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 Head Start programs in Milwaukee to study how caregivers foster healthy development in their preschoolers. Second, we are partnering with multiple high schools in Milwaukee to examine how teacher-student relationships and the broader school climate can support students’ well-being and achievement. We also continue to collaborate with researchers at other universities to investigate factors that facilitate and interfere with responsive bystander behavior and evaluate efforts to reduce sexual and physical assaults on college campuses.

Mara Makasiar, M.S.

I am from Plano, Illinois and am a fifth year graduate student in Marquette University’s clinical psychology doctoral program. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2018 with honors, and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Spanish. This year, I am applying for internship and look forward to a career in pediatric psychology after graduating.

My research interests broadly include the identification of protective factors across the social ecology that promote resilience in children. Focusing on the parent-child relationship, my masters assessed how a combination of parenting dimensions (discipline, warmth, emotion socialization) may promote resilience in preschoolers experiencing early exposure to adversity. For my dissertation study, I am assessing community and cultural protective factors and adaptive functioning in immigrant youth and families.

In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, weightlifting, watching anime, trying out new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Kaitlyn Fredian, B.A.

I am a second 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 from Marengo, Illinois and am a first-year graduate student in Marquette’s clinical psychology doctoral program. Before graduating from Northern Illinois University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in psychology, I began my research journey at the Emotion Regulation and Temperament (ERT) Lab. Here, we investigated how sensitive parenting and parental self-regulation impacted overall child adjustment in the context of critical developmental periods. After leaving the ERT Lab, I went on to pursue experience at the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery department at the Medical College of Wisconsin where I worked on a study examining how a traumatic injury predicts mental and physical health, and how socioenvironmental factors play into recovery.

My research interests include understanding the levels at which we can promote resilience in children and adolescents exposed to trauma within the family, such as interparental conflict, maladaptive parenting behaviors, or abuse and neglect. Additionally, I  hope to explore therapies that address physiological effects along with the cognitive and emotional effects of trauma with the goal of improving intervention efforts.

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

Juliana Suarez

I am Colombian-American from Elmhurst, Illinois as well as a third-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish for the Health Professions. I’m starting my first 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 August I started 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 also involved in a cappella here on campus with the Marquette Meladies and I am on the executive board of both the Latin American Student Organization and the Gender Sexuality Alliance. I love singing, knitting, reading, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family!

Lily Eggerding

I am a senior from Lagrange, Illinois majoring in Psychology with minors in French and Family Studies. This is my third Year in Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am so excited to be getting firsthand research experience to learn more about the processes that go into data collection and analysis. I am currently working on an independent project through Marquette’s Disciplinary Honor’s in Psychology program using the Lab’s data exploring how community and individual factors impact the sense of school belonging in the children of immigrants.

After my undergrad I plan to continue studying psychology by pursuing a master’s degree in either social work or clinical mental health counseling to become a counselor working with children. Outside of the lab I am finishing up my last semester of my undergrad and I am a Registered Behavioral Technician working with autistic children in an ABA clinic. I also love playing soccer, exploring Milwaukee, meeting dogs, listening to music, volunteering with Midnight Run, and hanging out with my friends.

Maleeha Longi

I am from Aurora, Illinois and I’m a senior majoring in Psychology! This is my first semester in Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am enthusiastic to obtain research experience, such as data analysis and performing proper interviews with 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. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my friends, cooking, painting, and reading.

Marleny Flores Miramontes

I am currently a Junior majoring in Psychology and Criminology. This is my first semester in Dr. Grych’s lab as a research assistant. I am incredibly excited to gain experience in research, data collection, data coding, and data analysis. After graduation I plan to pursue a masters in clinical psychology. I hope to work with a wide range of people in the future, specifically communities affected by the criminal justice system and immigration. Outside of lab I enjoy listening to new music, painting, and making things for others. I love to learn, and the Resilience and relationships Lab is a great place to do so.“

Neha Kurpad

I am a senior majoring in Cognitive science with minors in Psychology and Spanish. This is my fourth semester in Dr. Grych’s lab and I am excited for the opportunity to continue learning about psychological methods in research, and interact with/learn from the community. After graduating from Marquette, I plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and provide culturally sensitive and holistic mental health care for underserved populations. Outside of school I love to paint, listen to music, be outdoors (in all weather), and spend time with friends and family.

Estoy en el último año de la universidad y estoy estudiando Ciencias Cognitivas, Psicología y Español. Este es mi cuarto semestre en el laboratorio del Dr. Grych y estoy emocionada por la oportunidad de seguir aprendiendo sobre métodos psicológicos en la investigación, e interactuar y aprender de la comunidad. Después de graduarme de Marquette, planeo obtener una Maestría en Consejería Clínica de Salud Mental y proporcionar atención de salud mental culturalmente sensible y holística para las poblaciones marginadas. Fuera de la escuela me encanta pintar, escuchar música, estar al aire libre (en cualquier clima), y pasar tiempo con amigos y familiares

Alexandrina A. Mercado Paredes

I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I am a third-year undergraduate, double majoring in Psychology and Spanish with a concentration for the Health Professions. This summer I started interning at Sojourner where I have begun my journey exploring the different opportunities in my field. I am excited to have joined this research lab, as it will expand my knowledge and growth for future careers! 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 tercer año de bachillerato, sacando doble licencia en Psicología y español con una concentración para las Profesiones de la Salud. Este verano empecé una pasantía en Sojourner donde comencé a explorar diferentes oportunidades dentro de mi carrera. ¡Estoy muy emocionada de haber podido unirme a este laboratorio de investigaciones, ya que expandirá mi conocimiento y crecimiento para mi futuro! En algún momento me encantaría hacer trabajos como psicóloga forense. Pero, mi meta principal es conseguir una maestría y un doctorado en Psicología Clínica. Espero 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 también!

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.

Aixa Rodriguez

I am a sophomore double majoring in criminology and psychology, with a minor in dance. This is my first semester as a member of Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am so excited to be able to get first-hand experience in learning about data collection and analysis. I plan to attend graduate school to receive my PhD in psychology, I wish to work as a forensic psychologist in the future. Outside of the lab I enjoy dancing, painting, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

Maria Rovira

I’m from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and am a Junior double majoring in Psychology and Criminology.  This is my first semester in Dr. Grych’s Lab and I’m excited to be able to utilize my bilingual skills towards this valuable experience.  Hopefully, this lab will help expand my psychological knowledge and help guide me on the selection process for a new career.  I’m looking forward to learning more about the Hispanic community of Milwaukee and how our research and results can help.  Outside of the lab I like riding bicycles, swimming, cooking, and playing Super Smash Bros with my friends.  I also adore knickknacks.

Olivia Swenson

I am a Junior majoring in psychology and minoring in creative writing. This is my first semester as a member of Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am looking forward to learning more about the research process and building experience in the field. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in either counseling or school psychology. Outside of lab I work with Marquette Event Services, I am involved in greek life, and I love spending time with my friends and family, reading, cooking, being outside, and traveling!  

Paola Velazquez

I am from Gurabo, Puerto Rico and I’m a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry and Biological Sciences. This is my first semester in Dr. Grych’s lab, and I am very excited to gain experience in psychological research and learn 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.

Maxwell Waldschmidt

I am a junior majoring in Psychology, Gender & Sexualities Studies, and Theology & Religion. I have been working under the mentorship of Dr. Grych since 2021, and I am excited to continue doing research within the lab. In addition to lab work, I am currently working on an independent project with Dr. Grych on resilience in LGBTQ+ Catholic young adults. This research has been shared at various research symposiums with a goal of publication.  After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology or a related field to continue my research on resilience in LGBTQ+ Catholics. When I’m not studying, I enjoy creating art, hiking, listening to alternative rock, and hanging out with my friends.