RAISE Lab

Oriana Barone, B.A.

(she/her)

Oriana is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2021. Through her internships, Oriana was able to see first-hand how clinical work helps decrease suffering and improve quality of life for vulnerable children and their families, which solidified her aspiration to become a clinical psychologist. Her research interests include increasing access to evidence-based practices for children and families in underserved communities and mindfulness-based interventions. Her long-term goal is to work in a mental health clinic providing therapy to children and adolescents.

Rochelle Blignaut

Rochell is an international graduate student pursuing a Master's in General Psychology from South Africa. She possesses a keen interest in outdoor activities and meaningful social interactions. Exploring diverse cultures and traditions captivates her, and she is particularly passionate about working with children. Rochell's primary focus lies in the realm of trauma and PTSD, as she endeavours to raise awareness about the significance of mental health.

Vanessa Chery B.S, B.A.

(she/her)

Vanessa is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2024. She received her B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Sociology, and a minor in Health Disparities in Society from the University of Florida. Her experience includes volunteering as a Crisis Counselor, working as a registered behavior technician, and leading a project in a Type 1 Diabetes lab focusing on health disparities, particularly among people of color. Vanessa’s research interests encompass addressing mental health disparities in the Black community and destigmatizing the utilization of mental health services for Black adolescents and adults. Her long-term goal is to open a private practice and an aftercare program dedicated to providing children with a safe space to learn about mental health, access external and internal coping resources, and receive tutoring.

Jenna Loquercio B.A.

(she/her)

Jenna is a doctoral student joining the lab in Fall 2024. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2024 with a B.A. in psychology. Through her research and internships, Jenna deepened her understanding of child development and worked with at-risk adolescents. Her research interests are focused on enhancing mental health services for vulnerable children and families. Jenna’s long-term goal is to become an independent practitioner capable of diagnosing and treating psychopathology in children and adolescents to mitigate mental health issues related to early exposure to traumatic events.

Trokon Macauley, M.A.

(He/Him)

Trokon Macauley is a doctoral student with experience in early childhood intervention and behavioral therapy. With a clinical focus on addressing trauma and neuropsychological testing in children and adolescents, Trokon is committed to providing specialized care and tailored support. His research interests include digital interventions, reducing barriers to treatment, and addressing racial trauma. Trokon's ultimate goal is to leverage his skills and resources to heal chronic mental illness in Black and Brown communities, pioneering innovative methods to enhance accessibility and break new ground in mental health equity.

Yida Ramirez Alvarado, M.A 
 
Yida is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2025. She received her master's degree in clinical psychology with a concentration in child/adolescent from Montclair State University in 2024. Before starting her doctoral studies, Yida served as an intern clinical therapist at an outpatient mental health clinic, gaining experience in individual and group therapy across diverse populations and clinical settings. Most recently, Yida worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where she provided direct support to children with autism using evidence-based ABA practices. Yida's research interests center on the interplay between early developmental experiences, family dynamics, and the emergence of emotional and behavioral challenges in youth. She aims to explore how parent-child relationships, trauma, and environmental stressors influence psychological functioning across development. 

Grace Norris, B.A. 
(she/her) 
Grace is a Master’s student and joined the lab in Fall 2025. She graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies from The College of New Jersey. Grace has previous experience studying Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), specifically Animal Assisted Counseling, at a special education school, and evaluating why therapy animal handlers volunteer. She is interested in increasing mental health resources and implementing evidence-based practices for children and adolescents in need. Her long-term goals include getting a doctoral degree to continue her research interests and becoming a therapy animal handler.  

Romance Albarqawi

Romance is a graduate student pursuing her M.S. in Psychology at West Chester University. She received her BA in Psychology from Rowan University in 2023. She has worked on research involving autism spectrum disorder in children providing valid outcomes and interventions for those engaging in severe behaviors during her undergraduate studies as well. Romance is passionate about working with children and adolescents in adverse communities and their socioemotional development affected by trauma, stress, and anxiety. Romance aspires in her long-term goals to be a child psychologist and help youth and their families persevere through significant traumas and mental health challenges that can impact their child's development. With her clinical research experience and drive, Romance hopes to provide counseling interventions for children and help them overcome the challenges they face. 

Eneida Vegas

Owen Reilly 
 
I am currently an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology at West Chester University, with a strong interest in working with children and young adolescents who have mental and behavioral disorders. I am particularly interested in attachment disorders in children and how early relationships impact development. I will be joining the RAISE Lab in the fall of 2025 and look forward to gaining research experience to help achieve my goals and increase my exposure to diverse environments and ideas from my fellow colleagues. I am currently planning to pursue a Psy.D. and become a Clinical Psychologist. One of my career goals is to make mental health services more accessible and affordable for children and adolescents. I hope to contribute to creating meaningful change through both clinical work with the Reactive Attachment Disorder.  

Molly Egan

Molly is a third year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. She wants to attend graduate school after her Bachelors to become a Behavior Analyst in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and Mental health. Molly currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This job experience has motivated her to want to research how we can provide clinical and mental health services to all families no matter what background and socioeconomic status, to create more inclusive access to services. 

Abigail Gehring

Abby is pursuing her B.S. in Psychology and is a member of the WCU Honors College. She has always loved working with children and is passionate about understanding the effects of trauma on child development. Abby plans to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology and is eager to gain hands-on research experience during her undergraduate years. Through her work in the RAISE Lab, she hopes to develop strong research skills and deepen her understanding of child development in the context of adversity. Her ultimate goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist specializing in supporting young children who have experienced trauma. Abby joined the RAISE Lab in Fall 2025.

Kaylee Grazul

I am an undergraduate honors student at West Chester University pursuing a B.S in psychology and a minor in women's and gender studies. I am currently on track to become a child clinical psychologist and plan to get my PsyD. My goal is to help children and young adults find ways to cope and overcome mental illness. I am very excited to experience the RAISE Lab, and this will be my first opportunity to do research in the psychology field. This will also help me better prepare for graduate school and get hands on experience with my degree.  

Rachelle Bobo

I’m a senior majoring in psychology and with a minor in creative writing. I bring creativity, friendliness, and a supportive environment to my work. I’m passionate about working with children and helping with research that improves our understanding of their development and well-being. My academic interests include child development, emotional regulation, and how supportive environments affect learning and growth. I have experience balancing school, work, and extracurriculars, which has improved my organization, communication, and problem-solving skills. In the future, I want to pursue a career in mental health counseling, focusing on trauma and child development. My goal is to combine research with meaningful, hands-on work with children and families. 

Savanna Howard 
 
Savanna Howard is a junior at West Chester University, double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. She aspires to earn a PsyD and become a bilingual clinical psychologist. She is particularly interested in working with adolescents who have experienced trauma and is committed to promoting mental health equity and supporting the psychological well-being of youth. This summer, she will be participating in the RAISE Lab, marking her first formal research experience. Savanna is excited to develop her research skills and explore the intersection of culture and mental health. 

Emma Slade

Emma is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.S in Psychology with a minor in Health Sciences. She has a passion for mental health, particularly in the context of children and adolescents, and her goal is to earn her Psy.D. in the future. She is especially interested in exploring strategies to help young people cope with anxiety and stress. Joining this research lab marks her first experience in a research setting, and she believes it will provide her with invaluable experience as she prepares for a career as an adolescent therapist.

Tatum Williams

Tatum is pursuing a B.S. in psychology and is a member of the Honors College. She plans to further her education after undergraduate to receive her PsyD. Tatum hopes to focus on adolescents and young adults who are struggling with mental illness to help them learn to cope before they get older. RAISE lab will be her first experience with research and she hopes it will help prepare her for graduate school. She is also looking forward to the opportunity to work and do research in her field of interest. Her goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist who primarily focuses on children/adolescents. Tatum joined the team in Spring 2024. 

Adriana Grecco 
 
Adriana is pursuing a B.S. In psychology, with an Italian minor and she is a member of the Honors College. She is in her third year at WCU and plans to go to graduate school directly after. Her ultimate career goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist who mainly works with teens and children. This is her first experience with research, and she will be joining the team in Fall 2025.  

Ani Goldman 
Ani Goldman is an undergraduate student currently pursuing her B.S. in Psychology. After graduation, she is eager to continue her education with graduate school. Her goal is to get her PsyD and become a clinical psychologist. Her research and career interests are childhood trauma and attachment disorders. She hopes to get her clinical license and begin to help others! As someone who went through a lot of mental health care as a child, RAISE lab’s goals and work are very meaningful to her. She is excited to contribute to research for the first time in the RAISE lab and gain experience that will help her in her future career.