Current Members (2023-2024)
LABORATORY MANAGER
Emily Pintarelli
(Thesis Student - Graduate Assistant)
Emily is in the final year of the 5-year Bachelor's/Master's program in psychological science, with minors in English and Criminology. She is from River Vale, New Jersey. Emily's MS thesis project investigates self-other knowledge asymmetry for the four elements of personality functioning and the five trait dimensions defined in the DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorder diagnosis. She has also assisted with protocol administration and data management for the Personality and Selection and the Friends and Personality projects. Emily is interested in clinical and forensic psychology, and she plans on pursuing a Ph.D.
Emily Pintarelli
(Thesis Student - Graduate Assistant)
Emily is in the final year of the 5-year Bachelor's/Master's program in psychological science, with minors in English and Criminology. She is from River Vale, New Jersey. Emily's MS thesis project investigates self-other knowledge asymmetry for the four elements of personality functioning and the five trait dimensions defined in the DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorder diagnosis. She has also assisted with protocol administration and data management for the Personality and Selection and the Friends and Personality projects. Emily is interested in clinical and forensic psychology, and she plans on pursuing a Ph.D.
Derick DeCamp
(Graduate Assistant)
Derick is a first-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master's program. He graduated from Millersville University’s Honors College program in May 2017 with a B.A. in Psychology. His undergraduate thesis looked into the influence disgust and moral elevation have on moral judgements. After Millersville, Derick studied philosophy and theology for four years at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary obtaining a M.A. in Philosophical Studies. Prior to attending Villanova, Derick worked two years in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation to help individuals develop skills and supports needed for their continuing mental health recovery. Derick is interested in clinical and health psychology.
(Graduate Assistant)
Derick is a first-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master's program. He graduated from Millersville University’s Honors College program in May 2017 with a B.A. in Psychology. His undergraduate thesis looked into the influence disgust and moral elevation have on moral judgements. After Millersville, Derick studied philosophy and theology for four years at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary obtaining a M.A. in Philosophical Studies. Prior to attending Villanova, Derick worked two years in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation to help individuals develop skills and supports needed for their continuing mental health recovery. Derick is interested in clinical and health psychology.
Tia Nicolas
(Thesis Student)
Tia is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master's program. She is from Beirut, Lebanon. Tia is mainly interested in narrative identity and the impact of life events on identity development and self-concept clarity. Her thesis project examines the relationship between COVID-related stress during adolescence and current self-concept clarity and well-being among college students. Her MS thesis aims to investigate whether growth motives in narratives about COVID lockdown mediate the relationship between previous stress and current self-concept clarity and well-being.
(Thesis Student)
Tia is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master's program. She is from Beirut, Lebanon. Tia is mainly interested in narrative identity and the impact of life events on identity development and self-concept clarity. Her thesis project examines the relationship between COVID-related stress during adolescence and current self-concept clarity and well-being among college students. Her MS thesis aims to investigate whether growth motives in narratives about COVID lockdown mediate the relationship between previous stress and current self-concept clarity and well-being.
Victoria Martin
Victoria is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program. She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in May 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and Spanish. She is currently assisting with the Friends and Personality project, and she was a co-author on a study examining the validity of the PAI to detect feigned head injury. Her research interests include clinical neuropsychology, sleep, psychological assessment, and personality.
Victoria is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program. She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in May 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and Spanish. She is currently assisting with the Friends and Personality project, and she was a co-author on a study examining the validity of the PAI to detect feigned head injury. Her research interests include clinical neuropsychology, sleep, psychological assessment, and personality.
Eli Nuzzo-Dozier
Eli is a second-year graduate student pursuing an M.S. in Psychology. His research interests include the assessment and treatment of psychopathology in adolescents and adults, as well as studying resilience in the youth of underserved and minority populations. Eli's thesis project focusses on residential mobility and social development in homeless children in Philadelphia and he plans on pursuing a PhD. in Clinical Psychology.
Eli is a second-year graduate student pursuing an M.S. in Psychology. His research interests include the assessment and treatment of psychopathology in adolescents and adults, as well as studying resilience in the youth of underserved and minority populations. Eli's thesis project focusses on residential mobility and social development in homeless children in Philadelphia and he plans on pursuing a PhD. in Clinical Psychology.
Isabel Creedon
Isabel is a student in the 5-year Bachelor's/Master's program in psychological science, pursuing an Honors B.A. She has been assisting with data management for the Self and Relationships project. Isabel is originally from Ridgewood, NJ and is interested in forensic psychology and mental health counseling. After graduating, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Isabel is a student in the 5-year Bachelor's/Master's program in psychological science, pursuing an Honors B.A. She has been assisting with data management for the Self and Relationships project. Isabel is originally from Ridgewood, NJ and is interested in forensic psychology and mental health counseling. After graduating, she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Nadia DiNatale
Nadia is a senior psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in ethics and cognitive science. She is from Cheshire, Connecticut, and she is managing the Dark Triad and Social Media study. Nadia is planning on applying to graduate programs with the goal of getting her doctorate in clinical psychology.
Nadia is a senior psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in ethics and cognitive science. She is from Cheshire, Connecticut, and she is managing the Dark Triad and Social Media study. Nadia is planning on applying to graduate programs with the goal of getting her doctorate in clinical psychology.
Natalee Torre
Natalee Torre is a senior Psychology major pursuing a B.A. and a minor in Counseling. She is from Westchester, NY. Natalee is assisting with data management and administration with a variety of projects in the lab, including Friends and Personality, My COVID Experience, and the dark triad and social media studies. She plans on pursuing a PsyD and hopes to work with children and families.
Natalee Torre is a senior Psychology major pursuing a B.A. and a minor in Counseling. She is from Westchester, NY. Natalee is assisting with data management and administration with a variety of projects in the lab, including Friends and Personality, My COVID Experience, and the dark triad and social media studies. She plans on pursuing a PsyD and hopes to work with children and families.
- Kailey Nolan
- Kailey is a senior pursuing a B.S. in psychology and a minor in global health. She is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and she is assisting with the Friends and Personality and My Covid Experience projects. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to attend medical school to pursue a career as a physician.
Caroline Kelly
Caroline is a senior biology major from Melbourne Beach, Florida. She is assissting with coding for the Dark Triad and Social Media Study.
Caroline is a senior biology major from Melbourne Beach, Florida. She is assissting with coding for the Dark Triad and Social Media Study.
Juliana Troiano
Juliana Troiano is a junior psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in cognitive science and criminology. She is assisting with the Friends and Personality and the COVID Experiences projects. She is originally from Lawrenceville, New Jersey. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Juliana Troiano is a junior psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in cognitive science and criminology. She is assisting with the Friends and Personality and the COVID Experiences projects. She is originally from Lawrenceville, New Jersey. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Grace Cavanagh
Grace is a junior Psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in cognitive science and Irish studies. She is assisting with the Friends and Personality and the COVID Experiences projects. She is originally from Long Island, New York. After graduating from Villanova she plans to either get a Psy.D. in clinical child psychology or go to medical school to pursue a career in pediatrics.
Grace is a junior Psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in cognitive science and Irish studies. She is assisting with the Friends and Personality and the COVID Experiences projects. She is originally from Long Island, New York. After graduating from Villanova she plans to either get a Psy.D. in clinical child psychology or go to medical school to pursue a career in pediatrics.
AnNa Hughes
AnNa is a junior psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in cognitive science and English. She is originally from Stratford, Connecticut. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
AnNa is a junior psychology major pursuing a B.S. and minors in cognitive science and English. She is originally from Stratford, Connecticut. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Danny Belanger
Danny is a sophomore psychology major pursuing a B.A. and minors in Counseling and Political Science. He is assisting with the Friends and Personality study and the Dark Triad and Social Media study. He is originally from Newton, Massachusetts. After graduating from Villanova, he plans on pursuing a career in Clinical or Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Danny is a sophomore psychology major pursuing a B.A. and minors in Counseling and Political Science. He is assisting with the Friends and Personality study and the Dark Triad and Social Media study. He is originally from Newton, Massachusetts. After graduating from Villanova, he plans on pursuing a career in Clinical or Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
FORMER LAB MEMBERS
FORMER LABORATORY MANAGER (2022-2023)
Ashmita Ghosh
(Thesis Student - Graduate Assistant)
Ashmita completed her degree in Villanova’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program in 2023 under the advisement of Dr. Kurtz. She graduated from The University of South Dakota with a B.S. in Psychology in May of 2021. Ashmita's thesis project investigated self-other knowledge asymmetry for personality traits versus personality functions. She was also the Project Director for the Personality and Selection study. Ashmita is currently in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Georgia, where she pursues her research interests in personality disorders and psychological assessment. In her free time, Ashmita likes to read, listen to music, and binge TV shows.
Ashmita Ghosh
(Thesis Student - Graduate Assistant)
Ashmita completed her degree in Villanova’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program in 2023 under the advisement of Dr. Kurtz. She graduated from The University of South Dakota with a B.S. in Psychology in May of 2021. Ashmita's thesis project investigated self-other knowledge asymmetry for personality traits versus personality functions. She was also the Project Director for the Personality and Selection study. Ashmita is currently in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Georgia, where she pursues her research interests in personality disorders and psychological assessment. In her free time, Ashmita likes to read, listen to music, and binge TV shows.
FORMER LABORATORY MANAGER (2021-2022)
Allison Warner
(Graduate Assistant)
Allison completed her degree in Villanova’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program in 2023 under the advisement of Dr. Benjamin Sachs. She is now at Rowan University pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Allison received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, where she conducted research on youth depression with the John Abela Institute and academic mentoring with the Rutgers Future Scholars/Collaborative Mentoring Program. Prior to coming to Villanova, Allison held a variety of professional positions in higher education, non-profit, and philanthropic settings managing college access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and leadership development initiatives.
Allison's research interests include mindfulness, personality disorders, and the neurobiological mechanisms that lead to mental health conditions. As Laboratory Manager, Allison oversees all projects going on currently in the Psychological Assessment Lab. She is also Project Director for the Self and Relationships study. Outside of the lab, Allison loves traveling, trail running, visiting museums and historic sites, and whipping up new recipes in her kitchen.
Allison Warner
(Graduate Assistant)
Allison completed her degree in Villanova’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program in 2023 under the advisement of Dr. Benjamin Sachs. She is now at Rowan University pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Allison received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, where she conducted research on youth depression with the John Abela Institute and academic mentoring with the Rutgers Future Scholars/Collaborative Mentoring Program. Prior to coming to Villanova, Allison held a variety of professional positions in higher education, non-profit, and philanthropic settings managing college access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and leadership development initiatives.
Allison's research interests include mindfulness, personality disorders, and the neurobiological mechanisms that lead to mental health conditions. As Laboratory Manager, Allison oversees all projects going on currently in the Psychological Assessment Lab. She is also Project Director for the Self and Relationships study. Outside of the lab, Allison loves traveling, trail running, visiting museums and historic sites, and whipping up new recipes in her kitchen.
FORMER LABORATORTY MANAGER (2020-2021)
Melanie Glatz (Thesis Student)
Mel recently completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program at Villanova University in 2021. She graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 2017 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in human development and family studies. At PSU, she worked in the Personality Psychology Laboratory with Dr. Aaron Pincus, as well as the Developmental Personality and Neuroscience (DEPENd) Lab with Dr. Michael Hallquist. Upon graduating, she became lab manager for the DEPENd lab where she worked for two years prior to attending Villanova.
Her research interests broadly include personality disorders (PD), as well as assessment and treatment of PDs. More specifically, she is interested in the developmental trajectory of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the thoughts and behavior patterns associated with it. She hopes to specialize in treatment interventions such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and help individuals who suffer from BPD and related psychopathology. When she is not working in the lab or at school, she likes to hike, travel, listen to music, and do yoga.
Melanie Glatz (Thesis Student)
Mel recently completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program at Villanova University in 2021. She graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 2017 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in human development and family studies. At PSU, she worked in the Personality Psychology Laboratory with Dr. Aaron Pincus, as well as the Developmental Personality and Neuroscience (DEPENd) Lab with Dr. Michael Hallquist. Upon graduating, she became lab manager for the DEPENd lab where she worked for two years prior to attending Villanova.
Her research interests broadly include personality disorders (PD), as well as assessment and treatment of PDs. More specifically, she is interested in the developmental trajectory of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the thoughts and behavior patterns associated with it. She hopes to specialize in treatment interventions such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and help individuals who suffer from BPD and related psychopathology. When she is not working in the lab or at school, she likes to hike, travel, listen to music, and do yoga.
Teodora Niculae-Caxi
(Thesis Student)
Teodora completed her Master's thesis under the advisement of Dr. Kurtz in 2022 on the influence of the dark triad personality traits on problematic social media behavior. She is currently the lab supervisor of the Speech, Language, and Brain Laboratory at Temple University. Her main interests are in personality assessment, social media, as well as some aspects of sport psychology. When she's not at school or working, she dedicates all of her free time to her very, very needy cat because he deserves it.
(Thesis Student)
Teodora completed her Master's thesis under the advisement of Dr. Kurtz in 2022 on the influence of the dark triad personality traits on problematic social media behavior. She is currently the lab supervisor of the Speech, Language, and Brain Laboratory at Temple University. Her main interests are in personality assessment, social media, as well as some aspects of sport psychology. When she's not at school or working, she dedicates all of her free time to her very, very needy cat because he deserves it.
Julia Kearney
(Thesis Student)
Julia is completing her Master's thesis research under the advisement of Dr. Kurtz. Her thesis project examines the capacity of the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders to discriminate borderline and antisocial personality syndromes. Julia graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and Theater. At Muhlenberg, she worked alongside Dr. Laura Edelman researching mood disorders and music, as well as with Dr. Jeff Rudski researching harm risk reduction methods in relation to drug addiction.
Her research interests broadly include personality disorders (PD), psychological assessment, and harm risk reduction. When she is not working in the lab or at school, Julia likes to read, listen to music, and cook.
(Thesis Student)
Julia is completing her Master's thesis research under the advisement of Dr. Kurtz. Her thesis project examines the capacity of the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders to discriminate borderline and antisocial personality syndromes. Julia graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and Theater. At Muhlenberg, she worked alongside Dr. Laura Edelman researching mood disorders and music, as well as with Dr. Jeff Rudski researching harm risk reduction methods in relation to drug addiction.
Her research interests broadly include personality disorders (PD), psychological assessment, and harm risk reduction. When she is not working in the lab or at school, Julia likes to read, listen to music, and cook.
Meagan Tolgyesi
Meagan Tolgyesi completed an Honors BA in 2023, with a major in Psychology and minors in Counseling and Business. She is originally from Miami, Florida. Meagan's conducted an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Kurtz that examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on identity development in college students. She also assisted with constructing PAI scales for measuring the four elements of personality functioning in Criterion A of the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders. Meagan is pursuing an master's degree in mental health counseling, and she plans on eventually earning her Psy.D.
Meagan Tolgyesi completed an Honors BA in 2023, with a major in Psychology and minors in Counseling and Business. She is originally from Miami, Florida. Meagan's conducted an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Kurtz that examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on identity development in college students. She also assisted with constructing PAI scales for measuring the four elements of personality functioning in Criterion A of the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders. Meagan is pursuing an master's degree in mental health counseling, and she plans on eventually earning her Psy.D.
Julie Nails
Julie completed an Honors BA in 2022, with a major in Psychology and minors in Counseling and Philosophy. Julie's Honors thesis research project was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Kurtz. Julie's thesis was a critical examination of the mental health "crisis" among contemporary college students using data gathered from several universities and comparing it with similar data collected 30 years ago. The results of this project were published in a special issue of Psychological Assessment. She has also assisted with the Personality and Selection and Emerging Adulthood projects in the lab. Outside of the lab, she is the leader of the Mindfulness Research Community at the University of Michigan through 1Cademy. Julie now works in the Center for Molecular Neuroscience at Rutgers, and she plans on attending graduate school in clinical psychology.
Victoria Muller
Tori Muller completed the psychology major in 2022, and she conducted an independent study under the direction of Dr. Kurtz. Her project investigated the links between identity status, self-concept clarity, and self-presentation in a job selection context. Tori played for the Villanova women's varsity soccer team, and she plans to pursue graduate study of organizational psychology.
Tori Muller completed the psychology major in 2022, and she conducted an independent study under the direction of Dr. Kurtz. Her project investigated the links between identity status, self-concept clarity, and self-presentation in a job selection context. Tori played for the Villanova women's varsity soccer team, and she plans to pursue graduate study of organizational psychology.
Victoria Riccelli
Victoria Riccelli completed her bachelor's in Psychology in 2022, with minors in Counseling and Sociology. Originally from Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Victoria also completed an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Kurtz. The project centered around establishing a framework of narrative identity within various mental health memoirs in order to better understand the impact of mental disorders on the formation of self. After Villanova, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Social Work.
Victoria Riccelli completed her bachelor's in Psychology in 2022, with minors in Counseling and Sociology. Originally from Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Victoria also completed an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Kurtz. The project centered around establishing a framework of narrative identity within various mental health memoirs in order to better understand the impact of mental disorders on the formation of self. After Villanova, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Social Work.
Brooke Berry
Brooke graduated from the Psychological and Brain Sciences master’s program in 2022. She graduated from Mississippi State University in May of 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology. While at Mississippi State, she worked in Dr. Sam Winer’s Emotional Processes and Experimental Psychopathology Laboratory conducting research for the laboratory and her own online study.
In our lab, Brooke worked on both the Self and Relationships and the Personality and Selection studies. Her research interests fall within the clinical, social, and cognitive domains. She's particularly interested in emotion-regulation strategies, attentional biases, the self, and their relationships with psychopathology. More specifically, she's intrigued with how individuals with psychopathology process rewarding and negative stimuli and how this may influence or be influenced by emotion regulation strategies involving the self, such as self-compassion. In her free time, Brooke enjoys traveling, watching old movies, listening to music, and loving my chunk of a cat Emmy.
Brooke graduated from the Psychological and Brain Sciences master’s program in 2022. She graduated from Mississippi State University in May of 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology. While at Mississippi State, she worked in Dr. Sam Winer’s Emotional Processes and Experimental Psychopathology Laboratory conducting research for the laboratory and her own online study.
In our lab, Brooke worked on both the Self and Relationships and the Personality and Selection studies. Her research interests fall within the clinical, social, and cognitive domains. She's particularly interested in emotion-regulation strategies, attentional biases, the self, and their relationships with psychopathology. More specifically, she's intrigued with how individuals with psychopathology process rewarding and negative stimuli and how this may influence or be influenced by emotion regulation strategies involving the self, such as self-compassion. In her free time, Brooke enjoys traveling, watching old movies, listening to music, and loving my chunk of a cat Emmy.
Natasha Ledonne
Natasha completed her B.S. in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program in 2023. She graduated from Penn State University in 2020 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. During her time in the Psychological Assessment Lab, she has been assisting in data collection for the Friends and Personality study. After graduating, she plans on pursuing a career in clinical psychology.
Natasha completed her B.S. in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program in 2023. She graduated from Penn State University in 2020 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. During her time in the Psychological Assessment Lab, she has been assisting in data collection for the Friends and Personality study. After graduating, she plans on pursuing a career in clinical psychology.
Abby Robinson
Abby graduated with a B.S. in psychology, with minors in Criminology and Counseling, in 2022. She was part of the lab for three years, working on the Personality and Selection cross-validation project. Abby grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with her three siblings and her mother. She plans on pursuing a doctorate after graduation to study specialized therapy.
Erika Feeney
Erika is a second-year graduate student in Villanova’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with her Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Criminology in the spring of 2019. During her time at Penn State, she was a research assistant for Dr. Aaron Pincus in his Personality Psychology lab. In between her undergraduate and graduate studies, she was a research assistant for the All of Us Research Program. In the future, she hopes to study the forensic population, researching rehabilitative measures for prisons. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her puppy, Nittany, listening to podcasts, bike riding, and watching crime shows.
Erika is a second-year graduate student in Villanova’s Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with her Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Criminology in the spring of 2019. During her time at Penn State, she was a research assistant for Dr. Aaron Pincus in his Personality Psychology lab. In between her undergraduate and graduate studies, she was a research assistant for the All of Us Research Program. In the future, she hopes to study the forensic population, researching rehabilitative measures for prisons. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her puppy, Nittany, listening to podcasts, bike riding, and watching crime shows.
Brittany Wickham
Brittany completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program. In 2017, she graduated from Stonehill College with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. During her time as an undergraduate, she completed an independent research project with Professor Nicole Capezza that examined perceptions of marginalized relationships. After graduating, she became a clinical research assistant at Rhode Island Hospital, where she worked for two years with two child clinical psychologists, Dr. Wendy Hadley and Dr. Christopher Houck.
Her research interests broadly focus on intimate relationships. She is particularly interested in how sex affects romantic relationships, and vice versa. Moreover, she is interested in studying how sex can affect (and, improve) overall health and quality of life for both the self and couples. Brittany would like to continue studying sexual behavior and other aspects of intimate relationships in the hopes of educating and improving the quality of intimate relationships. When she is not in lab or on campus, she can probably be found playing video games, baking, hiking, or listening to music.
Brittany completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program. In 2017, she graduated from Stonehill College with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. During her time as an undergraduate, she completed an independent research project with Professor Nicole Capezza that examined perceptions of marginalized relationships. After graduating, she became a clinical research assistant at Rhode Island Hospital, where she worked for two years with two child clinical psychologists, Dr. Wendy Hadley and Dr. Christopher Houck.
Her research interests broadly focus on intimate relationships. She is particularly interested in how sex affects romantic relationships, and vice versa. Moreover, she is interested in studying how sex can affect (and, improve) overall health and quality of life for both the self and couples. Brittany would like to continue studying sexual behavior and other aspects of intimate relationships in the hopes of educating and improving the quality of intimate relationships. When she is not in lab or on campus, she can probably be found playing video games, baking, hiking, or listening to music.
Matheus M.S. Abreu
Matheus completed the psychology major in December 2023, with minors in criminology and business. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, now living in the greater Philadelphia area. In the Psychological Assessment Laboratory, he assisted with the Mc Covid Experience project, and he plans on pursuing a graduate degree.
Matheus completed the psychology major in December 2023, with minors in criminology and business. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, now living in the greater Philadelphia area. In the Psychological Assessment Laboratory, he assisted with the Mc Covid Experience project, and he plans on pursuing a graduate degree.
Elizabeth Atkinson
Elizabeth graduated in 2021 with a major in Psychology. She was a member of Dr. Kurtz's lab for two years, and she worked on the Emerging Adulthood Project. Outside of the lab, she was the vice president of Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness, the former president of the American Sign Language Club, and a POWER Peer Educator.
Elizabeth is currently working as a research coordinator at the University of Delaware.
Elizabeth graduated in 2021 with a major in Psychology. She was a member of Dr. Kurtz's lab for two years, and she worked on the Emerging Adulthood Project. Outside of the lab, she was the vice president of Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness, the former president of the American Sign Language Club, and a POWER Peer Educator.
Elizabeth is currently working as a research coordinator at the University of Delaware.
Giuliana Iona
Giuliana is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Counseling. Her interests include mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy.
Gage Miller
Gage is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Social and Behavioral Sciences Methodology. At KU, he worked in the Memory and Development (MAD) lab with Dr. Andrea Greenhoot and the Substance Abuse and Addiction lab with Dr. Dave Jarmolowicz.
His research interests broadly include substance abuse, suicidality, and the personality underpinnings of both areas. After Villanova, he plans to further his career at the doctoral level in a Clinical Psychology program. When not studying or in the lab, Gage likes to listen to music, play video games, follow sports, and spend time with his dog, Mila.
Gage is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Master’s program. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Social and Behavioral Sciences Methodology. At KU, he worked in the Memory and Development (MAD) lab with Dr. Andrea Greenhoot and the Substance Abuse and Addiction lab with Dr. Dave Jarmolowicz.
His research interests broadly include substance abuse, suicidality, and the personality underpinnings of both areas. After Villanova, he plans to further his career at the doctoral level in a Clinical Psychology program. When not studying or in the lab, Gage likes to listen to music, play video games, follow sports, and spend time with his dog, Mila.
Peony Wong
Peony completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program. She graduated from Villanova University in May 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Counseling and Humanities. As an undergraduate, she worked for three years in the Personality Assessment Laboratory with Dr. John Kurtz, in the Adversity and Resilience in Development Laboratory with Dr. Janette Herbers, and in the Social Self Lab with Drs. Erica Slotter and Patrick Markey.
Although her research interests are widespread, her current thesis focuses on using symbolic self-completion, or public displays, as a social repair method in restoring the self-concept after experiencing a threat. She plans to compare this with our ability to self-verify or seek friends and family to validate the self. Outside of research, Peony works as a graduate assistant with the Center for Access, Success, and Achievement (CASA) and is a Resident Assistant on campus in Fedigan Hall.
Peony completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program. She graduated from Villanova University in May 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Counseling and Humanities. As an undergraduate, she worked for three years in the Personality Assessment Laboratory with Dr. John Kurtz, in the Adversity and Resilience in Development Laboratory with Dr. Janette Herbers, and in the Social Self Lab with Drs. Erica Slotter and Patrick Markey.
Although her research interests are widespread, her current thesis focuses on using symbolic self-completion, or public displays, as a social repair method in restoring the self-concept after experiencing a threat. She plans to compare this with our ability to self-verify or seek friends and family to validate the self. Outside of research, Peony works as a graduate assistant with the Center for Access, Success, and Achievement (CASA) and is a Resident Assistant on campus in Fedigan Hall.
Arundhati Debnath
Arundhati completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program. She graduated with an MA in Applied Psychology from the University of Mumbai in 2017. Her research interests are broadly in the area of Developmental Psychopathology and more specifically in understanding how parent-child relationships affect aspects of children's developmental outcomes, especially socio-emotional outcome variables. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, baking, and reading.
Arundhati completed her Master's degree in the Psychological and Brain Sciences program. She graduated with an MA in Applied Psychology from the University of Mumbai in 2017. Her research interests are broadly in the area of Developmental Psychopathology and more specifically in understanding how parent-child relationships affect aspects of children's developmental outcomes, especially socio-emotional outcome variables. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, baking, and reading.
Hannah Miller
Hannah graduated in 2021 with a Psychology major and a minor in biology. She is from Excelsior, Minnesota. Hannah was involved with the lab for two years, coding and running participants for the Self and Relationships and Personality and Selection projects.
Hannah graduated in 2021 with a Psychology major and a minor in biology. She is from Excelsior, Minnesota. Hannah was involved with the lab for two years, coding and running participants for the Self and Relationships and Personality and Selection projects.
Madeline Wanger
Maddie Wanger is a senior from Menlo Park, CA pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in computer science. Since joining the lab in the spring of her junior year, she has been working on data management and maintenance for a number of open projects. Outside of the lab, Maddie works as a Quality Assurance Associate for a biotech startup and is an annual Special Olympics volunteer and Morale Committee member in NOVAdance. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to explore different avenues in the biotech space and gain some insight on what her passions are and how those can translate into a career path.
Maddie Wanger is a senior from Menlo Park, CA pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in computer science. Since joining the lab in the spring of her junior year, she has been working on data management and maintenance for a number of open projects. Outside of the lab, Maddie works as a Quality Assurance Associate for a biotech startup and is an annual Special Olympics volunteer and Morale Committee member in NOVAdance. After graduating from Villanova, she plans to explore different avenues in the biotech space and gain some insight on what her passions are and how those can translate into a career path.
Rhea Arya
Rhea is a junior Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major pursuing an Honors B.S. and a Psychology minor. She is originally from Manalapan, NJ, and is interested in development, clinical psychology, and mental health counseling.
Jack McFadden
Jack graduated in 2021 with a Humanities major and minors in Philosophy and Psychology. His main research interest is mindfulness-based treatment for substance use disorder. Jack is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Social Work.
Special thanks to Jack for designing the lab website!
Jack graduated in 2021 with a Humanities major and minors in Philosophy and Psychology. His main research interest is mindfulness-based treatment for substance use disorder. Jack is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Social Work.
Special thanks to Jack for designing the lab website!