Meet the Team!
Meet the amazing lab director, graduate and undergraduate students that work here at the Autism and Neurodevelopment Lab at Montclair State University! Get to know more about the team members and what they do!
Lab Director
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Dr. Erin Kang (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Montclair State University. Dr. Kang received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University in 2020 with an advanced graduate certificate in Quantitative Methods. She has received several awards and grants, including the INSAR Slifka/Ritvo Innovation in Autism Research Award, SRCD Small Grants Program for Early Career Investigators, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Grant, and Department of Defense CDMRP Autism Research Program Career Development Award. Her research focuses on integrating science and practice by understanding processes that shape clinical presentations in autism, investigating neural mechanisms of clinical phenotypes and plasticity in autistic youth, and applying these insights to evidence-based interventions. Her research incorporates contemporary analytic methodologies including advanced quantitative methods and neuroscience.
Email: kange@montclair.edu
Links: CV | Google Scholar
Doctoral Students
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Caroline Candy (she/her/hers) is a second-year student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. She received her B.A. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan in May 2023. Her research interests focus on the mechanisms underlying social pain and rejection sensitivity in autism, and how experiences of social rejection relate to mental health outcomes for autistic individuals. She is interested in studying this to inform the development and implementation of evidence-based, affirming interventions that promote social connection and well-being for autistic people across the lifespan.
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Mary Isaac Cargill (she/her/hers) is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the PhD Program in Clinical Psychology. Mary Isaac received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Montclair State University and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia. Her research interests include identifying differences in the presentation of autism across different genders, sexualities, and cultures, as well as developing diagnostic materials that reflect those differences. She is also interested in understanding perceptions of autism in order to reduce stigma surrounding the condition. She plans to utilize these findings to develop specialized, evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of life of autistic people.
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Arabella Peters (she/her/hers) is a third-year student in the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Emory University in May 2022. She is interested in employing evidence-based approaches like CBT in tandem with neural markers (EEG) to tailor interventions in adolescents on the autism spectrum. Additionally, she is interested in the development and implementation of emotional regulation skills in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Caroline Freden (she/her/hers) is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin in May 2019. She is interested in applied research that promotes public acceptance of and support for autistic people through education and de-stigmatization efforts. She is the recipient of a predoctoral fellowship funded by the New Jersey Department of Health to create a neurodiversity-affirming autism training for law enforcement, the community helper group that participating autistic adults endorsed as most in need of such training.
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Tali (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program. She graduated from Colgate University in 2021 with a B.A. in Neuroscience. She is interested in studying the development of social cognition, including theory of mind, communicative language processing, and emotional intelligence, and in examining the factors influencing communication between autistic and non-autistic individuals. Her clinical interests include evidence-based interventions for anxiety in adults and for youth with ASD and their families to improve quality of life and family relationships.
Master Students
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Jacob Gutierrez (He/Him) is a second-year M.A. student in the Clinical Psychology program with a child/adolescent focus. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and his B.M. in Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University. He is passionate about improving the quality of life for autistic youth through evidence-based approaches, such as social skills interventions and CBT, while broadening the understanding of autistic development. He is equally interested in the long-term impact of childhood trauma, particularly how early experiences shape anxiety and emotional wellbeing in adulthood. He plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
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Ginie Rubia (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. She plans to further her education in the M.A. in Clinical Psychology program with a concentration in child/adolescent, as well as a School Psychologist Certificate. She is particularly interested in how executive functioning, emotional regulation, and behavioral difficulties influence academic and social functioning in neurodevelopmental youth. She has a long-term goal of pursuing her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in Clinical Psychology.
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Pranathi Harihar (she/her) is a Clinical Psycho-Oncologist by training from India and is currently a second-year MA Clinical Psychology student with a Child/Adolescent concentration. Her research interests include neurodevelopmental psychopathologies, with a particular focus on intervention and treatment approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She aspires to pursue a PhD in Clinical Child Psychology in the future.
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Ginie Rubia (she/her/hers) is a first-year graduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a M.A. in Cinical Psychology with a concentration in child/adolescent, as well as a School Psychologist Certificate. She is particularly interested in how executive functioning, emotional regulation, and behavioral difficulties influence academic and social functioning in neurodevelopmental youth. She has a long-term goal of pursuing her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in Clinical Psychology.
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Suleina Houston (she/her) is a second-year graduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing an MA in Clinical Psychology and plans to continue her education with the end goal of obtaining a PhD with research in forensic psychology and developmental psychopathology. She hopes to conduct assessments and do more psychological testing along the way.
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Gianna Maresca (she/her) is a first-year Master's student in the Clinical Psychology: Child and Adolescent program at Montclair. She received her BA in psychology, minoring in Biology from Montclair State University. Her research interests include working to develop comprehensive diagnostic tools for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), evaluating the impact of neuronal communication on outcomes in ASD, and the implications of methods such as TMS on neuronal communication and therapeutic outcomes. She intends to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Neuropsychology with the goal of becoming a neuropsychologist.
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Emalia Samouhos (She/Her/Hers) is a second-year graduate student in the M.A. Clinical Psychology program with School Psychology Certification. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Montclair State University. Her research interests focus on evidence-based assessment and its impact across developmental stages, with a particular emphasis on school-aged children with disabilities. She is passionate about implementing positive frameworks within school districts to foster inclusive, supportive, and collaborative communities. She also aims to expand her knowledge of both nature and nurture influences in order to design and apply effective interventions that support special education and individualized education plans.
Research Assistants
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Julia Rozum (She/Her/Hers) is a third-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology with a minor in Biology. In the future, she hopes to further her studies and pursue a Masters in Occupational therapy. Her interests are mental health and working with children.
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Natalia Cifuentes is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Psychology, with a double minor in Chemistry and Korean. She is also part of the Pre-Medical Program at Montclair State University. Her goal is to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist, with a focus on the branch of neuropsychiatry.
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Esther Simon (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a BA in Psychology and a minor in Creative Writing. In the future, she hopes to further her studies and obtain a doctoral degree in Psychology. Her research interests are clinical psychology and mental health in adolescents.
ALUMNI
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ALUMNI .
Bachelor's Degree
Jada Adams, B.A.
Reem Ahmad
Wasayef Bsharat, B.A.
Angela Castillo - currently at NYU Steinhardt
Ava Costa, B.A. - currently at Montclair State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A, program
Haylee Garcia - currently at Rutgers School of Social Work
Sara Germano, B.A. - currently at Montclair State University’s School Psychology M.A. program
Hailey Lynch
Michael House, B.A
Susie Hreno, B.A.Efi Mazis, B.A. - currently at Columbia University’s Counseling Psychology M.A. program
Michaela Reynolds, B.A. - currently at Montclair State University’s School Psychology M.A. program
Kristen Vonfrolio, BS
Doctorate Degree
Sadaf Khawar, Ph.D. - currently at University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Pediatrics
Farah Mahmud, Ph.D. - currently at Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, CUIMC/NYSPI.
Rachel McDonald, Ph.D. - currently at Brown University
Master’s Degree
Elvis Auqui - currently at Montclair State University’s Social Work MSW program
Sumin Bang, M.S.- currently at Doctor of Audiology (AuD) in University of South Florida
Amy Bishay - currently at Saint Elizabeth PsyD program
Dante Casolaro, M.A. - currently at St. Elizabeth’s University PsyD program
Will DeFilippo
Eden Fowler-Benton, M.A. - currently at Towson University (Autism Studies PhD program)
May Hartle
Allison Hollender, M.A.
Britney Jeyanayagam, M.A. - currently at St. John’s University’s Clinical Psychology PhD program
Emily Lynch
Nicole Macapagal, M.A.
Nora May McSorley, M.A - currently at St. Elizabeth’s University PsyD program
Charleen Polanco, M.A.
Sydney Przygoda, MPS
Michaela Reynolds - currently at Fairleigh Dickinson University Advanced PsyD School Psychology Program
Kristen Schiavo, M.A. - currently at Kean University’s School and Clinical Psychology PsyD program
Alex Tangarife, M.A.