Research Assistants

Brynn Chouinard, B.A.

Brynn Chouinard graduated with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Mount Holyoke College in 2022. She is a Clinical Research Assistant at Bradley Hospital, collaborating on and recruiting for several AMHC studies along with fulfilling clinical roles on the Adolescent Inpatient Unit. She is planning to pursue a PhD in Neuropsychology with focus on current therapeutic effectiveness and alternative therapy influence on verbal and nonverbal communication within the ASD field.

Email: brynn_chouinard@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

Yael Turk, B.A.

Yael Turk graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2021. She is working as a Clinical Research Assistant with Dr. Jackie Nesi on her studies. Yael plans on pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on understanding the role of social media and other interpersonal and social factors that influence adolescents’ and young adults’ psychopathology and development, with a particular focus on how it impacts sexual and gender minority youth.

 

Email: yael_turk@brown.edu

 

 

 

Emily Olenik, B.S. 

Emily Olenik graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and Sociology from Union College in June of 2023, earning departmental honors in both majors. She is working as a Clinical Research Assistant with Dr. Sarah Thomas, Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, and Dr. Samuel Meisel on their respective studies. Emily is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys working on art for her small business and traveling.

 

Email: emily_olenik@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

Sydney Goldstein, B.S.

Sydney Goldstein graduated from Northwestern University in March 2023. She works as a Senior Psychology Assistant on the Adolescent Inpatient Unit at Bradley Hospital with Dr. Jennifer Wolff and Dr. Katie Affleck. She is hoping to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is especially interested in learning more about adolescent suicide risk and prevention.

 

Email: sydney_goldstein1@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

Amy Palumbo, B.S.

Amy Palumbo graduated from Bridgewater State University Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Psychology in May 2023, also earning departmental honors in Psychology. Amy works as a Senior Psychology Assistant on the Adolescent Inpatient Unit at Bradley Hospital with Dr. Jennifer Wolff on the STEP study, which focuses on enhancing positive emotions in teens that struggle with suicidal ideation and behaviors. Amy plans to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology, specifically focusing on research. Amy’s research interests include exploring how psychosocial and family environment influence the development of mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and adults, and how economic stress impacts psychological stress in teens. 

 

Email: amy_palumbo@brown.edu

 

 

 

Celia Roberto, B.A. 

Celia Roberto graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2024 with a B.A in Psychology. She is a Clinical Research Assistant with Dr. Anastacia Kudinova on the Teen Mind Study and Teens’ Attitudes Toward Self Study. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a focus on teen suicide prevention and risk. In her free time, Celia enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

 

Email: celia_roberto@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Cunningham, B.S.

Sarah Cunningham graduated with degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology from Virginia Tech in 2024. She works as a Clinical Research Assistant with Drs. Jennifer Wolff and Anastacia Kudinova on their respective studies. She plans to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Sarah is specifically interested in the psychopathology and neurobiology of internalizing disorders in children and adolescents. She loves spending time outdoors, reading, trying to complete crossword puzzles, and spending time with her loved ones.

 

Email: sarah_cunningham1@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

Elle Zelakiewicz, B.S.

Elle Zelakiewicz graduated from The Ohio State University in 2024 with Honors Research Distinction in Psychology. She works as a Clinical Research Assistant for Dr. Jennifer Wolff at Rhode Island and Bradley Hospital. Elle plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a particular interest in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In her spare time, Elle enjoys baking cupcakes, puzzling, and spending time in the sun.

 

Email: elle_zelakiewicz@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Hailey Coons, B.A

Hailey graduated with a B.A in Psychology from the University of North Carolina in 2020. She works as a Psychology Assistant on the Adolescent Inpatient Unit at Bradley Hospital with Dr. Katie Affleck and Dr. Jennifer Wolf. Hailey is particularly interested in the diagnosis and treatment of mood and neurodevelopmental disorders in pediatric populations. In her free time, Hailey enjoys yoga, walks in nature, and recipe testing in the hopes that she will find the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie recipe.

 

Email: hailey_coons@brown.edu

 

 

 

Andrea Torres Lopez, B.A.

Andrea is a bilingual clinical research assistant in Dr. Yovanska Duarte-Velez InVita lab. She graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2022 with a BA in Psychology. She is interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology to continue working in the development and implementation of culturally sensitive evidence-based treatments for mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and suicidality for the Latine/Hispanic community. Additionally, she aspires to become a bilingual clinical psychologist to serve Latine/Hispanic youth and their families. Her overarching goal is to reduce the mental health stigma and promote overall well-being within the Latine/Hispanic community.

 

Email: andrea_torres_lopez@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

Caroline Reid, B.A.

Caroline Reid graduated with a B.A. in Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change from the University of Southern California in 2022, and a Psychology Certificate from Columbia University in 2024. She is a Clinical Research Assistant with Drs. Jennifer Wolff and Anthony Spirito on the Safe Steps Study. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on child and adolescent emotion dysregulation and self-harm and suicide risk. 

 

Email: caroline_reid@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Maya O’Kelly, B.S.

Maya O’Kelly graduated with a B.S. in Human Biology & Society and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles in June 2024. She works as a Clinical Research Assistant at Bradley Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital with Drs. Jennifer Wolff and Tony Spirito on their respective studies focused on suicidality. Maya hopes to attend medical school with interests in pediatrics and psychiatry.

 

Email: maya_okelly@brown.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Eileen Salazar Vega, B.A.

Eileen Salazar Vega graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology, earning departmental honors, and a B.A. in Behavioral Biology. She works as a bilingual Clinical Research Assistant on the Safe Steps study under Drs. Jeniffer Wolff and Anthony Spirito, but spends most of her time assisting with the JJ COPES study, under Drs. Kathleen Kemp and Jennifer Wolff. Eileen is interested in exploring how skills in social-emotional development and mental health support systems provided in K12 schools impact the psychological well-being and safety of students experiencing psychological distress. She plans to pursue a PhD in School or Clinical Psychology.

 

Email: eileen_salazar_vega@brown.edu