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
Nguyen Nguyen
Hannah Yoo
Joe Grossman
~ Alumni ~
Ashley Neduvelil
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
Babetta Mathai
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.