Clinical Science & Deception

Clinical Science & Deception

The Clinical Science and Deception Lab was established in 2013 and is supervised by Dr. Drew Curtis. My research has focused on pathological lying, deception in healthcare and other relationships, and aspects of clinical science.

  • The study corroborates the existence of pathological lying as a psychiatric entity, providing etiological markers, and evidence for potential treatment and additional research.

  • Executive functioning is related to pathological lying, in which there is a deficit associated with pathological lying.

  • The majority of pathological lying adolescents do not indicate symptoms of conduct disorder.

Featured in the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Current Research Studies

If you would like to participate in current research studies, please click the links below.

Research Areas

Lab

  • Savannah Torres

    Savannah Torres, M.S.

    I am a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Texas at Tyler and work part time as an LPC-Associate, providing individual and group therapy. My background includes providing fit-for-duty evaluations to military personnel, counseling high school students, and inpatient psychiatric facility experience. I’ve worked with Dr. Curtis examining the underlying mechanisms of pathological lying which we continue to expand on. My broader interests include neurodevelopmental disorders, cognitive processes, and trauma as they relate to complex psychopathology. I look forward to collaborating with the lab to further our knowledge in pathological lying and related areas.

  • Nadia

    Nadia Lucas

    I am a first-year PhD student working under Dr. Curtis. I am interested in researching the types of convictions and sentencing that pathological liars are receiving. Through this, I hope to build on our understanding of how pathological liars are being perceived and treated in our legal system. After my education, I hope to become a Forensic Psychologist with a focus on assessment. I am excited to continue my work under Dr. Curtis and look forward to seeing where his mentorship will take me. 

  • Sydney Thompson

    I am a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student under Dr. Curtis at UT Tyler. I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 2025. While in the M.S. program at UT Tyler, I worked with Dr. Curtis on projects that focused on remorse, attachment and core beliefs, and legal implications of pathological lying populations. After obtaining my Ph.D. I hope to work as a Clinical Psychologist specializing in forensic populations. I am excited to continue to assist Dr. Curtis with research on pathological lying and hope to explore how this topic intersects with my future career aspirations.

  • A smiling young woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing a black long-sleeve top, earrings, and a necklace, posing outdoors near stone steps and a stone wall.

    Landri Luther

    I am currently a junior Psychology major at Angelo State University. After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a Psy.d degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Psychology and Law. After receiving a Psy.d hopefully through the Angelo State program, I plan to become a Forensic Psychologist working in the court or prison system. Angelo State has given me everything I could ever need to reach my goals, and I am so excited to continue that theme through research. I am currently assisting Dr. Curtis with research pertaining to pathological liars and deception on an international scale. I am very excited to learn more about deception and its worldwide existence. 

  • A woman with long, curly black hair and a bright smile standing outdoors with green trees in the background, wearing a red blouse.

    Brittney Holton, M.S.

    I earned my first master’s degree in Forensic Psychology in 2024, and I am currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology. I plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology at UT Tyler. I am interested in providing neuropsychological assessments and therapy for individuals navigating complex mental health challenges, as well as conducting forensic evaluations for the courts. I am currently assisting Dr. Curtis with research on pathological lying and deception, and I look forward to exploring the complexities of this topic while contributing to the growing body of research in this area.

  • Young woman with long dark hair smiling, sitting in a restaurant booth with a white sash that says 'Texas'. She is wearing a black floral dress and has a black bracelet on her arm.

    Esther Gurau

    I am a Clinical Psychology Master’s Student at the University of Texas at Tyler. I plan on pursuing my PhD in Clinical Psychology! I am interested in lies, deception, and trauma. I am looking forward to contributing to further research on pathological lying.

  • Kate Langley

    I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas at Tyler and earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Louisiana State University (LSU). My long-term goal is to obtain a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a focus on pediatric populations. I have gained clinical experience working with children ages 2 to 17 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which has strengthened my interest in developmental and behavioral disorders. During my graduate training, I hope to expand my experience by working with children presenting with severe externalizing disorders, including conduct disorder. I am eager to engage in research through collaboration with Dr. Curtis in the Deception Lab, where I can further explore the role of deception in youth psychopathology.

  • Abigail Ketchum

    Abigail Ketchum

First Year Doctoral Students

Savannah Torres

Sydney Thompson

Nadia Lucas

Lab Presentations