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

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • Casey Carrow (she/her/hers) is a first-year student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program. She received her B.S. in Child Development and Cognitive Studies from Vanderbilt University in May 2024. Her research interests include studying the development of social communication and emotion regulation in autistic individuals within their broader familial and sociocultural contexts, as well as understanding caregivers’ perspectives and experiences accessing systems of care. Through this work, she aims to inform family-centered interventions that support positive family relationships and improve quality of life for autistic individuals.

  • 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. She is currently on internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Child and Adolescent Track.

  • 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

  • Shania Cox (she/her/hers) is a first-year M.A. student in the Clinical Psychology program with a child/adolescent focus. She earned her B.S. in Cognitive and Brain Sciences from Tufts University. She is interested in the disparities of service utilization between individuals of different social statuses, autistic people’s communication patterns and social behaviors in mixed and non-mixed dyad relationships, as well as improving the quality of life for autistic people and their families through early intervention. Her long term goal is to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in neuropsychology, to become a pediatric clinical neuropsychologist.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Ginie Christy Rubia (she/her/hers) is a first-year doctoral student in the School Psychology PsyD program at Montclair State University, where she also earned her B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests focus on executive functioning, emotion regulation, and behavioral functioning in autistic youth and students with learning differences. She is particularly interested in examining how these processes influence academic achievement, classroom engagement, and social-emotional development. She is also interested in school-based assessment, culturally responsive practices, and evidence-based prevention and intervention to support positive outcomes for neurodiverse learners across educational, clinical, and healthcare settings.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • Tanushri Gayathri Ganeshwar (she/her) is a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Family Science & Human Development. She is interested in clinical and counseling psychology and hopes to further her education by pursuing a master’s degree in the field. Her academic interests include cognitive psychology, child psychology, and neuroscience.

  • Rashel Medina (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University pursuing a BA in Psychology. In the future, she hopes to pursue a master's/doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy. Her research interests include autism and child psychology, neurodevelopment, and cognitive psychology. 

  • Vanessa Dias (she/her/hers) is a third-year undergraduate student at Montclair State University double majoring in Psychology and Family Science and Human Development. In the future, she hopes to obtain a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology to pursue a career in Pediatric Neuropsychology. Her interests are focused in child development and autism.

  • Jessica Drozd (she/her) is currently a fourth-year undergraduate student at Montclair State, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Science and Human Development. She expects to further her education in pursuit of becoming a school psychologist. Her specific interests involve cognitive, developmental, and child psychology

  • 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, BA

  • Reem Ahmad, BA

  • Wasayef Bsharat, BA

  • 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, BA - currently at Montclair State University’s School Psychology M.A. program

  • Hailey Lynch, BA

  • Michael House, BA

  • Susie Hreno, BA

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

  • Michaela Reynolds, BA - 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

  • Mary Isaac Cargill, Ph.D.

Master’s Degree

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

  • Sumin Bang, MS - currently at Doctor of Audiology (AuD) in University of South Florida

  • Amy Bishay, BA - currently at Saint Elizabeth PsyD program

  • Dante Casolaro, MA - currently at St. Elizabeth’s University PsyD program

  • Will DeFilippo

  • Eden Fowler-Benton, MA - currently at Towson University (Autism Studies PhD program)

  • May Hartle

  • Allison Hollender, MA

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

  • Emily Lynch

  • Nicole Macapagal, MA

  • Nora May McSorley, MA - currently at St. Elizabeth’s University PsyD program

  • Charleen Polanco, MA

  • Sydney Przygoda, MPS

  • Michaela Reynolds - currently at Fairleigh Dickinson University Advanced PsyD School Psychology Program

  • Kristen Schiavo, MA - currently at Kean University’s School and Clinical Psychology PsyD program

  • Alex Tangarife, MA

ALUMNI

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ALUMNI .