My research is broadly focused on understanding cognitive factors associated with depression and suicide, such as dysfunctional beliefs, attentional fixation, and problem-solving deficits, as well as how we can change these factors to produce better treatment outcomes and prevent suicide. I am also interested in methods to assess and promote patients’ development of cognitive and behavioral skills during therapy. I use a variety of methodologies to answer key research questions, including self-report, behavioral and neuropsychological tasks, ecological momentary assessment, as well as qualitative and mixed-methods approaches.Â
I am a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. After receiving my B.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience from Colgate University, I spent 2 and a half years working as a Clinical Research Coordinator within the Suicide Prevention Research Lab at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. There, I worked on various intervention trials to mitigate suicide risk in Veterans. I also volunteered as a Research Assistant in the Cognition and Affective Disorders Lab at Yeshiva University as well as the Laboratory for the Study of Youth Cognition and Suicide at CUNY Hunter College. In these labs, I worked on studies looking into cognitive factors such as attentional bias and cognitive control contributing to suicide risk and depression. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, cooking new recipes, exploring new areas, and spending time with my family’s pup Charlie. I joined DaSC lab to continue pursuing my interests in understanding the cognitive and affective mechanisms underlying the onset and maintenance of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
I am a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychological Science from Colgate University and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Prior to CUA, I worked at the Child Mind Institute and Northwestern Family C.A.R.E. lab, where I contributed to community-based studies and the implementation of evidence-based interventions. I also work as a mental health coach on the IntelliCare+ skills app, which targets depression and anxiety in both rural and urban health care settings. My research interests revolve around utilizing ecological momentary assessment to study adolescent suicidality, identifying risk and protective factors, and leveraging technology for assessments and interventions. On the weekends, I enjoy productively procrastinating, searching for DC's best bagel, and thrifting for vintage finds.
Anna completed her B.A in Psychology at the University of British Columbia in Canada, and her master’s in clinical psychology at Leiden University in The Netherlands. Her interest in suicide theory and prevention began during her time in Dr. David Klonsky's suicide research lab at UBC, where she was involved in research on the three-step-theory, suicide prediction, and the ideation-to-action framework. During her master’s she wrote her thesis on the potential for sleep interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours and worked on an ecological momentary study examining temporal factors related to suicidality. As a third- year doctoral student at CUA, Anna is excited to bring her knowledge of different research methods and her theoretical background of suicide to the lab.
I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology Program. While receiving my B.S. in Psychology and minor in Public Health from The Ohio State University, I worked as a Mental Health Specialist in an Adolescent Inpatient Psych Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Behavioral Health Pavilion. After graduation, I sought additional research experience in the Cognition, Emotion, and Life Experiences at Butler Hospital in the Psychosocial Research Program. During my 2-year tenure as a research assistant, I worked on two NIMH-funded R01 studies examining suicide risk during care transitions and the role of sleep as a proximal risk factor for suicide in an inpatient population, specifically using multi-method approaches. My research interests include utilizing ecological momentary assessment to study relationships between fluctuating cognitive and affective factors to inform targeted interventions. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, learning the guitar, traveling, and exploring new coffee spots and restaurants.
Caroline is a second-year PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Georgetown University and earned an MS in Social Work from Columbia University. She went on to work with Dr. Marianne Goodman at the Bronx VA, researching novel treatments for suicidal veterans, and with Dr. Christine Cha at Teachers College, Columbia University, studying cognitive risk factors for suicide in adolescents. Her research interests focus on cognitive and interpersonal risk factors for suicide and the use of research methodologies such as Ecological Momentary Assessment. She also has a special interest in working with college-student populations.
I am a graduate of the M.A. in Psychological Sciences program at CUA. Originally from NY, I have a background in public policy working for the federal government. My interests turned toward the field of suicidality after becoming a suicide hotline volunteer. I joined the DaSC lab to participate in research that aims to gain a better understanding of suicidal ideation. When not on campus, I like to practice yoga and spend time with friends.
I am currently in my second year of the Psychology M.A. Program at CUA. In 2025, I graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Neuroscience, with minors in Psychology and Latin American Studies. During my undergraduate education, I worked in Dr. Jared Nielsen's Brain & Behavior Lab, investigating the association between stress levels and suicidal thoughts using ecological momentary assessment data. Additionally, I worked with Dr. Patrick Steffen in his research on biofeedback and motivational interviewing, and also served as his lab manager. I also worked in BYU's Counseling and Psychological Services, coaching students in mindfulness and stress management skills. I am excited to be at CUA, and I hope to earn a PhD in the future and continue working in suicide prevention research!
I am currently a first-year master's student in the Psychological Science program. After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2021, I have worked with individuals receiving treatment for eating disorders at Sheppard Pratt and then at Eating Recovery Center in Baltimore, MD. Since 2023, I have been helping with a study investigating the impact of weight exposures on treatment outcomes in adults with anorexia nervosa. Together, my clinical and research background inform my research interests -- more broadly, I am interested in research that seeks to understand the maintaining mechanisms underlying psychological disorders and how research can improve treatments.
I am an international student from Pakistan, and a 1st year MA student in the Psychological Science program. I spent half of my undergraduate college in Valparaiso University, Indiana, where I designed two research projects: 1) Decision-making in ambiguous scenarios 2) Qualitatively investigating the quality of AI therapeutic skills on participants roleplaying as people with depression. My research interests involve mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and suicidality, on both the civilian and military population. I also have an interest in becoming a scientifically adept practitioner. In my free time, I like to think about philosophy, talk to my friends, and practice card magic.
Patrick Hardin earned his B.S. in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in psychology, where his research interests center on suicide prevention, particularly among active duty service members and military veterans. His long-term goal is to work directly with this population to reduce suicide risk and improve mental health outcomes. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running with his dog, early morning coffee with his wife, LSU football, and watches.Â
I am a junior Pre-Law, Psychological and Brain Sciences and Philosophy double major on the swim and dive and track and field teams. I am enrolled in the B.S.-M.A. program. Upon completing with my M.A. in Psychological Sciences at CUA, I aim to enroll in a doctoral program in clinical psychology.
Nancy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tampa. During her time as an undergraduate student, she worked in a faculty research lab that studied emotional invalidation. During her senior year, she conducted an independent study on unconventional approaches in the treatment of chronic self-injurious behavior. Nancy has also been involved in suicide prevention research at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, focusing on suicidal ideation and behaviors in young children and adolescents. Her main interests are in prevention and intervention of suicide and self-injurious behaviors. Aside from research, she has worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit as a behavioral health technician. During her free time, Nancy enjoys being outside, running, and spending time with family and friends.
I am a sophomore Psychological and Brain Sciences and Philosophy double major. I have always felt a calling to help others and joining the DaSC Lab is allowing me to learn how to care for the people who need help through research and suicide prevention efforts. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work with veterans, first responders, and anyone who has faced major trauma in their lives.
I am a sophomore Psychological and Brain Sciences and Philosophy double major. I have always felt a calling to help others and joining the DaSC Lab is allowing me to learn how to care for the people who need help through research and suicide prevention efforts. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work with veterans, first responders, and anyone who has faced major trauma in their lives.
Jill Capraro
Emily Winslow
Lucy Dunne
Margaret Cotter
James Pham
Clare Finney
Becky Roberts
Post-Doctoral Fellow at McLean Hospital