Our Team

SARAH R. BLACK, PH.D.

Lab Director

Sarah Black is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Her research interests lie broadly in the area of developmental psychopathology, with particular interest in the mechanisms by which normative hormonal, social, and environmental events of childhood and adolescence can be disrupted and lead to increased risk for depression. She is further interested in how parenting, parental psychopathology, and stress may interact with biological processes to leave children and adolescents especially vulnerable to psychopathology across the lifespan. In her free time, Dr. Black enjoys reading, podcasts about Bravo shows, and exploring Northeast Ohio with her family.

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Kaetlyn is a first-year Clinical Psychology graduate student at Kent State University. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience from Fordham University in May 2019. Her research interests include the generational transmission of affective disorders in the context of emotional regulation and the differential effects of maternal and paternal psychopathology. Kaetlyn enjoys outdoor walks, watching documentaries, and baking in her spare time.

Hannah Duttweiler, BA

Graduate Student

Graduate Student

Kaetlyn Conner, BA

Hannah is a first-year graduate student in the Kent State Clinical Psychology program. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester. Her research interests include the comorbid relationship between anxiety and depression, as well as transdiagnostic risk factors for internalizing disorders in adolescents. In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, baking, and hiking mountains.

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Jordyn Lally

Graduate Student

Jordyn is a third-year graduate student in the Kent State University Clinical Psychology program. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree from Kent State University. Her research interests focus on exploring the risk and resilience factors affecting LGBTQ+ youth, particularly in relation to internalizing disorders (such as anxiety and depression) and externalizing disorders (such as conduct issues and substance abuse). She aims to understand how various factors contribute to the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, and how they navigate and cope with challenges related to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Jordyn enjoys spending time with her cat, Mr. Fuzz, and attending community art, comedy, and music events.

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Addie Collins, BS

Graduate Student

Addie is a first-year Clinical Psychology graduate student at Kent State University. They graduated with their bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. Addie’s research interests broadly include the relationship between synchrony within family systems and resilience in children and adolescents. In their free time, Addie enjoys cross-stitching, reading, and DIY projects.

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Elliana Draper

Research Coordinator

Elliana Draper is a third-year undergraduate student at Kent State, currently working on her BA in Psychology with a minor in American Sign Language. She is interested in studying child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as how learning disorders affect child development. In her previous summer, she enjoyed working as a children’s camp counselor for ages 6-12 with Gahanna Parks and Recreation. During her free-time she enjoys learning languages, painting, and watching terrible movies with her friends.

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Nina Mercer da Silva

Research Assistant

Nina is originally from Brazil, she did her first two years of college there at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) and is now finishing her BS in Psychology with a minor in Photojournalism at Kent State University. She is interested in studying child psychology and development, more specifically parent-child relationships and education and school psychology. She hopes to get into a PhD program to become a Clinical Child Psychologist and pursue a career in research. Besides being a Research Assistant, Nina is also a preschool teacher assistant and a peer advisor in an advising office. During her free time, she enjoys some quiet time to read and relax, photographing, cooking and baking and game nights with her friends.

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Paige Jochims

Research Assistant

Paige Jochims is in her final year at Kent State University pursuing her BS in Psychology. She is interested in developmental psychopathology and plans to pursue a PHD in clinical psychology. Outside of classes, she enjoys reading, baking, and working as a peer academic leader for a university advising office.

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