Research Assistants
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.
RONI ITKIN-OFER
Research Assistant
Roni Itkin-Ofer (she/her) graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology. Before joining the CARE Lab, she worked as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan, where she designed lessons and community-based projects to support elementary school students’ learning. Her past experiences in both research and teaching have shaped her interest in developing accessible, community-oriented interventions for mood and anxiety disorders. Roni is excited to be working at the CARE Lab and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in the future. Outside of the lab, she spends her time hiking, crocheting, reading, and cooking.
CARLIE WOODS
Student Research Assistant
Carlie (she/her) is a current junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Commonwealth Honors College, completing her B.S. in Psychology. Before transferring to UMass, she completed an honors thesis at Holyoke Community College on the comparative effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children and adolescents. Carlie aspires to continue her research and other research endeavors to enhance our comprehension of mental health disorders and disabilities, particularly those stemming from developmental trauma. Her goal is to identify and implement effective strategies for providing support and assistance. She is very excited about the opportunity to work in the CARE Lab and aims to pursue her Ph.D. in clinical psychology once she completes her bachelor's degree. In her free time, Carlie loves to cook and bake, listen to podcasts, and go hiking and camping.
LIA O'NEIL
Student Research Assistant
Lia O’Neil is a junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in neuroscience and psychology. Her interest in development and emotional regulation was sparked by her extensive work with children, leading to her past research studying the effect of sleep on memory development. In the near future, Lia will work as an aid for children with behavioral challenges, and she hopes to continue research surrounding child development. In her free time, you’ll probably find her outside rock climbing, hiking, skiing, or whitewater kayaking!
CAITLIN WANG
Student Research Assistant
Caitlin (she/her) is a sophomore at Cornell University studying Human Development. As a student on the pre-medical track, she hopes to pursue a career in either child and adolescent psychiatry or women's health and is passionate about health equity. During the school year, she is a research assistant in the Cornell Adolescent Psychology Lab, where she has worked on projects focused on examining biological and psychological development across the lifespan. In her free time, she enjoys long-distance running, baking bread, and listening to 80s and 90s music!
DJAMECHA KINECINERA BELAIR
Student Research Assistant
Djamecha Kinecinera Belair (she/her) graduated from the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology as a pre-med student, completing her honors degree in 1.5 years after transferring. She also holds an Associate of Science in Biology with honors from Bunker Hill Community College, where she completed a shadow internship with the Harvard Aging Brain Study. To round out her pre-medical training, she is currently pursuing a second Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology at UMass. Throughout her undergraduate career, Djamecha was actively involved in student leadership and campus advocacy, serving as an SGA Campus Senator on the Social Justice and Empowerment Committee, a Health Council representative, and an active student delegate.
As an aspiring physician, Djamecha is deeply passionate about cognitive science, student leadership, literature, policy, social justice, history, and psychology. She is focused on exploring the profound intersections between these fields and the mind-body relationship, believing that effective healthcare requires a deep understanding of both a patient's physical health and psychological well-being. Her undergraduate honors thesis was narrative-based, focusing on the power of storytelling in medicine and human connection. Djamecha aims to dedicate her future medical career to health equity, clinical policy advocacy, and holistic patient care. She is thrilled to join the CARE Lab to gain invaluable clinical research experience before pursuing her dream of becoming a physician. Outside of the lab, she actively channels her creative energy into reading classical literature, exploring psychological dynamics in history, and participating in grassroots policy and social justice initiatives.