Chair; Professor 

Department of Psychology; Psychological Services Center 

egordis@albany.edu 

(She/Her)

My research examines effects of exposure to violence and maltreatment on later psychological, behavioral, and emotional functioning.  I am particularly interested in how physiologically stress responses moderate or mediate effects of exposure to violence and conflict on later behavior. 

Dr. Gordis may accept graduate students in the upcoming application cycle.

Vidhi is currently a doctoral candidate (4th year) in the Clinical Psychology Program at the University at Albany. They joined the CAFE Lab in 2023 after graduating with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2022. Vidhi's research interests have been increasingly focused on how experiences of childhood maltreatment/trauma in the context of parenting and family dynamics influence interpersonal functioning across the lifespan. Vidhi is also interested in psychometrics, with a particular focus on how the aforementioned constructs are operationalized and measured, and how measures are validated across diverse populations. Currently, Vidhi leads the RISE study, which was initially developed by a former graduate student of the lab, Kate Senich, PhD. They are also growing increasingly interested in the role of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in human relational processes, particularly how these systems may support or disrupt human relational functioning.  

Elaine is currently a PhD student in the clinical psychology program at the University at Albany. She joined the CAFE Lab in 2025. She earned her master's degree in clinical psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2025. Before that, she graduated from University of Minnesota with a BS in Psychology with two minors in family therapy and management. She worked in multiple labs at both Columbia University and University of Minnesota exploring topics including culture & family, parenting, trauma, and depression treatment prior to her current graduate studies. Her research interests focus on childhood family relationships, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the impact of childhood trauma on development into adulthood, while also considering cross-cultural differences. 

Roman is currently a PhD student in the clinical psychology program at the University at Albany. He joined the CAFE Lab in 2026. Roman earned a B.A. in Psychology and East Asian Studies (concentration in Japanese Studies) and a Certificate in International Studies from Connecticut College in 2026. From 2023 to 2026, he worked in Dr. Jefferson Singer’s Clinical & Personality Research Lab, contributing to research on self-defining memories. For his honors thesis, he conducted research in Hiroshima, Japan, during an internship with NPO ANT-Hiroshima and with assistance from Hidankyo, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on the intergenerational effects of the atomic bombings on survivor families. His research interests include childhood trauma, family systems, and the intergenerational transmission of trauma.