Matthew Pearson (mateo)
MATEO Lab Director
Matthew R. Pearson (a.k.a. mateo)
I'm an experimental psychologist passionate about mentoring and conducting research that can help alleviate human suffering. I work well with people who share these passions and those who are not offended by an irreverent interpersonal style.
2022-present Research Professor, University of New Mexico, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions
2020-2022 Research Associate Professor, University of New Mexico, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions
2014-2020 Research Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions
2012-2014 Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of New Mexico, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, And Addictions
2012 Applied Experimental Psychology, Ph.D. 2012 Old Dominion University
2009 Experimental Psychology, M.S. 2009 Old Dominion University
2005 Psychology Major, B.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Current Lab Members
Deanna Sprunk (ds, Senior Program Manager)
ds is to the lab what gravity is to standing on the earth. In addition to being the best damned administrator I've ever worked with, I care for her deeply and will fight you if you have a problem with that! Not "literally," but literally.
Nina Christie (Postdoctoral Fellow, RM1DA055301, co-mentor: Katie Witkiewitz)
Nina’s primary goal is to conduct research that will ameliorate suffering caused by substance use. Her work is focused through the lens of harm reduction and drug policy. Nina's previous work has focused on the interplay between social isolation and opioid use. Currently, she is working with Drs. Margo Hurlocker and Megan Kirouac on the HOPE Study (Healing Opioids and Pain through Engagement). More broadly, she studies the interplay between social connection and substance use behaviors. Her goals are to directly influence drug policies and improve overall health and wellbeing among people who use drugs. You can read more details about what she is currently up to at her website here; you can also follow her on Twitter and BlueSky!
Kalina M. L. Fahey (Postdoctoral Fellow, T32AA018108, co-mentor: Katie Witkiewitz)
Kalina's research interests include the role of stress in LGBTQ+ substance use disparities and the complex relationship between LGBTQ+ identity and religion, specifically the effect religion can have on mental and physical health among LGBTQ+ populations. Her work has previously been recognized by the APA Dissertation Award and professional organizations such as Society of Behavioral Medicine and Research Society on Alcohol.
Mason L. Hatwan (1st Year, Postdoctoral Fellow, RM1DA055301)
Joey C. Mok (Research Coordinator)
Chloe E. Martinez (Research Coordinator)
Current Research Assistants
Ricardo A. Rubio
Vanessa C.Hernandez
Jenny L. Nguyen
Isabella Gutierrez
Kaviya Thiyagaragan
Joseph S.Lutz
Former Post-Doctoral Fellows
Adrian J. Bravo (Associate Professor at William & Mary)
Christian C. Garcia (Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Cincinnati)
Verlin W. Joseph (Assistant Professor at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center)
Matison W. McCool (Research Assistant Professor at UNM CASAA)
Kevin S. Montes (Associate Professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills)
Dylan K. Richards (Assistant Professor at University of Georgia)
Frank J. Schwebel (Research Assistant Professor at UNM CASAA)
Former Research Assistants
Alyssa Allen, Haydee Andujo, Susan Baumgardner (Ph.D. student, Clinical Psychology at Colorado State University), Laura G. Boothe (RN, University of Virginia Children's Hospital, also my sister from another mister), David Brown, Jude Chavez (M.A. Counseling student, University of New Mexico), Olivia Cole, Catherine Rose Cole, Matthew Crockett, Lizeth Cueto, Brittany DeAngelo, Stephanie DeLang, Chloe J. Espinosa, Stephen Frazier, Gabriel J. Gonzales, Andres Grajeda (M.A., Counseling, University of New Mexico), Savaunah A. Herrera (MBA student), Stephanie Hood (M.A., Counseling, Marquette University), Megan Horowitz, Fillip Kosorukov, Adrienne Lawless, Jenae Lynch, MacKenzie May (Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, American Lake VA), Peter Minge, Aurelie Mujynya (BSN student, Arizona State University), Matthew Jerome Pearson (M.D., Resident, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, also not related at all, just coincidentally given the same name), Bianca Rogers, Mariah Sandoval, Jesus Schink, Monica Serna, Sarah Simons, Elisha Sneddy, Melissa Sotelo, Kristin Tubb, Christopher Upton, Angelica Valazquez, Andrew Weinstein (Ph.D. student, Social Psychology, University of Houston), Natalie M. Wendel, Cynthia Wenzl, Alexander Win (M.D. student, University of New Mexico)