John Grych, Ph.D.

My students and I currently are conducting research in two contexts that can promote resilience in youths: families and schools. First, we are working with several organizations in Milwaukee to study sources of resilience in Latine adolescents. We are particularly interested in identifying cultural and community factors that promote healthy development in these youths and their families. Second, we are partnering with Marquette’s Center for Peacemaking and Milwaukee Public Schools to evaluate a program for students at risk for suspension that is based on restorative justice principles and a wholistic approach to mental health and well-being.

Kaitlyn Fredian, B.A.

I am a third year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. I graduated from Elmhurst University in 2019 and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology.

Before coming to Marquette University, I worked within the Developmental Mechanisms Lab at Northwestern University. Within this lab, I worked on various projects regarding child development; examining variables such as irritability, emotion regulation, and language with the goal of identifying mental health risk in children.

Under the mentorship of Dr. John Grych, my research interests include examining the different contexts, levels, or systems of support that foster resilience in children who have experienced adversity or trauma. Aside from looking at resiliency and what influences it, I am also interested in looking at resilience more broadly with the goal of expanding on preventative strategies, clinical interventions, and policies.

When I’m not at the lab, I enjoy making art, watching horror movies, and hanging out with my two parrots (Noodle and Moose).

Emilie McLeod, B.A.

I am a second-year graduate student in Marquette’s clinical psychology doctoral program. Before graduating from Northern Illinois University in 2022, I worked in the Emotion Regulation and Temperament (ERT) Lab where we investigated relationships between characteristics of parents and their children’s development. Additionally, I worked on a project in the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Department at the Medical College of Wisconsin looking at mental and physical outcomes of a traumatic injury, as well as how socioenvironmental factors played into recovery.

I am interested in understanding the cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal factors that promote resilience in adolescents and emerging adults who have faced interpersonal trauma, and how these insights can guide clinical interventions.

In my free time outside of the lab, I enjoy weightlifting, cooking, gardening, reading science fiction, and hanging out with my son and partner.

Sami Greenfield

I am from Northbrook, Illinois, and am a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science. I am very excited to have joined this lab to obtain research experience and further my knowledge for my future career! After graduation, I plan to receive my master’s and eventually PsyD or PhD in Clinical Psychology. 

Outside the lab, I enjoy reading, traveling, plane spotting, Pilates, and spending time with my friends and family, including my cat Josie.

Juliana Suarez

I am Colombian-American from Elmhurst, Illinois as well as a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish for the Health Professions. I’m doing my second semester in Dr. Grych’s lab and I’m so excited to use my skills and experience to hopefully make a difference in the community and the psych world through this lab. Last year, I was interning at Pathfinders Youth Shelter through my Field Experience in Psychology class in the LGBTQ+ Advocacy cluster which has been an amazing experience. I am currently interning at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center through the same class. I am also involved in a cappella here on campus with the Marquette Meladies and I am the Vice President of Marquette’s Gender Sexuality Alliance. I love singing, knitting, reading, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family!

Maleeha Longi

I am a Pakistani American from Aurora, Illinois and a current senior majoring in Psychology! This is my second semester in Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am enthusiastic to further my research experience such as integrating data analyses, coding qualitative and quantitative data, and interviewing participants. I plan to graduate from Marquette in December 2024 and then pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. My long-term career goal is to work with children in marginalized communities, specifically an interest in health psychology and outcomes of trauma. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time cooking, painting, playing golf, and reading.  

Alexandrina A. Mercado Paredes

I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I am a fourth-year undergraduate, double majoring in Psychology and Spanish with a concentration for the Health Professions. Last year I interned at Sojourner where I began my journey exploring the different opportunities in my field. This lab has continued to expand my knowledge and growth for future careers, including helping me get started on an honors thesis! At some point I would love to do some forensic psychology work. But my overall goal is to pursue my master’s as well as a PsyD in clinical psychology and hope to work with adolescents as well as underserved communities including Latinx immigrants. I hope to one day be able to offer support groups in my own clinic as well!

In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, playing in my mariachi group, reading, embroidering, going outside, and spending time with my family, friends, and pets!

Soy de Milwaukee, Wisconsin y estoy en mi cuarto año de bachillerato, adquiriendo doble licencia en Psicología y español con una concentración para las Profesiones de la salud. El año pasado, hice una pasantía en Sojourner donde comencé a explorar diferentes oportunidades dentro de mi carrera. Este laboratorio de investigaciones continúa expandiendo mi conocimiento y crecimiento para mi futuro, ¡incluso ayudándome a comenzar una tesis para el programa de honores! En algún momento me encantaría hacer trabajos como psicóloga forense. Pero, mi meta principal es obtener una maestría y un doctorado en Psicología Clínica. Deseo poder trabajar con adolescentes y también comunidades desatendidas, incluyendo la comunidad de inmigrantes Latinx. ¡Espero un día poder ofrecer grupos de apoyo en mi propia clínica!

En mi tiempo libre, me encanta escuchar música, tocar en mi grupo de mariachi, leer, bordar, ir afuera, y pasar tiempo con mi familia, amigos, y perritos.

Roberto Ocampo

Hi! My name is Roberto Ocampo, a senior at Marquette University in the process of receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology. I chose this field of study because I believe and I hope I’ll have a true impact on many people’s lives. I am pretty open to learning more about anything and what I pride myself in is that I attempt to be as diverse as possible as to learn many different perspectives. 

Paola Velazquez

I am from Gurabo, Puerto Rico and I’m a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry and Biological Sciences. This is my second semester in Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am very excited to further my experience in psychological research and learning first-hand about data collection and interpretation. After graduating from Marquette, I plan to receive my PharmD and work as a pharmacist. In my free time, I enjoy going out to eat to different places, listening to music, watching new shows and hanging out with my friends.

Maniah Cullins

Hi, my name is Maniah Cullins and I’m a sophomore. My majors are neuroscience and psychology. When I grow up, I want to work as a researcher. In my free time, I like to read, watch movies, and eat. My favorite colors are red and green. Game of Thrones is my favorite tv series. I love the RAR lab because there’s a strong sense of community.

Erik Nelson

I am a junior undergraduate student majoring in psychology from Chicago, Illinois. I am very interested in research and eventually hoping to find a clinical psychology program after I graduate. I am a part of the Autonomous Youth Council at Milwaukee Succeeds where we give a voice to underserved communities within the greater Milwaukee area. In my free time I enjoy exercising, reading, and doing work within my community. Following school, I hope to do work in assessment and perhaps therapy later down the line.