Research Assistants
ZELDA MCGHEE
Research Assistant
Zelda (she/her) started out as a member of the pilot group for the MENTOR program between McLean and Bridgewater State University in 2022 and joined the CARE lab early 2023. She graduated with her bachelors in psychology from BSU and in 2024 received a Diversity Supplement from NIMH to Dr. Beard's R01 examining anxiety transmission. Zelda plans on applying for her Master’s in Public Administration or Policy in the future. Some of her interests include having and buying everything in the color pink, going to museums, and watching Disney movies,. Her life passions are reading and being a life time learner.
GABRIELA KOVARSKY ROTTA
Research Assistant
Gabriela (Gabi, she/her) graduated from Williams College in June of 2023 with a B.A. in psychology and English. She comes to the CARE Lab with a special interest in child psychology, hoping to eventually work with young populations after pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. When Gabi is not at work, she can usually be found wandering around while listening to a podcast or an audiobook.
KOBE HUYNH
Research Assistant
Kobe (he/him) graduated from the University of San Diego in May 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and joined the CARE Lab in July of 2023. Broadly, his research focuses on understanding the role of parents in youth development and mental health outcomes, as well as exploring how digital interventions can expand access to mental health resources. Outside of the lab, he can be seen at SoulCycle, spending time with friends and family, or finding new restaurants!
DOAH SHIN
Research Assistant
Doah (she/her) graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and Medicine, Health, and Society. Prior to joining the CARE Lab, she was at the TEACCH Autism Program at UNC-Chapel Hill working on studies examining mental health interventions with autistic individuals. This experience informed and further developed her current interest in better understanding the specific cognitive processes and mechanisms underlying emotional disorders, which led her to the CARE Lab! Outside of the lab, Doah can be found playing pickleball with her friends or reading a book.
MAGGIE CHIFFER
Research Assistant
Maggie Chiffer (she/her) graduated from Harvard University in May 2024 with an A.B. in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she primarily worked in the Weisz Lab for Youth Mental Health, where she conducted an honors thesis study investigating the psychotherapeutic effectiveness and mechanisms of a novel, accessible movement therapy intervention for children with neurodevelopmental conditions and emotional disorders. Maggie aims to dedicate her career to advancing the understanding of emotional disorders and developing accessible, scalable treatments for them. She is thrilled to be working in the CARE Lab and later plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, reading, gardening, and photography.
LAYLA OUBSSIS
Student Research Assistant
Layla (she/her/hers) is a senior at Boston College studying Psychology and English, and she is conducting her honor's thesis in the CARE Lab. Some of her research interests lie in parent-child dynamics in communities of color, effective interventions for student anxiety in educational settings, and the impact of early childhood trauma in BIPOC communities on mental health outcomes. Layla hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Child Psychology. In her free time she loves to bake, read, watch all kinds of movies, and especially go shopping!
CAMPBELL LINKER
Student Research Assistant
Cam (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Smith College, majoring in Psychology and Statistical & Data Science. Some of her research interests include risk factors for suicide, non-suicidal self-injury, and anxiety disorders. She hopes to later pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Outside of academics, Cam works at the ceramics studio at Smith, where she enjoys creating functional pottery and exploring various art mediums.
LEILA BERNBECK
Student Research Assistant
Leila is a rising junior at Wesleyan University studying psychology and neuroscience. Her research interests include child and adolescent development and parent-child dynamics. In the future Leila hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. In her free time, Leila enjoys drawing, crochet, and spending time with their dog!
MAYA DECOUX
Student Research Assistant
Maya (she/her) is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience. Her research interests include the development and treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in youth, emotion regulation in parent-child interactions, and the implementation of evidence-based interventions to support family well-being. She hopes to pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. Outside of academics, Maya enjoys traveling internationally and volunteering at animal rescues and wildlife rehabilitation centers.