Melissa graduated with her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in December of 2023, and is continuing to gain additional research experience in the lab to further her prospects of applying to graduate programs in Clinical Psychology. She initially worked as a research assistant to Dr. David Arceneaux from the Political Science department at UCCS, before finding her passion in psychology and trauma research, leading her to join the Cognition, Emotion, and Well-Being Lab in Spring 2023. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys reading novels, playing video games with her partner, and loving on her two cats. 

Melissa’s research interests include understanding the neurological impact of complex trauma disorders like PTSD, how hormonal contraceptives may impact women’s cognition and trauma symptoms, as well as the mechanisms for fostering resilience in the face of complex trauma.