RAISE Lab

Oriana Barone, B.A.

(she/her)

Oriana is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2021. Through her internships, Oriana was able to see first-hand how clinical work helps decrease suffering and improve quality of life for vulnerable children and their families, which solidified her aspiration to become a clinical psychologist. Her research interests include increasing access to evidence-based practices for children and families in underserved communities and mindfulness-based interventions. Her long-term goal is to work in a mental health clinic providing therapy to children and adolescents.

Rochelle Blignaut

Rochell is an international graduate student pursuing a Master's in General Psychology from South Africa. She possesses a keen interest in outdoor activities and meaningful social interactions. Exploring diverse cultures and traditions captivates her, and she is particularly passionate about working with children. Rochell's primary focus lies in the realm of trauma and PTSD, as she endeavours to raise awareness about the significance of mental health.

Rosa Boniface, M.A.

(she/her)
  @BonifaceRosa

Rosa is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2018. Rosa graduated with her master’s degree in clinical psychology from WCU in 2014. Since then, she has been practicing in the field providing individual and family therapy to children and families. Her clinical practice has honed in on the specific areas of childhood trauma due to abuse and neglect; family attachment through theraplay techniques; and adoption services through state-level child protection services. Throughout her doctorate program, Rosa wishes to pursue research examining the impact of complex trauma on childhood development. Rosa’s long-term goal is to begin a non-profit agency, helping to increase public understanding and evidenced-based clinical treatment of children and families impacted by complex trauma.

Vanessa Chery B.S, B.A.

(she/her)

Vanessa is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2024. She received her B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Sociology, and a minor in Health Disparities in Society from the University of Florida. Her experience includes volunteering as a Crisis Counselor, working as a registered behavior technician, and leading a project in a Type 1 Diabetes lab focusing on health disparities, particularly among people of color. Vanessa’s research interests encompass addressing mental health disparities in the Black community and destigmatizing the utilization of mental health services for Black adolescents and adults. Her long-term goal is to open a private practice and an aftercare program dedicated to providing children with a safe space to learn about mental health, access external and internal coping resources, and receive tutoring.

Emily Hershorin, B.A.

(she/her)

 @EHershorin

Emily is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2019. Emily graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Binghamton University in 2018. Emily was a member of the Level II Student Conduct Board, as well as the Title IX Conduct Board while at Binghamton. Since graduating, Emily has worked with eating disorder patients, helping them start their recovery process. Her research interests are focused on treating anxiety, depression, and trauma through mindfulness activities and atypical exercise such as horseback riding. Emily’s long-term goals include helping to fight against the stigma of mental health and having a private clinical practice to help people of all ages overcomes anxiety, depression, trauma, and all of the symptoms and challenges that come with these.

Shannon Hiscock, B.A.

(she/her)

Shannon is a doctoral student who joined the team in Fall 2020. She graduated from WCU in the summer of 2020 with a B.A. in psychology. Both her clinical and research interests include the intersection between the criminal justice system and clinical psychology. Her goal is to study and implement various evidence-based therapies within the setting of correctional facilities, with a particular emphasis on helping incarcerated individuals heal from trauma. Her long-term goal is to work full-time as a clinician in a correctional facility, providing therapies and walking alongside this under served, stigmatized, but still very deserving population.

Seth Krier, B.S.

Seth Krier served as an undergraduate and graduate research assistant from 2019 to present, pursuing his B.S. and M.S. in Psychology at West Chester University. Although Seth has assisted on multiple lab projects, he primarily worked on project 2Gen during his undergraduate studies.  Additionally, Seth has worked as an RBT administering ABA therapy to teen and youth populations in varied settings. His major interests include anxiety and depressive disorders as well as the phenomenology of meaning. Seth hopes to pursue his interests in addition to a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Jenna Loquercio B.A.

(she/her)

Jenna is a doctoral student joining the lab in Fall 2024. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2024 with a B.A. in psychology. Through her research and internships, Jenna deepened her understanding of child development and worked with at-risk adolescents. Her research interests are focused on enhancing mental health services for vulnerable children and families. Jenna’s long-term goal is to become an independent practitioner capable of diagnosing and treating psychopathology in children and adolescents to mitigate mental health issues related to early exposure to traumatic events.

Trokon Macauley, M.A.

(He/Him)

Trokon Macauley is a doctoral student with experience in early childhood intervention and behavioral therapy. With a clinical focus on addressing trauma and neuropsychological testing in children and adolescents, Trokon is committed to providing specialized care and tailored support. His research interests include digital interventions, reducing barriers to treatment, and addressing racial trauma. Trokon's ultimate goal is to leverage his skills and resources to heal chronic mental illness in Black and Brown communities, pioneering innovative methods to enhance accessibility and break new ground in mental health equity.

Sarah Richter, B.A.

(she/her)

Sarah is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2022. She received her B.A. in psychology from The College of New Jersey in 2021. Sarah worked with urban youth while evaluating an after school program. While conducting her research, she saw the lack of academic and mental health resources for children in underserved communities. This work solidified Sarah’s passion for working with children and her goal to become a clinical psychologist. Her long-term goals include working with children as a clinical psychologist to help them and their families overcome developmental, mental health, and external challenges. Additionally, Sarah hopes to increase access to mental health and academic support to families of all backgrounds and SES.

Romance Albarqawi

Romance is a graduate student pursuing her M.S. in Psychology at West Chester University. She received her BA in Psychology from Rowan University in 2023. She has worked on research involving autism spectrum disorder in children providing valid outcomes and interventions for those engaging in severe behaviors during her undergraduate studies as well. Romance is passionate about working with children and adolescents in adverse communities and their socioemotional development affected by trauma, stress, and anxiety. Romance aspires in her long-term goals to be a child psychologist and help youth and their families persevere through significant traumas and mental health challenges that can impact their child's development. With her clinical research experience and drive, Romance hopes to provide counseling interventions for children and help them overcome the challenges they face. 

Courtney Bridges

Courtney is an undergraduate student currently working on her B.S in Psychology. She plans to go on to graduate school to become a licensed therapist to provide accessible therapy to members of her community. She is passionate about working with people with empathy and is committed to a lifetime of learning to be able to give her clients the best care available. Courtney joined the RAISE lab in the fall of 2024, and will use the experience from the lab in her future career.

Daisy Cerrato

Daisy Cerrato is in her third year of pursuing a B.S in psychology. She plans on furthering her education after her undergrad years and earning her PhD in clinical psychology. She wants to work with children and young adolescents who endure mental illnesses. RAISE will be the beginning of her journey and research in the field. With this experience she hopes to gain valuable knowledge to help her in graduate school. 

Caylee Givnish

Caylee Givnish is a transfer student from Montgomery County Community College. She currently holds an associates in Psychology and is working toward a B.S., but would like to pursue a PsyD in the future. She aspires to a career as a child psychologist and would like to research how children adapt to trauma, depression, and stress at a young age. With this research she will help children process their mental health struggles. She is very excited to be a part of the RAISE Lab as it will give her the vital research experience needed to pursue these goal. 

Kaylee Grazul

I am an undergraduate honors student at West Chester University pursuing a B.S in psychology and a minor in women's and gender studies. I am currently on track to become a child clinical psychologist and plan to get my PsyD. My goal is to help children and young adults find ways to cope and overcome mental illness. I am very excited to experience the RAISE Lab, and this will be my first opportunity to do research in the psychology field. This will also help me better prepare for graduate school and get hands on experience with my degree.  

Emma Harris

Emma is pursuing a B.S in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Her areas of interest are working with adolescents and young adults who endure mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. She is also interested in family relationships and neuropsychology. The RAISE Lab will be the beginning of her research in the field, where she hopes to gain valuable experience working with children at risk for mental illness. She also hopes that this research opportunity will prepare her for future research in graduate school, where she will be pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her long-term goals consist of researching trauma within adolescents and young adults, some research within neuropsychology, and counseling those with mental illness, PTSD, and more specifically, victims of domestic violence and child abuse.

Sophia Jampo

Sophia is pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She aspires to further her education after her undergraduate and obtain her M.S. in either General Psychology or Criminal Psychology. Her primary interests involve helping adolescents/young adults and families who need mental health therapy/group-based therapy. The RAISE lab will begin her journey of combining research and community-based clinical work and gaining experience working with children at risk. Her long-term goals include providing services to disadvantaged youth, and potentially inmates/parolees, who require help developing personal goals and rehabilitation plans to reduce relapse. Sophia hopes to not only offer counseling for offenders but also for those who are victims of crime-related violence. Her overall objective is to raise awareness for mental health and diminish stigma specifically in populations she feels are less understood. Sophia joined the team in Spring 2023. 

Mackenzie Montgomery

I will be joining the RAISE Lab in the Fall of 2024 as an undergraduate senior. I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Early Education. I hope to pursue my goal in obtaining a M.Ed. in School Counseling from West Chester University in the near future. I am interested in the mental health of adolescents and providing an environment where children feel encouraged to succeed. Through being involved in the RAISE Lab, I hope to gain more insight into strategies to help children along with gaining experience in research.

Elizabeth Mullin

Elizabeth is pursuing her B.S. in psychology, her specific areas of interest include childhood trauma, lifespan development, and trauma intervention. Her goal is to attend graduate school and later help young children work through their trauma using play therapy. She chose to join the RAISE lab to research trauma intervention specifically relating to youth and work towards making childhood trauma resources less stigmatized and more accessible. 

Casey Nielson

Casey Nielsen is pursuing her B.S in psychology with a minor in elementary education. She loves working with children, especially in the educational setting, and aims to further her education specializing in child and/or educational psychology. She aspires to become a school or child psychologist so she can help all children succeed not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Casey looks forward to entering the research world and gaining the firsthand experience that will come with working in the RAISE lab. She hopes that RAISE Lab will only be the beginning of her work in the child psychology field.

Elijah Turner

Elijah is a transfer student from Montgomery County Community College who is pursuing his B.S. in Psychology. They hope to further in their studies by getting a masters in Clinical Psychology. His research interests circulate around community based interventions and the service of discriminated groups. Elijah hopes to be able to work not only one-on-one but also within underprivileged communities to provide broader influence and positive changes in mental health and civil rights. The RAISE lab will be his first direct experience with research and work within the field of psychology. He has high hopes for expanding his wisdom through the RAISE lab and to understand how to best help others.

Eneida Vegas

Eneida is currently pursuing her B.S. in Psychology at West Chester University. Her ultimate career goal is to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist that is proficient at the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders and provide these services to underserved populations. She looks forward to her experience in the RAISE Lab and hopes to gain the insight needed to work in community settings. After earning her B.S. she hopes to complete her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at WCU. 

Tatum Williams

Tatum is pursuing a B.S. in psychology and is a member of the Honors College. She plans to further her education after undergraduate to receive her PsyD. Tatum hopes to focus on adolescents and young adults who are struggling with mental illness to help them learn to cope before they get older. RAISE lab will be her first experience with research and she hopes it will help prepare her for graduate school. She is also looking forward to the opportunity to work and do research in her field of interest. Her goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist who primarily focuses on children/adolescents. Tatum joined the team in Spring 2024.