Heather A. Yarger, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

Dr. Yarger is an Assistant Professor at James Madison University and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia and Maryland. She received her undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University in 2009 and received her doctoral degree in Clinical Science from the University of Delaware in 2018. She completed her APA-accredited pre-doctoral clinical internship within the Child and Family Therapy and Behavioral Management Clinics at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Yarger’s research aims to understand risk and protective factors associated with anxiety symptoms in autistic youth. She received a NIH/NIMH K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award which will fund her research and training 4/2024 thorough 3/2028.

Sophia Alejo

Sophia is a junior Psychology major with a minor in Sociology and is currently in her second semester as a research assistant with the PAANDA Lab. She looks forward to strengthening her research skills through hands-on experience in data collection. Sophia plans to pursue graduate studies to become a clinical psychologist and also works in the graduate psychology department. This summer, she is looking forward to studying cultural sociology abroad in Italy.

Kate Buswell

Kate is a second-year undergraduate student at James Madison University studying psychology and criminal justice. Kate hopes to become a forensic psychologist for a secure psychiatric hospital, and work with law enforcement to bridge clinical psychology with the legal and correctional systems. She is passionate about understanding how genetic predispositions for personality traits can show an increased risk for psychopathology, with particular interests in schizophrenia, anxiety, antisocial personality disorder, and bipolar disorder. So far in her undergraduate studies, Kate has worked as a research assistant for Dr. Kenn Barron and his studies in Motivational Psychology within the collegiate education system, along with being employed by JMU University Events. This semester she will be continuing to prepare for a career in forensic psychology through both clinical practices where she'll be interning at the Gemeinschaft Halfway House and clinical research with Dr. Yarger and the PAANDA Lab!

Ella Dodd

Ella is a freshman psychology major at JMU, hoping to focus on the clinical discipline of psychology in the future. Right now, she is very excited to gain more experience in her career path and can't wait to see what opportunities lie ahead. After getting her bachelor's degree, she plans on getting her master's as well as her Psy D, hopefully to work in therapy one day. Outside of school she enjoys watching movies and spending quality time with friends and loved ones!

Jean Kwon

Jean is a first-year Psychology major with a minor in Philosophy at James Madison University. She is eager to gain hands-on experience working with adolescents and youth, as she plans to attend graduate school to prepare for a career in Child Psychology. Jean currently works as a pharmacy technician at JMU’s Health Center and enjoys crocheting and practicing yoga in her free time.

Maya Seymour

Maya Seymour is a first year undergraduate psychology student in the Honors College. She has experience volunteering with children and coaching youth sports and is interested in learning more about factors that support children’s well-being and resilience.

Jillian Allen

Jillian is a second-year student in the Clinical and School Psychology Psy.D. program at James Madison University. She received both her B.A. in Psychology as well as her M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia. Jillian’s research and clinical interests involve working with youth and adolescents, with a particular focus on navigating relationships, handling conflict, and developing emotional regulation skills. This is her second year working in the PAANDA lab.

Petros Kyubelyan

Petros is a doctoral student in the Clinical & School Psychology Doctoral Program (Psy.D.) at James Madison University. He has experience conducting psychological research, assessment, and clinical work with children, adolescents, and adults. His research interests include ADHD and athletic performance, psychological assessment, and the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health. He is particularly interested in understanding how psychological and neurodevelopmental factors influence performance, well-being, and treatment outcomes. 

Camden Libby

Camden is a graduate student in the Master’s of Psychological Sciences program at James Madison University. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Hampden-Sydney College, where he worked under the guidance of Dr. Ivo Gyurovski and Dr. Jennifer Vitale, investigating moral tradeoffs and the relationship between mental health and morality. His research spanned all four years on campus and led to multiple regional and international conference presentations. Ultimately, his work culminated in receiving the Psychology Department award, which is given to a senior who has distinguished themselves through exceptional scholarly work. Camden’s undergraduate experiences have fueled his interdisciplinary research interests across clinical and social psychology. Through the PAANDA Lab, he now aims to explore Autism Spectrum Disorder. Specifically, the negative effects of camouflaging and social masking, as well as what mitigates or exacerbates these maladaptive behaviors.

Isabella McIlvaine

Isabella McIlvaine is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical & School Psychology Psy.D. program at James Madison University. She has worked in both psychiatric research and healthcare settings providing psychoeducation and therapeutic support to clients across a diagnostic diversity.