and family, relaxing on the beach, traveling, playing volleyball, drawing, and many other things.

Emily Case

I am a second year psychology graduate student at Northern Michigan University, having received my undergrad degree in psychology from Northern in 2008. I am originally from Wausau, Wisconsin. I love reading, playing music, making things, and anything involving the outdoors. I hope to one day go into clinical psychology and work as a volunteer overseas.

Kayla Caudill

I am a junior pursuing a Psychology-Graduate Prep. major and a minor in Gender Studies. I am from Crivitz, Wisconsin which is about forty-five minutes south of Green Bay. I have a lot of extended family in the U.P. and spent summers north of Marquette, which probably my reason for coming to Northern. I love kids. In the future I would like to work with them I hope in the Child Development field. In my free time I enjoy photography, racquetball, going to concerts or baseball games, and quality time with my friends and family.

Meghan Connell

I am a senior at Northern Michigan University pursuing a major in Psychology-Graduate Prep. I am from McHenry, IL and graduated from McHenry High School in 2006. I will be graduating in May 2010 from NMU and will be continuing my education for Pediatric Psychology. I love giving back to the community through volunteering and helping others. Recently I won the Michael D. Nunnally Individual Volunteer of the Year Award. I am currently the President of Alex's Lemonade Stand for NMU. Other activities I enjoy are camping, reading, fishing, crafting, and spending time with my family.

Naomi David

I am a sophomore pursuing a major in Psychology, on the graduate school preparation track. I graduated from Ashwaubenon High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where I was President and Founder of Eco Club and the Installation Art Team, a member of the NHS, German Club, Green Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Track and Cross Country team. I am currently Vice President of my house government, historian of SPA (Student Psychological Association), a member of the Honors Program, and play the oboe in the NMU Orchestra. I enjoy all forms of music, running long distances, art, reading, traveling, watching movies, and the beach.

Rachael Goldsworthy

I am currently a sophomore at Northern Michigan University, with a Graduate Prep. Psychology Major. I was born in Arizona, but have lived in Marquette MI for the greater part of my life. I love to develop pictures with SLR 35mm cameras, and have a working photo lab in my basement, which is so much fun! I also am an avid collector of antiques; I own anything from a 1904 candlestick phone to a pair of metal roller skates. I also love to wear vintage clothing—anything from 1920's-1960's. I spend a great deal of time studying and collecting antiques because our material history is fascinating, but sadly, mostly obsolete!

Hunter Harig

I am a third year student pursuing majors in biology and psychology and a minor in chemistry. I am from Grandville, Michigan which just south of Grand Rapids. After graduating, I hope to join the Peace Corps, get a master’s in public health/social work, and eventually work for the World Health Organization developing preventative medicine programs. I am very interested in environmental issues, cooking and foreign cultures. I also like reading anything by David Sedaris and listening to Amos Lee, Celia Cruz, Pearl Jam, and Stevie Wonder.

Amelia Justice

I'm a senior with a major in Theatre and French and a minor in Political Science and Psychology (just added that one!). My hometown is Amery, WI and I graduated high school in 2005. Originally I planned to attend law school after I graduated but after an internship with a law firm I realized I wanted to work more directly with people than with paperwork. So after freaking out about having to change my career decision I found a great fit in the Psychology field. I'm graduating this year from NMU and I'm applying to schools to get my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. My hope is to take my degree and work one on one with patients either in a private practice or a more clinical setting.

Hannah Kratz

My name is Hannah Kratz and I am a sophomore pursuing a degree in Psychology. I would like to minor in Math or Chemistry. Here at Northern, I am a member of the sailing team and I am the Shady Grove house president. I am also a member of the Teal Block for the Student Leader Fellowship Program. In my free time, I really enjoy playing any kind of sport and going to the beach. I am from Caro, Michigan where I grew up on a cattle farm. Someday I would love to own a rescue horse farm.

Jessica Krol

I am in my second year at NMU and majoring in Biology/Physiology with a concentration in Pre-Med. I am contemplating a minor in Spanish or Business, but can't make a decision yet. The place I call home (away from Northern) is Chesterfield, Michigan. It is a northeast suburb of Detroit located near Lake St. Claire. I love reading books of the non-textbook variety and watching movies. I love animals, which resulted in me becoming a proud parent of one dog and four cats. I recently traveled to Peru and want to go back as a volunteer doctor.

Amanda Portice

I'm a senior from Sparta, Michigan, double majoring in Spanish and International Studies at Northern Michigan University. During my years at NMU I have been involved with both the UNICEF Campus Initiative and Model United Nations. After graduating I hope to teach English abroad and then to pursue a career in peace and conflict studies. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, studying other languages and cultures, and reading.

Ariel Powers-Schaub

My name is Ariel Powers-Schaub and I am a senior Psychology student at Northern. I am originally from North Muskegon, Mihcigan but I love the Marquette area. I am a Resident Advisor on campus and I enjoy working with students. After NMU, I am going to pursue at Master's of Higher Education to continue working in a college atmosphere. I enjoy watching almost any kind of movie, going to concerts, reading, and traveling in my spare time.

Armonda Rrusti

Hello. My name is Armonda Rrusti and I am a senior in the Psychology/Behavior Analysis program. I've got a wide variety of interests including reading, hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, scrapbooking, photography, cooking, everything else outdoors, and bonding with our 2 dogs and too many cats. I have an interesting collection of books, which I hope to expand into a gigantic library for my future home. In addition to my fine English skills, I am also partially fluent in Albanian. I hope to visit someday soon so I can attempt to perfect it. I have recently discovered a love for movies and Indian food. I have yet to go to a concert, although I enjoy a broad selection of music.

Nicole Stumpf

I am Senior pursing majors in Psychology-Graduate Prep and Spanish. I am from Appleton, WI and graduated from Kimberly High School in 2006. I am graduating from NMU in May 2010 and am currently debating whether to apply for a clinical or counseling psychology graduate program, with an emphasis in child/adolescent therapy. I love giving back through volunteering; I currently serve as a Girl Scout Troop Leader in Marquette. My other hobbies include camping, scrapbooking, and reading.

Anne Totero

I am currently a Senior at Northern and a Psychology - Graduate Prep. major with a minor in Social Services. I am originally from Racine, Wisconsin and enjoy the simplistic sides of life. I have never had a nickname and music is my guidance counselor. Karaoke and exotic foods are my weaknesses while aspirations and family are my strengths! I enjoy short walks on the beach because long walks in the sand make my calves hurt :) . Smile, it's easy (and anatomically speaking you use less muscles smiling than frowning!).

Erin VanEnkevort

bio coming soon...

Anne Winiarski

My name is Anne Winiarski and I am a psychology (graduate prep) major and German minor. I will be graduating from NMU in December 2009. I plan to pursue a degree in clinical neuropsychology, and focus my research on the relationships between brain development and risk and resilience. I am currently involved in the Vegetarian Attitudes Study as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child Study. I am originally from Lake Zurich, Illinois. When I am not studying or involved in research, I enjoy reading, riding my bike, hiking, playing with my cat, Nala, and watching House. My favorite books are Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I highly recommend these books to everyone I meet. At some point in my life, I would love to work in Africa. I am the President and Chair of Education for the NMU UNICEF Campus Initiative, and I hope that I can one day use my psychology degree to help children worldwide!

Lab Alumni