Dr. Pamela Martin is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and African American Studies Program at the University of South Carolina. Prior to returning to her alma mater, she served as the Associate Dean in the College of Juvenile Justice and Interim Department Head in the Psychology Department at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). Before coming to PVAMU, she served for two years as the Chair in the Department of Psychology at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). At NCCU, she instituted the department’s branding message and the use of social media to help the department’s green efforts. She also increased the number of undergraduate and graduate students participating in research. Starting her academic career at North Carolina State University, she was the first African American female tenured in the Department of Psychology in 2009. For her outreach efforts in the Raleigh- Durham areas in 2008, Dr. Martin was inducted into the Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension and Engagement at NC State University. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from University of South Carolina, M.A. in Psychology from North Carolina Central University and a Ph.D. in Ecological/Community Psychology and Urban Studies from Michigan State University. After completing her graduate training, Dr. Martin was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Programs for Research on Black Americans at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. Influenced by ecological theory, Dr. Martin is interested in examining the person-environmental fit between social institutions such as churches and behavioral outcomes. More specifically, her research investigates the role of theology in shaping the daily experiences of African Americans. Dr. Martin seamlessly integrates her extension and engagement efforts with her teaching and research. Not only does she engages in extension outreach activities herself, she also teaches students to do so, and inspires them to continue in that tradition after graduation.
Pearl Ayiku
Research Assistant
Pearl Ayiku is an undergraduate student from Charleston, South Carolina studying Psychology at the University of South Carolina. She is interested in exploring topics such as child development among minorities, as well as strategies for destigmatizing mental health among the black community. In her free time, Pearl enjoys baking, reading, and playing the guitar.
Darryl Lee
Research Assistant
Darryl Lee is an undergraduate student from Blythewood, South Carolina. He is a senior and plans on earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Career-wise, he plans on fitting his interest in mental health studies among African Americans, and drugs/substance abuse into his broader career interest in abnormal child psychology. Outside of work, you can find him spending time with his friends and family or listening to music.
Isha Borhara
Research Assistant
Isha Borhara is a current undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina. She is in her second year earning a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, she plans on focusing on behavior in forensics and plans to pursue a job as a behavioral analyst within the FBI
Ayren Thomas
Research Assistant
Ayren Thomas is an undergraduate student from Greenville, SC studying Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina. She is interested in cognitive and social psychology and hopes to attend graduate school in Arizona. In her free time enjoys true crime television, reading, and going on drives.
Devin Weeks
Research Assistant
Devin Weeks is an undergraduate student from Columbia, South Carolina studying Psychology at the University of South Carolina. He is interested in stressors within the African American community, to better understand coping strategies and the well-being of African Americans within his community. In his free time, Devin enjoys painting and attending athletic events at his school, especially football. He is currently in the top 10 for most points awarded to a student for attending sporting events.
Tiera Cleveland
Clinical-Community
Tiera Cleveland is a 1st year Ph.D. student at USC. She graduated from Baylor University in 2022 earning a BS in Psychology. While at Baylor University, she was a scholar-athlete in Track and Field. She is interested in resiliency, religious factors, and racial socialization as cultural strength-based coping assets among Black populations.
