Dr. Megan Conrad, PI of the CDS
Megan Conrad, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at William Paterson University. Her research examines child and family development across a range of developmental stages. She has conducted research within a variety of settings, including research laboratories, child care centers, family homes, science centers, and zoos, using both experimental and observational methodologies.
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Her research and training reflects an interdisciplinary approach to the study of cognitive development, incorporating research from cognitive, educational, developmental, cultural, and social psychology. As an undergraduate, she majored in Psychology with a concentration in Development, minored in Sociology, and completed an interdisciplinary concentration in Health Communications. Megan received her Masters in Cognitive Psychology and her doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Rutgers University in Newark, where she worked with Dr. Vanessa LoBue and Dr. Gretchen Van de Walle. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the D.U.C.K. Lab at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she worked with faculty mentor Dr. Stuart Marcovitch and co-PI Dr. Janet Boseovski.
Her research has been published in multiple journals, including Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, and Visitor Studies.
Lab Members
Raghad Hassabelnaby
Raghad is a second-year doctoral student and Graduate Assistant in the WPU Clinical PsyD program. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Toledo in 2018. Her research interests include forensic psychology and the development of early fears and maladaptive behaviors. Currently, Raghad is a clinical extern at the Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center conducting evaluations and treatments for children/adolescents who have experienced maltreatment.
Jean-Pierre De Beer
Jean-Pierre started working in the CDS lab in Spring 2020.
Jean-Pierre is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy. His post-graduation plans including pursuing a M.A., with research interests in the intersection between culture and psychology.
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He also participates in the on-campus radio station, Brave New Radio, and the WP Student Patrol.
Genesis D. Villalba A.
Genesis started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2020.
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Genesis is a junior with a major in Psychology and minor in Sociology. She plans to pursue a clinical doctorate, with a goal of working in private practice with children.
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On campus, she is the President of Psi Chi and participates in the HSS Student Leadership Council, HSS Peer and Leader program, and Peer 2 Peer program.
Tatiana Sims
Tatiana started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2020.
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Tatiana is a senior student majoring in Psychology. After graduation she plans to attend law school with a particular interest in the psychology of family law.
Yeasmin Ali
Yeasmin started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2020.
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Yeasmin is a junior student with a major in Psychology and a minor in Disability Studies. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology, with a research interest in developmental and school psychology.
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She is also in the William Paterson Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Honors Track.
Lab Alumni
Victoria Vlassakis
Victoria started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2019.
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Victoria is a double major in Psychology and Sociology. She plans to attend graduate school in Clinical Psychology to become a therapist for military personnel and veterans.
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She is recruitment chair for Theta Phi Alpha and is a student assistant in the Dean's office. She also participated in the Disney Program in Spring 2019.
Emily Trachtenberg
Emily started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2019.
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Emily is a Writing Major and a Psychology Minor. She plans to go to graduate school to complete a Psy.D and work as a clinical psychologist.
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In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing fiction.
Mabel Delossantos
Mabel started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2019.
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Mabel is a double major in Psychology and Biology. After graduation she plans to attend Medical School.
Carly Miceli
Sabrina Ramos
Aryleida Espinal
Carly started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2019.
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Carly is a Psychology Major and an Art Studio Minor. She plans to attend grad school for MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
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She is also a part of the WPU Field Hockey team and the Pesce Mentor Institute program.
Govinda Mota
Govinda started working with the CDS in Spring 2017 and graduated August 2018. She participated in our Bergen County Zoo research study, which she presented at two conferences.
Sabrina started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2019
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Sabrina is a Communications Disorder Major with a Minor in Psychology. She plans to attend
graduate school to become a speech pathologist.
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She is also Vice President of Alpha Kappa Psi.
Chelsea McKnight
Chelsea started working in the lab in Fall 2018 and graduated in May 2019. She will be the primary RA on our newest storybook learning study.
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In addition to the lab, she also works with Dr. Conrad as a Psychology Department Student Ambassador.
Aryleida started working in the CDS lab in Fall 2019.
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Aryleida is a Psychology Major and double minor in Criminal Justice and Sociology.
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She is the Secretary of the WPUNJ National Society of Leadership and Success,
Treasurer of Dance club, and a Resident assistant.
Naiomy Almonte
Naiomy started working with the CDS in January 2018 and graduated in May 2019. She is currently the lead RA on our pregnancy study.
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In addition to her involvement in the lab, she is also a student leader in the Psychology Club and a member of Psi Chi.