The Aging, Cognition, and Emotion (ACE) Laboratory
Eric Allard, Ph.D.
Director of the Aging, Cognition, and Emotion Laboratory
at Cleveland State University
Dr. Eric Allard is the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Cleveland State University. Along with his role as an Associate Professor, he is also a core member of the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. and Psychological Science M.A. programs at CSU.
Dr. Allard earned his B.A. in Psychology at the University of Sioux Falls in 2004. He then went on to earn his M.A. in Social and Developmental Psychology from Brandeis University in 2007 and his Ph.D. in Social and Developmental Psychology from Brandeis University in 2010.
Prior to his faculty appointment at CSU in 2014, Dr. Allard spent 4 years as a postdoctoral research fellow at Boston College. His research interests include aging, emotion regulation, well-being, eye tracking, and psychophysiology.
Adult Development and
Aging Ph.D. Students
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Ph.D. program in Adult Development and Aging is offered jointly with the University of Akron's Department of Psychology. Drawing on the resources of both universities, the program prepares students for careers as researchers and scholars in a variety of settings, including higher education, medical centers, government agencies, and research institutes.
5th Year Ph.D. Student
Ryan Muskin, M.A.
(he/him)
Ryan is a fifth-year graduate student in the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. program and is expected to graduate in Spring 2026. He earned his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Dayton and his M.A. in Psychological Science from Cleveland State University.
Ryan’s thesis focused on age differences in emotional reactivity to facets of sadness and anger. His research interests involve how emotional experiences change across the life span. Ryan plans on pursuing a career in academia and directing his own psychology laboratory.
5th Year Ph.D. Student
Abigail Behrend, M.A.
(she/her)
Abbey is a fifth-year graduate student in the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. program and is expected to graduate in Spring 2027. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in German and Family Studies from Baldwin Wallace University.
Abbey’s thesis focused on attachment across ages and exploring its role in emotion regulation. Her research interests include aging, emotion regulation, attachment, individual differences, relationships, and goals during emotion regulatory processes. Abbey plans to pursue a career in academia and to continue her research.
4th Year Ph.D. Student
Michelle Moore, B.A.
(she/her)
Michelle is a fourth-year graduate student in the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. program and is expected to graduate in Spring 2028. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Cleveland State University.
Michelle’s thesis focuses on affective certainty in old age and assessing mood-personality links for creative thinking. Her research interests include aging, emotion regulation, personality, and creativity. Michelle plans to pursue a postdoc position and to eventually become a professor and continue her research.
2nd Year Ph.D. Student
Caroline Lapish, B.S.
(she/her)
Caroline is a second-year graduate student in the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. program and is expected to graduate in Spring 2030. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from Cleveland State University and is currently in the process of finalizing her thesis to earn her M.A. in Psychological Science from Cleveland State University.
Caroline’s thesis focuses on aging, religion, and security threat. Her research interests include aging, emotions, existential psychology, meaning, purpose, and time perception. Caroline's long-term plan involves continuing her research.
2nd Year Ph.D. Student
Jaclyn Merrill, M.A.
(they/them)
Jaclyn is a second-year graduate student in the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. program and is expected to graduate in Spring 2030. They have earned a B.F.A in Design and Technology at West Virginia University, B.S. in Psychology from West Liberty University, and M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Indiana State University.
Jaclyn’s thesis will focus on age related attitudes and behaviors regarding sexual and gender orientation. Their research interests include queer ontogeny and evolution. Jaclyn’s future goal is to work in an environment that supports their academic goals and respects their research.
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1st Year Ph.D. Student
Melanie McGregor, M.A.
(she/her)
Melanie is a first-year graduate student in the Adult Development and Aging Ph.D. program and is expected to graduate in Spring 3031. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Criminology from Cleveland State University and her M.A. in Psychological Science from Cleveland State University.​
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Melanie’s thesis explored the role of resilience in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and subjective well-being in older adults. Melanie’s goals are to pursue a career in academia and continue her research.
Clinical Psychology and Psychological Science
Master's Students
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
The Clinical Psychology specialization of the M.A. program aims to train highly qualified, culturally responsive master's level graduates to work in a variety of clinical and research settings and/or to move on to doctoral work.
The Psychological Science specialization of the M.A. program provides students with a solid foundation in scientific research and is designed to prepare students for further doctoral training and/or careers in academia, biomedical research, business, or clinical practice.
2nd Year Master's Student
Shannon Boyle, B.A.
(she/her)
Shannon is a first-year graduate student in the Psychological Science M.A. program. She earned her B.A. in psychology from Cleveland State University.
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Her research interests include neuropsychology, multiple sclerosis, ADHD & autism, and living with chronic illness. Shannon’s long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology.
Master's Student
Jeffrey Conaway, B.A.
(she/her)
Jeff is a graduate student in the Psychological Science M.A. program. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Marshall University. Jeff’s research interests are centered on how LGBTQ+ identities influence a host of psychological outcomes.
Not Pictured:
Brian Brooks,
Abigail Hendricks Morse
Undergraduate and
Post Grad Volunteers
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Undergraduates majoring in psychology learn to apply a broad range of psychological concepts that describe and explain the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of humans and animals, apply basic statistical concepts, create psychological research designs, and evaluate psychological research.
3rd Year Undergraduate Student
David Popivker
(he/him)
David is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology and minoring in Neuroscience and Political Science and is expected to graduate in Fall 2025. His research interests include lifespan development, relationships, memory processing, coping methods, and logotherapy. David’s goal is to pursue a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.