Professional Summary

As an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, I specialize in training evaluation, assessment development and validation, leadership assessment and development, occupational health, and work motivation. As a Research Psychologist at the Center for Army Leadership, I focus on advancing leadership assessment and development by overseeing and contributing to multiple research initiatives. My work centers on ensuring the validity, reliability, and fairness of leadership assessments while maintaining alignment with Army regulations and professional standards. With a background in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, I provide evidence-based insights that help shape leadership development strategies. I also collaborate on creating tools designed to foster self-awareness and professional growth among leaders. My role involves communicating complex research findings to stakeholders, offering actionable recommendations that drive improvements in leadership practices. In my previous role as a Research Psychologist with Leidos working for the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, I led applied and research projects that involved implementing leadership development programs, evaluating and enhancing psychological readiness, and developing and validating assessments of core leadership competencies within specialized operational communities (e.g., submarine and nuclear field duty). My research focused on the intersection of psychological need satisfaction at home and work, exploring how this interaction influences work recovery, well-being, motivation, and burnout. Through my work, I applied theoretically driven, empirically tested, and data-informed practices to advance the readiness and effectiveness of the undersea warfighter community.

Education
  • University at Albany, State University of New York
    • Doctor of Philosophy Industrial-Organizational Psychology ● 2023
  • University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
    • Master of Science Experimental Psychology ● 2017
    • Bachelor of Science Psychology (Magna Cum Laude; Neuroscience Minor) ● 2014
  • University of Wisconsin Fond du Lac
    • Associate of Arts and Science Business Emphasis ● 2011
Publications

Bizarro, A., Hernandez, D., Hanson, M. D., Peltier, C., & Handy, J. (2022). Development of the Submarine Environment Fit (SUBFIT) Assessment: Psychometric review and comparison of enlisted and officer trainees. Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory.

Randall, J. G., Hanson, M. D., & Nassrelgrgawi, A. S. (2021) Staying focused when nobody is watching: Self-regulatory strategies to reduce mind wandering during self-directed learning. Applied Psychology, 71(4), 1428-1464.

Hanson, M. D., Randall, J. G., Danna, G. C., & Le, H. Q. (2020). Enhancing workplace learning through mindfulness. In S. K. Dhiman (Ed.), The Routledge Companion to Mindfulness at Work. Abingdon, England: Routledge.

Ulatowska, J., Olszewska, J., & Hanson, M. D. (2020). Does test type influence false recognition in the DRM paradigm? Comparison of the yes/no recognition test and two-alternative forced-choice test. American Journal of Psychology, 133(1), 49-62.

Steinert, S. W., Hanson, M. D., Weiss, N., Berg, J. V., Hong, P. Y., & Lancaster, R. (2020). A critical analysis of student nurses’ knowledge and use of the American Psychological Association’s Publication Manual. TNNMC Journal of Nursing Education and Administration, 8(1), 31-39.

Lee, S. Y., Hanson, M. D., & Cheung, H. K. (2019). Incorporating bystander intervention into sexual harassment training. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 22, 52-57.

Hong, P. Y., Hanson, M. D., Lishner, D. A., Kelso, S. L., & Steinert, S. W. (2018). A field experiment examining mindfulness on eating enjoyment and behavior in children. Mindfulness https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-0916-1

Atherton, R. P., Chrobak, Q. M., Rauscher F. H., Karst, A. T., Hanson, M. D., Steinert, S. W., & Bowe, K. L. (2018). Shared processing of language and music: Evidence from a cross-modal interference paradigm. Experimental Psychology, 65(1), 40-48.

Olszewska, J., Ulatowska, J., & Hanson, M. D. (2016). Do format differences in the presentation of information affect susceptibility to memory distortions? The three stage misinformation procedure reconsidered. American Journal of Psychology, 4, 407-417.

Publications in Progress

Hong, P. Y., Hanson, M. D., Lishner, D. A., Kelso, S. L., & Steinert, S. W. (under review). A randomized field experiment examining the effect of mindfulness on children’s, parent’s, and teacher’s ratings of children’s mood and behavior. Mindfulness.

Randall, J. G., Zajac, S. A., Hanson, M. D. (in preparation). Mindful training: Integrating mindfulness into workplace learning.

Randall, J. G., Hanson, M. D., Le, H. Q., & Danna, G. C. (in preparation) Frustrated and Bored: Predicting Self-regulation Failures in Training.

Hanson, M. D., & Randall, J. G. (in preparation) Training on Purpose: Mindfulness and “Mindfulness” in a Training Environment.

Hanson, M. D., & Hong, P. Y. (in preparation) Anxiety, attention, and mindfulness following focused-attention and open-monitoring mindfulness meditation.

Professional Presentations

Hernandez, D. B., Hanson, M. D., Dilweg, D. R., Clark, D. A., & Louie, J. F. (2023). Psychological Readiness Screening and Building a Tough and Resilient Force. [Brief to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) Director of Medical Information and Research and Development]. Naval Submarine Medication Research Laboratory, Groton, CT, United States.

Hanson, M. D., Louie, J. F., Bizarro, A., Dilweg, D., Hernandez, D., Clark, D. A. (2023, June 21-23). Building a Competency Model for the Submarine Force Leadership. [Program Review Presentation]. Office of Navy Research Annual Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Program Review, Arlington, VA, United States.

Hanson, M. D., Baranik, L. E., Smith, R. W., Fan, L. (2021). Development of the refugee job search stressor scale. Symposium presented virtually at the 81 annual meeting of the Academy of Management Convention.

Hanson, M. D., & Randall, J. G. (2021). Training on purpose: Mindfulness in a training environment. In M. D. Hanson & J. G. Randall (Chairs), Training and self-regulation: Advances in the field [Symposium]. Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology 36th Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, United States.

Baranik, L. E., Hanson, M. D., Mian, M. & Yeo, A. (2021). Refugee Roundtable Survey: Supporting Economic Stability. Capital Region Refugee Roundtable, Albany, NY.

Hanson, M. D., & Smith, J. (2020). Predicting Vaping Topography: The Roles of Demographics, Product Usage, and Day of the Week. Reynolds American Intern Presentation Series, Winston-Salem, NC.

Professional Conference Posters

Handy, J., Bizarro, A., Clark, D. A., Hanson, M. D., Hernandez, D., & Smallidge, T. (2022). Warrior toughness improves outcomes for enlisted sailors at naval nuclear power training command. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Military Health System Research Symposium, Kissimmee, FL.

Hanson, M. D., Randall, J. G., & Nassrelgrgawi, A. S. (2019). Self-Regulation interventions in a self-directed learning environment. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology, National Harbor, MD.

Randall, J. G., Hanson, M. D., Arredondo, M. L., & Jandrew, M. (2019). Predicting self-regulation failures in training. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology, National Harbor, MD.

Zimmerman, C., Hong, P. Y., Lishner, D. A., Ebert, A., Hanson, M. D., Steinert, S., & Kelso, S., (2017). Mindfulness, academic performance, and mood. Poster presentation at the annual convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.

Hong, P. H., Zimmerman, C. N., Lishner, D. A., & Hanson, M. D. (2017). Mindfulness and eating enjoyment and behavior in preschool children. Poster presented at the 18th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, San Antonio, TX.

Ebert, A., Hanson, M. D., Rapp, E., Wenzel, T., Bagley, A., & Hong, P. Y. (2016). The effect of perceived child intelligence on public perception of hyper-parenting: A replication study. Poster presentation at the annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.

Hanson, M. D., Ebert, A., Voskuil, T., Barbieri, A., Schlueter, A., Steinert, S. W., Kelso, S., Zimmerman, C., Hong, P. Y., & Lishner, D. A. (2016). Anxiety, Attention, and Mindfulness Following Focused Attention and Open-Monitoring Mindfulness Meditation. Poster presentation at the annual convention of the International Conference on Mindfulness, Rome, Italy.

Steinert, S., Hanson, M. D., Kelso, S., Lishner, D. A., Hong, P. Y., & Vitacco, M. J. (2015). A replication of psychopathic callous affect as a predictor of empathic concern and positive affect toward those in need. Poster presentation at the annual convention of Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.

Ebert, A., Kelso, S., Steinert, S., Hanson, M. D., Hong, P.Y., & Lishner, D. A. (2015). An examination of the role of source credibility on invalidating messages on affect. Poster presentation at the annual convention of Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.

Hanson, M. D., Steinert, S., Kelso, S., Ebert, A., Lishner, D. A., Hong, P. Y., & Vitacco, M. J. (2015) Psychopathy and ability emotional intelligence: A re-analysis of Lishner, Swim, Hong, & Vitacco (2011). Poster presentation at the annual convention of American Psychological Association, Toronto, CA.

Miller, T., Pionk, T., Kelso, S., Steinert, S., Hanson, M. D., Lishner, D. A., Hong, P. Y. & Vitacco, M. J. (2015). Psychopathic callous affect as a predictor of empathic concern and happiness toward those in need. Poster presentation at the annual convention of Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Grant Activity
  • Defense Health Program Restoral Grant ● $130,000 ● 10/01/2023 – 09/30/2025
    • Secured funding to research the influence of psychological need satisfaction on burnout via motivation in submariners.
    • Manage a multidisciplinary team to move the project forward while providing learning opportunities to junior researchers.
    • Collaborate with multiple parties from various agencies to collect the support needed to successfully conduct the research.
  • Defense Health Program Sustainment Grant ● $265,000 ● 05/01/2024 – 09/30/2025
    • Secured funding to systematically validate the use of a large-scale psychological assessment as a sailor developmental tool.
    • Manage the planning and preparation of a multi-year study, focusing on career development and performance metrics.
    • Develop a detailed research plan for data collection, ensuring methodological rigor and timely completion of each phase.
  • Benevolent Association Research and Creative Activity Grant ● $480 ● 01/01/2023 – 04/30/2023
    • Secured a prestigious research grant to investigate how psychological need satisfaction interacts to improve work recovery
    • Leveraged innovative statistical analyses to test how complex interactions between predictors influence an outcome
    • Wrote and gave an engaging presentation on the results of the investigation to a multidisciplinary committee of experts
Professional Experience
  • Research Psychologist U.S. Army Center for Army Leadership ● Fall 2024-Present
    • Lead and support multiple research projects/programs focused on leadership assessment and leader development
    • Conduct research on the development and validation of leadership assessments to ensure fairness, validity, reliability, and compliance with professional testing standards and Army regulations
    • Perform both quantitative and qualitative data analysis to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment improvements and feedback to Army leaders and stakeholders
    • Assist in the creation and implementation of leader development tools to promote self-awareness and self-development among leaders
  • Research Psychologist – Industrial-Organizational Psychologist U.S. Naval Submarine Force (via Leidos) ● Fall 2021-Fall 2024
    • Led the development and operation of targeted, rigorous, and innovative research to investigate and evaluate ways in which to predict and improve upon important personnel and operational outcomes
    • Crafted comprehensive, compelling, coherent research write-ups to effectively convey objectives, methods, and outcomes
    • Applied evidence-based I-O psychology principles to create, validate, and implement psychological assessments that measure critical attributes, competencies, and leadership capabilities to address the unique requirements of the U.S. Submarine Force
    • Utilized statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) to analyze complex assessment data, identifying trends and providing actionable insights and recommendations to support decision-making and policy development
    • Presented research findings at professional conferences and military briefings, contributing to the knowledge base and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
    • Provided psychological readiness feedback reports to approximately 2,600 enlisted and 100 officer students at Naval Submarine School annually
  • Research Project Assistant SUNY Research Foundation ● 2019-2023
    • Conducted factor analyses to establish validity evidence for a scale measuring refugee job search obstacles
    • Performed research focused on gaining insight into refugee and immigrant job search obstacles and privacy concerns
    • Presented the results and implications of the research to stakeholders and academic audiences across the U.S.
  • Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Intern Reynolds American, Inc. ● Summer 2020/2021
    • Performed research centered on gaining insight into how vapor product usage changes over time
    • Utilized SeeQ to establish and analyze complex longitudinal vaping topographical and demographic datasets
    • Presented the results and implications of my research to organizational leaders and C-suite executives
  • Student Assistant New York State Department of Health ● 2018 - 2018
    • Developed a questionnaire to measure obstacles preventing submitters from moving to paperless test submissions
    • Generated ideas to streamline the specimen testing process
    • Developed longitudinal reports that tracked test and requsition numbers
    • Entered specimen, test, and demographic data into the clinical laboratories information management system
    • Standardized the language used between laboratories
  • Business Development Specialist The Dieringer Research Group, Inc. ● 2017 - 2017
    • Prepared PowerPoint and Word research proposals that were aimed at addressing potential clients’ key initiatives
    • Researched and networked with outside consultants to estimate incidence, cost, and feasibility
    • Prepared sales and opportunity reports for the business development department, sales team, and CEO
    • Managed the new sales, opportunities, and contacts sections of the Customer Relations Management system
    • Prepared preliminary pricing quotes for new opportunities
Research Experience
  • Independent Doctoral Dissertation Supervised by Jason Randall, Ph.D.
    • Performed a comprehensive literature review that bridges Self-Determination Theory, Conservation of Resources Theory, and Effort-Recovery Theory to propose novel and consequential hypotheses
    • Developed and implemented a research study to examine how psychological need satisfaction at work and home interact to influence work recovery and well-being
    • Conducted a linear regression and a polynomial regression with response surface analysis to test hypotheses that proposed how psychological need satisfaction at work and home interact to influence work recovery and well-being
  • Student Training Evaluator Supervised by Jason Randall, Ph.D.
    • Collaborated with the New York State Office for People with Development Disability to improve an Informed Decision-Making training program
    • Collected data from 37 employees who participated in an Informed Decision-Making training program and completed evaluation surveys before and after the training
    • Evaluated trainees’ declarative knowledge, ability to recognize superior behaviors, self-efficacy, affective and utility reactions, and motivation to transfer
    • Co-authored an anterior Scope of Work Report and a posterior Technical Report, which summarized the research questions, project objectives, and the deliverables and reported on the results of the Informed Decision-Making training evaluation, respectively
  • Graduate Research Assistant Supervised by Jason Randall, Ph.D.
    • Examined the factors that contribute to successful learning in an online, self-directed training setting
    • Supervised up to 12 researcher assistants
    • Contributed to writing an Army Research Institute grant proposal focused on measuring informal learning in the workplace
    • Developed the theory and design for an original research study to examine the influence of mindfulness and sham mindfulness in a formal training environment
  • Graduate Research Assistant Supervised by Ho Kwan Cheung, Ph.D.
    • Coded 1,159 articles about family responsibilities, perceived need, commitment, competence, and warmth, and career outcomes
    • Developed a training to teach undergraduate research assistants how to search for journal articles
    • Developed the theory and design for an original research study to examine the influence of mindfulness in a diversity training
  • Independent Master’s Thesis Supervised by Phan Hong, Ph.D.
    • Developed the theory and design for an original study to examine the effects of mindfulness meditation on affect, anxiety, attention, and mindfulness
    • Programmed the experiment using E-Prime
    • Produced audio recordings for mindfulness meditation and control sessions
  • Graduate Research Assistant Supervised by Lixin Jiang, Ph.D.
    • Coded 100 articles about safety climate by industry, level, and type of safety climate measure
    • Reported correlation coefficients and alpha levels for variables related to safety climate
  • Graduate Research Assistant Supervised by Phan Hong, Ph.D.
    • Examined the effects of mindfulness on affect, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, and grades in children aged 4-9
    • Conducted on-site mindfulness activities and trained children to be mindful
    • Presented information about the study, including the background and method, to teachers and parents
    • Organized and managed the everyday functioning of four sites
    • Supervised eight researcher assistants
  • Graduate Research Assistant Supervised by Phan Hong, Ph.D.
    • Examined the effects of mindfulness on affect, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, and grades in college students
    • Produced audio recordings for a mindfulness session and a control condition session
    • Organized a mindfulness and control session to be administered during the first ten minutes of each class period
    • Managed the everyday functioning of the study with ten graduate and undergraduate researcher assistants
  • Graduate Research Assistant Supervised by David Lishner, Ph.D.
    • Examined the effect that positive and negative outcomes have on the relationships between callous affect, happiness, and empathic concern
    • Gathered data from participants by running them through a controlled situation that included deception
Teaching Experience
  • Instructor of Record – Industrial/Organizational Psychology (122 students) University at Albany, SUNY ● Spring 2021
    • Responsibilities
      • Designed all aspects of the course, including presentations, assignments, and assessments
      • Assessed students’ learning through discussions, quizzes, papers, and exams
      • Maintained live, weekly office hours and tutoring sessions upon request
      • Led class using Blackboard, PowerPoint, and Zoom
      • Provided consistent feedback to students related to each lesson taught
      • Managed and tracked students’ attendance and participation
    • Teaching Innovations
      • Integrated a Spotlight on Science segment into the lectures to introduce the students to new research in the field of I/O Psychology, with an emphasis on researchers from marginalized backgrounds
  • Instructor of Record – Industrial/Organizational Psychology (130 students) University at Albany, SUNY ● Fall 2020
    • Responsibilities
      • Implemented and administered predesigned presentations, assignments, and assessments
      • Assessed students’ learning through discussions, quizzes, papers, and exams
      • Maintained live, weekly office hours and tutoring sessions upon request
      • Led class using Blackboard, PowerPoint, and Zoom
      • Provided consistent feedback to students related to each lesson taught
      • Managed and tracked students’ attendance and participation
    • Teaching Innovations
      • Synthesized PowerPoint, Zoom, and Blackboard to record and post lectures for students to follow along
      • Incorporated TED Talks from world-renowned scientists to introduce cutting edge, groundbreaking ideas from accomplished researchers and science communicators
  • Instructor of Record - Learning (22 students) University at Albany, SUNY ● Summer 2019
    • Responsibilities
      • Designed all aspects of the course, including presentations, assignments, and assessments
      • Assessed students’ learning through discussions, projects, and formal assessments
      • Maintained live, weekly office hours and tutoring sessions upon request
      • Led class using Blackboard and PowerPoint
      • Provided consistent feedback to students related to each lesson taught
      • Managed and tracked students’ attendance and participation
    • Teaching Innovations
      • Synthesized textbook material with current events and real-life, relevant examples
      • Scaffolded the students’ learning experience with a gradational research proposal
Service
  • Assistant Editor The Journal of Business and Psychology ● 2018 - 2017
    • Reviewed each incoming manuscript for scope, plagiarism, contribution, APA style, quality of writing, and appropriateness of methods and analyses
    • Identified the strengths and weaknesses of each manuscript
    • Developed an initial decision about the next steps in processing the manuscript
    • Exchanged thoughts with the Editor-in-Chief
    • Drafted decision letters, as needed
  • Graduate Student Panelist University at Albany, State University of New York ● 2018 - 2018
    • Fielded questions from undergraduate students regarding graduate school and the application process
    • Elucidated the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology for undergraduate students
    • Advised undergraduate students regarding graduate school in general and how to pursue a graduate degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • McNair Scholar Mentor University of Wisconsin Oshkosh McNair Scholarship Program ● 2015 - 2015
    • Coached the McNair scholars in conducting statistical analyses using SPSS
    • Assisted the McNair scholars in conducting thorough literature reviews
  • Transition Success Analyst University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Counseling Center ● 2014 - 2015
    • Examined the success of students as they transitioned through their entire undergraduate education via the Making Achievement Possible Works survey
    • Coded qualitative data into themes and categories
    • Designed reports to be presented to the Making Achievement Possible Works coordinator and the Counseling Center
  • Volunteer Winnebago Mental Health Institute ● 2011- 2012
    • Empowered dozens of patients with mental illnesses by interacting with them through activities
    • Organized fun activities for the patients with a social worker and a recreational therapist
    • Utilized active listening in order to effectively aid in the progress of multiple patients
    • Tutored one patient towards the successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) test
Certifications
  • Hogan’s Foundational Certification - Hogan Assessments
  • Hogan’s Advanced Interpretation - Hogan Assessments
  • Hogan’s Advanced Feedback Certification - Hogan Assessments
  • IRB: Human Subject Research (Investigators, Advisors) - Human Research CITI Program
  • Investigator and Key Research Personnel (Social and Behavioral Research) - Human Research CITI Program
  • Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research - Responsible Conduct of Research CITI Program
Software Experience
  • IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS): Advanced Proficiency
  • Microsoft Excel: Advanced Proficiency
  • Microsoft Word: Advanced Proficiency
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: Advanced Proficiency
  • Qualtrics: Advanced Proficiency
  • R and RStudio: Advanced Proficiency
  • MPlus: Intermediate Proficiency
  • E-Prime: Intermediate Proficiency
Statistics Courses
  • Multivariate Statistical Methods (731): A
  • Foundations of Behavioral Statistics (730): A
  • Statistics and Experimental Methods II (531): A-
  • Statistics and Experimental Methods I (530): A-
  • Elementary Psychological Statistics (203): A
  • Economics and Business Statistics (243): A