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 & Doctoral Students

  • Dr. Erin Kang (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology 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 2022 INSAR Slifka/Ritvo Innovation in Autism Research Award, 2022 SRCD Small Grants Program for Early Career Investigators, and 2022 Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Grant, as well as President’s Award to Distinguished Doctoral Students and the JCCAP Future Directions Launch Award. Her research focuses on integrating science and practice by understanding processes that shape clinical presentations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), investigating neural mechanisms of clinical phenotypes and plasticity in ASD, and applying these insights to evidence-based interventions for social functioning. Her research incorporates contemporary analytic methodologies including advanced quantitative methods and neuroscience.

    Email: kange@montclair.edu

    Links: CV | Google Scholar

  • Mary Isaac Cargill (she/her/hers) is a third-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.

  • Rachel McDonald (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program. Rachel received a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia University in Psychology and Master of Professional Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland. Her research interests include the presentation and underlying mechanisms of co-occurring mental health disorders in autism. She is also interested in mediating and moderating factors of treatment in autism and co-occurring conditions. She plans to utilize these findings to develop specialized interventions for autistic individuals.

  • Sadaf (she/her/hers) is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program. Sadaf received her B.S in Psychology from University of Houston and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from University of Houston-Clear Lake. Sadaf’s clinical work in the last decade with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities (DD/ID), primarily autism, has inspired her research interests which include investigating social cognition in youth with DD/ID, neural mechanisms that influence clinical presentation of autism, evidenced-based behavioral and psychosocial interventions for improving overall functioning, and comorbidities with autism (mainly ADHD and anxiety). Additionally, Sadaf is keen to investigate the impact of autism on parents and siblings of autistic youth and explore evidence-based interventions to improve their quality of life.

  • Allison Hollender (she/her/hers) is a second-year student in the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology. Allison received a B.A. in Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. After graduating, she continued her research career at Washington University as a coordinator for EEG studies on childhood emotion processing and related psychosocial outcomes. In graduate school and beyond, Allison’s research interests are grounded in developmental neuroscience with a focus in neurodevelopmental disorders, primarily autism. She is not only keen to investigate the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of autism across early development, but is also interested in how autism presents differently in youth according to those mechanisms. Her ultimate goal is to use her research to inform targeted, evidence-based interventions that improve the quality of life for autistic youth.

  • Farah (she/her) is a sixth-year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at MSU. She received her B.A. in neuroscience from Wellesley College and M.S. in medical sciences from Boston University. Farah is a collaborator from Dr. Carrie Masia's lab and working with the Kang lab to examine the link between cognitive flexibility and anxiety in autistic children. She is passionate about helping to improve long term academic and mental health outcomes for neurodivergent youth through her research and clinical work.

  • Caroline Freden (she/her/hers) is a second-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.

Master Students

  • Michaela Reynolds (she/her/hers) is a second-year student in the master’s Clinical Psychology MA + School Psychology Certification program at Montclair State University. She received her BA in Psychology at Montclair State University in May 2022. Her research interests include ASD, assessments, peer relations, bullying and victimization. After completing her Masters and School psychology certification, she plans on obtaining her Pys.D in School Psychology.

  • Sydney Przygoda is a second-year master's student in the Psychological Sciences MA program. She is also completing the Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology certificate. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Utica University in 2022. Her research interests include, clinical assessments, autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, and sports psychology. After completing her master's, she plans to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

  • Charleene Polanco (she/her/hers) is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program at Montclair State University. She received her BA in psychology at Rutgers State University-New Brunswick in 2018. Her research interests include autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how ASD presents itself across different ethnic minorities. After completing her MA degree, Charleene plans to enroll in a doctorate program and continue working with children that have developmental disorders.

  • Greg is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University, currently pursuing a BA in Psychology with a double minor in social work and German. After graduation, he plans to go on to obtain a master’s in social work. His interests include the sociocultural influences on abnormal behavior and the relationship between language and perception.

  • Sumin is a second-year student in Psychological Sciences MA program. She plans to pursue a career in human factors/neuroergonomics field after completing her graduate studies. Her research interests are in the human factors and neuropsychology field, focusing on brain-behavior relationships, and how individuals’ cognition interacts with machines and technology.

  • Nicole Macapagal (she/her/hers) is a second year graduate student in the Psychology BA/MA Program with a minor in Cognitive Science. Her research interests include developmental disorders and mental health within youth and adults especially amongst POC communities. After completing the BA/MA Program, Nicole hopes to continue her studies and move forward with obtaining a doctorate in Psychology.

BA/MA Students

  • Emily Lynch is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University in the BA/MA Psychology Program. She is obtaining a minor in Child Advocacy and Policy. Her research interests include ASD, the effect of cognitive and developmental disorders in juveniles, in addition to the impact of trauma on development. Emily hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology after graduation.

  • Wasayef Bsharat is a third-year undergraduate student. She is enrolled in the BA/MA Psychology Program here at Montclair State University with a minor in cognitive science. Her research interests includes therapeutic interventions, diagnostic assessments, and comorbid conditions with autism. Wasayef hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

  • Willow DeFilippo (they/he) is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Psychology BA/MA program at Montclair State. They are currently finishing the undergraduate portion of their degree and beginning to work on their master's. After graduating they plan on pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Their goal is to be a therapist for adolescents with cancer related trauma, as well as for autistic individuals. Their research interests include autism spectrum disorder, gender studies, and trauma in adolescents.

Research Assistants

  • Yousra Babikir is a third-year undergraduate student currently pursuing a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is part of the Honors Program at Montclair State University. After graduating her goal is to attend law school to pursue a JD degree.

  • Lexi White (She/Her)- is a third year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in psychology and is double minoring in social work and child advocacy and policy. Her goal is to get her masters degree and possibly enter a doctoral program after that. She is very interested and passionate about working with kids.

  • Haylee Garcia is a second-year undergraduate at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology and she plans to further her education after she graduates. Her goal is to enter a masters program to pursue mental health counseling

  • Eftihia Mazis is a fourth-year undergraduate at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a psychology BA and minoring in family science and human development. After graduation, she plans to continue her education and pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests are trauma response in adolescents and different comorbidities in eating disorders.

  • Olga Alves (she/her) is a second-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in psychology and hopes to minor in Acting or Musical Theater. Olga intends to pursue further education after graduation and is interested in music therapy. She is excited to learn more about research and its various aspects.

  • Suleina Houston (She/Her) is a second-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology and plans to continue with her education to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology with the end goal of obtaining a PhD with a strong interest in research. She hopes to explore the areas of research along the way

  • Angela Castillo (she/they) is a second-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is pursuing a BA in psychology and has a minor in visual arts. She intends to pursue further education after graduation and is interested in the field of art therapy. Angela is excited to learn more about research and to explore different aspects associated with it.

  • Michael House (he/him) is a senior undergraduate student at Montclair State University. He's pursuing a BA in Psychology and will be continuing his education with the Clinical Psychology program at Montclair. Michael plans continuing to further his education and is interested in researching and implementing novel intervention strategies for children with disabilities.

  • Natalia Cifuentes is a second-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.

  • Hailey Lynch is a first year undergraduate student at Montclair State University. She is currently pursuing her BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She plans to continue her education and receive a masters in Psychology. Her research interests include mental health, trauma, and working with children.

  • Ava is currently a fourth-year undergraduate at Montclair State University. She is currently pursuing a BA in Psychology and a minor in Business. After graduating she plans on going to graduate school to continue her education in Psychology. Her research interests include child development and ASD.

  • Susie Hreno is a fourth-year undergraduate in the Psychology Bachelor’s Program. She plans to continue with her education and to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, with the ultimate goal of earning a PhD. Her research interests include ASD, child development, and how trauma disrupts the brain.

  • Reem Ahmad is a first-year undergraduate student. Ahmad is also part of the Pre-Med Program at Montclair State University. They have always been interested in understanding how research at a lab works and looks forward to learning more about it. Ahmad hopes after graduation that they will go for their masters and still be working in research. One of their interests is how certain actions or environments can affect the developments of one's brain, especially in early development.

  • Sydney Valentine is a second-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.

ALUMNI

Britney Jeyanayagam - currently at St. John’s University

Eden Fowler-Benton - currently at Johns Hopkins University

Kristen Schiavo - currently at Kean University

Wesley Fritch

Jada Adams