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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Arabella Peters (she/her/hers) is a second-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.

  • Caroline Freden (she/her/hers) is a third-year student 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 dissemination and implementation science research that aims to increase public awareness and acceptance of autism.

  • Tali (she/her/hers) is a 3rd-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

  • Zeina Ghanem (She/Her/Hers) is currently a second-year M.A. student in Clinical Psychology on the Child/Adolescence concentration track. She graduated with a BS in Psychology and a minor in English from Hollins University in 2024. Her research focuses on differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, with particular attention to psychopathology and sex differences, and on how these distinctions inform both scientific understanding and practical applications. She aspires to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

  • Jacob Gutierrez (He/Him) is a first-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.

  • Kayla Brathwaite (She/Her/Hers) is a first year graduate student in the M.A. Clinical Psychology and School Psychology Certificate program. In choosing Montclair State University to continue to accelerate her studies, it is also where she received her B.A. in Psychology in January 2024. Her research interests include identifying and evaluating disabilities in children. She intends to implement these conclusions to develop individualized educational plans as well as building a foundation through collaborating with teachers and students to ensure that the individualized educational plans and accommodations are suitable to their academic needs.

  • Kristen Vonfrolio (She/Her/Hers) is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. student who earned her B.S. in Psychology from the College of Staten Island in 2024. Her research interests include emotional regulation, the effects of stigma on mental health, and developing personalized interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using neural data to improve outcomes. Kristen aspires to apply these insights in her future career as a counselor, delivering compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each client’s unique needs. She also plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.

  • Suleina Houston (she/her) is a first-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.

  • Haya Farhan (She/Her/Hers) is a first-year masters student in the Clinical Psychology Program with a Child/Adolescent concentration at Montclair State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in cognitive science from MSU. Her research interests include autism spectrum disorder presentations across cultures, the impact of culture on the development of personality, as well as play behaviors in autistic and non-autistic children. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical child psychology in the future.

  • Emalia Samouhos (She/Her/Hers) is a first-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.

  • Amy Bishay (She/Her/Hers) is a second-year masters student in the Clinical Psychology Program with a Child/Adolescent concentration at Montclair State University. She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology, with a minor in human development and family studies, from Penn State University. Her research interests include intervention and treatment approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as, cognitive and psychological functioning of ASD and non-ASD individuals.  She hopes to pursue a PsyD in clinical psychology.

Research Assistants

  • Haylee Garcia (She/Her/Hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology and a minor in Family Science and Human Development. She plans to further her education after she graduates and enter a masters program to pursue social work.

  • Julia Rozum (She/Her/Hers) is a second-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. 

  • Angela Castillo (she/they) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in psychology and has a minor in visual arts. They intend to pursue further education after graduation and are interested in the field of art therapy. Angela is excited to continue learning more about research and has explored topics relating to anxiety, emotion regulation, and executive functioning.

  • Natalia Cifuentes is a third-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.

  • Esther Simon (she/her/hers) is a third-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.

  • Sydney Valentine is a third-year undergraduate, biochemistry major. She is currently a part of the Pre-Medical Program at Montclair State. In the future she hopes to study neuroscience or endocrinology and pursue a career in the medical field related to these interests.

  • Ginie Rubia (she/her/hers) is a third year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in psychology with plans to further her education in the Masters Clinical Psychology program with a concentration in children and adolescents. Her interests include working in clinical settings with children experiencing mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders, with a strong commitment to help them gain access to support and resources. Ginie is passionate about promoting mental health and aims to contribute warm and informed approaches of care for young individuals.

  • Sam Campos (He/Him/His) is a second-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. He is pursuing a BA/MA in psychological sciences and a minor in neuroscience, and plans to further his education with a PsyD in clinical psychology. His interests include working in the clinical field with clients suffering from various mental disorders and trauma, as well as disrupting stigma and being a strong advocate for men’s mental health. 

ALUMNI

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ALUMNI .

Bachelor's Degree 

Ava Costa, B.A. - currently at Montclair State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A, program

Efi Mazis, B.A. - currently at Columbia University’s Counseling Psychology M.A. program

Jada Adams, B.A.

Michaela Reynolds, B.A. - currently at Montclair State University’s School Psychology M.A. program

Michael House, B.A

Sara Germano, B.A. - currently at Montclair State University’s School Psychology M.A. program

Susie Hreno, B.A.

Wasayef Bsharat, B.A.

Hailey Lynch

Reem Ahmad

Doctorate Degree

Farah Mahmud, Ph.D. - currently at Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, CUIMC/NYSPI.

Rachel McDonald, Ph.D. - currently at Brown University

Sadaf Khawar, Ph.D. - currently at University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Pediatrics

Master’s Degree 

Alex Tangarife, M.A.

Allison Hollender, M.A.

Britney Jeyanayagam, M.A. - currently at St. John’s University’s Clinical Psychology PhD program

Charleen Polanco, M.A.

Dante Casolaro, M.A. - currently at St. Elizabeth’s University PsyD program

Eden Fowler-Benton, M.A. - currently at Towson University (Autism Studies PhD program)

Elvis Auqui - currently at Montclair State University’s Social Work MSW program

Emily Lynch

Kristen Schiavo, M.A. - currently at Kean University’s School and Clinical Psychology PsyD program

May Hartle

Nicole Macapagal, M.A.

Nora May McSorley, M.A - currently at St. Elizabeth’s University PsyD program

Sumin Bang, M.S.

Sydney Przygoda, MPS

Will DeFilippo