Community-Based Research on Health Habits in Children and Families
JOCELYN SMITH CARTER, PHD
Professor | Director of Clinical Training
Dr. Carter received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University in 2008 and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yale University. She completed her clinical internship at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, and is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of Clinical Training at DePaul University. She teaches graduate assessment courses and undergraduate abnormal psychology courses.
GABRIEL MCNAIR
Doctoral Student, 5th Year
Gabriel received his B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. He conducted two research projects during his undergraduate career–one on personality differences in recognition memory and the other observing Latino adolescents’ perceptions of fairness as a moderator of the relationship between family obligation and presence of meaning in life. Gabriel’s primary research interests are ever-developing, but include prevention, culture, risk/resilience, family processes, and systematic stressors.
DANA MANSFIELD
Doctoral Student, 4th Year
Dana received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. There, she worked as a research assistant in the Anxiety and Stress Lab and the African American Youth Wellness Lab and became interested in cultural differences in internalizing disorders. She then spent two years as a study coordinator examining how CBT affects the brain in youth with anxiety disorders at the University of Michigan. Her primary research interests center around exploring the physiological and psychological effects of race-related stress among BIPOC youth and the protective roles of family and community support.
BRITTANY RICART
Doctoral Student, 3rd Year
Brittany received her B.A in psychology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. After graduating, she spent several years working at Children's National Medical Center with patients in the in-patient psychiatric unit and the emergency department, as well as at George Washington University's Cancer Center. Brittany's primary research interests include the relationship between children and adolescents with chronic disease/illness and their mental and physical health outcomes, chronic stress, and health disparities among minority children and adolescents. Outside of the program, you can find Brittany caring for and playing with her cat Remus, hiking and leisure reading.
DEE BEKELJA
MS Student
Dee is a 2nd year MS student at DePaul University. She plans to attend grad school for Clinical Health Psychology and is particularly interested in stress and physical activity as well as mindfulness techniques such as meditation. Outside of psychology, she is part of the DePaul Women's basketball team and loves anything that has to do with vegan food.
TAYLOR SWENSKI
2nd Year Doctoral Student
Taylor Swenski is a second year MA/PhD student in the Community Psychology program at DePaul. She received her B.S. in Psychology and minors in Biology and History from Ohio State University. Taylor’s research interests include health equity interventions for Black and Latinx adolescents, community-based participatory research methodology, and environmental justice. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, yoga, thrifting, and seeing as much live music as possible.
ABIGAIL BUSHNELL
2nd year Doctoral Student
Abigail Bushnell received her B.A. in psychology and a minor in creative writing from DePaul University in 2022. As an undergraduate, Abby was part of the CHOICE lab and Social Development Lab and conducted a research project that looked at the impact of social media on the mental well-being of professional ballet dancers. Her research interests involve how to promote physical activity and the impact it has on mental health. For fun, Abby enjoys being outside, traveling, and painting.
LINDSAY BROWNFIELD
Undergraduate Student
Lindsey Brownfield is a junior at DePaul University, majoring in psychology. Lindsey is interested in research on the intersectionality of mental health and physical health, specifically the ways in which physical health can be used as a preventative measure for mental health disorders and issues. Lindsey plans on pursuing her masters degree in clinical mental health counseling post-undergrad. For fun, Lindsey enjoys baking, spending time with her friends and family, and watching reality tv.
GEMMA LANDA
Undergraduate Student
Gemma Landa is a junior at DePaul University majoring in Biological Sciences. Gemma has a variety of research interests including environmental justice, community outreach programs, and the physiological effects of physical activity. Gemma hopes to obtain a PhD. post-undergrad. For fun, Gemma enjoys painting, exercising, traveling, and spending time with her dogs.
HANNAH RAUPACH
Post Bac Student
Hannah Raupach received her B.A. in psychology and a minor in criminology and law studies from Marquette University in 2022. Hannah is interested in research on the correlation of stress/trauma and physical as well as mental wellbeing of children and adolescents. She hopes to pursue a Psy.D in clinical psychology with an emphasis on children and adolescents and further specialization in Sport psychology. For fun, Hannah enjoys sports like basketball, running, biking and tennis.
SARAH WALTON
Undergraduate Student
Sarah Walton is a Senior at DePaul University majoring in human developmental psychology with a minor in American Sign Language. Sarah is interested in researching more about the stress factors of individuals in single parent households and the seeking of mental health care within marginalized communities, as well as preventative strategies for these stressors. Sarah hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. For fun, Sarah enjoys exploring different coffee shops around Chicago, film photography, and traveling.