ALEX PIETERSE, PH.D.

he/him

Dr. Pieterse joined the Counseling Psychology faculty at Boston College in Spring 2022. He is a Licensed Psychologist and earned a Ph.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University. His areas of research focus include: Health related outcomes associated with racial identity and experiences of racism; antiracism advocacy; race-related aspects of counseling psychology training; and the impact of self-awareness on the psychotherapy process.

EUN JEONG (EJ) YANG

she/her

Eun Jeong (EJ) Yang is a fourth-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Boston College. As a first-generation Korean immigrant, EJ’s worldview is profoundly influenced by her bicultural and bilingual background. She holds an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, along with an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. Prior to embarking on her doctoral journey, EJ worked extensively with survivors of complex trauma as an individual outpatient therapist. EJ’s current research focuses on various aspects of Asian/Asian American mental health, particularly in relation to their experiences of racism and xenophobia. Her scholarly interests also encompass culturally informed assessment and intervention strategies, as well as the exploration of racial trauma. Furthermore, EJ is passionate about advancing integrative methodologies for treating complex PTSD.

SHARI GORDON

she/her

Shari Gordon is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Boston College. She earned a B.A. in Psychology and African American Studies from Northwestern University, and went on to complete her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine at Boston University. She is currently a research assistant and member of the RESIST Lab and Institute for the Study of Race and Culture. Her research interests are at the intersection of racial trauma, racial identity, and Black Hair studies.

MADELYN HARRIS

she/her

Madelyn is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the Boston College Lynch School of Education. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Psychology with High Honors and joined the RESIST lab and Institute for the Study of Race and Culture in 2022 as a graduate research assistant. Madelyn aims to use her research program to promote social justice from a strengths-based perspective by centering the wisdom of historically excluded communities in psychology, specifically Black and LGBTQIA+ Americans. Her current research foci include racial identity, racial trauma, anti-racism, and community healing.

LAWRENCE STEVENSON

he/him

Lawrence Stevenson has worked in trauma response, racial equity, and violence prevention for the last decade. He holds a BS in Psychology and Public Services from the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Currently, he is a Doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the Boston College Lynch School of Education. He is a Graduate Research Assistant at the Institute for the Study of Race and Culture and the RESIST lab. His research interests lay at the intersection of racial trauma and community violence.

JASMINE MUELLER-HSIA

she/her

Jasmine is a master’s student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Boston College, where she is also the 2023-24 Coordinator for the Institute for the Study of Race and Culture. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies and a concentration in Queer Studies in 2018. As a Chinese and white, queer, cisgender, able-bodied woman, Jasmine walks in many worlds. Liberation is the heart of her lifework: her research interests center on the lived experiences of queer and trans people of color, particularly regarding relationships and disability, and how we can build worlds where everyone is free.

ARIANA SISTA

she/her

Ariana is a master’s student in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. With a career interest in Counseling and Academia, Ariana received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Psychiatric Rehabilitation from Rutgers University. During her time at Rutgers, Newark she was a part of the Rutgers Implicit Social Cognition (RISC) Lab, and the Attachment Lab. Ariana became a Teaching Assistant during her sophomore year and continued at Boston College during her first year. While Ariana was studying at the School of Health Professions for her second degree, she joined two clinical research teams. Ariana began her research career at Boston College as a research assistant in the Mind Perception Lab, the RESIST Lab, and the Institute for the Study of Race and Culture. Ariana’s developing knowledge in the field leads to ever-evolving topic ideas. But what shapes her lens is the centrality of culture, attachment, and social perception.

KRYSTAL CUNNINGHAM

she/her

Krystal is a master’s student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Boston College. Since graduating from University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Gender Studies, she has worked in addiction counseling as well as curriculum development and facilitation of multicultural competence staff training for clinicians at treatment facilities. She joined the RESIST Lab as a research assistant in 2023. Her research interests include anti-racism, racial trauma, multicultural competence training, and identity development among LGBTQ+ people of color, particularly those who are Black. She is passionate about the healing of historically marginalized groups, the pursuit of justice, and the responsibility of the field of psychology to facilitate both.

MADISON GRIBBLE

she/her

Madison Gribble is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Boston College studying psychology with a concentration in clinical psychology. Madison has been a research fellow in the Infant and Child Cognition Lab since 2021 and recently joined the RESIST Lab as a research assistant in 2023. Her research interests lie at the intersection of these two labs, focusing on mental health outcomes for minority youth, culturally-informed therapeutic interventions, and anti-racism.

ALLISON WITHERSPOON

she/her

Allison Witherspoon graduated summa cum laude from Hardin-Simmons University in 2023 where she earned a BS in psychology. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Dr. John Eric Swenson’s research team investigating the relationship between physical and spiritual aspects of the body as it relates to health behaviors. She completed her senior capstone project on the social marginalization of mental illness stigma. Her research interests include African American mental health, race related stress, mental illness stigma, and the treatment of anxiety disorders. Allison plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology.

RASHEED ADEYEMO

he/him

Rasheed received a Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. He has been involved in independent and group research projects as well as clinical practice. He was a research assistant and a patient safety advocate at Seventh-day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife. His research interests include racial minority, racial discrimination and help-seeking behaviour among African immigrants. He is currently a member of the RESIST Lab and a mental health advocate at Nigerian Mental Health. Rasheed is also interested in exploring the intersection between mental health service and digital technologies such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. He is very passionate about making mental health care more accessible, especially for people of African descent.

KAELI MECCA

she/her

Kaeli Mecca is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Boston College studying Applied Psychology and Human Development. Kaeli joined the RESIST Lab as a research assistant in the Fall of 2023 and plans to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology post-graduation. Her research interests are at the intersection between racism, mental health, and culturally competent care. She is passionate about anti-racism advocacy, social justice, and culturally informed interventions in the field of psychology and is excited to complete her Senior Thesis on these topics.

AMBER WILLIAMS

she/her

Amber Williams graduated from Bowie State University with an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. She earned a B.S. in Psychology with honors from the University of Maryland, College Park. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in either Clinical or Counseling Psychology. She has experience working in trauma response with survivors of intimate partner violence in Washington, D.C. Her research interests include African American mental health, trauma, intimate partner violence, child socioemotional development, and community outreach. She hopes to use her research to inform her clinical work as a professional counselor.