Meet the Team

Research Team Fall 2024

Maria Radulescu, Graduate Student & Lab Manager

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Education: B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice & Criminology (Loyola University Chicago 2020)
Current Status: 3rd year Developmental Psychology PhD student
Research Interests: I'm interested in studying self-regulation, socioemotional development, and positive & adverse childhood experiences in parents and children from immigrant backgrounds. I'm also interested in studying the extent to which parents' experiences influence their children's social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development.
Hobbies: Listening to podcasts, reading, and baking!
Goals: I hope to get my Ph.D in Developmental Psychology. I would like to continue learning about the experiences of immigrant children and families from all backgrounds, and I hope to contribute to the growing body of literature that emphasizes their strengths.

Jema Chepkoit, Project Coordinator

Hometown: O'Fallon, Illinois
Education: B.S. in Psychology (University of Illinois at Chicago 2024)
Current Status: Prospective Graduate Student
Research Interests: I’m interested in studying immigrant children, specifically the third culture phenomena and its correlation to a child's perceptive on self-being and their academic success. I am also interested in parenting styles and how it affects their child's development socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Hobbies: Running, Coffee, Reading and Thrifting!
Goals: I hope to pursue graduate school with intent of achieving a PhD in Child Psychology. I would also like to read more on the effects of the dynamics in guardian/child relationships, learning about intersectionality in reference to development, and participating in creating safe spaces for POC in higher education.

Post-Bac Research Assistants:

Jema Chepkoit, recently graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Kenzie Gallivan, recently graduated from Loyola University Chicago.
Sabine Fiore, recently graduated from Loyola University Chicago.

Undergraduate Research Assistants:

Kaelin Kingham, Senior at Loyola University Chicago.
Claire Quigley, Senior at Loyola University Chicago.
Sara Gilchrist, Senior at Loyola University Chicago.
Jessica Reini, Junior at Loyola University Chicago.
Zoe Osbirn, Sophomore at Loyola University Chicago.

Lab Alumni as of Spring 2024 :

Jaclyn Lennon, Lab Manager
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology (Human Services) from Loyola University Chicago in 2010. Later graduated with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2018, and is employed as a Pediatric Psychologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and as an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Annelise Cunningham, Lab Manager
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology (Biology Minor) from DePaul University in 2012. Later graduated with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2020. Currently practices at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Mia Marcus, Graduate Student
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2010. Later graduated with a Ph.D., in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2016. Currently employed as an Assistant Professor in Roosevelt University’s Department of Psychology.

Laura Stockdale, Graduate Student
- Graduated with a B.S. in Marriage, Family, and Human Development from Brigham Young University, M.S. in Marriage, Family, and Human Development from Brigham Young University. Graduated with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2015 and later attended Walden University for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Is currently an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and a visiting scholar for the department of Psychology at Loyola University Chicago.

Kelly Haas, Graduate Student
- Graduated with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2013. Currently employed as a Senior Research and Assessment Associate at McHenry County College.

Tatiana Plata-Caviedes, Study Abroad Graduate Student
- As of 2014, a PhD student in Psychology at the Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.
Lisa Wolff, Post Baccalaureate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Marquette University in 2013 and received her master's degree in Child Life at Wheelock College in Boston. Currently is a life specialist at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital.
Christina Amaro, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology (History minor) from Loyola University Chicago in 2011. Later graduated with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Currently employed as an instructor at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Zainub Ashrati, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology/Pre-Medicine from Loyola University Chicago in 2011. Later graduated with an M.S. in Biotechnology from Rush University.

Jessie Duncan, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology/Pre-Medicine from Loyola University Chicago in 2012, Later graduated from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, and is currently the Assistant Director of Client Relations and a therapist at TriWellness.

Sophia Mir, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology & Biology from Loyola University Chicago in 2012. Later graduated with an M.S in Psychology from DePaul University, and is currently a content specialist for Insureon.

Donna Flores, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology (Sociology minor) from Loyola University Chicago in 2012. Later graduated with an M.A in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Is currently working as a counselor at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center.
Sarah Pekoc, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology (Criminal Justice minor) from Loyola University Chicago in 2013. Later graduated from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a PsyD, and is currently practicing as a licensed clinical psychologist.
Julia Shagovac (formerly Julia Kopcienski), Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology Loyola University Chicago in 2013. Later graduated from The George Washington University with an M.A. in Education and Human Development and a J.D., is currently practicing as an associate white collar and litigation attorney.

Tom Campbell, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2014, working as an Application Specialist with Fieldglass Inc.
Kayla Max, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2014, and is currently working for Yoga Alliance as a yoga instructor.
Patrick Henry, Lab Manager
- Graduated with a M.A. in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2016. Later graduated with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University, and is the founder and CEO of NU Life Coaching, currently works as a life coach & licensed professional counselor.
Valerie Flores-Lamb (formerly Valerie Flores), Graduate Student
- Graduated with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University in 2015, and is currently working as a lecturer in Psychology at Arizona State University.
Sabreen Onallah, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Loyola University Chicago in 2016. Later graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry with an O.D, is currently working as an optometry physician at Kaiser Permanente.
Alex Groffsky, Project Coordinator
- Graduated with a BS in Psychology and minor in Business from Kalamazoo College in 2015. Currently employed as a business planner for EV Retail Innovation.
Marc Cabe, Project Coordinator
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2016. Later, graduated from the University of Southern California with an M.S. in Applied Psychology, and is currently employed as an organizational development project analyst specializing in DEI at The Exeter Group.
Greg Kasper, Project Coordinator
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2016 and the Boston's M.A. in Social Work program. Is currently a manager of Clinical Social Work at Women and Infants Hospital for Care New England.
Christy Vargas, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Spanish from Loyola University Chicago in 2017. Later, graduated with a MSW from the University of Michigan, and is currently practicing as a licensed clinical social worker.
Liz Bose, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2017, Later graduated from Nottingham Trent University with an M.S. in Psychology, and is currently working in administration at the CIPSRT-ICRTSP.
Reed Ronan, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Communications from Loyola University Chicago in 2017. Later, graduated from Regis University with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, and is currently employed as a coach at Fitwall Wellness and Fitness Services.
Zil Gharia, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Loyola University Chicago and an MD at St. George's University School of Medicine. Is currently practicing as a Family Medicine Doctor at Humbolt Park Health.
Caitlin Prater, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, is currently employed at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as a Special Agent.
Kira Hinz, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Later, graduated from St. Catherine University with an M.A. in Occupational Therapy, and is currently employed as an Occupational Therapist (Per Diem) at Park Nicollet Health Services.
Abby Maas, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University of Chicago in 2018, currently attending Midwestern University's Occupational Therapy program.
Alanna Bonfiglio, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, accepted a teacher's assistant position through AmeriCorps.
Cristina Gordo, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2018, and is currently employed as a Coordinator of PUNTEA (The Unit Program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder) at the Instituto Neurológico de Guatemala.
Amy Governale, Graduate Student
- Graduated with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University in 2018, and is currently a visiting Assistant Professor at North Park University in Chicago.
Lisa White, Post-Doctoral Research Assistant
- Worked as a post-doc research assistant during the 2017-2018 school year.
Dhionis Tartari, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University of Chicago in 2017, currently attending the clinical mental health program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is employed as a behavioral health counselor at Center for Discovery.
Kenzie Troske, Project Coordinator & Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2016 and later at the University of Denver's School Psychology program. Is currently a school psychologist at Betty Adams Elementary School.
Dr. Jinyoung Koh, Post-Doctoral Research Assistant
- Graduated with a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Michigan State University in 2016, worked as a post-doc research assistant during the 2018-2019 school year. Is currently an Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in the Developmental Psychology department at Saint Xavier University.
Kelsey Johnson-Davis, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2019.
Anna Sroka, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2019. Is currently employed at the University of Chicago as a full-time research assistant, and is an incoming doctoral student at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Maria Teresa Franco, Graduate Student
- As of 2020, is in Loyola University Chicago's Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program
Amanda Boyer, Project Coordinator & Post Baccalaureate Research Assistant
- Graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University in 2019, and is currently a graduate student in the in a School Psychology program at Kent State University. Is also employed as a registered behavior technician at Building Blocks Therapy in Highland Heights, Ohio.
Jasmine Shughoury, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2019, and currently works as a teacher at Taft High School in Chicago, in the Individuals and Societies department.
Rachel Rolseth, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2019. Currently pursuing a Master's in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago and is a transition team leader at the Counseling Center of Illinois.
Ellen Phillips, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2020, then graduated from UIC with a Master’s in Social Work in 2022.
Michelle Garcia Leyva, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Karl Ulbrich, Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2017, and is currently employed as a Service Associate at Trunk Club.
Bailey Sanderson, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2020, is a graduate student pursuing an EdS in school psychology at the University of Central Florida.
Daniela Ugalde, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2020, is a graduate student at the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Rush University.
Rohini Maddigunta, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2020, is a medical student at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
Viktoria Kontseva, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2022.
Maya Lorenz, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2022, is currently working as a patient care technician in the NorthShore University Health System
Nathaniel Aganon, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2023, is currently working as team lead in patient transport at the Weiss Memorial Hospital.
Nicole Wojciak, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2023, is currently working as a medical scribe for the advanced heart failure/LVAD team at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Kareem Touleimat, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2023.
Zahra Naqi, Graduate Student
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2023 with a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, is currently working as an equity data strategist with Chicago Public Schools.
Lucy Milton, Undergraduate Research Assistant
- Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2024.