Dr. Russell B. Clayton (Ph.D., University of Missouri, 2015), the 2022-2023 FSU Distinguished Teaching Professor, is an Associate Professor and Director of the Cognition and Emotion Lab in the School of Communication. He is also a research affiliate of the Institute for Successful Longevity and the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation. Clayton’s research examines how people cognitively and emotionally interact with and respond to various media and technologies utilizing psychophysiological, behavioral, self-report, and memory measures. The goal of his research is to provide recommendations into how media content and technologies can be used to advance human health, interpersonal and psychological well-being, and prosociality. His work has been published in the leading journals in the field including the Journal of Communication; Human Communication Research; Annals of the International Communication Association; Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication; Communication Monographs; and Media Psychology, among others. Clayton has received research fellowships and top-paper awards from various international and national associations (ICA, NCA, AEJMC, and AAA). He was recently named as one of four Emerging Scholars by AEJMC in 2020. Clayton has also served on, or is currently serving on, the editorial board for multiple flagship journals including the Journal of Communication; Media Psychology; Health Communication; Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media; Journal of Media Psychology; Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising; and Communication Research Reports.
Junho Park
Junho Park is a doctoral student 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 is interested in media effects and media psychology with a specific interest in attention and affective responses to new media content. During Junho’s free time, he enjoys watching Korean baseball game highlights, going for a walk with his lovely wife and puppy, and playing board games with his wife and friends.
Emily Sarra
Emily Sarra is an undergraduate in Media and Communication Studies at Florida State University. She has been on the CEL team since August 2021. Emily is interested in media psychology and the influence of media on attitudes and habits. Emily's honor undergraduate thesis focuses on psychological reactance theory, reactance proneness, and health message processing. During Emily's free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, writing, and reading.
Rachel Biangel
Rachel Biangel is a Master’s student of Integrated Marketing Communication at Florida State University. She earned her B.A. in Editing, Writing, Media and Media Communication Studies from Florida State University. Rachel has been on the CEL team since August 2021 and is interested in cross-cultural research and cognitive and affective effects of new media technologies. In her free time, Rachel enjoys cooking, reading, and hanging out with friends.
Amy Ni
Amy Ni is an undergraduate student in media and communication studies and psychology at Florida State University. She has been on the CEL team since January 2022. Amy is interested in media effects and media psychology with a specific interest in persuasion and behavioral change. During Amy's free time, she enjoys digital media creation, painting, opera singing, and skiing with family.
Supreet Deshmukh
Supreet Deshmukh is an undergraduate student in psychology at Florida State University. He has been on the CEL team since August 2021. Supreet is interested in media psychology pertaining to user interface and design. During Supreet’s free time, he likes to play guitar and listen to music.
Ella Hechlik
Ella Hechlik is an undergraduate student in media communication studies at Florida State University. She has been on the CEL team since August 2021. Ella is interested in journalism, readership, and media psychology. During Ella’s free time, she likes being with family, and her rescue dog Henry.
CEL Alumni:
Hannah Sarmiento graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Media/Communication studies from Florida State University in May of 2022. Hannah is currently a master 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.