Team Members

Kaite received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan. In the Rowan University Psychology Department, Kaite teaches undergraduate courses and mentors junior researchers across many stages of their training. She also trains health professionals on autism assessment as a co-developer of a commonly used autism diagnostic tool, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Kaite's professional goal is to translate SEAHLab findings into meaningful ways to promote quality of life in the autistic community. She loves to spend time with her daughters (two human, one canine), and is an avid consumer of fiction, KDrama, and carbs.

Erin graduated from Lafayette College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and anthropology & sociology. She completed her undergraduate honors thesis on how access to communication devices in childhood relates to wellbeing in adulthood for nonspeaking people. She's passionate about learning from the neurodiversity movement and accessibility initiatives and applying this knowledge to research. In lab, her major projects focus on trauma and predictors of depression and anxiety during the transition to adulthood. Outside of the lab, Erin enjoys baking, dancing, and learning to paint.

Robyn graduated from Haverford College where she majored in psychology and minored in neuroscience. During and after college, she worked as a research assistant for Dr. Aaron T. Beck, contributing to research on the cognitive model of schizophrenia. She also served as a Behavioral Health Technician, working one-on-one helping provide therapy to children on the autism spectrum. She is thrilled to be a part of the Social, Emotional, and Affective Health Lab. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, and spending time with her family, friends, and golden retriever, Louie.

Alexis graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and neuroscience. Following graduation, she worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Children’s National Hospital. Alexis supported research projects related to executive functioning interventions for autistic adolescents, and barriers and facilitators to timely autism diagnosis. She has a strong interest in characterizing and promoting emotional health in neurodivergent people through use of valid and meaningful outcome measurement tools and interdisciplinary, community-based supports. In her spare time, Alexis enjoys horseback riding, running, and spending time with friends and family!

Sydney graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She was also a member of the Education Studies Scholars Program. She completed her undergraduate honors thesis on group therapy for autistic adults and her education studies capstone on approaching the education of autistic students through a social model of disability. After college, she worked as a postgraduate associate for Dr. Pamela Ventola at the Yale Child Study Center. She is passionate about neurodiversity affirming practices, as well as evaluating how best to support autistic individuals as they transition to adulthood. Outside of the lab, Sydney enjoys running (jogging!), reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Claudia joined SEAHL after graduating from Loyola University New Orleans with her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. During her undergraduate education, she previously volunteered in a clinical psychology lab where she studied predictors of PTSD severity. She is enthusiastic about studying psychopathology, especially mood disorders. After gaining additional experience in research, she plans to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology and ultimately work as a therapist. In her free time, Claudia loves practicing aerial dance and watching anime.

Manny is currently a sophomore, who joined us in Summer 2022. His major is Psychology. Manny is part of the U-RISE fellowship program at Rowan, which is a competitive, NIH-funded program to support biomedical research trainees from underrepresented backgrounds throughout their undergraduate careers. Manny has 7 dogs and loves to watch anime. He also collects swords. Currently, he is engaged and looking forward to being married.

Kit Lillia is a Psychology major with two minors in Africana Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Kit hopes to work with underrepresented communities in psychological research including most marginalized groups such as people with disabilities/ chronic health conditions, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. While Kit is not in our lab they may be working in the SPIRiT Lab with Dr. Lassiter, interning at our Office of Student Equity and Compliance, working as the financial director for FlowForward NJ, or working with their Stop Gender Based Violence club on campus. Kit loves to use their voice to help others and has a special interest in harm reduction, rehabilitation, and Psychedelic research to help those struggling with addiction.

Pricila joined us as a first-year student at Rowan University. She is currently a second-year student with a major in psychology, a minor in law and justice, and a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in forensic studies. She is pursuing a career in forensic psychology. Pricila is a part of the START research as a research assistant and the psychopathy and crocheting club. Outside of school, Pricila takes an interest in volunteering for Century 21 as an interpreter, exercising, and hanging out with friends and family.

Amy is a junior undergraduate student at Rowan University. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology with a Concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience, a minor in Sociology, and a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Social Justice and Social Change. Amy plans on going to graduate school to become a Clinical Psychologist. She is passionate about studying psychopathology and wants to help underrepresented communities. In her free time, Amy loves to hang out with her family and friends, listen to music, and spend time with her bird.

Samay is a sophomore at Rowan University. He is a Molecular and Cellular Biology major and is part of the 3+4 BS/DO program with the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine. Samay plans on earning his medical degree and practicing as an Emergency Medicine physician. Other than research, Samay spends his free time volunteering as an EMT, playing video games, and watching tv shows. His favorite tv show is SpongeBob and he knows most of the dialogue in many of the episodes.

Amber Threadgill is currently a freshman at Rowan University who joined the SEAHLab as a first year student. She is currently pursuing her BA in Psychology with a minor in New Media and is very passionate about studying psychopathology. In addition to gaining experience in research, her career goals include becoming a social worker and ultimately practicing as a therapist that specializes in LGBTQ+ related issues. In her free time, Amber loves being involved in student-led film projects. She also enjoys making and listening to a variety of music, riding rollercoasters, thrifting, and spending time with her friends and family.

Sapjah is a Sophomore Undergraduate student pursuing a BA degree in psychology, who has been with us since her freshman year. Her dream is to become a Child Therapist. Sapjah is a First-Generation student and recently joined the NIH funded URISE Fellowship. She is also President of the Sociology and Anthropology Club and Ballroom Club, the only female wrestler at Rowan, and a volunteer with the GetFit program. She loves all kinds of art; whether it be photography, dancing, singing, or playing instruments for church! Behind the scenes, she provides ideas and assistance as a leader for a non-profit organization called Forging Youth Resilience, and she has been doing CrossFit for 5 years.

Read more about Gloria here: https://www.vumc.org/anesthesiology/person/gloria-han-phd

Jessica is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her program of research focuses on depression and suicide interventions for autistic youth and adults, and parent-child relationship factors. Jessica co-directs a multidisciplinary psychiatry clinic at VUMC for autistic youth and adults with depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders, and she supervises clinical and research trainees. Jessica is an active external collaborator of SEAHL with shared interests in characterizing and treating depression in autistic adults. She spends her free time trying new restaurants with friends and family in Nashville, and attempting to acclimate to country music.

Zack Williams is an MD/PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program and Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University. He is also an affiliate of the Vanderbilt University Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. He is also openly autistic, having been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of four. Zack received his bachelors in Psychology from Yale University, where he was heavily involved in autism research at the Yale Child Study Center. As a future psychiatrist, Zack is passionate about improving the mental health and well-being of autistic adults, and much of his work with Dr. Gotham has been focused on improving the measurement of depression and related constructs in the autistic population. Current projects in the SEAHL lab include a large-scale study to comprehensively characterize depressive symptoms in autistic adults and a longitudinal study that examines the demographic, psychological, and social predictors of future depression and well-being in the autistic population. Additional areas of interest include the assessment and treatment of sensory sensitivities, alexithymia, and psychosomatic symptoms in autistic adults, quantitative methodology, and the development of novel questionnaires to assess core and associated features of the autism phenotype. You can follow him on Twitter at @QuantPsychiatry.

https://www.seahlrowan.com/alumni