The SHINE Research Lab
The SHINE Research Lab
About The SHINE Lab
Welcome to the SHINE Lab!
We are a psychology research lab at Stockton University directed by Dr. Colleen Kase.
SHINE is an acronym we use for: Sexual Orientation, Mental Health, INtensive Longitudinal Methods, and Eating Disorders.Our overarching research focus is mental health.
We study two main topic areas within this field. First, we identify factors that contribute
to the mental health of LGBTQ+ adults. Second, we investigate questions related to disordered eating and body image. Most of our projects are online survey-based, and we often use daily diary, experience
sampling, and other intensive longitudinal methods in our research.
Contact Information
Colleen Kase, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
SHINE Research Lab Highlights
- Lab members have presented posters and papers at national psychology conferences. In this photo, Atiyana Moyenda, Bella Bruno, Carly Girgenti, and Dr. Kase present their research at the 2025 Eastern Psychological Association conference in New York City.
- Former lab member Ronald Cox published his research in the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-04989-001
- The lab is a recipient of Stockton University’s Research and Professional Development Grant and multiple Research Experiences for Undergraduates grants to support its work.
- 2000+ research participants across all 50 states
Current Projects
Minority Stress Reactivity
Aging Over the Rainbow
We are exploring how stressors and resilience factors impact the health of lesbian
and bisexual women ages 65+.
If you (or someone you know) is eligible, please fill out our interest form. Participation involves completing a 30-minute online survey. You will be compensated
for your time.
Dr. Colleen Kase, Ph.D.
Hello! I am an assistant professor of psychology at Stockton University and the director
of the SHINE Lab. I graduated with my PhD in counseling psychology from the University
of Maryland and completed my clinical internship at Temple Unversity’s Tuttleman Counseling
Services.
One of my favorite things about being a counseling psychologist is the way that my
experiences treating clients in therapy spark new research questions, and in turn,
my research informs my clinical interventions. I am passionate about applying rigorous
research methodologies and advanced statistical techniques to answer questions related
to sexual minority mental health and disordered eating.
Research Assistants
Lorelei Crawford
Emily Fania
Piero Olazabal
Student Projects for Distinction
Bella Bruno
Cristian Della Fave
For Students
Dr. Kase is actively accepting students to serve as research assistants in the SHINE
Lab. She typically works with psychology majors, but she is open to working with students from other programs.
Serving as an RA is a great opportunity to develop valuable research skills, build
your resume for graduate school applications, and receive research mentorship and
support.Dr. Kase also enthusiastically accepts advanced psychology students who wish
to complete their Project for Distinction under her supervision.
If you are interested in joining the lab, please see the information below. Note that
positions in the lab tend to open up at the start of the fall semester. To have the
best chance of gaining a position in the lab, it is best to contact me by the end
of the preceding spring semester.
- GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Completion of PSYC2241 (Statistical Methods)
- Preferred, but not required: Completion of PSYC3242 (Experimental Psychology)
- Preferred, but not required: Ability to commit to working in the lab for at least two semesters (academic credit is available)
- Preferred, but not required: Interest in pursuing a research-intensive graduate program (e.g., Counseling or Clinical Psychology PhD program)
Students working in my lab are expected to:
- Dedicate a certain number of hours per week (usually between 5 and 10) to research tasks, as established during our initial meeting
- Promptly respond to email communications
- Regularly attend weekly or bi-weekly meetings (depending on the project) to discuss study progress
- Complete assigned tasks by the agreed-upon deadlines
- Behave ethically and professionally in all stages of the research process
Email me at colleen.kase@stockton.edu. Please include the following information:
- Your complete name, Z number, program of study, GPA, and anticipated graduation date
- Why you are interested in joining the SHINE research lab in particular
- Whether you have completed PSYC2241 and PSYC3242, and if so, provide the names of the professors with whom you took the two courses
- A copy of your resume
For Community Members
If you are interested in participating in future studies, please send Dr. Kase an
email at colleen.kase@stockton.edu.
We are especially interested in recruiting members of the LGBTQ+ community for our
research. Since most of our research is online, you do not need to be located in New
Jersey in order to participate.
Mental Health Resources
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline: Call 1-800-950-6264
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
LGBTQ+ Resources
- Trevor Project Hotline: Text START to 678678 or call 1-866-488-7386
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: Call 1-888-843-4564
- Trans Lifeline: Call 877-565-8860
- It Gets Better Project
- Human Rights Campaign
Eating Disorder Resources
- National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: Call 1-800-931-2237
- National Eating Disorders Association
