Our Team
SARAH R. BLACK, PH.D.
Lab Director
Sarah Black is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Her research interests lie broadly in the area of developmental psychopathology, with particular interest in the mechanisms by which normative hormonal, social, and environmental events of childhood and adolescence can be disrupted and lead to increased risk for depression. She is further interested in how parenting, parental psychopathology, and stress may interact with biological processes to leave children and adolescents especially vulnerable to psychopathology across the lifespan. In her free time, Dr. Black enjoys reading, podcasts about Bravo shows, and exploring Northeast Ohio with her family.
LAUREN AARON, M.A., M.S.
Graduate Student
Lauren is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the BE-RAD Lab. She holds an M.A. in General/Experimental Psychology from the College of William & Mary and an M.S. in Applied Psychology from UNO. Her research interests focus on the effects and experiences of poverty and environmental risk on children and families, and she has published work on how having a parent incarcerated in jail or prison uniquely impacts children in middle childhood. She is especially interested in methodological considerations of measuring and analyzing poverty and risk. In her non-academic time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her two children, teaching a variety of fitness classes, and exploring the cultural experiences of New Orleans.
Kaetlyn Conner, BA
Graduate Student
Kaetlyn is a first-year Clinical Psychology graduate student at Kent State University. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience from Fordham University in May 2019. Her research interests include the generational transmission of affective disorders in the context of emotional regulation and the differential effects of maternal and paternal psychopathology. Kaetlyn enjoys outdoor walks, watching documentaries, and baking in her spare time.
Hannah Duttweiler, BA
Graduate Student
Hannah is a first-year graduate student in the Kent State Clinical Psychology program. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester. Her research interests include the comorbid relationship between anxiety and depression, as well as transdiagnostic risk factors for internalizing disorders in adolescents. In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, baking, and hiking mountains.
Jordan Prusiecki
Research Coordinator
Jordan is in her final year of the undergraduate program at Kent State University. She is working towards a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology. She hopes to pursue a MS in Mental Health Counseling in order to become a therapist for adolescents. Outside of her academics Jordan is a member of a variety of organizations including membership chair of Kent State's Psi Chi Honors Psychology Fraternity and a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity on campus. Originally from Buffalo, NY Jordan loves to cheer on the bills and cook delicious dishes for her family and friends during her free time.
Elliana Draper
Research Assistant
Elliana Draper is a third-year undergraduate student at Kent State, currently working on her BA in Psychology with a minor in American Sign Language. She is interested in studying child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as how learning disorders affect child development. In her previous summer, she enjoyed working as a children’s camp counselor for ages 6-12 with Gahanna Parks and Recreation. During her free-time she enjoys learning languages, painting, and watching terrible movies with her friends.
Madeleine Nolte
Research Assistant
Madeleine is a second-year student of Psychology at Kent State University and has plans to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. She has an interest in working with children and adolescents. When not at school or work, she likes cuddling with her cat Huey, playing video games, or hanging out with her friends.
Elizabeth Bernar
Research Assistant
Elizabeth Bernar is in her final year at Kent State University studying Child Psychology. She has goals of attending a Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology and going on to become a Clinical Child Psychologist specializing in eating disorders. Elizabeth has worked in previous labs regarding cardiopulmonary behavioral health and the development of the MMPI-3. In her spare time, Elizabeth is the Treasurer of the Kent State a cappella group, Vocal Intensity, as well as the Treasurer for her sorority.
Nina Mercer da Silva
Research Assistant
Nina is originally from Brazil, she did her first two years of college there at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) and is now finishing her BS in Psychology with a minor in Photojournalism at Kent State University. She is interested in studying child psychology and development, more specifically parent-child relationships and education and school psychology. She hopes to get into a PhD program to become a Clinical Child Psychologist and pursue a career in research. Besides being a Research Assistant, Nina is also a preschool teacher assistant and a peer advisor in an advising office. During her free time, she enjoys some quiet time to read and relax, photographing, cooking and baking and game nights with her friends.
Lauren Nichols
Research Assistant
Lauren is a second-year student at Kent State working towards her BA in psychology with a concentration in child psychology and a minor in Spanish. She plans on going to graduate school for Mental Health Counseling and wants to work with children and adolescents. She has experience working with and providing therapies to young children who have Autism. When she isn’t working as a server or in class, she enjoys hanging out with her three cats, taking her dog on a walk, baking, and reading a good book.
LAB ALUMNAE
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Rachel M. Kaplan, M.S.
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David Brabham
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Miranda Evans
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Martin Tallent, B.S.
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Sara Meunier, B.S.
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Cheyenne Gilchrist, B.S.
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Madelyn McGovern, B.S.
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Lydia K. R. Barbry, B.S.
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Austin Cortiz
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Britt Baudier
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Sarah Butt
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Liz Dockter
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Jordan Herbert
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Meredith Knauer
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Mariah McGowan
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Tyler Ramsey
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Gabby Sheets
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Chon Cousins