Meet Our Team

~Lab Director~

Shin Ye Kim, Ph.D.




I am an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University. I completed my doctoral training in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (APA-accredited) with a minor in Educational Statistics and Measurement in 2016 and an APA-accredited internship at NYC Health + Hospitals|Kings County, part of the largest public health care system in the United States. In addition, I previously completed a Master’s Degree in Prevention Science and Practice at Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Busan National University of Education in South Korea.

My research program focuses on investigating contextual factors related to the intersection of work, family, and health (psychological health and chronic pain conditions) in diverse populations with two overarching lines of inquiry: 1) how cultural, linguistic, social, and interpersonal dynamics influence pain experience and opioid use and 2) how two major life roles — work and family — independently and collectively influence health and how these phenomena occur and are influenced by cultural factors (gender role, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and age).

My clinical work has focused on serving underserved and underrepresented individuals with histories of severe mental health issues as well as chronic pain conditions through a psychodynamic orientation. My doctoral clinical training was completed at academic medical centers, public and community hospitals in three different cities in Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Madison and Racine. My master’s clinical training was at an urban high school in Boston. Additional work fundamental to my identity as a clinician is the four years of psychoanalytic training at the Wisconsin and Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute during my doctoral training. I am excited to bring the depth and breadth of my clinical experience to the next generations of psychologists.

Beyond my work as an instructor, mentoring students has become extremely important to me. I run an active research team consisting of several doctoral and undergraduate students, who have broad aspirations, including becoming psychologists, pathologists, oncologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, dentists and health care researchers. I am proud to say that this is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job. I feel strongly about the importance of collaborating with students as well as scholars in diverse disciplines. I involve graduate students in research early in their training using both the “apprentice model” and “junior colleague model” based on their developmental level. I have received excellent mentorship, understand its importance, and I am committed to “paying it forward.”

Outside of Academia, I love being in nature, from small adventures exploring local parks to longer voyages to state and national parks. Recently, I have gotten back into playing piano and enjoy listening to the works of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, whose work impresses me every time I hear it. The intersection of quantum physics, psychotherapy and Buddhism is also an subject of my musings, and I hope to write a piece on this subject when I get closer to retirement. I practice Seon Meditation and love reading and discussing anything about it.

~ Graduate Team Members ~

Jacob Daheim

Jacob grew up in Temple, Texas and is currently a fifth-year doctoral student in Dr. Kim’s lab. He earned his B.S in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University and his M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech. His primary research interests are in gender, health, and athletics, with an emphasis on the link between men’s conformity to masculine norms and health outcomes. Several of his current research projects focus upon how masculinity influences men’s risk of abusing opioids. In his free time he enjoys anything unrelated to school including playing board games, watching movies, hiking, running, and playing basketball.

Nguyen Nguyen

Nguyen Nguyen (Win-Win) is a fourth-year doctoral student in the TTU Counseling Psychology program. Nguyen was born and grew up in Vietnam. He came to the United States when he was 18 and completed his B.A. in Psychology at Cal Poly Pomona in Southern California. Nguyen’s research interest includes the intersection between health, positive, and multicultural psychology. Nguyen is currently working on a project examining how speaking with a non-native English accent affects career development and psychological outcomes among college students whose English is not the first language. Besides research, Nguyen also has a passion for teaching and mentoring, and he wants to work in academia in the future. In his free time, Nguyen enjoys cooking and eating various types of cuisine, watching horror movies, learning music theory, and playing the piano.

Hannah Yoo

Hannah is a second-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student in Dr. Kim’s lab. She grew up in Dallas, Texas, and received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research aims are to examine key variables such as cultural values, acculturative stress, and diasporic experiences, as well as their potential effects on minority health and wellness. Hannah is also interested in community outreach– integrating psychological research, technology, and public services to improve physical and mental health outcomes for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors, and practicing yoga.

Joe Grossman

Joe is a first-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student in Dr. Kim's lab. He grew up near Akron, Ohio, and received his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in statistics from Anderson University (IN) in 2019. He then completed his M.A. in Applied Clinical Psychology from Penn State University in 2021. His research interests focus on the intersection of gender ideology (specifically, masculinity) and behavior health outcomes include substance use, mental well-being, and parenting practices. Joe is also interested in community involvement centered around helping foster and adoptive families in transitional phases. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and cooking.

~ Alumni ~

Ashley Neduvelil

Ashley Neduvelil completed her doctoral training in the TTU Counseling Psychology program and is currently a post-doctoral fellow at a private practice in Dallas area.
Ashley grew up in Dallas, TX and received her B.S. in Psychology/Child Learning & Development from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2015. She also received her M.S. in Psychology from Texas Tech University in 2017. Her research interests include ethnic minority health, particularly with regards to risk and protective factors, health psychology, depression, and coping processes. In her free time, she enjoys baking, sketching, painting, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

Dianna Boone

Dianna Boone completed her doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at TTU, and currently is a post-doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins hospital. Dianna grew up in Tampa, FL and earned her BA in psychology from the University of Florida and earned her MA in mental health counseling from the University of South Florida. Her research interests include examining psychological factors that are related to chronic health conditions in youth. She is particularly interested in parenting factors that contribute to pediatric obesity. Dianna and Dr. Kim recently published a manuscript examining how family strain relates to depression and chronic pain in a sample of older adults. In her free time, Dianna enjoys reading and painting.

Babetta Mathai

Babetta Mathai completed her doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at Texas Tech University. She currently is a postdoc at the University of Florida, Health Science Center.
 Babetta grew up in Houston, TX and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Broadly, her research and clinical interests include youth symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety), physical activity, and pediatric health behaviors/problems. She also has an interest in child/adolescent trauma populations, including those who have experienced medical traumas. Due to overlapping interests with health-related and cultural variables, Babetta began working with Dr. Kim on projects related to chronic pain, health disparities, cultural orientation, and opioid use. In her free time, Babetta enjoys hearing good corny jokes/puns, working out, and finding new places to eat and explore.