Rosanna Breaux, PhD
Director
Dr. Breaux (she/her) is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. She did her undergraduate studies at Carnegie Mellon Univeristy and received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Univeristy of Massachusetts Amhert. In her free time, Dr. Breaux enjoys spending time with her twin girls, playing board games, hiking, cooking, traveling, dancing, and playing with her golden retriever, Eevee. Dr. Breaux's research focuses on the emotional and social functioning of children and adolescents, particularly those with ADHD. In particular, her research focuses on emotion regulation development, and understanding the role parents and the environmental context play in shaping children and adolescent's social and emotional development. Additionally, Dr. Breaux is working to evaluate and disseminate the RELAX intervention which targets dysemotion regulation and interpersonal conflict among adolescents and their parents.
Annah Cash
Graduate Student
Annah Cash (she/her) is a graduate student in the Clinical Science doctoral program at Virginia Tech. In 2018 she graduated from Belhaven University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. During her post-baccalaureate time she was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer internship at Ohio University. Then went on to become a Researcher III at the University of MS Medical Center where she worked on federally funded grants that helped establish a continuum of care that spanned from the NICU to adolescence. Broadly, her research interests include the intersection between behavioral/emotional disorders and disordered eating patterns, specifically in relation to ADHD; and how emotion regulation/self-coping mechanisms could potentially ameliorate symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral disorders.
Jasmine Lewis
Graduate Student
Jasmine Lewis (she/her) is a graduate student in the Biological Psychology doctoral program at Virginia Tech. She graduated from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill with a Bachelors in Psychology and from Liberty University with a Masters in Biomedical Sciences. Before joining the CALMER lab, she worked as a research coordinator at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Recently, she worked as a hotline coordinator working with survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking. Broadly, her research interests include the effects of trauma and stress on parent-child interactions.
Stephanie Pham
Graduate Student
Stephanie Pham (she/her) is a graduate student in the Clinical Science doctoral program at Virginia Tech. In 2021, she graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Hearing and Speech Sciences. Prior to joining the CALMER Lab and VT, Stephanie completed a two-year post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, MD. Broadly, Stephanie’s research interests are in identifying interactions between intrinsic and family level factors that may pose as mechanisms of risk or resilience in the development of emotion dysregulation and related child psychopathology. She is passionate about equitable and inclusive access to high quality mental health intervention and services for parents and children from all backgrounds, especially those from underserved communities and historically marginalized populations.
Delshad Shroff
Graduate Student
Delshad Shroff (she/her) is a graduate student in the Clinical Science doctoral program at Virginia Tech. She graduated from New York University Abu Dhabi with a Bachelors in Psychology and from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters in Developmental Psychology. Before joining the CALMER lab, Delshad worked as a Research Coordinator for the Attention and Behavior Clinic at the Penn State College of Medicine. Broadly, her research interests include examining the development of emotion regulation and executive functioning in early childhood and its implications on the development of psychopathology. Specifically, she is interested in investigating links between parent emotion regulation and children’s emotional and behavioral functioning. Her goal in studying this is to develop and implement
evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies for children with behavioral disorders, especially ADHD.
Olivia Cox
Lab Manager
Olivia (she/her) is a undergraduate student from Prince Frederick, MD majoring in Psychology and Human Development with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. She intends to pursue a master’s in Child Psychology after graduating to pursue her goal of becoming an Abnormal Child Psychologist. Before Virginia Tech, she worked extensively with children as she was a Girl Scout assistant leader for several years and assisted dance classes at her hometown studio. Outside of the lab, Olivia enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and dancing.
Kelly Galitz
Kelly (she/her) is an undergraduate student studying Psychology, and she is considering adding a Child Development minor. After obtaining a PhD in psychology, she hopes to pursue a career in child clinical psychology. She is part of the Orion Living Learning Program on campus, and is a private tutor for chemistry outside of her classes and lab work. In her free time she enjoys watching movies with her friends and having dinner with her family.
Yasmin Tuku
Yasmin (she/her) is a undergraduate student from St. Paul, Minnesota, double majoring in biomedical sciences and clinical neuroscience with a minor in public health. She plans to attend medical school after graduating to pursue her dream of becoming a physician (interests in cardiology and pediatrics). She is the president of the Volunteers around the World-Medical Outreach Chapter here at Virginia Tech and is also a clinically certified medical assistant. In her free time, she likes to watch movies, travel, paint, and spend time with her friends, family, and orange tabby kitten, Max.
Bridgett Burgos
Bridgett (she/her) is an undergraduate student from Burke, VA double majoring in Clinical Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Adaptive Brain Behavior. She intends to pursue a MBA and then go to medical school to become a pediatric surgeon. Bridgett’s goal is to open a non-profit organization and do pro-bono work as a doctor for marginalized communities. She has experience working with children from ages 5-18 and has experience working as a tutor, a volleyball coach, a mentor, and a camp counselor. In her free time, Bridgett loves to cook, listen to music, and play volleyball!
Ainsley Hetherington
Ainsley (she/her) is an undergraduate student from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is majoring in psychology and clinical neuroscience. After graduating from Virginia Tech, she plans to pursue a clinical PhD or a PsyD. She aims to either work in private practice or for the court system. She gained experience working with children while in the Girl Scouts and as a lifeguard. Her favorite thing at Virginia Tech is the therapy dog program. Outside of academics, she enjoys cooking, baking, going to the movies, and spending time outdoors.
Hannah Whitlock
Hannah (she/her) is an undergraduate student from Falls Church, Virginia double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. In terms of a career in psychology, her goals are to research trauma and parent-child relationships in minoritized communities. After graduating, Hannah intends on continuing her education by pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.
Shoshana Chueca
Shoshana (they/them) is an undergraduate student from Richmond, Virginia majoring in Clinical Neuroscience with minors in Psychology, Disability Studies, Medicine and Society, and Spanish. After graduation Shoshana plans to peruse a career as either a surgeon or neurologist. With 6 years of combined experience as a camp counselor, teachers assistant, and substitute teacher, Shoshana is well-versed and excited to continue their work with children in the CALMER lab. Outside of the lab, Shoshana enjoys reading, crocheting and staying active through Tae Kwon Do and weightlifting.
Lillian Manna
Lillian (she/her) is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Besides being a member of the Psychology Club, she volunteers weekly at a crisis hotline where she speaks to and helps people in crisis. In the future, Lillian hopes to go to graduate school for mental health counseling, with a focus specifically on adolescents. In her free time, she likes to watch movies with her friends, read, and cross-stitch.
Eevee
Eevee (she/her) is a 4 year old golden retreiver who is a Canine Good Citizen. She loves to brighten the day of Dr. Breaux, the CALMER Lab members, and the families that visit us.
Her favorite things to do are to make new friends, protect her twin 1 year old sisters, play frisbee and tug of war, chew on her bones, eat vegetables (especially green beans), and nap.
Eevee is named after the Pokemon, and her favorite evolution is Sylveon.
Jupiter Dessert
Jupiter Dessert (they/she) is an undergraduate student from Windermere, Florida double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience at Virginia Tech. They intend on pursuing a masters degree (though she is not sure for what yet) on their way to fulfill her dream of becoming a Neurodivergent Child Therapist. Outside of the lab, Jupiter is co-founder and president of staND (a club for neurodivergent students at Virginia Tech) and a speech coach at the CommLab in Newman Library. In their freetime she crochets, watches movies, writes music, and reads horror novels.
Hayley Torres
Hayley (she/her) is an undergraduate student from New Orleans, studying Psychology and planning to add a minor in Disabilities Studies. Once she graduates from Virginia Tech, she plans to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Afterward, she hopes to become a child therapist, focusing on helping teens manage neurodivergence difficulties. She has worked with kids of all ages and genders for the last decade in many capacities, such as nannying, babysitting, Big Sis/Lil Sis program at her school, etc. Outside the CALMER Lab, she loves reading, baking, spending time on Pinterest, and being with her friends and family.