Our Team
Who We Are
Sarina Alavi
Lab Coordinator
Sarina is a School Psychology PhD student at Teachers College, Columbia University where she graduated from the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA program in 2023. She received a BA in Psychology as well as a BA in Education, Society, & Human Development from University of California, Riverside, and she is broadly interested in factors within the home, school, and natural environments that influence social-emotional and academic outcomes in youths of at-risk populations. Sarina's goals are to become a professor and to bridge research, practice, and policy to best advocate for vulnerable youths and the prevention of youth violence. In her free time she likes to do anything creative, play the piano, travel, and spend time in nature.
Paritosh Joshi
Lab Coordinator
Paritosh is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his MA in Sociology, BA in Psychology, BA in Sociology from Case Western Reserve University, and he is primarily interested in mental health disparities through an interdisciplinary perspective. He hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, hiking, reading, and working out.
Rian Maxwell-Williams
Lab Coordinator
Rian is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths, University of London as well as her BA in Dance from Point Park University. Rian is primarily interested in adult and developmental psychopathology, anxiety and depression in low SES communities, and the psychological effects of climate change on coastal populations. She hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and to become a licensed psychologist/professor. In her free time, Rian enjoys reading, dancing, music, museums, walking in central park, and watching classical movies.
Georgios Dougalis
Lab Coordinator
Georgios is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Georgios is currently leading the microanalytic study.
Ayesha Liaqat
International DEWlab Fellow
Ayesha is an international research fellow. She graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Master's in Clinical Psychology, and is currently a faculty lecturer at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Pakistan. Ayesha is passionate about working with individuals and communities affected by mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries, as well as populations affected by conflict and disasters.
Jasmine M. Renamc
Research Assistant
Jasmine is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is primarily interested in Minority Mental Health, Minority Adolescents, Colonialism/Slavery & Connections to Severe Mental Disorders (ex: Schizophrenia). She hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology, establish a HQ in NYC for the book publication business she is COO for, and travel. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys traveling, MUA, learning and entrepreneurship, and cooking.
Zhaohe Chang (Bob)
Research Assistant
Zhaohe aka Bob, is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his BS in psychology from University of Washington, Seattle, and he is primarily interested in the impacts of early childhood experiences on development. Zhaohe hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology while refining his counseling skills. In his free time, he enjoys Chinese calligraphy (find it to be a great way for me to practice mindfulness), lego, watching movies, and playing tennis.
Christina Pitio
Research Assistant
Christina is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her A.A. in Psychology and A.A. in Humanities of Art from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ. as well as her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
She is primarily interested in Treatment of disorders and difficulties resulting from abuse in child and adolescent populations. Christina hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and in her free time, she enjoys arts, writing, sewing, playing video games and watching movies with her fiance.
Anoushka Ahuja
Research Assistant
Anoushka is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA (Hons.) in Applied Psychology, and she is primarily interested in developmental disabilities and the impact of the physical environment on cognitive development. Anoushka hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Child Psychology and work with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and in her free time, she enjoys badminton, baking, and exploring cute cafes.
Victoria Witerska
Research Assistant
Victoria is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA in Psychology from Rider University, and she is primarily interested in developmental psychopathology and adverse childhood experiences. Victoria hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work as a clinical psychologist/professor. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, music, and reading in Central Park.
Sarah A. Schmidt
Research Assistant
Sarah is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA in Psychology from Eau Claire, WI University, and she is primarily interested in developmental psychopathology. Sarah hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work as a psychologist/researcher/professor. In her free time, she enjoys playing music, drawing, eating gummy bears.
Bilun (May) Zhang
Research Assistant
Bilun aka May is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BS in Hospitality Management and
minor in Psychology at Pennsylvania State University, and she is primarily interested in developmental psychopathology and suicidality risk. Bilun hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work as a clinical psychologist/professor. In her free time, she enjoys snow boarding, movies, and travel.
Amber Ray
Research Assistant
Amber is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BS in Psychology from Fordham University, and she is primarily interested in Child development, music, environmental psychology, gender, and LGBTQ+ communities. Amber hopes to earn a PsyD or PhD in Clinical Psychology, eventually working with children and adolescents as a clinical psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys Singing in the TC Community Choir, attending concerts and musicals, wandering around the city
Ray Chen
Research Assistant
Ray is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his BA in Psychology from Emory University, and he is primarily interested in ecopsychology, human-nature relationship, and serious games. Ray hopes to become a Clinical Psychologist. In his free time, Ray enjoys board games, visiting cafes, badminton, anime, and freediving.
Elanie Paredes
Research Assistant
Elanie is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA in Political Science from Barnard College, and she is primarily interested in childhood development and maternal mental health. Elanie hopes to earn a PhD or PsyD and to work with children and adolescents in a clinical setting. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities.
Xinming Wu
Research Assistant
Xinming is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his BA Psychology at University of Rochester, with a minor in Japanese and some courses in chemistry, and he is primarily interested in The Internet as a space and an environment, AR/VR and Psychology. Xinming hopes to earn a doctoral degree in Psychology and work in the interdisciplinary field of psychology and technology. In his free time, he enjoys Martial Arts (instinctive archery and sword-dueling) and Tabletop Role-playing Games.
Stuti Munjal
Research Assistant
Stuti is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her MA in Psychology and Post MA Diploma in Professional Counseling and Psychotherapy from India, and she is most interested in ecopsychology, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, prevention-intervention, and positive psychology. Stuti hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and in her free time, she enjoys anything creative, spending time with friends and family, reading, movies, and nature.
Emma Disini
Research Assistant
Emma is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned a BA in Psychology from University of the Philippines, and she is primarily interested in child psychopathology and ASD. Emma hopes to work with children as a clinical psychologist in the Phillipines. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and anything related to music.
Sneha Jindal
Research Assistant
Sneha is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education: General Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program. She earned her B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Psychology as well as her Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research (PGDip) in Psychology from Ashoka University, India. Her research interests are primarily in the domains of clinical and social psychology, and she has worked on projects pertaining to mental health and help-seeking stigma, treatment-seeking behaviors in relation to standardized counselling services and faith-based healing services, post-traumatic outcomes and resilience among survivors of intimate partner violence, among other projects. Sneha plans to pursue a PhD in clinical science and psychotherapy.
Amna Maryam
Research Assistant
Amna is a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan pursuing her masters in clinical psychology. She did her undergraduate in Psychology and Sociology from FCCU (Lahore, Pakistan) and Millikin University (USA). She is interested in severe forms of psychopathology, mental health accessibility in low resource settings, and how we relate to the changing environment around us and the impact it has on our mental health. Amna enjoys documenting little moments of life around her, travelling and learning more about different places and people.
Fatemah Alkhamis
Research Assistant
Fatemah is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Washington. Her research interests center on the etiology of mood and anxiety-related disorders, with a focus on neurobiological and environmental factors to develop culturally adapted interventions. Her goals include earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist and professor. In her free time, Fatemah enjoys traveling, reading, and attending concerts.
Erin Curtis
Research Assistant
Erin is a recent graduate from the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from Fairfield University, and she is primarily interested in health disparities and outcomes across social groups, community psychology, and environmental psychology. Erin hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and become a clinician and researcher/professor. In her free time, she enjoys ceramics, hiking, and reading!
Kevin Redifer
Research Assistant
Kevin is a master's student in clinical psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Before TC, he graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in psychology, where he worked in a data management and project coordination role in the Learning and Development Lab and as a Lab Manager in the Culture and Decision Science Lab. Outside of academia, he has worked as a Research Analyst for Exponent, a data science and engineering consulting firm, on human-computer interaction studies and for Success Academy Charter Schools as a Senior Special Education Coordinator. As a member of the DEW Lab leadership team, he has worked on study design and data management, cleaning, analysis, and visualization for multiple lab projects and coauthored a paper under review as of November, 2023. He aims to continue on as a doctoral student studying psychiatric nosology and to work as a clinician specializing in the treatment of personality disorders.
Tracey Zheng
Research Assistant
Tracy is a second-year student in the Developmental Psychology MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA in Psychology from New York University, and is primarily interested in adverse childhood experiences, cultural diversities, and child language development. She hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work as a psychologist/researcher. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, painting, playing music, and outdoor activities.
Ayanna Perez
Research Assistant
Ayanna is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned my Bachelors in Psychology at the University of Hartford. She is primarily interested in child development and cognition, as well as cultural and environmental aspects that affect one's development. She hopes to earn my PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a focus in child development. In her free time, she enjoy reading romance and fantasy books, writing, and listening to music.
Ther Largo
Research Assistant
Ther is a first-year student in the MA in Clinical Psychology program. She recently graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of the Philippines. Her primary research interest is cultural psychopathology, particularly the intersections between culture, other social determinants, and mental health. With this, she hopes to study cultural protective and risk factors in the mental health of people from LMICs who face the disproportionate effects of climate change, such as those living in climate disaster-stricken areas.
Huanyi (Alice) Ye
Research Assistant
Huanyi aka Alice is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BS in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Diego, and she is primarily interested in psychopathology, trauma, and personality psychology. Huanyi hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work as a clinical psychologist/professor. In her free time, she enjoys running marathons, music, and travel.
Irene Fueyo-Gomez
Research Assistant
Irene Fueyo-Gomez is a first year in the MA in Clinical Psychology program at Teachers College. In 2023, she received a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Psychology from Columbia University. She is interested in research that explores development, trauma, and the ways in which culture and identity impact both psychological well-being and clinical treatment. She hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work with children and adolescents as a psychotherapist.
Hannah Lawrence
Research Assistant
Hannah is a first-year student in the Clinical Psychology MA program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA in Psychology from Pitzer College, and she is primarily interested in achieving equity in the behavioral healthcare industry through increasing access to evidence-based interventions. Hannah hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work with incarcerated populations.
Maya Sikora
Research Assistant
Maya is a first-year student in the Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology) MA Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her BA in Psychology from Colorado College, and she is primarily interested in women's mental health including perinatal mental health, eating disorders, and nutrition in relation to mental health. Her goals include earning a PsyD or PhD in Clinical Psychology and pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and watching old tv shows.
Ziyi (Fiona) Guo
Research Assistant
Ziyi aka Fiona is a Master’s student in the Psychology in Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Previously, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs and Psychology from George Washington University. She completed her senior project on the impact of psychological stress on affect and physical well-being. She’s interested in how familial dynamics/cultural environment shape the development of psychopathology with a multicultural emphasis. She joined Dew Lab with an interest in developing statistics skills.
Won Young
Research Assistant
Won Young is a second-year student in the Psychology in Education M.A. Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.Eng in Engineering Management at Cornell University before making the transition to the field of Clinical Psychology. His current interests fundamentally revolve around providing culturally sensitive psychotherapy to the East/South Asian population; he sees the utilization of nature based practices as a way to break down barriers across cultures that may be resistant to therapy. He aspires to receive a Doctorate in Psychology to provide needed mental health services for the aging population with a focus on those raised in East Asian countries. In his free time, he goes cycling, often commuting to Columbia from Flushing NY where he was raised.
DEW Lab Alum
Ariana Wasret: PhD student, Adelphi University
Ayesha Liaqat: Peer Counselor, International House, Columbia University, Fullbright Scholar 20
Caroline Lovett: PhD student, Teachers College/Columbia University
Dylan Bitensky: PhD Student, Long Island University (Brooklyn)
Emily Grella: Lab Coordinator, Communication Sciences Lab (Beatrice Beebe) Department of Psychiatry and New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia
Howard Bi: Human Subject Research Coordinator, University of Rochester Medical Center
Laney Morenberg: Psychometrician & PsyD student, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Maddie Kiefer: Research Support Specialist, Mental Healthcare for All Lab, Stony Brook University
Patrick O'Neill: PhD Student, Penn State
Paula Aljovin: Lead Psychologist and Researcher, Amazon Medical Services, Loreto, Peru ·
Pratibha Yadav
Tanya Verma