LAB MEMBERS
LAB MEMBERS
Principal Investigator
cardinale@cua.edu
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Catholic University of America. I received my PhD in Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience from Georgetown University and conducted my post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health.
My research adopts a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging social psychology, developmental, clinical, and neuroscience perspectives to better understand brain-behavior mechanisms underlying the development of externalizing behaviors. These behaviors can disrupt social relationships and predict negative trajectories for youth and their communities. Although externalizing behaviors are the single most common reason children are referred for mental health treatment in North America, they remain poorly understood.
My work specifically examines processes such as empathy, inhibitory control, and social decision making, focusing specifically on adolescence as it is a critical time period for the development of these processes and externalizing behaviors. I utilize a multi-method approach that includes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), eye-tracking, and behavioral paradigms.
DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Clinical Psychology PhD Student
Jennifer Meigs is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program. She graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a BA in Psychology where she studied adolescent sleep and caffeine use under Dr. Amy Wolfson. After graduating, she completed a two-year postbaccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health under Drs. Ellen Leibenluft and Melissa Brotman. There she studied underlying mechanisms and treatments for pediatric irritability. Her current research interests focus on examining cognitive mechanisms and health behaviors (e.g., sleep) that underly and impact externalizing symptomatology in youth. She has a particular interest in leveraging novel technology to parse these relationships. In her free time, she loves to hike with her dog, paint, and bake new recipes.
Clinical Psychology PhD Student
Madison Schulte is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. She completed her B.A. in Psychology and Health, Medicine & Society at Lehigh University and an M.S. in Experimental Psychology at William & Mary. During her master's program, Madison worked in the RISE lab under the guidance of Dr. Madelyn Labella, where she evaluated contextual predictors of emerging self-regulation skills in toddlerhood. Her research interests lie broadly in the development of externalizing symptoms and self-regulation skills in children. She is particularly focused on understanding these processes within the context of family adversity. Outside the lab, she loves reading, traveling, and listening to live music.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Masters Student Research Assistant
Cayden's research interests largely revolve around developmental psychopathology among children of single-parent homes. Namely, he's interested in examining the ways in which children without both parental figures come to exhibit inhibitory control deficits, antisocial behaviors, and oppositional defiance. Ultimately, he's passionate about conducting research with novel methodologies that can be translated to interventions and treatments. Outside of the lab and classroom, he's taken a liking to spending time in the wilderness, people watching, and reading all about humans!
Masters Student Research Assistant
Samantha's interests center on developing and implementing community-based interventions that address the complex needs of high-risk minority children and their families. She is particularly passionate about supporting marginalized and minority populations facing mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and difficulties with social functioning. She is especially committed to increasing access to effective mental health interventions for children and young adults living in underserved and impoverished communities. Her goal is to design accessible, evidence-based treatments that promote emotional well-being and reduce risk-taking behaviors among youth. During her downtime, I enjoy doing pilates, watching movies, and drinking matcha!
Masters Student Research Assistant
Julie is a master’s student research assistant. Her research interests mostly focus on group relations and identities. She is particularly interested in how individuals see themselves and others, and how these perspectives can influence in- and out-group interactions. Her hope is to continue her research through a doctorate program, where she wants to focus more on specific stereotypes and how they are perceived as well as influence the brain. When she has free time, Julie loves to watch horror movies and explore historical sites.
Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Chase Kovalcheck is a post-baccalaureate research assistant. He graduated with a BA in Religious Studies from Franklin and Marshall College. As an undergraduate, Chase was a research fellow at the Penn State College of Medicine, where he studied biochemistry. Drawing from his multidisciplinary approach, Chase’s current research interests include attitudes towards political violence, susceptibility to conspiracy theories, and associated traits. His particular focus is on how traits like paranoia interact with psychopathy to predict aggression. When he has down time, Chase likes to train his dog, explore new restaurants, and travel.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Reya Petrick is an Undergraduate Research Assistant and sophomore at The Catholic University of America, double majoring in Biology and Psychology through the University Honors Program and Pre-Medical Track. Her research interests focus on the development of behaviors and mental health. Outside the lab, she is a swimmer for Catholic and an active volunteer in healthcare and pediatric therapy settings.
Masters Student Research Assistant
Sanjana is fascinated by how antisocial and deviant behaviors develop in children, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as juveniles. Her interests lie in examining the neurological processes underlying these behaviors, their emergence, and their impact on daily functioning and social relationships. She aims to further explore the neural basis of such behaviors in future research. Outside the lab, Sanjana enjoys cooking, crocheting, listening to jazz, and watching cat videos.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Miriam Knutson is a Psychological and Brain Sciences (B.S.) major with a minor in Philosophy. Miriam’s current research interests include scrupulosity, cognitive mechanisms of guilt and empathy, and relational risk factors for anxiety and depression in adolescents. In her free time, Miriam can be found singing, reading, hiking, writing, and joyously exclaiming about the wonders of decaf coffee!
David Gantz graduated in 2023 with a MA in Psychological Sciencefrom the Catholic University of America. His research interests include examining the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of mood disorders. He is particularly interested in using mobile technology and ecological momentary assessments (EMA) to model the relationships between these various mechanisms in real time.
Rose Haley graduated in 2024 with a BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Her main interests include pediatric psychology, preventative interventions, and multi methodological research. She was a member of the LAND team for two years and is so excited to be part of such a wonderful community!
Lucy Knopf graduated with honors in Spring 2025 with a double major in Psychological and Brain Sciences and Spanish for International Service and a minor in Biology and a Certification in Spanish for Healthcare. Her intersts within Psychology include aggression and its effects on physical and emotional processing. Lucy's aspirations include becoming a physician assistant and working with underserved communities.
Louis graduted in 2024 with a MA in Psychological Science. His aspirations include becoming clinical neuropsychologist and doing research in emotion regulation. During his undergraduate career, Louis worked as a research assistant for Dr. Hoeft’s lab Brainlens at UCONN. During his free time he enjoys workout out, traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.
Ashleigh Meskill
Ashleigh Meskill graduated in Spring of 2025 with a major in Psychological and Brain Sciences and minors in Biology and Chemistry. Her areas of interest within psychology include neurological and psychiatric disorders as well as childhood and adolescent development. Following her graduation Ashleigh plans to pursue Physician Assistant school.
Justin Popoola graduated in 2024 with a BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Justin is from Lynn, Massachusetts and is passionate about research and pursuing graduate school and beyond in psychology and neuroscience.
Kelly Schoener graduated in 2024 with a BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Some of Kelly's research interests include the development of aggression and lack of inhibitory control; as well as, the processes of empathy and apathy. She is so excited to be part of the LAND team and begin her journey into the world of research!
Ena graduated in Spring 2025 with a major in Psychological and Brain Sciences and a minor in French studies. Her research interests include topics in applied and affective neuroscience such as cognition and emotional processing. Ena will be pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University.
Taylor graduated in 2024 with her MA in Psychological Science as well as a JD from CUA! Her aspirations include utilizing her dual M.A./J.D. degree to address disparities in underserved communities at the intersection of mental health and the law. In undergrad, she worked one on one with faculty to develop research, but this is her first time in an organized lab.
Justine graduated in 2024 with a BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences B.S. with a French studies minor in the University Honors program. She is interested in topics related to social neuroscience, especially antisocial behavior and other psychiatric disorders.
Emily Whalen graduated in 2023 with a MA in Psychological Science MA program from the Catholic University of America. Emily received her Bachelor's degree in psychology in May 2022 also from Catholic University. Her research interests include criminal behavior analysis, moral psychology, and the process of empathy.
Jillian Zonts was a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Criminology during her time at CUA. She is particularly interested in adolescents’ social behavior and development, forensic psychology, and the progression of psychiatric disorders. Jillian is also a co-peer mentor coordinator for the Psychology Club, a Cardinal Red Cross member, and a part of the Phi Eta Sigma honor society.
Interested in joining our research team?
APPLY TO JOIN THE LAB AS A PHD STUDENT
We will be reviewing applications for a new Ph.D. student in the upcoming application cycle. Please click the link below for more information about the Catholic University of America graduate programs.
Applied-Experimental Psychology Graduate Program
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
Human Development Graduate Program
APPLY TO BE AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
We have limited spots for CUA undergraduate research assistants to volunteer or register for a Research Apprenticeship for course credit. A minimum commitment of 60 hours a semester is expected.
If you are interested in being consider, use this google form to submit an application which will include:
Your resume or CV (see here for guidance on preparing a resume or CV)
A brief statement describing your relevant experience and why you are interested in working at the Laboratory on Affective Neuroscience & Development
An unofficial copy of your transcript.