Doctoral Students

Nick Morelli

nmorelli2662@sdsu.edu   |  3rd Year Doctoral Student, SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
B.A. Applied Psychology and Human Development, Boston College

Research Interests: I am broadly interested in how exposure to trauma during childhood affects development, in particular, the impact of complex (i.e., chronic) interpersonal trauma on emotion regulation and cognitive styles in adolescence and emerging adulthood. I am also interested in the development and implementation of psychosocial interventions that aim to reduce trauma-specific symptomatology and promote well-being among children and their families.

Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include internalizing symptoms (e.g., negative cognitive self-biases) stemming from trauma and adversity in children and adolescents.

Kajung (KJ) Hong

khong0365@sdsu.edu  |  2nd Year Doctoral Student, SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
B.A. Psychology, Pomona College

Research Interests: I am interested in understanding how the history of maltreatment affects one's psychological functioning and parenting behaviors. I would like to examine the protective and risk factors in coping with maltreatment experiences, with a hope of developing parenting interventions to foster sensitive caregiving.

Clinical Interests: I am interested in working with children and their families to reduce internalizing and externalizing symptoms and to promote healthy relationships and functioning.

Masters Students

Xavier Elzie

xelzie09@gmail.com  |  1st Year Masters Student, M.A. Psychology Program at SDSU
B.A. Psychology & B.A Child Development, California State University, Chico 

Research Interests:  I am interested in examining parental factors that influence developmental outcomes for children who have experienced or at heightened risk to trauma exposure and victimization. Specifically, at examining how aspects of fathering and fatherhood influence traumatized/at risk-youth's developmental outcomes. I am also interested in the development and implementation of trauma-focused interventions that address childhood trauma and adversity. 

Clinical Interests: I am interested in working with young children and their families to strengthen overall family functioning through improving positive parenting behaviors and practices. 

Jackelyne Garcia 

jgarcia7662@sdsu.edu   |   2nd Year Masters Student, M.A. Psychology Program at SDSU
B.A. Psychology with minors in Human Development and Chicanx Studies, University of California, Davis

Research Interests: I am broadly interested in understanding and minimizing racial/ethnic disparities in access to mental health through culturally sensitive empirical research on underrepresented populations. I am also interested in further examining risk and protective factors through an ecological perspective.

Clinical Interests: I am interested in culturally sensitive delivery of mental health practices in racial/ethnic minority populations.

Research Assistants

Research Interests: I am interested in how exposure to trauma and maltreatment during childhood affects/relates to the development of emotion regulation, cognition, self-esteem, and psychopathology in children. I am also interested in further examining the internalizing and externalizing behavior problems that may result from adverse and traumatic events.

Clinical Interests: My clinical interests involve the role that trauma-informed settings and school-based interventions play in decreasing the likelihood of the development of psychological disorders in at-risk children. I am also interested in looking at how these interventions may result in the prevention of maladaptive behaviors and long-term symptoms following traumatic experiences. 

Research Interests: I am interested in the effects of multi-layered trauma and transgenerational trauma in vulnerable youth. I am also interested in the development of trauma interventions that significantly impact emotional regulation, confidence, resiliency, and ultimately equip at-risk youth and their families with strategies and resources to minimize the damaging effects of trauma.

Clinical Interests: I am interested in treating at-risk youth and families with multi-layered and transgenerational trauma effects. I am also interested in implementing preventative care to significantly minimize the effects of at-risk factors for youth and their families.

Research Interests: I am interested in the interplay between trauma during childhood and how this impacts a person’s mental health throughout their lives. I would like to examine the effectiveness of different interventions and how they promote the well being of a person throughout their life.

Clinical Interests: I am interested in working with people who suffer from trauma related mental health issues.

Research Interests: My interests include child maltreatment, abuse, and the building of resiliency throughout adolescence. My focus is on children who come from non-traditional households to examine the effects of divorce and custody arrangements on academic performance, emotional regulation, and psychosocial development. My interests also include intergenerational influence of substance abuse and domestic violence. 

Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include creating early intervention to reduce maladaptive behaviors and build resilience in a school-based setting.

Research Interests: I am interested in how childhood trauma and adversity contribute to the development of psychological disorders in adulthood, as well as how it affects their self-esteem and coping mechanisms

Clinical Interests: I am interested in how early intervention and education on mental health may reduce the development of psychological disorders in children who have faced trauma.

HCFD Alumni

Annie Morrow

amorr036@fiu.edu   |  Clinical Science PhD in Child and Adolescent Psychology, Florida International University
B.A., Amherst College

Post-doctoral fellow and adjunct Professor in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University; Clinical Psychologist at South Florida Integrative Medicine

Kelly Cromer

kcromer@fiu.edu   |  Clinical Science PhD in Child and Adolescent Psychology Doctoral Program at Florida International University
B.S. Psychology, Minor in Sociology,  M.S. Clinical Psychology;  Auburn University Montgomery

Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina Veterans Affairs

Jacqueline Moses

jmoses@fiu.edu   |   Doctoral Student, Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology Doctoral Program at Florida International University
B.A. Psychology; University of California, Los Angeles

Matched for Clinical Internship at UCSF Multicultural Clinical Training Program

Loreen Magariño

lmaga003@fiu.edu   |   Doctoral Student, Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology Doctoral Program at Florida International University
B.S. Psychology, Minor in Anthropology;  University of Florida

Damian Elson

delson@sdsu.edu   |   M.A. Psychology, San Diego State University
B.S. Psychology & B.S. Philosophy, Towson University

Data Management Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Jacky Duong

jduong4511@sdsu.edu   |   M.A. Psychology Program at San Diego State University
B.A. Sociology with emphasis in Cognitive Science, University of California, Berkeley 

Pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Florida International University

Meghan Evans

meg.ca.evans@gmail.com   |   Former Senior Lab Manager 
B.S. Psychology, Minors in Public Health Science and Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at University of California, Santa Barbara

Lauryn Fuller

lfuller@sdsu.edu   |   Former Research Assistant
B.S. Psychology, San Diego State University

Pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) at Alliant International University 

Sarvenaz Karbasi

skarbasi2@sdsu.edu   |   Former Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student, San Diego State University

Double Majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice

Meagan Harms

meagan.harms@att.net   | Former Research Assistant
B.A. in Psychology (Industrial and Organizational Psychology) San Diego State University

Research Assistant at Sutter Health – Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute

Katie Cunius

katiecunius@comcast.net   |   Former Research Assistant
B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice, San Diego State University

Pursuing a Masters in Forensic Psychology at CSU Los Angeles