Lab Coordinators

Elisa de la Fuente (FLIGHT 2.0)
Elisa graduated from Nazareth College in 2021 with a degree in Psychology with Minors in Cognitive Neuropsychology and Communications and Media. She is currently a student at the University of Rochester Warner School of Education and Human Development, pursuing a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling and has experience as an undergraduate intern for Project PROMISE, a Research Assistant for Project FLIGHT, and a Project Coordinator for Project FLIGHT. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. 

 

Meera Patel (TRAIL)

Full-time Research Assistants

Breena Keefe (TRAIL)
Breena graduated from the University of Rochester in December 2024 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology. In her future, she aspires to earn a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. so that she can work with immigrant populations in therapeutic and research settings. Outside of research, Breena works as a teaching assistant at the University of Rochester, and a ballet teacher. In her free time, she enjoys working out, being outdoors, and playing with her pets.

 

Aviana Estevez (TRAIL)
Aviana graduated from St. John Fisher University in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology. Prior to TRAIL, Aviana was an R.A. for the SMAC Lab at St. John Fisher University. She is interested in developmental and cognitive psychology, with specific interests in understanding how processes such as memory, executive functioning, and attention impacted by children’s adverse experiences. She plans to pursue a PhD in either Developmental Psychology or Cognitive Science and continue her career in research. Outside of her research position, Aviana is also a team member at TRU-Impact, a volunteer-based tutoring organization. In her free time, she plays video games, hangs out with her cats Luna and Marley, and reads comics.

Marissa Hendrickson (TRAIL)
Marissa graduated from the University of Rochester in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Brain & Cognitive Science and Biology. She is deeply interested in children from adverse backgrounds and/or who experienced early life stress and how their social network, home life, and physiology shape their socioemotional adjustment and later well-being. Her future plans are to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology and eventually build a career in academia. Outside of research, Marissa likes to explore locally owned coffee shops in the area, try out new hobbies like film photography, play video games, and read

 

Jessica Perrone (FLIGHT 2.0)
Jess received her undergraduate degree from SUNY Geneseo in which she dual-majored in Psychology and Spanish language. She is now working toward her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Rochester with the goal to receive her LMHC post-graduation. Before Project FLIGHT, she was an afterschool and summer counselor for the PATHS program at Mt. Hope Family Center working with children 4-11 years old. She really enjoys using her creativity for various art and crafts, and she spends her time-off frolicking around Rochester with her wiener dog named Cannoli!

 

Ben Quattrociocchi (FLIGHT 2.0)

Lucy Wagner (FLIGHT 2.0)
Lucy graduated from Syracuse University in 2021 where she majored in Psychology and Communications & Rhetorical Studies, and had a minor in Business. She also works as a Care Navigator at St. Mary’s Inpatient Psychiatry and aims to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus on the roles of social and familial factors in personality development and disorders. In her free time, she loves to thrift, read, and do yoga.

 

Undergraduate RAs and Post Bac Interns

Areej Abid, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)
Areej is a fourth-year student at the University of Rochester, majoring in psychology and brain cognitive sciences. She has a strong interest in adolescent development, human behavior, and the influence of psychopathology in these areas. Areej aspires to earn my Ph.D. in clinical psychology, with the goal of becoming a professor and conducting therapeutic interventions and also contributing towards the development of new remedies and treatments with conducted research. In her free time, she likes to box, cook, and work as a tutor or just work with children in general through volunteer work, team clubs, or employment opportunities.

Bethany Adams, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)

Elaina Flynn, UR (Honors Student)
Elaina is a fourth-year student at the University of Rochester studying developmental psychology. She currently works on community-based intervention programs for youth substance use and suicide as well as Project THRIVE. Her main research focus involves the trajectories of traumatic childhood experiences, with an emphasis on maladaptive reinforcement learning. Elaina aspires to attend graduate school as well as conduct further research into biopsychosocial pathways and psychological adjustment. Outside of academics and research, Elaina enjoys playing piano, drawing, reading novels, gardening, and camping.

Syd Ferguson, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)

 

Sophia Liu, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)
Sophia is a senior, future T5, majoring in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Statistics. Her primary interests lie in child therapy and child language development. Post-graduation, Sophia is aiming to pursue professional training and a PhD program in psychology.

 

 

Maryn Morgan, UR (TRAIL)
Maryn is a Junior majoring in psychology and public health. She is particularly interested in studying the ways in which childhood abuse, neglect and maltreatment affect individuals longitudinally as partners, parents, and community contributors. After undergrad, Maryn hopes to pursue a PsyD in clinical psychology and apply some of these research interests to a clinical practice family setting. Outside of research, she loves playing pickleball, reading, and getting off campus to explore local coffee shops!

 

 

Abby Pearlman, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)
Abby is a senior majoring in Brain and Cognitive Science and Psychology. She is interested in understanding how social factors impact brain development in early childhood. Outside of academics, she enjoys running, reading, and traveling the world.

 

 

Salvika, Rayamajhi, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)
Salvika is a senior majoring in Psychology and Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester. Her research interests include neurodevelopmental disorders and the intersection of psychological science and social inclusion and diversity. She is currently applying to graduate schools for psychology. Outside of academics and research, Salvika enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family.

 

Vishwa Shukla, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)
Vishwa is a senior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Psychology and Studio Art. She is interested in studying abnormal psychology and resource disparities through the lens of health inequity. Vishwa hopes to apply to medical school after completing her undergrad. Outside of research, she enjoys crafting, traveling, and trying new foods.

 

 

Megan Stadel, Nazareth University (FLIGHT 2.0)
Megan is a senior at Nazareth University, majoring in Psychology with a Clinical Interventions minor. Once she graduates, she hopes to earn a PhD in clinical psychology with the goal of working in a clinical setting and eventually teaching at the college level. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, crafting, and rock climbing.

 

Jiatong (Tina) Wang, UR (FLIGHT 2.0)
Jiatong is a rising senior majoring in Psychology and Business. She is particularly interested in studying cognitive psychology and children’s development. In the future, Jiatong hopes to pursue a career as a professional therapist. Outside of research, she enjoys traveling, cooking and reading novels.

 

Alexus Wilson, UR (THRIVE)
Alexus is a junior majoring in Psychology, specifically interested in developmental psychology and how societal pressures and interpersonal relationships impact a child’s personality and development. After completing undergrad, she hopes to either pursue a PsyD or Master’s program to eventually work with children in a more clinical setting. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, crafting, and watching movies with friends.