N.Shippen_headshot.png

Nellie Shippen

Nellie Shippen is a sixth-year graduate student in the Clinical Concentration of the UIC Psychology PhD program. After graduating with a BS in Psychology from Tufts University in 2014, she completed her MA in 2016 from the Tufts University Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development where she concentrated in Clinical Developmental Health and Psychology. Nellie most recently worked as a research coordinator at Boston Medical Center (BMC) where she conducted research studies with youth and adults through the Department of Psychiatry, developed peer to peer mental health programs, and conducted assessments with young adults in the BMC Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis (WRAP) program. Nellie has worked in school, summer camp, clinical, and research settings with adolescents and young adults with ADHD and other mental health diagnoses. She is interested in developmental outcomes of transition aged youth experiencing ADHD as well as implementing and adapting interventions for ADHD in non-specialty, school, and community settings.

 
 
 

Logan Tufty

Logan Tufty is a fifth-year doctoral student in UIC’s Clinical Psychology PhD program working under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Meinzer. While completing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Portland State University’s Urban Honors College, Logan was involved in various research projects regarding the psychological impact of domestic violence exposure in childhood. Shortly after earning her degree, she attended the University of Maryland’s Clinical Psychological Science Master’s program. Here, Logan volunteered at the SUCCEEDS Clinic as a Graduate ADHD Coach where she provided academic and behavioral support for undergraduate students with ADHD. This experience, paired with her background in interpersonal trauma, has formed her primary research interest in trauma exposure among those with ADHD to better understand the association of ADHD and PTSD. Logan’s clinical work helped solidify her passion in serving those with ADHD through research and practice. Because of this, she is also interested in evidence-based treatments for college-aged students, specifically, those with ADHD and common comorbid disorders.

Screen Shot 2020-06-08 at 4.09.31 PM.png
 
 
 
Zolli_web_picture.png

Nicole Zolli

Nikki is a fourth-year doctoral student earning her degree in clinical psychology at UIC. After graduating with a BA in Psychology and Criminology from Stonehill College in 2015, she completed her MA in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts University in 2020. Upon graduation, she worked as a research assistant in Dr. Andrea Spencer’s REACH for ADHD Laboratory investigating ways to combat health disparities in and poor access to ADHD treatment for children. In this role, she interviewed adolescents with ADHD, conducted qualitative analyses, and developed and delivered a psychoeducation intervention. These responsibilities – alongside experiences advocating for children with a variety of mental health disorders as a teacher, behavior modification expert and researcher – have informed her current research interests around the development of community-based ADHD interventions and the intersection of ADHD and gender.

 
 
 

Julia Lejeune

Julia is a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 2018 with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and American Studies. As an undergraduate, Julia conducted clinical research examining the efficacy of psychosocial treatments for individuals with schizophrenia. Following graduation, she worked as a research assistant at Boston Medical Center. While there, she coordinated Kids FACE FEARS, a multi-site clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for youth anxiety. She also conducted mixed-methods research in the REACH 4 ADHD lab, facilitating projects focused on understanding racial and economic disparities in ADHD outcomes and investigating the impact of unmet social needs on child mental health. Julia is also a suicide prevention crisis hotline counselor, and is interested in studying the complex interplay between ADHD, structural inequities, and youth suicide risk. She hopes to use community-partnered research methods to implement depression and suicide prevention interventions in non-specialty settings.

Lejeune bio pic.png
 
 
 

Carlos Melendez

Carlos is a second-year clinical psychology doctoral student. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2020 with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology as well as Spanish Literature, Language and Culture 2020. Subsequently, Carlos completed a post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) with the National Institute of Health under the supervision of Dr. Vijay Ramchandani. Additionally, he received a Master’s in Professional Studies in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland in 2021. Carlos was a research assistant in Dr. Andrea Chronis-Tuscano’s Maryland ADHD Program and was the Lab Manager for Dr. Fanita Tyrell’s Resilient Adaptation across Cultural Context Lab. Carlos is interested in studying culturally sensitive interventions for individuals with ADHD. Specifically, he is interested in examining the ways adverse childhood experiences influence pathways of ADHD throughout adolescence and early adulthood to create effective, tailored interventions.

 
 
 

Justyce Harris

Justyce is a first-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology. She began her academic journey at Harold Washington College while working as a Teacher Assistant at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, a community organization. Justyce graduated from UIC in 2024 with Bachelor in Arts in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude and with College Honors. During her undergrad studies, she served as a research assistant in Dr. Aisha Griffith’s Black Girls' Relationships and Interactions with Staff in Educational Settings (RISES) Lab within the Educational Psychology department where she also completed a Justyce participated in UIC’s Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) fellowship. Justyce is interested investigating racial and gender disparities in ADHD diagnoses among youth and adolescents to promote access to accurate diagnoses and culturally sensitive, innovative treatments for marginalized communities.