Meet the 1st Year Students (2023-2024 Cohort)
Georgia Capobianco - Ed.S.
Home Town: Cheshire, Connecticut
Previous University: University of Connecticut 2023
Research Interests: I am in Project SMARTS in the Raise Lab! My research interests are in crisis prevention/response, behavior interventions, and mental health more broadly.
Hobbies / Fun: I have a mini goldendoodle puppy named Peach!! We both are happy to be away from all the snow up North.
Previous University: University of Connecticut 2023
Research Interests: I am in Project SMARTS in the Raise Lab! My research interests are in crisis prevention/response, behavior interventions, and mental health more broadly.
Hobbies / Fun: I have a mini goldendoodle puppy named Peach!! We both are happy to be away from all the snow up North.
Bria Ferera - Ph.D.
Home Town: The Bronx, New York
Previous University: CUNY York College and University of North Florida
Research Interests: PAIR Lab, Pediatric Psychology Lab, Social Justice Lab
Hobbies / Fun: I love chocolate and anything sweet! I am also obsessed with the 90 day fiancé series.
Previous University: CUNY York College and University of North Florida
Research Interests: PAIR Lab, Pediatric Psychology Lab, Social Justice Lab
Hobbies / Fun: I love chocolate and anything sweet! I am also obsessed with the 90 day fiancé series.
Alyssa Howitt - Ed.S.
Home Town: Coral Springs, Florida
Previous University: University of Florida 2023
Research Interests: I am involved in the RAISE lab to explore my interests in crisis prevention and intervention, disproportionality, and trauma informed service delivery
Hobbies / Fun: In my free time I love to paint, binge reality TV, read, and get ice cream with my friends
Previous University: University of Florida 2023
Research Interests: I am involved in the RAISE lab to explore my interests in crisis prevention and intervention, disproportionality, and trauma informed service delivery
Hobbies / Fun: In my free time I love to paint, binge reality TV, read, and get ice cream with my friends
Ray Youngblood - Ed.S.
Home Town: Dunnellon, Florida
Previous University: Swarthmore College 2021
Research Interests: Mindfulness-based interventions, acceptance and commitment (ACT) therapy, and student mental health
Previous University: Swarthmore College 2021
Research Interests: Mindfulness-based interventions, acceptance and commitment (ACT) therapy, and student mental health
Melissa Brown - Ph.D.
Home Town: McKinney, Texas
Previous University: University of Arkansas 2023
Research Interests: I am in the RAISE lab and Positive Psychology lab! My research interests are school-based mental health services and prevention and intervention.
Hobbies / Fun: I love thrifting, trying new restaurants and recipes, and rescuing stray kitties around Tampa Bay.
Previous University: University of Arkansas 2023
Research Interests: I am in the RAISE lab and Positive Psychology lab! My research interests are school-based mental health services and prevention and intervention.
Hobbies / Fun: I love thrifting, trying new restaurants and recipes, and rescuing stray kitties around Tampa Bay.
Aileen Kangavary - Ph.D.
Home Town: San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California
Previous University: California State University, Northridge 2021
Research Interests: My overarching goal is to advocate for equity in our education system by eliminating barriers to mental health treatment and closing opportunity gaps through systems-level change within a social justice framework. My specific interests lie in (a) shifting our education system from an out-dated deficit-based mindset and toward a strengths-based/positive psychology approach; (b) testing the effectiveness of social-emotional learning interventions; (c) increasing access to mental health treatments in schools. I currently work with the School Mental Health Collaborative, specifically on Project SOAR with Dr. Shannon Suldo and the Resiliency Tookit Project. You can reach Aileen Kangavary at [email protected].
Hobbies / Fun: I enjoy trying new restaurants and spending time with my family in Miami and Los Angeles!
Previous University: California State University, Northridge 2021
Research Interests: My overarching goal is to advocate for equity in our education system by eliminating barriers to mental health treatment and closing opportunity gaps through systems-level change within a social justice framework. My specific interests lie in (a) shifting our education system from an out-dated deficit-based mindset and toward a strengths-based/positive psychology approach; (b) testing the effectiveness of social-emotional learning interventions; (c) increasing access to mental health treatments in schools. I currently work with the School Mental Health Collaborative, specifically on Project SOAR with Dr. Shannon Suldo and the Resiliency Tookit Project. You can reach Aileen Kangavary at [email protected].
Hobbies / Fun: I enjoy trying new restaurants and spending time with my family in Miami and Los Angeles!
Courtney Green - Ed.S.
Home Town: Lake Worth, FL
Previous University: Jacksonville University 2023
Research Interests: I am in the Pediatric School Psychology lab and Project TEIRS research lab group! My research interests include implementing equitable school based mental health services within MTSS, student athlete wellness and mental health, and the effects TBIs can have on learning processes.
Hobbies / Fun: I love playing, coaching, and watching soccer! Some of my other hobbies include going to the beach, reading, going on walks, and traveling!
Previous University: Jacksonville University 2023
Research Interests: I am in the Pediatric School Psychology lab and Project TEIRS research lab group! My research interests include implementing equitable school based mental health services within MTSS, student athlete wellness and mental health, and the effects TBIs can have on learning processes.
Hobbies / Fun: I love playing, coaching, and watching soccer! Some of my other hobbies include going to the beach, reading, going on walks, and traveling!
Amber Rivera - Ed.S.
Home Town: Tampa, FL
Previous University: University of South Florida 2023
Research Interests: I am currently apart of Project TIERS but I am interested in all things that include Social-Emotional Learning and School-Based Mental Health
Hobbies / Fun: I love to bake and try new restaurants!
Previous University: University of South Florida 2023
Research Interests: I am currently apart of Project TIERS but I am interested in all things that include Social-Emotional Learning and School-Based Mental Health
Hobbies / Fun: I love to bake and try new restaurants!
Gabrielle Patrin - Ed.S.
Home Town: St. Petersburg, FL
Previous University: Florida State University 2023 (Go Noles!)
Research Interests: I am member of Project TIERS and have a passion for working with students in high-need elementary schools.
Hobbies / Fun: I really enjoy reading and going line dancing!
Previous University: Florida State University 2023 (Go Noles!)
Research Interests: I am member of Project TIERS and have a passion for working with students in high-need elementary schools.
Hobbies / Fun: I really enjoy reading and going line dancing!
CYdney Williams - Ph.D.
Home Town: Chino Hills, CA
Previous University: University of California, Santa Barbara
Research Interests: I am currently involved in the Positive Psychology Lab and the Pediatric School Psychology Lab. More broadly, my research interests are in positive psychology and strength-based approaches to school-based mental health. I am also interested in social-emotional learning and MTSS.
Hobbies / Fun: In my free time, I enjoy cooking/baking, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends!
Previous University: University of California, Santa Barbara
Research Interests: I am currently involved in the Positive Psychology Lab and the Pediatric School Psychology Lab. More broadly, my research interests are in positive psychology and strength-based approaches to school-based mental health. I am also interested in social-emotional learning and MTSS.
Hobbies / Fun: In my free time, I enjoy cooking/baking, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends!
Asia Barnett - Ed.S.
Home Town: Jacksonville, FL
Previous University: Florida State University
Research Interests: Project Tiers, Project Tiers Research Group, school-based mental health and supporting marginalized youth in schools
Hobbies / Fun: On the weekends you can catch me at the beach, walking new trails, and hanging out with friends!
Previous University: Florida State University
Research Interests: Project Tiers, Project Tiers Research Group, school-based mental health and supporting marginalized youth in schools
Hobbies / Fun: On the weekends you can catch me at the beach, walking new trails, and hanging out with friends!
Elise Harrington - Ed.S.
Home Town: Oswego, Illinois
Previous University: University of South Florida
Research Interests: I am in the MTSS Evaluation Lab and my research interests include school policy/reform to support equity and promote the mental health of students, stress management for AP and high-achieving students, and peer rejection/bullying in adolescence.
Hobbies / Fun: I love reading, creative writing, singing, spending time with my dog, and going to the beach and Florida State Parks (especially Weeki Wachee Springs!). I have been enjoying the warm and sunny climate of Tampa Bay and never wish to move back up North!
Previous University: University of South Florida
Research Interests: I am in the MTSS Evaluation Lab and my research interests include school policy/reform to support equity and promote the mental health of students, stress management for AP and high-achieving students, and peer rejection/bullying in adolescence.
Hobbies / Fun: I love reading, creative writing, singing, spending time with my dog, and going to the beach and Florida State Parks (especially Weeki Wachee Springs!). I have been enjoying the warm and sunny climate of Tampa Bay and never wish to move back up North!
Yolanda Rotzinger Ballesteros - Ph.D.
Home Town: Puebla, Mexico
Previous University: B.S. Exercise Science, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO (2018). M.S. Mental Health Counseling, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (2021)
Research Interests: I am a member of the Pediatric School Psychology lab and the RAISE lab, where I contribute to the SAFETY-2 project. My research interests include social-emotional learning, youth mental health and well-being, school climate and safety, assessment methods, and caregiver and parental involvement.
Hobbies / Fun: I love being in nature, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.
Previous University: B.S. Exercise Science, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO (2018). M.S. Mental Health Counseling, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (2021)
Research Interests: I am a member of the Pediatric School Psychology lab and the RAISE lab, where I contribute to the SAFETY-2 project. My research interests include social-emotional learning, youth mental health and well-being, school climate and safety, assessment methods, and caregiver and parental involvement.
Hobbies / Fun: I love being in nature, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.