Russell earned his B.S. in psychology (focus in neurophysiology) and M.A. in health psychology from Texas State University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri with a focus in health and strategic communication. Russell has been on faculty in the School of Communication since 2015. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure (early) in 2020. His teaching and research center on media psychology, health communication, and quantitative research methods. His research has been recognized by the discipline’s leading professional organizations including in 2016 when he received a national research fellowship for his research contributions related to anti-tobacco messaging. In 2020, Russell was nationally recognized as one of four emerging scholars for his research contributions related to anti-vaping messaging. His research has frequently appeared in the leading academic journals in the field including the Journal of Communication; Human Communication Research; Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication; Annals of the International Communication Association; Communication Monographs; and Media Psychology. Russell also serves on the editorial board for many of the flagship journals in the field of Communication. His teaching has also been recognized with three Florida State University teaching awards including the prestigious University Distinguished Teaching award in 2023.
Lab Manager: Junho Park
Junho Park is a doctoral candidate and the CEL manager in the School of Communication at Florida State University. Junho earned his bachelor’s degree in Media Studies from Wheaton College, IL and his master's degree in Media Communication Studies from FSU in May of 2022. He has been on the CEL team since August 2021. Junho's research is at the intersection of media psychology, health communication, and media and religion. During Junho’s free time, he enjoys watching Korean baseball game highlights, going for walks with his lovely wife and puppy, and playing board games with his wife and friends.
Kristina Simon
Kristina Simon is a master’s student in the Integrated Marketing Communication program at Florida State University. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication Studies with a minor in film and a bachelor's degree in Editing, Writing, and Media with a minor in professional communication from FSU in December of 2023. She has been on the CEL team since September 2024. Kristina is interested in media psychology and health communication, with an emphasis on media consumption patterns. During Kristina's free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking care of her plants, and spending quiet moments with a good movie or show.
Jessica Weinberg
Jessica Weinberg is an undergraduate student in Media and Communication Studies and Music at Florida State University. She has been on the CEL team since September 2024. Jessica is interested in media psychology and media effects with a specific interest in music’s impact on behavior and emotion. During Jessica’s free time, she enjoys painting, writing, cooking, and performing with the FSU classical percussion studio.
Sazzad Mahmud “Shuvo”
Sazzad Mahmud Shuvo is a PhD student with a research interest in health communication with a focus on mental health. Shuvo holds an MA in Communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He also has an MA and BA in English Literature from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Prior to coming to the USA, he worked in the non-profit sector for more than eight years in advocacy and communications focusing on health disparities, campaigns, and influencing policymaking processes. He likes to watch movies during his free time.
Catherine Pinkos
Catherine Pinkos is an undergraduate student in Media and Communication Studies and Sport Management at Florida State University. She has been on the CEL team since September 2024. Catherine is interested in media psychology and media effects with a specific interest in social media’s impact on body positivity. During Catherine’s free time, she enjoys exercising/being outdoors, watching sports, and doing crafts with her friends.
Isabelle Shim
Isabelle Shim is an undergraduate student in the School of Communication at Florida State University. She is interested in media psychology and mental health advocacy. During Isabelle’s free time, she enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends, and watching movies.
Shehrzad “Sherry” Rasul
Shehrzad "Sherry" Rasul is a master’s student in the Media and Communication Studies program at Florida State University. She completed her bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Biology, from FSU in December of 2022. She has been on the CEL team since September 2024. Sherry is interested in media psychology, health communication, and cognition and learning. During Sherry’s free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and occasionally cooking.
CEL Alumni:
Emily Sarra graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media/Communication studies from Florida State University in May 2024. Emily is currently a graduate student in Communication at Northwestern University.
Ella Hechlik graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media/Communication studies from Florida State University in May 2024. Ella is currently a graduate student studying Business at the University of Michigan.
Amy Ni graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media/Communication studies from Florida State University in May 2024. Ami is currently a graduate student in Communication at the University of Georgia.
Supreet Deshmukh graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Media/Communication studies from Florida State University in May 2023. Supreet is data specialist at West University Charter High School.
Rachel Biangel graduated with a master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Florida State University in May 2024. Rachel is marketing specialist at Deephaven mortgage in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hannah Sarmiento graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media/Communication studies from Florida State University in May of 2022. Hannah is currently a graduate student in Strategic Communication at the University of South Florida.
Faith Delle graduated with a Master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Florida State University in May of 2021. Faith was on the CEL team from August of 2019 to May of 2021. Faith is currently a doctoral student in Information and Media at Michigan State University.
Joshua Hendrickse, Ph.D. (2021) graduated with a doctoral degree in Communication Theory at Florida State University. Joshua was on the CEL team and lab manager from August 2015 to August of 2019.
Jonmichael Seibert, Ph.D. (2021) graduated with a doctoral degree in Communication Theory at Florida State University. Jonmichael was on the CEL team from August 2016 to August of 2020. Jonmichael is currently an adjunct professor in the School of Communication at Florida State University.
Claire Georgiadis graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media Communication Studies from Florida State University in May of 2019. Claire was on the CEL team from August of 2017 to May of 2019. She is currently a graduate student at the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University as part of the Employee Scholar Program with Raytheon Technologies.
Daniella Frank graduated with bachelor's degrees in Media Communication Studies and Biology from Florida State University in May 2017. Daniella was on the CEL team from August of 2016 to May of 2017. She is currently a graduate student in Media Communication Studies at the London School of Economics.
Rachel Secharan graduated with a Master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Florida State University in May of 2018. She was on the CEL team from August 2015 to May 2018. She is currently a Senior Research Analyst at WarnerMedia in New York.
Mia Ersoff graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida State University with a degree in both Media Communications and Psychology. She was on the CEL team from August 2017 to May 2019. She is currently a doctoral student in Health Psychology at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
Christiana Giallanza graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media Communication Studies from Florida State University in May of 2020. She was on the CEL team from August 2019 to May 2020. She is currently participating in PSAV’s National College Leadership Program.
Amber Livingston graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media Communication Studies from Florida State University in August of 2018. She was on the CEL team from August 2017 to August 2018. She is currently a Marketing Associate at Sierra Monitor Corporation in Silicon Valley.
Sammie Rice graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media Communication Studies from Florida State University in May of 2019. Sammie was on the CEL team from August of 2017 to May of 2019. She is currently a Digital Marketing Specialist at Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite National Park.
Madison Wilde graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing Communication at Florida State University in May of 2018. She was on the CEL team from August of 2015 to May of 2018. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Television and Screen Studies at the University of Nottingham.
Elizabeth Ray, Ph.D. (2020) graduated with a doctoral degree in Communication Theory at Florida State University. She was on the CEL team from August 2017 to May 2018. She is currently a Postdoctoral scholar at Florida State University.
Andy Ellis (deceased) was a doctoral student in Communication Theory at Florida State University. Andy was on the CEL team from August of 2015 to May of 2017. He was a brilliant and shining light and is sincerely missed.
Alexia Gonzales is an undergraduate student in Media Communication Studies at Florida State University. Alexia was on the CEL team from August of 2015 to May of 2016. She is currently interning with The Children's Campaign.
Natalia Sanchez is an undergraduate student in Media Communication Studies at Florida State University. Alexia was on the CEL team from August of 2015 to May of 2016. She is currently finishing her undergraduate degree.
Yijie Wu, Ph.D. (2018) graduated with a doctoral degree in Communication Theory at Florida State University. Yijie was on the CEL team from August of 2015 to August of 2016. She is currently a Data Scientist at CVS Health.