Mackenzie Gonzalez builds research experience while developing passion for prevention science
The Prevention Research Center welcomes Gonzalez, human research technologist for the PRO Health Lab.
Mackenzie Gonzalez cover art
August 17, 2026
By Teresa Phelan
As a human research technologist in the Prevention Research to Optimize (PRO) Health Lab, Penn State alumna Mackenzie Gonzalez contributes to the coordination of Project TAC, supporting research that advances prevention science and improves behavioral health outcomes.
Project TAC is a study that uses transdermal alcohol sensors to examine alcohol use patterns, alcohol-related consequences and use disorders among young adults, which is in line with Gonzalez’s long-term research interest. She hopes to focus her research on adolescent and young adult substance use, with emphasis on understanding the factors that contribute to substance and alcohol use disorders. She is especially interested in evidence-based approaches that can reduce risk before substance misuse begins.
In her role, she provides support across various aspects of the project, coordinates undergraduate research assistants, assists with recruitment and ensures that study activities are conducted according to protocol.
She is working alongside Mike Russell and Rob Turrisi, Penn State faculty working in the PRO Health Lab, to address the major public health problem of lifetime alcohol misuse.
“We are so excited to have Mackenzie as part of our core team, where we are conducting research in an effort to identify an important early indicator biomarker of alcohol use disorders,” Turrisi said.
As a recent graduate of Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College, Gonzalez earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in May. Her decision to attend was influenced by her mother, who works for the university.
“I grew up kind of thinking I would go here,” Gonzalez said. “When I came to tour, I just really liked it and thought it was a great fit for me.”
Although her interest in psychology first began in high school because of an advanced placement course, it was her involvement in research as an undergrad that solidified her commitment to the discipline.
“I liked all my classes and all my professors. It was kind of accidental that I started in it, but I just ended up really liking it, and it seemed like a really great fit for me,” Gonzalez said.
One of her most rewarding experiences as a student was completing an honors thesis, Automated Assessment of Idea Inspiration in Human-AI Co-Creativity. It examined the assessment of creative idea generation in collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence.
“It was a really cool process to see research from start to finish,” Gonzalez said. “Creating a question in my head, figuring out how to collect the data, analyzing it, actually answering that question, and then writing up the paper.”
Her current position at the Prevention Research Center (PRC) is an important step towards her career goals. She intends to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and hopes to begin a Ph.D. program within the next several years, with the hopes of becoming a clinician-scientist.
In addition to expanding her research experience, she views her position as an opportunity to develop a broad understanding of research. She values the mentors and collaborative environment that the center provides.
“Everyone has been so welcoming and nice,” Gonzalez said. “They’re very open if I have questions or if there are things they think will be helpful for me to learn, whether that’s reading grants, learning about IRBs, or understanding all the different parts of research. They really want me to get the most out of this experience.”
Through the PRC, she is developing a comprehensive understanding of research administration, grant development, Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedures, participant management and the processes necessary to conduct ethical and rigorous research.
When asked why prevention research is meaningful to her, Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of early intervention in improving public and individual health concerns. She believes that prevention strategies have great potential to reduce long-term impacts.
“There’s only so much you can do once someone has a substance use disorder. If you’re working from a preventative standpoint and finding interventions before that substance use disorder really takes hold, you’re going to have much better outcomes than intervening later.” Gonzalez said.
As she begins her career at the PRC, Gonzalez is building upon a strong foundation in psychological research while developing the technical knowledge to begin her graduate studies.
Mackenzie Gonzalez builds research experience while developing passion for prevention science
The Prevention Research Center welcomes Gonzalez, human research technologist for the PRO Health Lab.
Mackenzie Gonzalez cover art
August 17, 2026
By Teresa Phelan
As a human research technologist in the Prevention Research to Optimize (PRO) Health Lab, Penn State alumna Mackenzie Gonzalez contributes to the coordination of Project TAC, supporting research that advances prevention science and improves behavioral health outcomes.
Project TAC is a study that uses transdermal alcohol sensors to examine alcohol use patterns, alcohol-related consequences and use disorders among young adults, which is in line with Gonzalez’s long-term research interest. She hopes to focus her research on adolescent and young adult substance use, with emphasis on understanding the factors that contribute to substance and alcohol use disorders. She is especially interested in evidence-based approaches that can reduce risk before substance misuse begins.
In her role, she provides support across various aspects of the project, coordinates undergraduate research assistants, assists with recruitment and ensures that study activities are conducted according to protocol.
She is working alongside Mike Russell and Rob Turrisi, Penn State faculty working in the PRO Health Lab, to address the major public health problem of lifetime alcohol misuse.
“We are so excited to have Mackenzie as part of our core team, where we are conducting research in an effort to identify an important early indicator biomarker of alcohol use disorders,” Turrisi said.
As a recent graduate of Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College, Gonzalez earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in May. Her decision to attend was influenced by her mother, who works for the university.
“I grew up kind of thinking I would go here,” Gonzalez said. “When I came to tour, I just really liked it and thought it was a great fit for me.”
Although her interest in psychology first began in high school because of an advanced placement course, it was her involvement in research as an undergrad that solidified her commitment to the discipline.
“I liked all my classes and all my professors. It was kind of accidental that I started in it, but I just ended up really liking it, and it seemed like a really great fit for me,” Gonzalez said.
One of her most rewarding experiences as a student was completing an honors thesis, Automated Assessment of Idea Inspiration in Human-AI Co-Creativity. It examined the assessment of creative idea generation in collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence.
“It was a really cool process to see research from start to finish,” Gonzalez said. “Creating a question in my head, figuring out how to collect the data, analyzing it, actually answering that question, and then writing up the paper.”
Her current position at the Prevention Research Center (PRC) is an important step towards her career goals. She intends to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and hopes to begin a Ph.D. program within the next several years, with the hopes of becoming a clinician-scientist.
In addition to expanding her research experience, she views her position as an opportunity to develop a broad understanding of research. She values the mentors and collaborative environment that the center provides.
“Everyone has been so welcoming and nice,” Gonzalez said. “They’re very open if I have questions or if there are things they think will be helpful for me to learn, whether that’s reading grants, learning about IRBs, or understanding all the different parts of research. They really want me to get the most out of this experience.”
Through the PRC, she is developing a comprehensive understanding of research administration, grant development, Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedures, participant management and the processes necessary to conduct ethical and rigorous research.
When asked why prevention research is meaningful to her, Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of early intervention in improving public and individual health concerns. She believes that prevention strategies have great potential to reduce long-term impacts.
“There’s only so much you can do once someone has a substance use disorder. If you’re working from a preventative standpoint and finding interventions before that substance use disorder really takes hold, you’re going to have much better outcomes than intervening later.” Gonzalez said.
As she begins her career at the PRC, Gonzalez is building upon a strong foundation in psychological research while developing the technical knowledge to begin her graduate studies.
