Lab Team

DIRECTOR | CV

PHD STUDENT | CV

Jessica Birg is a 4th-year clinical psychology Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis and her master’s degree in clinical psychological research at American University in D.C. She is primarily interested in how one’s view of the self impacts social well-being, including self-presentational and self-concept issues such as social anxiety and identity instability. Her thesis uses EMA methodology to investigate the ways in which social anxiety is associated with momentary authenticity, perceived social threat, and social motivation.

PHD STUDENT | CV

Bradley Brown is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida. He received his B.S. in psychology at George Mason University. Brad’s broad research interests include: protective factors against suicidal thoughts and behavior; interpersonal processes in thCVe development and course of suicidal thoughts and behaviors; individual differences in cognition and emotion that contribute to psychological well-being.

PHD STUDENT | CV

Saskia Jorgensen is a Clinical Psychology PhD student at George Washington University. She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Denver and spent two years as a lab coordinator at Rutgers before coming to GWU. Saskia is interested in identifying factors that confer risk for psychopathology in LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults, as well as factors that promote well-being in this population. She is particularly interested in the impact of identity-relevant stressors (e.g., targeted discrimination, anti-LGBTQIA+ policy) and identity-relevant protective factors (e.g., feelings of pride, community social support) on mental health outcomes.

PHD STUDENT | CV

Paddy Loftus is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at George Washington University. He received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Generally, Paddy is interested in socio-emotional (e.g., social network) and geographic (e.g., structural) processes as they pertain to (1) daily anxious and depressive arousal, (2) substance use, and (3) LGBTQ+ social functioning.

PHD STUDENT | CV

Ruba Rum is a 5th year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida. She completed a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Health Sciences and a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences at the University of South Florida. Ruba’s research broadly focuses on understanding the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety, the detrimental impact of mental health stigma, and racial and ethnic minority stressors and their impact on mental health outcomes.

PHD STUDENT | CV

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Maximilian Wright is a recent USF graduate with a BA in Psychology. He plans to attend graduate school for Clinical Psychology to pursue a career as a clinician and researcher. His research interests include substance abuse and its interaction with anxiety disorders.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Melanie DelAngelo is a volunteer Research Assistant at the Goodman Emotion and Resilience Lab while also working full-time as an Intake Coordinator at a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practice. She graduated from Tulane University in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Political Science. Melanie intends to pursue a career in academia and clinical practice and attend graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jingyi Zhu is currently a student in the M.A. in Forensic Psychology program at GWU. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice at GWU. Before coming to the GERL lab, she worked at Pepperdine University, where she helped with a research project on resilience factors for emerging adults within the Chinese Cultural context who had early relational trauma, as a research assistant.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Presley Camp is a 2023 graduate from the University of South Florida, where she received her B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Advanced Psychological Research Experience and her B.A. in Criminology. During her time at USF, she gained research experience in two clinical psychology labs, aiding in many different stages of the research process. One of her favorite assignments as a research assistant included conducting interviews with inmates at a local county jail. Her research interests include the impacts of childhood trauma on brain/cognitive development and resilience, as well as their implications in juvenile and adult criminality.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Diana Black is studying neuroscience and psychology at George Washington University. She loves everything related to her studies—but is particularly interested in early traumatic experiences and their subsequent neural and psychological implications.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Carsyn Parmelee is an undergraduate student at George Washington University studying Cognitive Neuroscience and Public Health. Carsyn's personal research interests are centered around neuropsychiatric disorders and mental health, especially among pediatric and adolescent populations.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Matthew is an undergraduate student at George Washington University studying psychology and French. Matthew hopes to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation and eventually go on to study the potential clinical applications of psychedelics.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Chase Fredriksen Isaacs is an undergraduate Research Assistant pursuing a BA in psychology with minors in cross-cultural communication and linguistics at George Washington University. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is committed to focusing an aspect of her research on LGBTQ+ populations and survivors of trauma.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jemimah Boakye-Ansah is a first-generation college student and majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences at George Washington University. Jemimah is interested in applying social psychology principles and research to pursue a master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology after graduation.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Shirin is a graduate student pursuing an MA in GWU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Her research interests are primarily focused on the social effects of cultural and generational trauma in ethnic minorities. She hopes to explore these as a Clinical Psychology PhD student in the near future.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sabrina Yeh is a pre-health undergraduate student at George Washington University majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is a Posse Scholar on a full-tuition, leadership-based scholarship. With a passion for working with the special needs population, Sabrina hopes to attend graduate school in occupational therapy.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Diksha is an undergraduate student at The George Washington University studying Neuroscience and Psychological and Brain Sciences. Her personal interests include biological and pediatric psychology as well as the manifestation and presentation of mental illness between different sociocultural backgrounds. Specifically, she is interested in early childhood relationships and their effect on development. She hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in the future and learn more about how treatment can be personalized based on individual circumstances.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jordan Agay is an undergraduate student at George Washington University majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences, as well as Public Health. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She particularly wants to be committed to focusing her research on methods to address mental health in adolescents.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Nava Blyakher is an undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology (B.S.) and Cognitive Neuroscience at the George Washington University. Her personal research interests include depression, anxiety, and the effects of trauma. Nava is interested in furthering her research horizons and education by attending graduate school in the future.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sierra Martin is a 2024 graduate from Brown University, where she graduated with honors in psychology and literary arts. Her research interests include the impact of trauma on childhood development, particularly with regards to social behaviors and internalization/externalization behaviors. She hopes to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology in the future. 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Riley Leadem is a junior at George Washington University studying Psychology and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her academic interests lie in qualitative research, queer theory, and cultural epistemology. She hopes to pursue her MA in Art Therapy or her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.