Research Assistants
Doctoral Students
Michelle Pazdur, M.A.
Research Team Coordinator
Michelle is a second-year doctoral student in the PsyD program. She earned her BA in Psychology from Seton Hall University and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings with adolescents and adults, and has experience administering TMS treatments. She is currently completing an externship at CUNY College of Staten Island Counseling Center, where she provides psychotherapy to a diverse group of college students.
Her previous research experience spans topics such as child abuse, problematic social media use, and stress and resilience within family systems and veteran populations. Her current research interests include childhood trauma and resilience in immigrant communities. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time at the beach with her two dogs during the summer and skiing in the winter.
Abigail Sanchez, M.A.
Abigail is a fourth-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. She has research interests in the Latinx community, children & adolescents, Acculturation, and intersectional identities.
Aditya Vasavan
Aditya is a fourth-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.
Alexandra McDonald
Alexandra is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Emory University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Prior to attending WPU, she worked as a Psychiatric Technician working with adults and adolescents with eating disorders and related conditions. Alexandra’s current research interests include trauma, childhood maltreatment, and resilience.
Anna Sancilio, M.A., LAC
Anna Sancilio is a second‑year PsyD student in the Clinical Psychology program at William Paterson University. Her academic journey began at Bergen Community College, where she earned her Associate’s Degree before transferring to WPU to continue her studies and earn a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Minor in Sociology, and a Master’s in Clinical and Counseling Psychology. As a licensed associate counselor and graduate of the Honors Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology track, Anna is committed to developmentally informed, evidence‑based care. She currently serves as a Clinical Psychology Extern at the Highland Park Community Teen Center, providing individual and group interventions while collaborating with school teams to support students’ academic, emotional, and psychoeducational needs.
Anna is actively involved in research exploring epilepsy, neurofeedback, medicinal marijuana, and human–AI relationships, reflecting her research interests in cognitive functioning, psychopharmacology, and emerging adult development. Her earlier behavioral health experiences have shaped her passion for working with college‑aged and emerging adult populations and understanding how mental health influences academic success and socioemotional well-being. Outside her clinical and academic roles, Anna enjoys spending time with family and friends and exercising as self‑care.
Claudia Corbo, M.A
Claudia is a fourth-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. She is currently an extern at the OCD and Anxiety Specialists clinic.
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 fourth-year student in the PsyD program. She is an Army Veteran and licensed mental health counselor, having completed her master's degree in mental health counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University. Deanna has worked across a variety of clinical settings, including community mental health, private practice, inpatient, and residential. She primarily serves BIPOC, women, and Veteran adults struggling with complex mental and physical health conditions, including serious mental illness and substance use.
Deanna's research interests include racial and maternal identity development, intersecting cultural influences on mental health, and health psychology.
Doug Vossen
Doug Vossen is a fourth-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.
Emily Gil
Emily is a first-year PsyD student and graduate of Wellesley College, where she studied English and Psychology. She has experience working as an advocate for survivors of gender-based violence and hopes to combine her professional and educational journeys into a more equitable and holistic approach to mental health. She is interested in researching the impact of culture/media on mental health. Other interests include: theater, trumpet, odd fiction.
Jasmyn Cuate
Jasmyn is a second-year doctoral student in the PsyD Clinical Psychology Program at William Paterson University. In 2024, 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 at an inpatient behavioral health unit as a Mental Health Technician and previously worked as a Behavior Assistant, providing early intervention therapy for children with ASD. She is currently a predoctoral extern at the Child and Family Institute (CFI), where she delivers psychotherapy to a diverse group of adolescents, adults, and families.
Jasmyn also partakes in the CFI’s Weissman Children’s Foundation (WCF) an ongoing, highly visible mental health awareness initiative focused on advocacy, community engagement, and fundraising for accessible mental health services. Her current research interests include the Latinx community, culturally adaptive interventions, acculturation, and exploring trauma resilience in immigrant communities. In her free time, Jasmyn enjoys painting, building Legos, and following Formula 1 racing
Melanie T. Ramautar, M.A., M.A.
Melanie T. Ramautar is a third-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.
Sidal Yurt, M.A.
Sidal Yurt earned her M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and B.A. in Psychology from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at Kean University and has been involved in research examining multicultural mental health, resilience, career development, and digital mental health. Her research experience includes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods projects, with involvement in literature reviews, data analysis, manuscript development, and conference presentations. Her research interests center on culturally diverse and immigrant populations, with particular interests in acculturative stress, help-seeking, culturally responsive mental health care, resilience, and the social and contextual factors that influence psychological well-being.
Masters Students
Agnes Aghanwa
Agnes is a second-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 examining sustained attention following short- and long-form video exposure.
At William Paterson, Agnes participates in research examining relationships with artificial intelligence and LGBTQ+ experiences with policing. In August 2026, she co-presented “The Cost of Being Seen: Police Encounters and Trauma Symptoms in Queer Communities” at the American Psychological Association Convention. Her master’s thesis examines how generational status, acculturation, and religiosity shape attitudes toward mental health and willingness to seek professional support among immigrant populations.
Her research and clinical interests center on children and adolescents of color, culturally responsive mental health care, and the relationships between technology use, attention, and development. Through her clinical practicum and years of experience working as a nanny, she continues to develop her passion for supporting children and families. Her professional goals include pursuing LPC licensure and doctoral training in psychology, with the long-term aim of combining research, teaching, and clinical practice.
Outside of academics, Agnes enjoys caring for her plants, exploring art in its many forms, reading, practicing yoga, and powerlifting.
Alexandra Sacchinelli
Alexandra is a second-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.
Alisha Bhandari
Alisha is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University with research interests focus on cultural resilience, identity, and mental health among marginalized communities. She holds a master’s degree in human service counseling and has advanced training in clinical hypnotherapy. Her clinical, research, and community-based experiences span psychosocial counseling, school and community mental health outreach, autism support services, and trauma-informed care in Nepal and the United States. As part of her community engagement, she has implemented psychoeducational initiatives in secondary schools and underserved community settings. This work focused on emotional regulation strategies and challenging pervasive myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health. Professionally, she plans to continue her training at the doctoral level and contribute to efforts that promote mental health access, advocacy, and stigma reduction. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking, which support personal balance and well-being.
Amy Karson
Amy is a first-year student in the Counseling and Clinical Psychology master’s program at William Paterson University. She holds a BS in Finance from Penn State University and an MBA from Yale University. Amy is the founder of Brand K Partners, an outsourced accounting firm serving small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations, where she currently serves as a partner and strategic advisor. Over the past two decades, she has advised hundreds of nonprofits on fiscal matters and is passionate about helping mission driven organizations achieve success. Her research interests include childhood resilience, women’s mental health and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. She loves spending her free time with her three teenage sons, husband and dog.
Angy Farhat
Angy is a first-year student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology master’s program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in Psychology and previously earned an associate degree in Psychology from Bergen Community College. Her academic and professional experiences have focused on mental health and disability support, specifically in diverse and underserved communities. She has clinical experience as an intake counselor at a psychiatric practice, where she assisted with psychological assessment, patient support, and mental health education. She also volunteers every summer with the Amal International Organization in Lebanon, providing emergency aid and outreach to displaced communities.
Angy’s research interests include immigrant and Middle Eastern communities, identity development, and the factors that support resilience among children and adolescents. She hopes to pursue a career as a licensed counselor, with a focus on providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to underserved populations in the United States and Lebanon. Outside of academics, she enjoys building Legos and reading psychological thrillers.
Ayman Naeem
Ayman is a first year graduate student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. She completed her B.S. in Psychology from Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan, where she developed research and clinical experience through academic projects and internships in hospital and mental health settings.
Originally from Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Ayman grew up in a culturally rich and diverse community. Her experiences interacting with Afghan refugee families in Pakistan fostered an early appreciation for the ways migration, displacement, culture, identity, and social circumstances can shape psychological well-being. These experiences have contributed to her interest in culturally responsive mental health research and her commitment to understanding individuals within the context of their communities and lived experiences.
Ayman’s research interests include women and children’s mental health, immigrant and refugee communities, minorities and underserved populations. She is particularly passionate about creating spaces where individuals whose voices are often overlooked can share their experiences and be represented in research. She hopes to contribute a culturally informed perspective to the Culture & Resilience Team while continuing to develop her research skills and learning through collaboration and mentorship.
Lara Abdelal
Lara is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Drew University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. She also took some graduate courses in developmental psychology with a concentration in children and adolescence. She is currently a licensed clinician as a psychiatric screener in the State of NJ, which focuses on completing assessments and working with psychiatrists to determine the patient’s level of risk. She has also worked as a mental health associate, leading group activities for children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, she has volunteered in Elizabeth, NJ, working with Syrian refugees, providing emergency aid and needed resources.
As a Palestinian-American Muslim, she wants to serve her community and hopes to become a licensed counselor to focus on the traumatic experiences during wartime, support the marginalized population, and aid the disenfranchised community. She would like to serve the Middle Eastern community, particularly working with the displaced Gazan families affected by the current crisis, bring compassion and understanding, and establish an open environment for all. She loves spending time with my family, traveling, and hiking with her husband.
Lucynda Oppong-Kyekyeku
Lucynda is a first-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. She earned a BA in Psychology at Montclair State University. She works as a Behavior Therapist aiding children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum in behavioral and development needs. She gained experience teaching children Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills prior years working non-profit in Newark for a reading and writing program. These experiences have helped her strengthen her interest in clinical psychology and her desire to support psychological well-being and effective interventions particularly in marginalized communities. Her current interest in research includes cross-cultural psychology and immigrational impact on mental health. Outside of academics, Lucynda enjoys reading, traveling and learning about new cultures and languages.
Mark Nguyen
Mark Nguyen is a first-year M.A. Clinical & Counseling Psychology student at William Paterson University and an international student from Vietnam. Born and raised in Vietnam and having lived in the United States for a decade, Mark brings a unique lens to his work, valuing both Eastern and Western perspectives on mental health, human development, and the meaning of life. With a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry and experience in education, mentorship, and community service, his interests center on the connection between mind, body, and well-being. He is particularly interested in counseling diverse and marginalized populations, mindfulness and meditation in psychotherapy, emotional resilience, and the integration of contemplative practices with evidence-based psychological care. Alongside his graduate studies, Mark has several years of experience teaching and mentoring high-achieving ESL students. His Buddhist studies and meditation practice have also shaped his commitment to approaching others with presence, compassion, and without judgment. In his free time, he enjoys watching good movies, writing poetry, or staying active with different sports.
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Naischa Vilme
Naïscha is a second-year student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology master’s program. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from CUNY York College as a double major in Mathematics and Psychology. Naïscha currently works as a Mental Health Associate at RWJBarnabas Health and as support staff at YAI-NIPD, where she helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and severe mental illnesses with skills development, medication administration, and crisis intervention. She is also a graduate assistant at WP’s Academic Success Center, providing academic coaching to undergraduate students. Her clinical and research interests include trauma-induced psychopathology and early intervention/prevention, resilience across immigrant family systems, and culturally informed mental health care for immigrant populations. Outside of academics, Naïscha enjoys adrenaline-filled experiences, hands-on creative activities, exploring nature, cooking with loud music, and watching psychological thrillers.
Sama Jaber
Sama is a second-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.
Sasha Butterworth, B.S.
Sasha Butterworth is a first-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. They graduated with their Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Sasha intends to pursue licensure following the completion of the Clinical and Counseling Psychology master's program and eventually go on to earn a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. They hope to specialize in sexual and relational concerns in their professional career. Their research interests revolve around the LGBTQ+ community, specifically in areas such as shame as it relates to sex and relationships. In their free time, they enjoy thrifting, crafting, and going to concerts.
Stacy Jiang, B.E.
Stacy Jiang is a first-year student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology master’s program at William Paterson University. She previously earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science from Brandeis University and computer engineering from Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. She later discovered that her passion was not in engineering but in clinical psychology. To prepare for graduate study in psychology, she completed eight prerequisite psychology courses at Rutgers University–Newark, earning an A in each course.
Stacy is pursuing the path toward LPC licensure and hopes to explore research involving cultural and marginalized communities. She has a longstanding interest in social justice and serving people living on the margins and is a member of the social justice committee at her ELCA church. Participating in the Culture and Resilience Team will allow her to further explore these interests and prepare for potentially pursuing a Psy.D. in the future. Her current research interests include child abuse and neglect in East Asian families and other immigrant communities, as well as the relationship between religious beliefs and attitudes toward and acceptance of psychotherapy.
