Meagan J. Brem, Ph.D.
Lab Director
Dr. Meagan Brem (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Science program within Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Tennessee in 2021 after completing an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Charleston Consortium/Medical University of South Carolina (Substance Abuse Track). Dr. Brem's research investigates the intersection of alcohol use and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. To date, her research has focused on mechanistic testing of distal and proximal moderators of the association between alcohol use and IPV, broadening the definition and reach of alcohol-related IPV theories, testing brief, laboratory-based interventions for aggression, and examining IPV correlates among various populations (e.g., college students, adolescents, adults arrested for domestic violence, adults with substance use disorders, community couples, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+). Her research has been funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA; R21AA030858; F31AA026489) of the National Institutes of Health, and the American Psychological Foundation (2017 Visionary Grant Recipient).
When she is not in the lab, Dr. Brem might be found going for a run, hiking through one of the local trails with her family, or exploring a new restaurant.
Chip the Cat
Lab Mascot
Chip makes meaningful contributions to the REACH Lab, particularly by sharing his expertise in effective emotion regulation strategies. Chip encourages birdwatching and a healthy dose of sleeping.
Meet Our Team!
Allison Tobar (she/her), B.S. & B.A.
Graduate Student, Department of Psychology
Allison is a second-year Ph.D. student and received a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Psychology at the University of Rhode Island. In undergrad, she was in various research labs exploring substance use, health disparities, and intimate partner violence on a NIDA K23 grant. After undergrad, she spent two years as a research assistant on a PCORI-funded comparative effectiveness study examining different models of care for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Additionally, she studied how COVID-19 impacted recovery and prenatal care for mothers with substance use disorders. Allison’s research interests include sexual assault and risky behaviors with an emphasis on substance use while using mixed methods and a community-focused approach. She also has a particular interest in underrepresented populations within these topics.
​
E-mail: atobar@vt.edu
_JPG.jpg)
Thomas Joseph Shaw (he/him), B.A. & B.S.
​
Graduate Student, Department of Psychology
​
TJ is a second-year Ph.D. student and received B.A.’s in History and Photojournalism and B.S. in Psychology from Syracuse University. During undergrad, TJ worked as a research assistant in the Minority Stress & Trauma Lab at Syracuse under Dr. Jillian Scheer, studying stigma-related stress, trauma exposure, hazardous drinking, and PTSD, specifically in sexual and gender minority populations with a focus on sexual minority women. His research interests revolve around understanding the pathways to bidirectional intimate partner violence perpetration through mixed methods research. He is particularly focused on attachment insecurity, coping mechanisms, and substance use. TJ hopes to develop accessible interventions that target malleable mechanisms associated with intimate partner violence.
​
E-mail: tjshaw@vt.edu
Lindsay Mongan (she/her), B.A.
​
Graduate Student, Department of Psychology
​
Lindsay is a third-year Ph.D. student who received a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Stony Brook University. During undergrad, Lindsay worked as a research assistant in the Relationship and Forensic Assessment Center at Stony Brook under Dr. Daniel O’Leary, studying the etiology, prevention, and treatment of sexual minority stress, dyadic coping, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. Her research interests include intimate partner violence, sexual assault, PTSD, as well as the relation of each of these constructs to substance use. Lindsay is currently Hokie Wellness’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Education graduate intern at Virginia Tech. In addition, she is currently working on a grant at the Salem VA exploring short term treatment for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use problems.
​
E-mail: monganlm@vt.edu
Kaitlyn Westerhold (she/her), B.S.
​
Research Assistant and Study Coordinator
​
Kaitlyn graduated in May 2022 from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior (ABB). She is also the Project Coordinator for the Breathalyzer Study. As Kaitlyn stays active in the lab, she is interested in PTSD, emotion regulation, substance use, and intimate partner violence. Kaitlyn is planning to attend graduate school for clinical mental health counseling. Aside from research, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time hiking, painting, and taking pictures!
Jordan Minnick (she/her)
​
Research Assistant
​
Jordan is a current senior with a double major in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in working with adolescents and increasing accessibility for mental health services. After her time at Virginia Tech, she plans to pursue graduate school for clinical psychology!
Samantha Kaps (she/they)
​
Research Assistant and Study Coordinator
​
Samantha (she/they) graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Disabilities Studies and Music in Fall 2023. She is currently the Study Coordinator for the Alcohol & Stress Couples Study. She has been engaging with the community through the REACH Lab since August 2022. Drawn to the lab because of their focus on relationship health and substance use trends in the broader community, Samantha advocates for de-stigmatization and cultural competence in mental health and substance use care. Outside of her work with the lab, Samantha passionately contributes to harm reduction and community resilience efforts as a Crisis Counselor for the Crisis Text Line and as a volunteer for Southpaw Community Space and Mutual Aid Hub. She's currently looking for post-baccalaureate research positions and aims to earn a Masters in clinical mental health counseling later.
Jacob Holloway (he/him)
​
Research Assistant
​
Jacob is a senior majoring in Psychology with minors in Adaptive Brain & Behavior (ABB) and Sociology. Jacob is from Virginia Beach and transferred to Virginia Tech from Tidewater Community College in Fall 2022. Jacob hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, which has consistently been his dream since early high school. Jacob enjoys the REACH Lab because he has had the opportunity to engage with elements of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), substance use, marriage & family therapy, and other topics important to clinical psychology. Jacob enjoys the heavy community engagement offered by this lab and hopes to continue working with underrepresented rural populations in his future as a psychologist.
John Ray Roberts (he/him)
​
Research Assistant
​
John Ray is a graduate student in the Counseling and Human Development program at Radford University. John Ray is a graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, with a B.A. Degree in Psychology, and a minor in Public Health. He also received an M.Div. from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His research interests include sexual violence, identity narratives, and the intersection of comorbid conditions with traumatic life events. John Ray is a New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) counseling intern and a United States Army Reserves (USAR) officer. In addition, he is currently applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs for the fall semester, where he hopes to pursue further research on trauma and associated mental health issues to develop evidence-based intervention strategies to improve resilience.
Julia Krugh (she/her)
​
Research Assistant
​
Julia is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in Adaptive Brain & Behavior (ABB). Julia is from Pittsburgh, PA. Julia hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology or get a J.D. in Law. She is also considering doing a joint program of getting a J.D. and a Ph.D. Julia is interested in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and continues to learn about it through REACH Lab. Besides research, Julia stays active through skiing and ballet.
Keeley Shoemaker (she/her)
​
Research Assistant
​
Keeley graduated in December 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology with an Adaptive Brain and Behavior (ABB) minor with a pre-med focus. Currently, Keeley is studying for the MCAT and preparing for medical school applications to be sent this summer. Besides research in the lab, Keeley works as an emergency advocate at the New River Women's Resource Center. Keeley spends her free time reading and taking her dog on hikes!
Zachary Hubshman (he/him)
​
Research Assistant
​
Zachary is a current senior majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. Zachary is interested in addiction research while also researching better outcomes for Young Adults/Adolescents. Throughout Zachary's time at Virginia Tech, he has published "Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with obesity". He has also presented at two poster sessions. In the fall, Zachary plans to attend graduate school at Dalhousie university for a masters in psychiatric research. In his free time, Zachary loves to watch horror movies.
Kaitlyn Stewart (she/her)
​
Research Assistant
​
Kaitlyn is a current senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior (ABB). She is very interested in domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and childhood trauma. Besides REACH lab, she also works part time as a server! For fun, Kaitlyn loves photography, painting, and hiking!
Joshua Farnsworth (he/him)
​
Research Assistant
​
Joshua is a current Psychology major that will graduate in Winter 2024. Following graduation, Joshua is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He plans on continuing research in intimate partner violence, and alcohol and substance use. Outside of the lab, Joshua trains mixed martial arts, skateboards, and exercise.
​