Research Assistants
Nicole Guevara, M.A., Research Team Co-Coordinator
Nicole is a third-year doctoral student in the PsyD program. In 2017, she graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in biology from Rutgers University. She received her M.A. in clinical psychology, with a forensic concentration, from Montclair State University. While attending Montclair State University, she was a research assistant on projects focused on forensic psychology, correctional psychology, police and public safety psychology, and mental health law. Before pursuing graduate studies, Nicole worked as a behavioral group specialist and intake coordinator for six years at a Partial Hospitalization Program.
Last year, she facilitated the Spanish Cultural Adjustment group for recently arrived High school Latinx youth in Paterson, NJ. Currently, she is an extern at the Youth Development Clinic (YDC), servicing children and adolescents at an outpatient level of care. Her research interests include forensic and health psychology.
She enjoys drinking cafecito, roller skating, horror films, and reading dystopian novels.
Abigail Sanchez, M.A.
Research Team Co-Coordinator
Abigail is a second-year PsyD student in the Clinical Psychology Program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Sacred Heart University with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Sociology. She also graduated with an M.A. in Psychology from Pace University. She works as a Registered Behavior Technician providing therapy to children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. She also volunteered as a researcher for Pace University, looking into issues with Children and their reading comprehension with parent/guardian.
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She is the Assistant team Coordinator for the Culture and Resilience team. She has research interests in the Latinx community, children & adolescents, Acculturation, and intersectional identities.
Gladys Martinez, M.Ed, LPC, NCC
Gladys is a fourth-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology PsyD. Program at William Paterson University. She received her B.A. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology with a cert. in School Counseling from Rutgers State University. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a certified N.J. Disaster Response Crisis Counselor.
Gladys worked as an Intensive In-community Counselor, and Outpatient therapist providing therapy to youths in crisis situations and therapeutic services to adult minorities. She also worked as a School Counselor for public schools in Union and Middlesex Counties. Currently, she externs at High Focus Centers servicing children and adolescents struggling with addiction or mental health disorders. Her research interests include working with the Latinx population, immigration, children & adolescents, personality disorders, and trauma.
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Deanna Enunwa
Deanna is a third-year student in the PsyD program at William Paterson University. She completed her master's in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is a licensed mental health counselor. Deanna has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health clinics and private practice, primarily serving women of color.
Deanna's research interests include working with new mothers, veterans, military children, and bicultural parents, and exploring trauma, maternal mental health, and intersectional identities.
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Joe Wrobleski, M.A.
Joe is a third-year student in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at William Paterson University. He received a BA in Psychology at Hofstra University and a MA in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University.
While pursuing his Masters degree, he worked as a research assistant at the Teachers College Resilience Center for Veterans and Families, as well as the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. Joe's clinical and research interests include issues of identity and transition stress associated with major life events, namely in populations navigating recent separation from the military or immigration to the United States.
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Doug Vossen
Doug Vossen is a second year student in the PsyD program and comes to us after spending time in the US Army as an infantry officer and in the commercial construction industry as a project manager. His clinical and research interests surround the veteran population. His education includes a BS in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MBA from Marist College, and a MA in psychology from Columbia University.
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Andrea M. Ortiz, B.A.
Andrea is a second-year Masters student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Montclair State University in 2022. Andrea moved to the U.S. a few years ago from the Dominican Republic where she was born and raised. As an immigrant, she is committed to serving and working with minority populations, particularly the Latinx community. She's also a Crisis Text Line volunteer counselor, which has increased her passion for helping people in need, and decreasing the stigma around mental health. Her research interests include the impact of immigration on mental health and how gender roles vary across cultures.
Eduardo Hernandez
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Bayron Ovalle
Bayron is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. He Graduated with a BA in Psychology and double minor in Health Studies and Biology from William Paterson University. He worked with the Counseling Health and Wellness Center on Campus as a Peer Health Advocate (PHA) providing initial crisis intervention, health education, and other supportive services to William Paterson University students for two years.
Bayron’s research interest and goals as a future clinician are tied to the improvement and care of LGBTQ+ and racial/ethnic minorities to better understand and respond to their specific needs.
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Sarah Saad, B.A.
Sarah is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Kean University, summa cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her time in undergrad, she was the co-president of Active Minds, a club on campus with the goal of reducing the stigma around mental health. In the future she hopes to obtain a PsyD and become a clinical psychologist, focusing on research and testing.
Sarah’s research interests are tied to cognitive and behavior development, neuroscience, personality disorders, and schizophrenia in various populations.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys being by the beach, traveling, drinking coffee, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
Amy German, B.A.
Amy is a second-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Psychology with a Specialization in Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. She has worked in the fields of human resources and retail. Her research interests include family therapy, marriage counseling, and clinical geropsychology, especially with the Latinx community. Amy plans to obtain her license as a professional counselor (LPC) and a Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) to become a licensed psychologist. She enjoys books, films, playing the piano, musicals, opera, and traveling in her free time.
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Elena Melt, B.A
Elena is a first- year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling Program at William Paterson University. She graduated at Rutgers University- Newark with Summa Cum Laude for her Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience. During her undergrad, she has worked in various research labs as an RA and helped with studies focused on child development and cognition. Her future clinical interests reflect that by wanting to work with children and family therapy. Elena hopes to obtain her LPC licensure in the near future and her Psy.D as well. In her free time, she enjoys gaming, trying new coffee spots, and baking.
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Mira Mabed, B.A
​Mira is a first-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. Originally from Egypt, she moved to the US for graduate studies after completing her undergraduate degree, where she graduated Cum Laude with a double degree in Psychology as well as Political Science. She has worked with children with autism and was involved in several research projects with her professors. She is passionate about making a positive impact on others and is commitment to the mental health field. Following graduation, she aims to obtain her LPC licensure and benefit the underrepresented Middle Eastern populations in the US. In her free time, she enjoys yoga and traveling
Melanie T. Ramautar, M.A
Melanie T. Ramautar is a first year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William Paterson University. She obtained her Limited Permit to practice mental health counseling. She graduated from John Jay College with a B.A./M.A in Forensic Psychology in 2019. She also graduated with a M.A. in Forensic Mental Health Counseling with an Advanced Victimology Certificate in 2022 from John Jay College. While at John Jay, she volunteered in the Child and Law Lab and the Psychopathy Lab. Melanie has worked in a variety of clinical settings with a wide-range population, which includes outpatient and inpatient settings as well as non-profit organizations. Her research and clinical interests include childhood trauma and generational trauma within West Indian communities in forensic and general populations.
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Mamadee Keita, B.A
​Mamadee Keita (he/him/his) is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology Master’s program at William Paterson University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Gender Studies from Rutgers University-Newark. Mamadee’s research interests focus on the impact of various forms of aggression—particularly those directed at individuals due to their marginalized identities—and the resulting effects on mental health. In his free time, he enjoys reading, participating in community service, and gardening
Maria 'MJ' Gutierrez, B.A
Maria ‘MJ’ Gutierrez is a first-year Masters student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. With hands-on experience as a case manager at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, MJ has developed skills in crisis intervention, client advocacy, and needs assessment. Her background also includes experience as a psychology research assistant at Rutgers University, where she honed her ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research, manage data, and maintain research tools. Additionally, she brings international experience from her studies at Macquarie University in Australia, enriching her understanding of psychology and community health across diverse settings.
Claudia Corbo, M.A
Claudia is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William Paterson University. Claudia graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with a Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience specialization, a B.A. in Criminology, and minors in Health Disparities in Society and Women's Studies from The University of Florida. She received her M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University. Claudia has been involved in research all through her academic career in a variety of topics spanning Transcranial direct current stimulation in older adults to the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ People of Color. Claudia's research interests are in the realm of improving the care and treatment of LGBTQ+ misogyny-affected people.
Genesis D. Villalba Abarca, B.A
Genesis is a first-year master’s student in the Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at William Paterson University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from William Paterson, where she was actively involved in research, leadership, and mentorship.
As an undergraduate, Genesis served as a research assistant in a childhood development lab and was President of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. She was also a member of two additional national honor societies. Additionally, she was part of the inaugural Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) program, mentoring fellow students, providing academic support, and offering personalized tutoring. She also worked as an English tutor at Essex County College, primarily assisting ESL students.
Since graduating, Genesis has gained experience in various clinical settings, including case management, and working as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing early intervention therapy for toddlers and children with ASD. Her research and clinical interests focus on childhood trauma and generational trauma within the Hispanic and Latinx community.
Ian Dominguez, B.A
Ian is a first-year master's student in the Clinical and Counseling program at William Paterson University. He graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Social Justice. After his undergrad, Ian took supplemental courses to see where he believed he would be a best fit in and now works hard to graduate with a master's degree. In his spare time he likes to play video games, hang out with friends, and spend time with his dog.
Eddie Lopez
