Michele Cascardi A.B., Duke University, PsychologyM.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook, Clinical Psychology Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook, Clinical Psychology Licensed Psychologist (NJ, NY, PA) Dr. Cascardi is a professor and graduate director of the PsyD program in clinical psychology at William Paterson University. She maintains an active research program that aims to improve measurement of adolescent relationship abuse from early adolescence into young adulthood. This work is funded by a federal research grant from the National Institute of Justice, The Next Generation in the Measurement of Adolescent Relationship Abuse (GMS Award 2016-MU-CX-0007). Dr. Cascardi’s work also focuses on trauma, social information processing, social norms and gender stereotypes, and personality variables that contribute to risk for aggressive and coercive behavior in romantic relationships. Ultimately, this work aims to inform intervention to prevent intimate partner violence. Other related projects include prevention of relationship violence and sexual assault on college and high school campuses using bystander education.
Molly Kammen B.S., Temple University, BiologyMolly Kammen is a fourth-year student in the William Paterson University PsyD program and lab co-manager. Under the direction of Dr. Cascardi, she is a Graduate Assistant on The Next Generation in the Measurement of Adolescent Relationship Abuse research grant from the National Institute of Justice. She studies intimate partner violence (IPV) in adolescent and young adult romantic relationships. Molly’s research interests also include bystander education to prevent sexual violence. Her dissertation research examines students’ abilities to recognize indicators of risk in a series of media clips where sexual harassment or assault may occur and whether this correlates with prior victimization experiences, acceptance of rape myths, and peer culture.
Victoria Navarro B.S., Syracuse University, Psychology Victoria is a third-year student in the William Paterson University PsyD program and Graduate Assistant on The Next Generation in the Measurement of Adolescent Relationship Abuse research grant from the National Institute of Justice. Under the direction of Dr. Cascardi, she helps investigate attitudes, beliefs and intervention of intimate partner violence among adolescence and young adults. Currently, she is administering an interview focusing on how previous relationships affect current relationship perspectives and behaviors, and how playful aggression plays a role in those relationships. Her independent research and clinical training interests include trauma and young adults. Her dissertation research focuses on differentiating when playful teasing and aggression increase care and closeness in intimate relationships and when it increases risk for relationship harm.
Chelsea Pearsall B.A., Central Washington University, Psychology M.S., Central Washington University, Experimental Psychology – Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis Chelsea is a third-year student and Graduate Assistant in the William Paterson University Psy.D. program and lab co-director. Under the direction of Dr. Cascardi, she helps investigate attitudes and perceptions of intimate partner dating violence in adolescents and young adults. Currently, she assists in measurement development and data collection. Her independent research and clinical training interests include interventions and prevention techniques associated with teen dating violence. Her dissertation research will focus on identifying distinct victimization profiles associated with self compassion, depressive symptoms, and PTSD symptoms using latent class analysis.
Meredith Connolly B.A. Montclair State UniversityM.A. Montclair State University Meredith Connolly is a third-year student in the William Paterson University Psy.D. program and a research assistant on The Next Generation in the Measurement of Adolescent Relationship Abuse research grant from the National Institute of Justice. Her research and clinical interests focus on the relationship between child maltreatment and IPV and the psychological effects of child maltreatment in adulthood. Her dissertation research will focus on personality and cultural variables associated with non-offending parents' minimization and denial of their partners' perpetration of sexual assault against their child(ren).
Hannah Kaplenko B.A., John Jay College City University of New York, Forensic PsychologyM.A., John Jay College City University of New York, Forensic PsychologyHannah Kaplenko is a second year student in the William Paterson University PsyD program and research assistant on The Next Generation in the Measurement of Adolescent Relationship Abuse research grant from the National Institute of Justice. Under the direction of Dr. Cascardi, she studies intimate partner violence (IPV) in adolescent and young adult romantic relationships and bystander education to prevent relationship violence. Her research and clinical interests also delve into the associations between IPV, child maltreatment, and the intersection of survivor access to services and formal systems.
Chana Becher B.A., Touro College, Psychology/Education Chana Becher is a second year student in the William Paterson University PsyD program and a research assistant on The Next Generation in the Measurement of Adolescent Relationship Abuse research grant from the National Institute on Justice. Under the direction of Dr. Cascardi, she studies intimate partner violence (IPV) in adolescent and young adult romantic relationships and bystander education to prevent relationship violence. Her research interests include shifts in behaviors that lead to violence and aggression and the relationship between IPV and different religious groups. AY 2019-2020 we welcome to the lab first year students in the William Paterson University PsyD program Sarah Anas and Raghad Hassabelnaby.
