Our Team

 

Principal Investigator

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Dr. Tara Chaplin is an Associate Professor of Psychology at George Mason University. She received a Ph.D. in Child-Clinical psychology from Penn State University and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. Following this, she served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine until moving to George Mason University in 2013.

Dr. Chaplin’s research interests are in the role of gender and emotion regulation in the development of psychopathology, substance use, and risk behavior in children and adolescents. She is also interested in the role of the family in adolescent development. Related to this, she is currently examining links between parent-teen interactions and adolescent development and is developing a mindfulness intervention for parents of adolescents. Dr. Chaplin’s research incorporates multiple methods to capture emotion regulation, including self-report, observation, physiology, neuroendocrine, and neuroimaging.

Graduate Students

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Kelsey Mauro

Kelsey is a fifth-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at George Mason. In 2016, she received her B.A. from George Washington University, after which she worked as a research fellow at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Kelsey’s research interests include adolescent stress processes and substance abuse, including risk factors for alcohol abuse and cognitive/physiological changes that result from heavy drinking behavior.

 

 

Rafael E. Hernandez Dubon

Rafael is a third-year student in the Ph.D. clinical psychology program at George Mason. He earned a dual B.S. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in psychology with a concentration in addiction studies, and philosophy with a concentration in philosophy and science. Previous to Mason, he worked as a research assistant in projects focused on culturally enhancing substance use interventions for Latinx adolescents and young adults. He is interested in Latinx community oriented research, and the impact of sociocultural-spiritual factors in the development of psychopathology, specially substance use and addiction. As well as, culturally enhancing construct measurement, assessment, and interventions. He enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time with family.

 

 

 

Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan (formerly Mary Fesalbon) is a fourth-year student in George Mason University’s doctoral program for Clinical. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the Catholic University of America in 2018. After undergrad Mary worked as Research Technician in the Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging at Georgetown University, where she received funding to study violence exposure as it relates to adolescent emotion processing and neurodevelopment. Mary’s research interests have continued in the trajectory of adolescent neurodevelopment. Additionally, she is interested in examining adolescent development as it relates to pubertal timing, parental bond, and media exposure.

 

 

Mallory A. Kisner

Mallory is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at George Mason University. She received her B.S. in psychology from Colorado State University in 2019. Prior to joining the Youth Emotion Lab, Mallory worked as a research fellow at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), using fMRI to pilot a neurofeedback intervention for craving reduction for individuals with alcohol use disorder. Her research interests revolve around the development of harmful substance use behaviors across the lifespan. She uses developmental theory and neuroimaging techniques to study social and emotional influences on adolescent substance use and has additional interests in the use of mindfulness techniques for both the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.

 

 

Lucy McClellan

Lucy is a first-year student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at George Mason University. She received her B.A. in Psychology and English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021. After graduating, Lucy was a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Gender Development Program at Children’s National Hospital, using fMRI and neuropsychological testing to study cognitive and mental health trajectories of gender-diverse youth. Her research interests include the impact of social relationships on adolescent mental health trajectories, as well as related neurocognitive mechanisms and differences by sex and gender.

 

 

Sasha Hofman

Sasha is a first-year student in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program at George Mason University. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. Prior to joining the YEL Lab, Sasha worked as the Lab Manager of the Families, Emotion, Neuroscience, and Development (FEND) Lab at Pitt, where she examined positive affect in adolescent peer relationships as a protective factor against the intergenerational transmission of risk for depression. Sasha is interested in studying the developmental trajectory of depression for adolescents, focusing on mindfulness, neural correlates of emotion processing, and parenting behaviors as risk and protective factors. In her free time, Sasha enjoys lifting, reading, meditating, and spending time with her cat, Kisa.

 

 

 

 

 

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Laboratory Managers

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Rachel Upton

Rachel is the laboratory manager for the Parent-Teen Study II. She graduated from George Mason in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology. She also has two Associates degrees in English and the Social Sciences. Her research interests include the different presentation of ADHD and Autism in women and minorities and how family function and social support affects the development and treatment of these disorders. She plans to apply to a PhD program in Clinical Psychology or Neuroscience in the future. In her free time she enjoys reading and spending time with her parrots.

 

Ally Fuchs

Ally is the laboratory manager for the Parenting Mindfully II Study. She is also a psychology M.A. student in the clinical science track at American University, where she is a member of the Emotions and Positive Psychology Lab. Upon graduating, she intends to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Her research interests primarily center around the association between socioemotional well-being and psychopathology onset in adolescents and emerging adults. She is particularly interested in the role of positive emotions, social connectedness, and self-compassion in psychopathology development and prevention. In her free time, Ally enjoys reading, baking, and listening to music.

 

Jessica Keith

Jessica is the Assistant Manager for the Parenting-Mindfully II study. She has a bachelor’s from George Mason University in psychology, with concentrations in clinical and developmental psychology. She plans on applying for graduate school in pursuits of a PhD. Her research interests include the assessment of mental health developmental differences over the life span, how they may impact the success of mental health intervention strategies, and how clinical trials of new forms of therapy techniques and interventions might adjust for said differences. Outside of research and studies, she enjoys Dungeon and Dragons, video games, and creating digital art.

 

 

Giselle MacDonald

Giselle the coding manager for the Parenting-Mindfully II study. She is a senior undergraduate Psychology student with a concentration in Clinical Psychology and a minor in Data Analysis.  She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with research interests including attachment, emotion regulation, interpersonal stress and traumatic stress, and crisis response.  She has a passion for working with other LGBTQ individuals by volunteering for the Trevor Project, and enjoys reading, yoga, and spending downtime with her partner and her dog.

 

 

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Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistants

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Mariam Shakeel 

Mariam graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from George Mason University. Her research interests include adolescent psychology and mental health disorders. In her free time, Mariam enjoys reading, rock climbing, and taekwondo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Mak

Grace graduated William & Mary with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Biochemistry. Her research interests include psychopathology, developmental psychology, emotion regulation, and autism. Outside of the lab, she enjoys dancing, baking, and taking walks on outdoor trails.

 

 

 

Nina Larsen

Nina graduated with a B.A. in psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology and health psychology from George Mason University. Her research interests pertain to emotion regulation, intergenerational trauma, and mindfulness. For the future, she is interested in pursuing a path in clinical psychology and running a private practice one day. In her spare time, she loves to learn new things. Right now, she is building a pollinator garden and learning the waltz.

 

 

 

Acacia Varela

Acacia graduated with a B.S. Degree in Justice Studies and a minor in Political Science from James Madison University. Currently she is in the MA program of Technical and Professional Writing at GMU. Her research interest includes raciolinguistics related to mental health in the Latinx community, and assessment of biases in practitioners and impact on patient outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring art galleries, and attending live music events.

 

 

 

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Undergraduate Research Assistants

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Jeanne Snyder-Pham

Jeanne is a sophomore at George Mason, working towards a B.S. in psychology and a minor in Biology. Her research interests include exploring more clinical and developmental psychology, as well as the effect of different stressors on emotions and mental health. Outside of research, she enjoys baking, video games, and reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annabelle Pharm

Annabelle is a junior undergraduate working towards a B.A. in Psychology with a Concentration in IO Psychology. Her research interests include personality and individual differences, social relationships, stress management, and emotion regulation. She plans to obtain her Master’s in IO Psychology and work as a future IO Psychologist in the private sector. She enjoys reading poetry, watching movies, playing the ukulele, and hanging out with friends and family in her free time

 

 

 

 

 

Myriam Attalla

Myriam is a senior at GMU and a neuroscience major. She plans to go to med school and her research interest is in clinical psychology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, watching tv shows and spending time with my friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huda Emaan Naeem

Huda is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a clinical psychology concentration, as well as the accelerated M.A. in Psychology with the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience concentration. After completing her degrees at GMU, she plans to eventually complete a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology. She’s interested in religion and spirituality-integrated clinical techniques, as well as the connection between processes of cognition and neuroscience to frameworks of clinical psychology. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading and writing fiction, baking, and watching movies.

 

 

 

 

 

Ally Kiger

Ally is a junior pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology and a double minor in data analysis and communication. She is interested in applying to PhD programs in Clinical Psychology in the future. Her research interest is understanding ADHD comorbidity in relation to adolescent emotion regulation. Ally’s hobbies include solving puzzles, lifting, and watching tv.

 

 

 

 

Aya Al Salih

Aya is a junior at George Mason University working towards her B.S in Community health with a minor in clinical science (pre-med). Her interest in this field is to learn more about clinical psychology and understanding human minds and thoughts. She is striving for success to get her medical degree, with the plan to then open up her own practice and connect the dots between psychology and medicine. Her interests outside of the lab are photographing and travelling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura Klein

Laura graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. Her emphasis was in youth at risk.  She is currently pursuing admission to a Psy.D program for Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include improving adolescent mental health, mood/emotion regulation, neurodiversity, and personality disorders.  Laura and her husband celebrate 30 years of marriage this year and have six grown children. Her hobbies include teaching piano and voice lessons, hiking with her dog, and traveling with her family.

 

 

 

 

Sophia Collins

Sophia is an undergraduate Psychology major with concentrations in Work/Organizational Psychology and Human Factors/Applied Cognition, who aims to continue her post-baccalaureate career in psychometric and organizational research. She has a passion for the study of personality and individual differences across a variety of contexts, both at the individual level and within group and technological interactions. Beyond the lab, she loves hiking, cooking, and watching movies and anime with friends.

 

 

 

 

Seti Babaeian

Seti is a senior GMU student graduating in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in criminology plus concentration in Clinical and forensic psychology. Following her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a Psy.D in clinical psychology to focus on family relations/dynamic and effects on adolescent’s mental health. Her research interests include substance use, mental health, trauma, and family relationships. She enjoys reading, hiking, and learning about new cultures outside of education setting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melanie Joya

Melanie is a junior pursuing a B.S in Psychology with a concentration in IO Psychology and a minor in Data Analysis at George Mason. She also received an Associate’s degree in Psychology from Northern Virginia Community College. Her research interests include job attitudes, social relationships, and mood/emotion regulation. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, lifting, and spending time with friends and family.

 

 

 

Brighty Tawfik

Brighty is a junior at GMU getting her BA in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology. She plans on graduating in December of 2024 and then pursue her PsyD in Clinical Psychology. One of her main interests in the field is exploring causation and treatment methods for anxiety based/related disorders, especially in immigrant communities suffering from lack of mental health awareness. Brighty enjoys spending her time reading, trying new coffee shops, watching sitcoms and hanging out with friends.

 

 

 

 

Ellen Charlotte Stern

Ellen is a sophomore at George Mason working toward a B.S. in psychology with a concentration in cognitive behavioral neuroscience. Her areas of interest include developmental and cognitive psychology, as well as the impact of trauma on brain and social development. Outside of research, she loves reading, writing, and baking.

 

 

 

 

 

Yazary Argueta

Yazary is a junior undergraduate at George Mason pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology and is minoring in Organizational Conflict Resolution. After she finishes her bachelors, she plans to go to graduate school to obtain a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Her interests include developmental psychopathology, the effects of trauma, emotional regulation, personality disorders, and neural cognitive processes. Outside of school, she enjoys watching movies and shows, trying out new restaurants, spending time with friends and family, and reading.

 

 

 

Cortland Lam

Cortland is a sophomore and will be a junior in the spring of 2025 pursuing a B.S. in Psychology, aiming to earn a PhD in clinical psychology one day. His research interests include developmental psychology, psychopathology, and emotional regulation. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new topics, and weight training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jingyi Zhu

Jingyi is a M.A. candidate in the Forensic Psychology program at George Washington University. Her research interests include emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents with traumatic experience and the role of resilience in adolescent development. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and martial art training.

 

 

 

 

 

Jenna Aboulhosn Sangid

Jenna is an undergraduate sophomore at George Mason working towards her B.S. in Psychology. Her research interests include examining cognitive psychology in human factors and applied cognition as well as interpersonal interactions and their impact on mental health. Outside of the lab, she enjoys growing houseplants, reading, and wheel throwing.

 

 

 

 

 

Dina Rachel Berenshteyn

Dina is an undergraduate junior working towards a B.A. in psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology. She hopes to continue her education by pursuing a PhD to work as a pediatric clinical psychologist. Her research interests include mental health in youth, childhood trauma, and suicidality prevention in adolescents. Outside the lab, she is an animal lover with a passion for aquatics.

 

 

 

 

 

Mena Linthicum

Mena is a senior working towards a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the future. Her research interests include psychopathology and risk behavior prevention amongst children and adolescents. Outside of the lab, she enjoys listening to music, reading/writing, and swimming.

 

 

 

 

Ali McEwen

Ali is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she aims to delve into clinical research and leverage her marketing expertise to bring a unique perspective to the field. Ali’s ultimate goal is to earn a PhD in Psychology, specializing in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, with a keen interest in advancing research for girls and women with ADHD. She is driven by the belief that understanding the intricacies of the human mind can lead to more tailored interventions and support systems.

 

 

 

 

Ann-Marie Clark

Ann-Marie graduated from Christopher Newport University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Childhood studies. She is hoping to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology and her research interests include mental health disorders in children and adolescents, especially ADHD and ASD. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and playing the guitar with friends.

 

 

 

Ellie Hobson

Ellie is a Junior working towards a B.S In Criminology Law and Society and a minor in Forensic Psychology. She hopes to continue my education by pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology and concentrate that work in Forensic Psychology to work with inmates. Her research interest include examining childhood trauma/abuse and its role in incarceration, risk of recidivism among individuals that are incarcerated, adolescent anxiety and family relationships, and personality disorders. Outside of school she likes to read, go to the gym, travel, and watch documentaries.

 

 

Griffin Perry

Griffin is a Junior at George Mason pursuing his B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology. He is also a transfer student from Northern Virginia Community College. His research interests include the applications of different types of psychotherapy to vulnerable populations (specifically cognitive behavioral therapy) and ways to improve adolescent psychiatric care. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with friends, playing video games, and running. 

 

 

 

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Teen Advisor

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Sarah Lee
Sarah is a high school junior passionate about psychology and public health, with a strong interest in moral cognition, self-regulation, and emotional well-being, ultimately aspiring to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in the future. As a Research Intern at George Mason University, she studies the intergenerational heritability of guilt and shame, their connections to religious frameworks, and their impact on emotional regulation. Beyond research, Sarah is a dedicated leader and advocate, working to bridge psychology with real-world impact through mental health awareness and community-driven initiatives.

 

 

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Graduate Student Alumni

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