Meet PSY Student Researcher Cierra Guinn

December 11, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

Cierra Guinn, a junior majoring in Human Biology, Genetic & Genomics, and Psychology, has been working in Dr. Kelly Klump’s lab for about a year and a half. Recently, Cierra received Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) Award which allows her to work on a research project focusing on how hormone therapy might influence binge-eating behaviors in perimenopausal women.  

 

What drew you to psychology?  

I was first drawn to psychology because of my high school AP Psychology teacher -she opened my eyes to how psychology beautifully connects to everything else, from sociology to physiology. I fell in love with that overlap, especially the way our brains, bodies, and environments all interact. 

 

Can you tell us about your research project and why it is important to you?  

My PURI project will focus on perimenopausal women, specifically looking at how hormone therapy might influence binge-eating behaviors. It’s such an underexplored area, and I’m excited to dig deeper into how hormonal changes might affect mental and behavioral health. 

My interest in women’s hormone health came from watching the women around me go through different life stages and realizing how little support and research there often is for them. I want to help close that gap. This work feels meaningful because it could help both women and physicians make more informed decisions about hormone therapy in the future. 

 

What has surprised you about doing psychology research? 

Honestly, I was surprised by how little there is on women’s health--especially around hormone therapy and binge eating. When I started looking into it, most of the research I found came from my own lab! It made me even more grateful (and proud) to be part of such a groundbreaking and supportive team under Dr. Klump. 

 

How else are you involved at MSU? 

I’m part of the Women’s Leadership Institute, which has been such a special space for me. It’s all about empowering leaders to show up as our most authentic selves and grow both personally and professionally. 

 

Who has helped you along your journey at MSU? 

Huge shoutout to Dr. Kelly Klump and Dr. Kristen Culbert! They've both given me so many opportunities to grow. They’ve believed in me at times when I didn’t fully believe in myself yet, and I’ll never forget that. I hope to be even half the mentors they are one day. As well, Dr. Amanda Guinot Talbot, she is such an inspirational speaker, I aspire to have her speaking abilities and crowd control.   

 

What are your plans for the future? 

My goal is to pursue an MD-PhD program, focusing on OB-GYN and GI medicine, with my PhD work in cancer cell biology, preeclampsia, and endometrial research. I really want to combine clinical care with research that pushes women’s health forward. 

 

Favorite MSU memory? 

When I first transferred to MSU, my friend and I waited in line for three hours to get into the MSU vs. CMU football game. It was my first ever Spartan game, and the energy was unreal! I still have the wristband. That moment really made me feel like part of the MSU community! 

 

Anything else you’d like to add? 

I just want to thank my parents for always pushing me to do my best and for believing in me every step of the way. I’m also so thankful for the amazing support system I’ve found here, in both the Human Biology and Psychology departments. It’s been such a grounding and motivating community, and I couldn’t be more grateful.