P R O J E C T S

I’ve led and contributed to diverse research projects that blend rigorous methods with real-world application. Below are selected projects that highlight my analytical skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ability to extract insights from complex datasets.

Quantitative Psychology & Modeling

Applied advanced statistical & computational modeling (e.g., Bayesian, mixed models, machine learning) to real-world decision-making data. Projects include developing theoretical models of risky behavior and advising teams on quantitative strategy.

Drunk Decision-Making

Investigated how alcohol intoxication impacts decisions like driving under the influence. Combined behavioral experiments, mobile tracking, and subjective intoxication reports to predict risk-taking and inform digital prevention efforts

Stress

Explored how life stress—both acute and chronic—affects physiological stress responses (e.g., cortisol) and behavioral outcomes. Modeled relationships between stress exposure and impulsive decision-making using psychophysiological and survey data.

Gambling Disorder

Led experimental studies on problem gambling, focusing on how risk perception, stress, and reward sensitivity influence behavior. Findings contribute to understanding addiction mechanisms and improving behavioral interventions.

Obesity & Eating Disorders

Managed large-scale clinical studies on weight management and disordered eating. Analyzed behavioral and environmental influences on eating patterns and supported multi-site research operations, compliance, and grant reporting.

QUANTITATIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Publications

ALCOHOL

Publications

Selected Presentations

McMullin, S.D. (September, 2022) I am not as think as you drunk I am: Understanding intoxicated decision making. Invited talk given at the annual Webster University Alumni Homecoming Weekend, Webster Groves, MO.
McMullin, S.D., Warner, O., Motschman, C., McCarthy D.M., Davis-Stober, C.P. (June, 2022) Alcohol-impaired driving decision strategies based on subjective intoxication and ride service cost. Poster presentation presented at the 45th annual Research Society on Alcoholism conference, Orlando, FL.
McMullin, S.D., McCarthy, D.M., & Davis-Stober, C.P. (November, 2021) A model of decision making under alcohol intoxication. Talk given at the 62nd annual meeting of the Psychonomic Society. Virtual.
McMullin, S.D., McCarthy, D.M., & Davis-Stober, C.P. (June, 2021) A model of decision making under alcohol intoxication. Talk given at the annual meeting of the Society for Mathematical Psychology and the International Conference on Cognitive Modeling. Virtual.
McMullin, S.D., Hatz, L., Motschman, C., McCarthy D.M., Davis-Stober, C.P. (June, 2021) A Bayesian approach to understanding patterns of alcohol-related decision making. Poster presentation presented at the 44th annual Research Society on Alcoholism conference. Virtual.
McMullin, S.D., McCarthy, D.M., & Davis-Stober, C.P. (April, 2021) A model of decision making under alcohol intoxication. Talk given at the Oklahoma-Kansas Judgment & Decision Making (OKJDM) Workshop. Virtual.

STRESS

Publications

McMullin, S. D., Shields, G. S., Slavich, G. M., & Buchanan, T. W. (2020). Cumulative lifetime stress exposure predicts greater impulsivity and addictive behaviors. Journal of Health Psychology, 1359105320937055.
- Preregistration, Data, & Code

Presentations

McMullin, S.D., Shields, G.S., Burnett, C., Doonan, A., Slavich, G.M., & Buchanan, T.W. (September, 2022) How do early and recent life stressors shape cortisol reactivity and decision making in middle-to-older adulthood? Poster presented at the annual International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology Conference, Chicago, IL.
Baragada, S.*, McMullin, S. D., Buchanan, T. W., (April, 2020) Age-related differences in stress and impulsivity. Poster presented virtually at Saint Louis University’s Psychology Capstone Symposium, Saint Louis, MO.
McMullin, S.D. & Buchanan, T.W. (April, 2020) How early life and recent life stress shapes the framing effect in midlife-to-older adulthood. Poster presentation accepted at the Cognitive Aging Conference, Atlanta, GA.
McMullin, S.D. & Buchanan, T.W. (March, 2020) How early life and recent life stress shapes cortisol reactivity & decision making in midlife-to-older adulthood. Paper session accepted for presentation at the American Psychosomatic Society Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Rao, N.*, McMullin, S.D., Buchanan, T.W. (April, 2019). Life stress is related to impulsivity and food addiction in a college sample. Poster presented at Saint Louis University’s Psychology Capstone Symposium, Saint Louis, MO.
Aligireddy, H.R.*, McMullin, S.D., Buchanan, T.W. (April, 2019). Relationships among stress, impulsivity, and alcohol addiction in college students. Poster presented at Saint Louis University’s Psychology Capstone Symposium, Saint Louis, MO. **Received poster presentation award**
McMullin, S.D. (December, 2019). The role of stress in decision making in across the lifespan. Invited university lecture at Washington University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Saint Louis, MO.
McMullin, S.D. (March, 2018). The role of early life stress in predicting addiction-related outcomes. Invited university lecture at Webster University, Webster Groves, MO.

Funding

Co-Investigator, SLU President's Research Fund, "How Lifetime Stress Exposure and Acute Stress Shape Decision Making in Older Adults," Saint Louis University, February 2019

GAMBLING

Publications

Presentations

McMullin, S.D. & Buchanan, T.W. (September, 2018) Exploratory analyses on race differences in diurnal cortisol and risk-taking behavior in gambling disorder. Poster presented at the annual International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology Conference, Irvine, CA.
McMullin, S.D. (May, 2018). Risk perception and risky decision making in a community sample of disordered gamblers. Data blitz presented at the bi-annual Show Me Cognition Conference, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO.
Rao, N.*, Baragada, S.*, McMullin, S.D., Buchanan, T.W. (May, 2018). Risk-taking and stress physiology across different types of gambling behaviors. Poster presented at Saint Louis University’s Sigma Xi Conference, Saint Louis, MO.
McMullin, S.D. & Buchanan, T.W. (April, 2018). Risk information, risk-taking behavior, and cortisol in gambling disorder. Poster presented at the annual Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.
McMullin, S.D., Mulhauser, K., Weinstock, J., Buchanan, T.W. (October, 2017). Dysregulation of diurnal cortisol, as well as affective and deliberative decision making in gambling disorder. Poster presented at the annual National Center for Responsible Gaming Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Funding

Travel Award, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Association, September 2018
Severin Travel Award, Saint Louis University Department of Psychology, May 2018
Travel Award, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Association, May 2018
Brennan Summer Fellowship Award, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Association, June 2017
Graduate Student Travel Award, National Center for Responsible Gaming, October 2017
Travel Award, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Association, October 2017
Travel Award, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Association, October 2017

OBESITY & EATING DISORDERS

Publications

McMullin, S.D., & Goedereis, E.A. (2020) Obesity. In: Randall Summers, Essays in Developmental Psychology. Florida: American Board of Assessment Psychology.
Wilfley, D.E., Staiano, A.E., Altman, M., Lindros, J., Lima, A., Hassink, S.G., Dietz, W.H., Cook, S., Improving Access and Systems of Care for Evidence-Based Childhood Obesity Treatment Conference Workgroup*. (2017). Improving access and systems of care for evidence-based childhood obesity treatment: Conference key findings and next steps. Obesity, 25(1):16-29. *Part of the Improving Access and Systems of Care for Evidence-Based Childhood Obesity Treatment Conference Workgroup
McMullin, S.D., Ridolfi, D., Wilfley, D.E. (2017). Obesity and Eating Disorders. In Tracey Wade, Encyclopedia of Eating and Feeding Disorders. New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
Balantekin, K., McMullin, S.D., Van Buren, D., Wilfley, D.E. (2016). Childhood Obesity: Clinical Management and Outcome Evaluation. In Michael Goran, Childhood Obesity: Causes, Consequences and Intervention Approaches. Singapore: Taylor and Francis.

Presentations

McMullin, S.D. & Goedereis, E.A. (October, 2017). Weight of obesity stigma: Cortisol reactivity to public health campaigns. Invited poster presentation at Webster University Browning Hall Dedication, Webster Groves, MO.
McMullin, S.D., Goedereis, E.A. & Walsh, M.C.* (May, 2014). The physiological stress response of anti-obesity commercials among adults. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
McMullin, S.D. (February, 2014-2016). The psychological and physiological stress response of anti-obesity attitudes on emerging adults. Invited speaker for presentation in a Health Psychology course at Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri.
McMullin, S.D. (December, 2013). Psychological stress responses to anti-obesity commercials across BMI categories. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Undergraduate Research Symposium at Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri.
McMullin, S.D., & Goedereis, E.A. (October, 2013). Physical health and attitudes toward obese persons among emerging adults. Poster presented at the 6th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood (SSEA), Chicago, IL.
McMullin, S.D., & Goedereis, E.A. (May, 2013). Age differences in obesity and employment pursuit. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Funding

Student Research Grant, “The Physiological Stress Response of Anti-Obesity Commercials among Adults,” Provost's Student/Faculty Collaborative Research Grant, Webster University, March 2014
Travel Award, Webster University Student Government Association, March 2014
Student Research Grant, “Responses to Anti-Obesity Commercials across BMI Categories,” Behavioral & Social Sciences Student Research Grant, Webster University, August 2013
Travel Award, Webster University Student Government Association, November 2013
Travel Award, Webster University Student Government Association, April 2013
Travel Award, Department of Psychology Travel Grant, Webster University, February 2013

Quant

Alcohol

Stress

Gambling

O&EDs