Doctoral Fellows
Sophia Sodano
Sophia Sodano is a third-year doctoral student studying clinical psychology under Dr. Adam Briggs. As a part of the STAR lab, she works as a doctoral fellow on the ROCK project, interested in learning how to navigate barriers to implementing a paraprofessional-delivered intervention, Discover You, in a school setting. Before attending Eastern, Sophia earned her undergraduate degree in psychology with a neuroscience concentration from The Pennsylvania State University. During her time at Penn State, Sophia studied the development of self-regulation in children in the Cole Emotion Regulation Lab under Drs. Pamela Cole and Nilam Ram. After graduating, Sophia joined the Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative at Brown University under the supervision of Drs. Jennifer Wolff and Katelyn Affleck, where she managed psychodiagnostic testing on an adolescent inpatient unit and studied the implementation of a positive psychology intervention for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Sophia’s current research interests lie in increasing the accessibility of interventions for individuals with challenging behavior and identifying variables that may impact the efficacy of such treatments. Clinically, she is interested in integrating applied behavior analysis and other evidenced-based therapies with assessment to provide a holistic, strengths-based approach to treating challenging behaviors. In her free time, Sophia enjoys playing with her dog Hennessy, making lattes, thrifting, and spending time with friends and family.
Kanica Bhutoria
Kanica Bhutoria is a fourth-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, training under the mentorship of Dr. Rusty McIntyre. She is currently involved in the GeneTIC project within the STAR Lab. Her research explores the intersections of racial trauma, discrimination, and emotion regulation across the lifespan. Her broader aim is to improve evidence-based trauma treatments, particularly for gender minorities. Before beginning her PhD, Kanica earned her Master’s degree in India and worked at a suicide prevention organization, where she contributed to the development of a national suicide prevention chatline. She also served as a research fellow at Muktha Foundation, India, leading a project focused on male survivors of intimate partner violence. Clinically, Kanica specializes in the treatment of trauma and PTSD in adults, drawing on her strong grounding in evidence-based approaches. Outside of her academic and clinical work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Zoe Lapham
Zoe is a first-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at Eastern Michigan University under the mentorship of Dr. Kelsey Sala-Hamrick. Zoe has previously completed her master’s degree in clinical behavioral psychology at Eastern Michigan University and completed her undergraduate degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Prior to starting her PhD, Zoe worked at Michigan Medicine
as a research coordinator in differences of sex development (DSD) where she supported projects focused on improving and standardizing care for pediatric patients with DSD and their parents. Zoe’s primary interests include integrated pediatric psychology with an emphasis on implementation science to improve the accessibility of evidence-based treatments broadly. In her free time, Zoe is passionate about the culinary world, comedy, exercising, gaming, and (poorly) singing to her two cats.
Mahmoud Abolibdeh
Mahmoud Abolibdeh is a first-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Eastern Michigan University under the mentorship of Dr. Kelsey Sala-Hamrick. His research focuses on culturally responsive interventions for minority populations, with a particular emphasis on Arab American and Muslim communities, aiming to improve access to and engagement with evidence-based mental health treatments. Before beginning his PhD, Mahmoud earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Behavior and Social Services from Michigan State University, after completing an Associate in Psychology at Lansing Community College. During his time at MSU, he gained research and clinical experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder. Clinically, Mahmoud is interested in integrating assessment and evidence-based interventions to provide holistic, culturally informed care. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, spending time with family and friends, and going on hikes.
Graduate Research Associates
Amber Efthemiou
Amber is a second-year student in the General Clinical Psychology Master’s program at Eastern Michigan University and a graduate assistant for the ROCK Discover You project in the STAR Lab. She graduated from Oakland University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and minors in holistic health and sociology. While at Oakland University, Amber was a research assistant and lab manager in the Free-Form Posttraumatic Growth Lab where she assisted in research related to emotions and individual differences surrounding stress and trauma, posttraumatic growth, and resilience.
Thairu Moore-Petinak
Thairu is a second-year master’s student in the General Clinical program. He completed his undergraduate education at Eastern Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s of science in psychology and criminal justice. Upon graduation, Thairu hopes to pursue doctoral studies in clinical psychology and eventually specialize in forensic psychology. In his free time, he enjoys watching his favorite basketball team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chad Bolman
Chad Bolman is a General Clinical Master’s Student at Eastern Michigan University. He graduated from Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Psychology. In Carthage College’s rat lab, he examined anxiety’s relationship to the development and persistence of traumatic behaviors. He was awarded a paid summer research position in Carthage’s cognitive psychology lab to study visual attention. His research interests include improving access to trauma resources, traumatic memory, and understanding cultural presentations of trauma. In his free time, he enjoys bouldering and eating Japanese curry.
Isabella Stephanoff
Isabella Stephanoff is first-year student in the General Clinical Psychology Master’s program at Eastern Michigan University and a graduate assistant for the Occupational Therapy program. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in Asian Pacific American studies. While at MSU, Isabella was a research assistant in the Close Relationships Lab. Her research interests include promoting resilience after trauma and preventing risky health behaviors.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Sawyer Byerly
Sawyer is a senior undergraduate student at Eastern Michigan University, pursuing a bachelor’s of Science in psychology and a minor in construction management. Upon graduation, Sawyer plans to pursue further graduate studies in clinical psychology or school psychology. In his free time, he enjoys playing his guitar, mountain biking, and spending time with friends and family.
Isabella Cafini
Isabella is a third-year undergraduate student at Eastern Michigan University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in General Psychology with a minor in Human Sexuality. Throughout her academic journey, she has developed a strong interest in attachment theory and the systemic barriers that affect access to mental health care. Isabella is particularly passionate about the emerging research on psychedelic medicine and its potential to transform treatment for patients resistant to existing medications. She is drawn to interdisciplinary research that explores innovative, person-centered approaches to enhancing mental health care for both patients and practitioners. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and contribute to filling the gaps in existing research, especially with a lack of psychological research on women and diverse populations. Outside her studies, Isabella enjoys reading, playing guitar, and traveling to new places.
Jayce Matthews
Jayce Matthews is a senior undergraduate at Eastern Michigan University. He is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Communication. His research interests include the development of resilience throughout adolescence, the importance of sleep in parent-child relationships, the long-term effects of stress and trauma, and finding solutions for maladaptive coping strategies. Jayce plans on furthering his education through a graduate’s degree in Clinical Psychology. His goal is to open a private practice aimed at reaching undersupported communities and identities, with a focus on assisting individuals suffering from trauma and chronic stress. Jayce is a gigantic nerd and enjoys writing, reading, throwing weights around (cardio is too humbling), and gaming in his free time.
STAR Research Collaborative 