Meet Our Team

Principal Investigator

Spencer Evans

Spencer Evans (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology (Clinical/Child) at the University of Miami. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology, with a minor in Quantitative Methods, at the University of Kansas in 2017. Dr. Evans completed his predoctoral internship at the Medical University of South Carolina, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. His research focuses on irritability and aggressive behavior in children and adolescents, including interests in developmental processes, assessment, and intervention. For years, he has worked with the World Health Organization in their development of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) Mental and Behavioural Disorders. He currently serves on the Executive Board for the Society of Child and Family Policy and Practice (APA Division 37) and as a consultant for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Presidential Initiative on outbursts and emotion dysregulation.

Faculty Statements

Doctoral Students

Ashley Karlovich

Ashley Karlovich (she/her/hers) is a sixth-year graduate student in the CAB Lab. Ashley graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2019 with bachelors’ degrees in Psychology and Spanish. After graduation, she worked as the post-baccalaureate Research Associate in the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) Program at the University of Miami, where she worked on projects related to transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders in youth. During her work in the CAB Lab, Ashley is broadly interested in exploring the development, measurement, and clinical assessment of emotional and behavioral problems in youth. She is also interested in conducting research on family systems and processes, including parent-child coercion, parenting behaviors and parental psychopathology. Outside the lab, Ashley enjoys cooking, going to the beach, traveling, and trying new restaurants in Miami.

Shannon Shaughnessy

Shannon Shaughnessy (she/her/hers) is a fifth-year graduate student in the CAB lab and a recipient of the University of Miami Dean’s Fellowship. She is originally from Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2020 with high distinction and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in international studies. After graduation, she was awarded a two-year Intramural Research Trainee Award with Drs. Melissa Brotman and Ellen Leibenluft at the National Institute of Mental Health. Here, she worked on projects examining the neurocognitive mechanisms of irritability to inform the development of novel therapeutics. Broadly, Shannon is interested in leveraging novel quantitative methods and longitudinal assessment to better understand frustration and irritability across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in the potential of technology, such as ecological momentary assessment, to enhance phenotyping. Shannon is also funded by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program to investigate how cognitive control deficits may be implicated in the development of irritability. Outside of research, she loves to travel, hike, bake, and spend time with friends and family.

Kenyon Page

Kenyon Page (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year student working with the CAB Lab and is the recipient of a University of Miami Graduate Student Fellowship. Originally from Virginia, she graduated in May 2020 from Virginia Tech with bachelor's degrees in Psychology and International Studies and a minor in Spanish. After graduation, she joined Teach for America as a 3rd grade teacher at a Title I STEM magnet school in Greensboro, NC. Kenyon is broadly interested in early childhood learning and bilingualism, particularly for children with emotional and behavioral problems, and the cognitive processes of learning that are most efficient, effective, and engaging for this population. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, trying new recipes, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Julia Modell

Julia Modell (she/her/hers) is a first-year graduate student in the CAB Lab. She is originally from Washington, D.C. and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Public Health. After graduation, she was awarded a two-year Intramural Research Trainee Award with Dr. Melissa Brotman in the Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit (NNT) at the National Institute of Mental Health. There, she worked on projects investigating the efficacy and mechanisms of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy for pediatric irritability. Julia is broadly interested in exploring the emotional, physiological, and familial factors underlying the development of irritability in youth. She is especially interested in leveraging technology to explore these processes as they occur in daily life. Outside of research, she enjoys running, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Project Coordinators

Giselle Perez

Giselle Perez (she/her/hers) is a Project Coordinator in the CAB Lab. Originally from Miami, she earned her A.A. in Psychology from The Honors College at Miami Dade College and recently graduated from Boston University with her B.A. in Psychology. During her time at BU, Giselle worked as an undergraduate Research Assistant in the Biobehavioral and Social-Emotional Development Lab, where she developed her passion for early childhood developmental research. Her research interests focus on identifying early maladaptive traits and indicators of psychopathology through physiological data collection and assessments. Specific topics of interest include disruptive behavior disorders, callous-unemotional traits, emotion dysregulation, and the role of parenting. Outside the lab, Giselle enjoys spending time with her family, hanging out with her pets, and watching movies.

Sarrah Khan

Sarrah Khan (she/her/hers) is a Project Coordinator in the CAB Lab. Originally from Washington, she graduated from the University of Washington magna cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (B.S.) and Comparative History of Ideas (B.A.), with a minor in Data Science. At UW, she worked in the interACT Lab with Dr. Magis-Weinberg on projects investigating adolescent digital media use and well-being, and completed her honors thesis with Dr. Cheryl Kaiser in the Social Identity Lab, examining religious practice and affective polarization among Muslim Americans. Broadly, Sarrah is interested in how technological and cultural contexts shape adolescent social development, emotion regulation, and well-being. She is also interested in whether measures of emotional and behavioral problems capture the same constructs across youth from different cultural backgrounds, and how that can inform culturally adaptive interventions. Sarrah plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Outside the lab, she enjoys crafting, reading, being outside, and spending time with friends and family!

Research Assistants

Eva Haan

Eva Haan (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami, currently completing her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Microbiology and Immunology. She is passionate about the functionality of emotion regulation in children as well as the links between disease and behavioral psychology. Her interest was fostered by her experience working as an academic camp coordinator. Eva plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.

Hailey Elias

Hailey Elias (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Chemistry and English. She is interested in understanding how behavior and emotion shape children. Hailey is very passionate about mental health and plans to pursue a Masters degree to further her expertise in psychology, ultimately aiming for a career in mental health counseling.

Brianna Madore

Brianna Madore (she/her/hers) is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami. She is pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Mathematics and Sports Medicine. She is in her fifth year volunteering in special education and life skills classrooms, where she assists high school students with disabilities. Her volunteer experience fueled her interest in the lab, as she is hoping to better understand the students she works with. She is also passionate about youth mental health awareness. Bri is planning to get a PhD in Sport Psychology to help children and young adults optimize their mental health despite performance pressure.

Sophia Rogers

Sophia Rodgers (she/her/hers) is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. She is interested in research on emotional regulation, child development, and the ways technology influences mental health and daily functioning. Sophia is passionate about mental health and plans to earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology and pursue a career as a Child Psychologist.

Ève Gaulin

Ève Gaulin (she/her/hers) is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami, pursuing a double major in Psychology and Criminology. She is particularly interested in behavioral analysis and profiling, with a focus on understanding how psychological principles can inform criminal investigations. Her passion for this field was fostered through hands-on experience working as a support worker in summer camp with children with autism and behavioral challenges, as well as her involvement in research and literature review projects. Ève plans to pursue graduate school to further her expertise in psychology, ultimately aiming for a career within law enforcement.

Rebecca Davis

Rebecca Davis (she/her/hers) is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Biochemistry. She is broadly interested in neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders. She is curious about the impact of early intervention, the effectiveness of different treatment approaches, and understanding the roles that both biology and environment play in the development and course of disorders. Rebecca plans to attend medical school after completing her undergraduate degree and explore neurology and psychiatry. Outside of academics, Rebecca is a member of the UM Cheerleading team. Go Canes!

Savannah Park

Savannah Park (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami, currently completing her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in understanding emotional and behavioral regulation in children and adolescents, as well as the factors that influence mental health and development. Savannah is passionate about helping others and plans to pursue a career in medicine, with a focus on psychiatry and mental health.

Jessi Henige

Jessi Henige (she/her/hers) is an undergraduate student at the University of Miami pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience on the pre-medical track. She is interested in pediatric neuro-oncology and hopes to better understand the biological and environmental factors that influence child development and behavior. Her research interests include how biological predispositions interact with the environment to contribute to childhood aggression, irritability, and related behavioral outcomes. Jessi plans to attend medical school after completing her undergraduate degree and ultimately pursue a career as a pediatric neuro-oncologist.

Sofia Rosica

Sofia Rosica (she/her/hers) is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Miami pursuing a B.A. in Psychology on the pre-medical track, with minors in Public Health and Social Science and Medicine. She is fascinated by psychiatric disorders and is passionate about advancing mental health understanding and care. Her interest in the CAB Lab stems from her passion for working with children and her desire to better understand the factors that shape children’s mental and behavioral health. After completing her undergraduate degree, Sofia plans to attend medical school, with the goal of pursuing a career working in pediatrics.

Lab Mascot

Scout

Jean Louise "Scout" Evans-Jacobs is a Florida native who joined the lab in April 2021. Her research interests include positive behavioral intervention, ADHD, and cute aggression. Outside the lab, she enjoys belly rubs, treats, fetch, and eating virtually anything she finds on the ground. She has no interest in going to graduate school.

Other people we're lucky to know...

Lab Alumni – and Last Known Whereabouts*

Patricia Gao (Research Assistant and Coordinator) - PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Kate Simmons (Research Assistant and Coordinator) - MS Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling , University of North Florida

Sakshi Khurana (Postgraduate Research Assistant) Lab PhD Program in Global Education Leadership, College of Education, DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Denise López Sosa (Lab Manager) - School Psychology PhD Program, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California Santa Barbara

Bianca Buza (Postgraduate Research Assistant) - Outpatient Evaluation Intern at the Psychological Consultation Center, MI

Natalie Mastalerz (Research Assistant) - Post-bac research position at Northwell/Zucker Hillside Hospital

Will Riddle (Research Assistant) - Clinical Research Coordinator at the Medical College of Wisconsin

Audrey Edelman (Postgraduate Research Assistant) - Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at William James College

Elizabeth Wolock (Research Coordinator & Lab Manager, Weisz Lab, Harvard University) – Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at the University of Florida

Kelsey Callahan (Research Coordinator & Lab Manager, Weisz Lab, Harvard University) – Licensed clinical social worker in Massachusetts

Patricia Garibaldi (Research Coordinator, Weisz Lab, Harvard University) – Residential Counselor at McLean-Franciscan Community Based Acute Treatment; Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Grace Cho (Research Coordinator, Weisz Lab, Harvard University) – Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Ana Carvalho (Research Coordinator, Weisz Lab, Harvard University) – Social Work AM program (MSW equivalent) at the University of Chicago

Robyn Herbert (Research Assistant & Senior Honors Thesis Student, Roberts Lab, University of Kansas) – Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Washington State University

Emma Rogers (Research Assistant, Roberts Lab & Fite Lab, University of Kansas) – Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Ohio University

Maddison Tolliver-Lynn (Research Assistant & Senior Honors Thesis Student, Roberts Lab, University of Kansas) – Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Oklahoma State University

* Keep us posted! Contact sevans@miami.edu if we should add your name or update your information.

Collaborators, Mentors, & Friends

Jennifer Blossom, University of Maine
Tony Bonadio, University of Connecticut

Jeff Burke, University of Connecticut
John Cooley, Texas Tech University
Paula Fite, University of Kansas
Mandy Jensen-Doss, University of Miami
Joy Gabrielli, University of Florida
Jessica Hamilton, Rutgers University
Sherelle Harmon, University of Miami
Jared Keeley, Virginia Commonwealth University
John Lochman, University of Alabama
Tom Ollendick, Virginia Tech
Sonia Rubens, Santa Clara University
Geoff Reed, World Health Organization & Columbia University
Michael Roberts, University of Kansas
John Weisz, Harvard University
Eric Youngstrom, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill