Lab Coordinators

Elisa de la Fuente (FLIGHT 2.0)
Elisa most recently received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Rochester Warner School of Education and Human Development. In 2021, she received her B. A in Psychology with Minors in Cognitive Neuropsychology and Communications in Media from Nazareth College. She has held the Project Coordinator Position at Project FLIGHT 2.0 since 2021, with additional lab experience on Project PROMISE at Mt. Hope Family Center and the DeStiNY lab at the Warner School. With her clinical background and experience in cognitive neuropsychology, Elisa is interested in how the family system impacts cognitive development. In her free time, Elisa enjoys working out, reading, listening to music, and baking.

 

Lucy Wagner (TRAIL)
Lucy earned her B.S. from Syracuse University in 2021 where she dual-majored in Psychology and Communications and minored in Business. She was a Research Assistant for 3 years on Project FLIGHT before she began as Project Coordinator on TRAIL. She aims to earn her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a developmental focus to further study the effects of early childhood experiences and parenting styles on outcomes in adolescence and adulthood while implementing therapeutic practices. She loves to spend her free time with friends and family, reading, and trying new recipes

 

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.

 

LeAndra Rhymes (TRAIL)
LeAndra earned her B.A. in Psychology in May 2025 from the University of Missouri – Columbia, where she conducted research across multiple labs on topics such as racial socialization, attachment, and family storytelling. She is interested in how caregiver experiences shape parenting and children’s mental health and development. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the goal of advancing research and interventions in this area. Outside of research, she enjoys trying new restaurants, exploring different forms of art, and spending time with Jesus.

 

Undergraduate RAs and Post Bac Interns

Arianna Carrion (TRAIL)
Arianna is a sophomore double majoring in Clinical and Translational Sciences and Medical Anthropology. Her research interests center on social determinants of health (SDOH) and the ways in which psychological frameworks and social sciences inform medical research and clinical outcomes. She is an aspiring physician-scientist planning to pursue an MD/PhD. Outside of my work in the lab, she enjoys reading and watching mystery shows, particularly animated ones—Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is definitely a childhood fav.

Joseph Cucolo (TRAIL)

Ezra Eaves (TRAIL)
Ezra is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. He is interested in researching the developmental effects of various social dynamics and pressures, particularly in neurodivergent populations. Ezra is planning on earning an M.A. in School Psychology and working in an elementary school. In his free time, he enjoys sewing, collaging, listening to music, playing instruments, and spending time with his cat, Jellybean.

 

Emily Eckermann (FLIGHT 2.0)
Emily is currently a Master’s student in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She attended Case Western Reserve University where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Cognitive Science. Emily hopes to pursue a PhD in Human Development and Family Science after her Master’s degree to further her education, with career goals of becoming an undergraduate professor and Marriage and Family Therapy clinician. Outside of school, Emily enjoys playing the violin in local orchestras, playing tennis, and spending time with her dog and bunny.

Syd Ferguson (FLIGHT 2.0)

Nayoon (Kate) Kim (TRAIL)

Metok Kogyal (TRAIL)

Anika Nawar (TRAIL; Honors Student)
Anika is a senior double majoring in Brain and Cognitive Science and Psychology. Her current research interests focus on the effects of abuse and trauma exposure in children and how these experiences influence neurocognitive mechanisms and language impairments. In the future, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology and hope to practice as a clinician and a researcher. Outside of school, she loves to explore new cafes, go to the gym, crochet and knit, and play piano!

 

Sadie Schoonover (TRAIL)
Sadie Schoonover is a sophomore at SUNY Geneseo majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Spanish. Her research interests are in social psychology, specifically focusing on the role relationships and social interactions play in mental fortitude and health. Sadie plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with career goals of working as a psychotherapist. Outside of research and school, she loves to go to the movie theater, eat Thai food, and go to cafes with her friends.

 

Megan Stadel (FLIGHT 2.0)
Megan graduated from Nazareth University in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Clinical Interventions minor. She will be attending St. John Fisher University in the fall 2026 where she will pursue a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. In the future, Megan also hopes to earn a Ph.D. 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 baking.

 

Khia Williams (McNair Scholar)
Khia Williams is a current junior rising senior at the University of Rochester, majoring in Psychology and American Sign Language. She is particularly interested in child development and how adversity may predict educational outcomes, mental health disorders and behavioral discrepancies. She is also interested in how childhood adversity can shape later parenting skills and affect the next generation. Khia hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Child Development or Child Psychology, focusing on adversity, mental health, and educational outcomes. Beyond work and school, she enjoys dancing, playing volleyball and cooking.

 

Yutong (Dora) Wu (TRAIL)
Yutong is a sophomore at the University of Rochester majoring in Psychology. She is interested in developmental psychology and understanding how childhood experiences can have lasting effects on mental health, behavior, and development throughout adulthood. After completing her undergraduate studies, Yutong hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, drawing, and writing poetry.