Dajon Bailey (He/Him/His), Old Dominion University
Dajon is a 2nd year student at Old Dominion University majoring in Psychology. His main interest is in adolescent mental health of minorities, especially those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He plans to attend medical school in the future and become a pediatric psychiatrist.
Jaylen Barnes (She/Her/Hers), Norfolk State University
Jaylen is a 4th year student at Norfolk State University majoring in Psychology. Her main interests are understanding risk factors for adolescent substance use and gender differences in mental health difficulties among adolescents. After graduation, she plans to pursue her PhD to become a clinical psychologist.
Oliver Branch (He/They), Old Dominion University
Oliver is a 3rd year student at Old Dominion University double majoring in Psychology and Public Health, with a minor in Human Services. Their professional interests lie in adolescent and young adult mental health and suicidal behavior, especially in connection to trauma. He plans to pursue a PsyD and become a Clinical Psychologist. (Pictured above: Oliver’s 10-year-old Mini Goldendoodle named Reese).
Alana Eisenberg (She/Her/Hers), University of Rochester
Alana is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Rochester majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Psychology. She is a research assistant involved in recruitment, data entry, and supporting participants with the TGNC Teen Study. Her main research interests include mental health broadly as well as adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the future, she hopes to work in some capacity within the healthcare system.
Elizabeth McElrath (She/Her/Hers), Old Dominion University
Elizabeth is a 2nd year student at Old Dominion University, intending to double major in Psychology and Professional Writing. Elizabeth worked professionally as an EMT for five years, where she provided care to a variety of patients, including those in crisis. She is a certified tissue banking specialist with the American Association Of Tissue Banking (AATB). Elizabeth currently works with a non-profit organization. Initially, she supported grieving families after losing a loved one, but now she works in the Quality Assurance department. Elizabeth hopes to go into medical/scientific writing.
Ian Rivera (He/Him/His), Old Dominion University
Ian is a 3rd year student at Old Dominion University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Services. He currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserve within Naval Aviation. His research interests include identity development and stress management as they pertain to populations with traumatic experiences and obsessive-compulsive disorders. He plans to graduate in Spring 2023 and pursue a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program.
Heath Ward, M.Sc. (He/Him/His), Old Dominion University
Heath initially completed a B.S. in Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University. After completing an M.Sc. in Epistemology, Ethics, and Mind from The University of Edinburgh in 2019, he returned to ODU where he earned a B.S. in Psychology in 2022. His research interests include Anosognosia, Psychopathology, and Philosophy of Psychology. He plans to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Yifan Yuan (She/Her/Hers), College of William & Mary
Yifan is a 3rd year student at William & Mary majoring in Psychology and intending a double major in Philosophy. She currently works as a peer supporter in a not-for-profit organization and is the founder and director of an organization aiming to promote self-awareness, spiritual growth, and whole-person wellness. Her main research interests lie in adolescent suicide research, including motivations and risk factors of self-injurious behaviors and prospective intervention and prevention methods. In the future, Yifan plans to pursue a Ph.D. to become a clinical psychologist.