Research Assistants
Doctoral Students
Nicole Guevara, M.A., Research Team Co-Coordinator
Nicole is a third-year doctoral student in the PsyD program. In 2017, she graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in biology from Rutgers University. She received her M.A. in clinical psychology, with a forensic concentration, from Montclair State University. While attending Montclair State University, she was a research assistant on projects focused on forensic psychology, correctional psychology, police and public safety psychology, and mental health law. Before pursuing graduate studies, Nicole worked as a behavioral group specialist and intake coordinator for six years at a Partial Hospitalization Program.
Last year, she facilitated the Spanish Cultural Adjustment group for recently arrived High school Latinx youth in Paterson, NJ. Currently, she is an extern at the Youth Development Clinic (YDC), servicing children and adolescents at an outpatient level of care. Her research interests include forensic and health psychology.
She enjoys drinking cafecito, roller skating, horror films, and reading dystopian novels.
Abigail Sanchez, M.A.
Research Team Co-Coordinator
Abigail is a second-year PsyD student in the Clinical Psychology Program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Sociology. She also graduated with an M.A. in Psychology from Pace University. She works as a Registered Behavior Technician providing therapy to children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. She also volunteered as a researcher for Pace University, looking into issues with Children and their reading comprehension with parent/guardian.
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She is the Assistant team Coordinator for the Culture and Resilience team. She has research interests in the Latinx community, children & adolescents, Acculturation, and intersectional identities.
Aditya Vasavan
Aditya is a third-year student in the WPU Psy.D. program. Aditya is currently an extern at Envisage Neuropsychology. He has previously worked at Spectrum Psychological Services. Prior to attending WPU, Aditya worked as a clinical supervisor and direct care provider administering relationship development intervention for with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). His current interests are clinical in nature and include integrating aspects of various therapies to create more comprehensive treatment for individuals with ASD.
Claudia Corbo, M.A
Claudia is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William Paterson University. Claudia graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with a Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience specialization, a B.A. in Criminology, and minors in Health Disparities in Society and Women's Studies from The University of Florida. She received her M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University. Claudia has been involved in research all through her academic career in a variety of topics spanning Transcranial direct current stimulation in older adults to the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ People of Color. Claudia's research interests are in the realm of improving the care and treatment of LGBTQ+ misogyny-affected people.
Deanna Enunwa
Deanna is a third-year student in the PsyD program at William Paterson University. She completed her master's in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is a licensed mental health counselor. Deanna has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health clinics and private practice, primarily serving women of color.
Deanna's research interests include working with new mothers, veterans, military children, and bicultural parents, and exploring trauma, maternal mental health, and intersectional identities.
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Doug Vossen
Doug Vossen is a second year student in the PsyD program and comes to us after spending time in the US Army as an infantry officer and in the commercial construction industry as a project manager. His clinical and research interests surround the veteran population. His education includes a BS in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MBA from Marist College, and a MA in psychology from Columbia University.
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Jasmyn Cuate
Jasmyn is a first-year PsyD student in the Clinical Psychology Program at William Paterson University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Montclair State University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Science. She has gained experience in various clinical settings, working in an inpatient behavioral health unit as a Mental Health Technician and working as a Behavior Assistant, providing early intervention therapy for children with ASD.
During her undergraduate studies, she observed the systemic barriers that prevent marginalized groups from receiving adequate culturally sensitive care and the limited accessibility to services. As a first-generation Mexican American, she aims to advocate for more inclusive accessible mental health services. Jasmyn’s research interests include the Latinx community, culturally adaptive interventions, acculturation, and exploring trauma resilience.
In her free time, Jasmyn enjoys painting, building Legos, re-watching Harry Potter films, and following Formula 1 racing.
Joe Wrobleski, M.A.
Joe is a third-year student in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at William Paterson University. He received a BA in Psychology at Hofstra University and a MA in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University.
While pursuing his Masters degree, he worked as a research assistant at the Teachers College Resilience Center for Veterans and Families, as well as the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. Joe's clinical and research interests include issues of identity and transition stress associated with major life events, namely in populations navigating recent separation from the military or immigration to the United States.
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Melanie T. Ramautar, M.A
Melanie T. Ramautar is a first year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William Paterson University. She obtained her Limited Permit to practice mental health counseling. She graduated from John Jay College with a B.A./M.A in Forensic Psychology in 2019. She also graduated with a M.A. in Forensic Mental Health Counseling with an Advanced Victimology Certificate in 2022 from John Jay College. While at John Jay, she volunteered in the Child and Law Lab and the Psychopathy Lab. Melanie has worked in a variety of clinical settings with a wide-range population, which includes outpatient and inpatient settings as well as non-profit organizations. Her research and clinical interests include childhood trauma and generational trauma within West Indian communities in forensic and general populations.
Michelle Pazdur, M.A.
Michelle is a first-year doctoral student in the PsyD program. She received her BA in Psychology from Seton Hall University and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. During her master’s program, Michelle was involved in research about child abuse, stress and resilience in the veteran population, as well as problematic social media use. She has worked as a behavioral health technician in an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting as well as providing transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy in an outpatient mental health clinic. Her current research interests include resilience in immigrant populations and childhood trauma. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time at the beach along with her two dogs.
Masters Students
Agnes Ebelechukwu Aghanwa
Agnes Ebele is a first-year master’s student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology Program at William Paterson University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Drew University, where she participated in multiple faculty-led research projects, including the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI) and an Advanced Research Project.
Her research interests focus on children and adolescents of color, as well as the intersections between technology use and the brain. Agnes’s professional goals include pursuing LPC licensure and earning a Psy.D in Clinical Psychology. She also brings hands-on experience from years of working as a nanny, which informs her passion for child and adolescent development.
Outside of academics, Agnes enjoys horticulture, exploring art in its many forms, practicing yoga, and powerlifting.
Alexandra Sacchinelli
Alexandra is a first-year student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology master’s program at William Paterson University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Ramapo College. Her previous research focused on perceptual psychology. Currently, Alexandra works as a Youth Group Worker for the Bergen County Department of Family Guidance, where she supervises visits for court-mandated families and supports adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, and depression. In this role, she helps youth develop healthier social, emotional, and physical lifestyles. Alexandra’s research interests include cross-cultural developmental psychology, with a focus on understanding how cultural differences in child-rearing practices influence development. She hopes to apply these insights in her future career as a therapist to provide culturally informed and effective therapeutic interventions.
Andrea M. Ortiz, B.A.
Andrea is a second-year Masters student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Montclair State University in 2022. Andrea moved to the U.S. a few years ago from the Dominican Republic where she was born and raised. As an immigrant, she is committed to serving and working with minority populations, particularly the Latinx community. She's also a Crisis Text Line volunteer counselor, which has increased her passion for helping people in need, and decreasing the stigma around mental health. Her research interests include the impact of immigration on mental health and how gender roles vary across cultures.
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Elena Melt, B.A
Elena is a first- year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling Program at William Paterson University. She graduated at Rutgers University- Newark with Summa Cum Laude for her Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience. During her undergrad, she has worked in various research labs as an RA and helped with studies focused on child development and cognition. Her future clinical interests reflect that by wanting to work with children and family therapy. Elena hopes to obtain her LPC licensure in the near future and her Psy.D as well. In her free time, she enjoys gaming, trying new coffee spots, and baking.
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Mira Mabed, B.A
​Mira is a first-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. Originally from Egypt, she moved to the US for graduate studies after completing her undergraduate degree, where she graduated Cum Laude with a double degree in Psychology as well as Political Science. She has worked with children with autism and was involved in several research projects with her professors. She is passionate about making a positive impact on others and is commitment to the mental health field. Following graduation, she aims to obtain her LPC licensure and benefit the underrepresented Middle Eastern populations in the US. In her free time, she enjoys yoga and traveling
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Mamadee Keita, B.A
​Mamadee Keita (he/him/his) is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology Master’s program at William Paterson University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Gender Studies from Rutgers University-Newark. Mamadee’s research interests focus on the impact of various forms of aggression—particularly those directed at individuals due to their marginalized identities—and the resulting effects on mental health. In his free time, he enjoys reading, participating in community service, and gardening
Maria 'MJ' Gutierrez, B.A
Maria ‘MJ’ Gutierrez is a first-year Masters student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. With hands-on experience as a case manager at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, MJ has developed skills in crisis intervention, client advocacy, and needs assessment. Her background also includes experience as a psychology research assistant at Rutgers University, where she honed her ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research, manage data, and maintain research tools. Additionally, she brings international experience from her studies at Macquarie University in Australia, enriching her understanding of psychology and community health across diverse settings.
Sama Jaber
Sama is a first-year master’s student in the clinical and counseling program at William Paterson University. Having graduated from William Paterson University with her BA in psychology and minor in social justice, she is also a returning member of the Culture and Resilience Team lab where she first started engaging in research tasks in her undergraduate years. Sama has work experience in various areas of behavioral/mental health. She has worked in a psychiatric facility prioritizing the stabilization of incoming patients, casework for individuals needing to obtain community support and independence, and is currently working in an outpatient office administering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato to clients. Volunteer work includes similar tasks of crisis intervention and various means of outreach support for those who are in need. Upon graduating, Sama aims to obtain her LPC to continue serving underserved populations, particularly the American Middle Eastern and North African community. Her research and clinical interests include attachment, psychotic, and psychosomatic disorders as well as epigenetic/developmental trauma in eastern cultural contexts. In her free time, she likes to bake various kinds of breads, exercise, listen to music, and spend time with loved ones.
Vanessa Vu
Vanessa is a first-year master’s student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick with her bachelor's degree in psychology. While at Rutgers, she interned at a nursing home in the specialized unit for residents suffering from dementia where she gained valuable skills and experience working with the older adult population. Post-graduation, she worked as a TMS Technician and Spravato Coordinator where she developed crucial clinical skills working with patients that suffered from treatment-resistant depression. Vanessa is interested in researching and working with minority groups and the older adult populations. In the future, she hopes to obtain her LPC licensure to continue her passion of helping others. During her free time, she enjoys reading, gaming, and doing nails.
Eddie Lopez
Gabriel Marcella
