RAISE Lab

Jessica Frantzen B.S.

Jessica Frantzen is a graduate student at WCU pursuing her Master's degree in General Psychology. She graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Psychology and Japanese in May of 2024. Jessica's previous experience includes working with children and adolescents with a variety of developmental disorders including autism and ADHD in school settings. This influenced her interests in interventions for children and adolescents with ADHD and autism incorporating their own special interests and fixations, with a particular focus on video game interventions. In the future, Jessica hopes to become a licensed psychologist researching interventions in developmental disorder and delay for affected children and family members, in the hopes of making early intervention more equitable and accessible.

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 

(She/Her)
 
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. 

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 Vega

(She/Her)

Eneida is a master’s student and has been with the lab since Fall 2024. She has worked on several projects within the lab including the Bounce Back program, Improv Therapy, Patient Simulation, and the FOCUSS Clinic. She has experience supporting youth on the spectrum in a summer camp setting and aspires to work in psychological assessment with specialization in assessing neurodivergent individuals with marginalized identities. She is committed to helping improve neurodivergent lives through timely, accurate and culturally responsive assessment.

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.  

Reece Reilly (She/Her)

I am Reece Reilly, joining RAISE Lab in Fall 2026. I am currently a junior studying psychology. My interest in this lab is to be able to learn more with hands-on experience and be able to grow my research skills. My long-term goal is to become a school counselor, and later on, I would like to become a therapist if everything works out. I want to support children and help them through tough times they might not be able to navigate on their own.