Dr. Burke is an Assistant Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at LSU. After earning her B.S. in Psychology from Bowling Green State University as well as her M.S. and Ph.D.  in I/O Psychology from Penn State, Dr. Burke joined the Psychology Department at LSU. Her work applies the scientific method to understanding power dynamics at work, focusing primarily on the topics of leadership and diversity. Partnering with organizations to apply her expertise, she has helped clients with member retention, attitudes, and recruitment as well as leadership assessment and development.

In her free time, Dr. Burke enjoys playing tennis, often competing in local leagues and tournaments.  She also spends time working on her garden and learning new recipes.  

Sydney Green is a fifth-year student and Huel Perkins scholar in the industrial-organizational psychology program on Dr. Vanessa Burke’s team. Originally from Ohio, she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kent State University in 2018. She received her master’s degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 2021 under the direction of Dr. Rachel Smith. Her research focuses on supporting socially marginalized employees through improving organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and fellow graduate students, reading, and exploring the city of Baton Rouge.

Sydney is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Denison, University and will be graduating in the Fall of 2023. 

Sydney Roux is a second-year graduate student in the LEAD laboratory. She grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.S. in Psychology and Communication Studies. As an undergraduate, she worked a lot with food insecurity by volunteering at the on-campus student pantry as well as taking on an internship there.

Her research interests include diversity for women of color in corporate workplaces as well as leadership and worker well-being. More specifically, she is interested in how being a woman of color in corporate workspaces affects their mental health, productivity, and feelings of safety and satisfaction.

In her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time in her hammock with a good book, working out, or playing video games with friends.

Gabrielle Mellor is a current junior studying psychology and English literature. A native of New Orleans, she has been an LSU Tigers fan for as long as she can remember. This year in the L.E.A.D. Lab, she is working on a research project examining the regulation of masculinity violations in the workplace with support from an LSU Discover Project Grant. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, Gabrielle has been pursuing the LSU Discover Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher distinction and, in the future, hopes to earn a Ph.D. in psychology. Beyond her academic pursuits, she enjoys volunteering at local community service events with the Student Philanthropy Council and spending time with her younger sisters, Sadie and Nora. 

Kennedi George is a senior at LSU, pursuing a degree in forensic psychology with a Spanish minor. As an Ogden Honors Student, she is dedicated to academic excellence and is currently conducting groundbreaking research in the LEAD research lab. Her thesis dissertation focuses on the intricate dynamics of how racial resentment influences juridic decision-making in both white-collar and blue-collar crimes.

Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Kennedi is an avid participant in club volleyball, showcasing her passion for sports and teamwork. She also exemplifies her commitment to community service through her volunteer work with the One Breath Project and her executive positions on Student Government and The Kollective, making a positive impact beyond the classroom and lab. Kennedi George is a driven and well-rounded student who continues to excel in both her academic and extracurricular endeavors