Current Lab Members
The Compas Lab is currently comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, post-bachelor’s research assistants, staff members, and faculty, all of whom work as a team to implement the Compas Lab goals and current research projects. In addition, the many Compas Lab Alumni have made all current and past projects possible.
Lab Staff
Katie Edel, B.S.
Senior Research Assistant
Katie graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.S. in Neuroscience with distinction and a minor in Psychology. During undergrad, she worked for 2 years in the Cognition and Action Neuroimaging Lab (CANLab). Katie then worked at Neurology Specialists in Bloomington as a Medical Assistant and worked with patients with neurodegenerative diseases. She continued working in research as a Clinical Research Technician assisting in neurology clinical trials at the IU Neuroscience Center in Indianapolis.
Since moving to Nashville, Katie has worked as a Mental Health Specialist II at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Katie joined the Stress and Coping Lab in March 2024 and primarily works on the Social Connectedness and Heath in HD Study. She plans to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future and is interested in how stress and adversity impact both mental and physical health, and how processes such as emotion regulation and executive function contribute to resilience or risk.
In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, and spending time with her golden retriever, Stevie!
Contact information: kathryn.m.edel@vanderbilt.edu
Olivia Nickel, B.A.
Research Assistant
Olivia graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2025 with a B.A. in Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Madrid, worked as a research assistant in the Nobis Lab studying SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), gained clinical experience as a medical assistant at Medovate Dermatology and Mohs Surgery in the Chicago area, and joined the Stress and Coping lab in September of 2024.
Primarily working on the Social Connectedness and Health in HD study, she is particularly interested in the relationships between mental health and disease progression in patients impacted by neurodegenerative disease. Olivia is currently applying to medical school and hopes to pursue a career in medicine!
Outside the lab, Olivia enjoys playing tennis, listening to Mt. Joy, and exploring Nashville’s food scene.
Contact Information: olivia.g.nickel@vanderbilt.edu
Jeremiah Crosswhite, B.A.
Research Assistant
Jeremiah Crosswhite graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2024 with a B.A. with Highest Honors in Psychology and Art. Jeremiah previously worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Stress and Coping Lab where he completed his honors thesis on a pathway linking stress and depression in individuals with Huntington’s disease.
In the Stress and Coping Lab, Jeremiah primarily works on the Social Connectedness and Health in HD study. He plans to pursue his PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future and is interested in executive functioning and emotional regulation in populations with neurodegenerative disorders.
At his leisure, Jeremiah enjoys sewing, crochet, cooking, and bike rides around Nashville’s various parks and trails.
Contact Information: Jeremiah.a.crosswhite@vanderbilt.edu
Graduate Student
Abigail Pine, M.S.
Abigail Pine is a sixth-year clinical psychology graduate student in the Stress and Coping Lab. She received her BA in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis in 2017, and worked as a research coordinator at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences prior to starting graduate school in Fall 2019. She currently works predominantly on the Social Connectedness and Health research study. Abigail is interested in adolescence and interventions, as well as the role of parenting, parent-adolescent communication, and parental involvement within the context of psychotherapy interventions. She is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between research and clinical work.
Contact information: abigail.e.pine@vanderbilt.edu
Abby Ciriegio, M.S., M.Ed.
Abby is a sixth-year PhD student currently completing her Internship in Pediatric Psychology at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Abby graduated from The Ohio State University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She continued her education at Vanderbilt University where she focused her coursework and practica experiences in Pediatric Healthcare. Abby received her M.Ed. in Child Studies from Vanderbilt University in May 2018. In August 2022, she received a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University.
Abby is currently competing her doctoral dissertation study otherwise known as the Stress, Inflammation, and Neurocognitive Functioning (SINF) study, which aims to understand the associations among chronic stress, peripheral inflammation, and executive functioning in individuals with Huntington’s disease compared to individuals from the community. This project is funded by a F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Previously, Abby was involved in the data collection and management of a variety of studies in the Stress and Coping Lab including: the Social Connectedness & Health Study, Helping Families Cope with Huntington’s Disease project(s), Stress & Emotions in the Lives of Families (SELF) Study, Raising Healthy Children (RHC), Family Depression Prevention Program (FDP), a pediatric cancer online intervention program (in partnership with the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation), and the Thinking and Learning in Children and Adults with Sickle Cell Disease projects.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, trying new workout classes, exploring Nashville’s food scene, and spending time with my French Bulldog, Harrison!
Contact Information: abagail.e.ciriegio@vanderbilt.edu
Mary Baumann, M.Ed.
Mary is a second-year Clinical Psychology PhD student in the Stress and Coping Lab. In 2020, she graduated with a B.S. in Cognitive Science from Yale University where she was a member of the Cognition and Development Lab and played on the varsity softball team. After graduation, she worked as a lab manager and research associate in the LaBar Lab, an affective neuroscience lab at Duke University. Mary joined the Stress and Coping Lab in 2022 when she began the Child Studies Master’s program at Vanderbilt. Mary graduated from Vanderbilt with her M.Ed. in Clinical and Developmental Psychology in 2024.
Mary is interested in parent-child communication and emotion regulation in the context of difficult conversations about challenging or threatening events. Mary is primarily involved in data collection and management of the Parents, Emotions, and School Safety study, investigating how parents talk to their children about school shootings and other threats to school safety. She is interested in understanding the challenges that parents face during these conversations and hopes to develop evidence-based recommendations to promote healthy parent-child communication and coping when faced with school safety threats.
In her free time, Mary enjoys reading, listening to audiobooks, working out, baking, and petting her cat, Tzatziki.
Ashley Anil, M.S.
Ashley is a second-year clinical psychology PhD student in the Stress and Coping Lab. Ashley graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and History with honors and a distinction in research and creative works. She then joined the Pediatric and Child Adolescent Psychology Lab at Drexel University, where she received her M.S. in Psychology in 2023 while also working as a clinical research coordinator in the Division of Behavioral Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Ashley is interested in studying risk and resilience mechanisms across children and adolescents’ social ecology, social determinants of health, and psychosocial outcomes for pediatric patients with chronic or life-threatening health conditions and their families. She is particularly interested in pediatric oncology. Ashley primarily works on the Accelerated Longitudinal Study of Neurocognitive Effects in Children with Brain Tumors and the Children’s Friendship Study.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys rock climbing and playing other sports with friends, watching Formula One, and reading. Contact Information: ashley.anil@vanderbilt.edu
Skyler is a first-year clinical psychology PhD student in the Stress and Coping Lab. In 2022, Skyler graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in biology. Following graduation, Skyler worked as a research project coordinator in the Cognition, Brain, and Autism Lab at Alabama. She later earned her M.Ed. in Child Studies from Vanderbilt University in December 2024, where she first joined the Stress and Coping Lab as a master’s student.
Skyler is interested in investigating the impact of chronic stressors during childhood on development, particularly psychosocial and executive functioning outcomes. She is especially interested in early life stressors such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic health conditions, like pediatric cancer. Currently, Skyler is involved in the Neurocognitive Effects in Children with Brain Tumors study, the Young Cancer Survivors Friendship Study, and the Parenting, Emotions, and School Safety Concerns study.
In her free time, Skyler enjoys spending time with her family, doing arts and crafts, puzzles, and reading.
Sydney Hulme, B. S. Sydney Hulme is a first-year master’s student in Vanderbilt’s Child Studies program. She graduated in 2020 from Florida State University with a B.S. in psychology and child development. After graduation from FSU, she worked at Vanderbilt in the VUIIS and biochemistry departments, studying diagnostic imaging and antibacterials. She decided to combine both her passions for cancer care and mental well-being and began working in the Compas lab after her acceptance to the Child Studies program.
Sydney is interested in investigating cancer survivorship outcomes, such as psychosocial and neurocognitive effects. In her free time, Sydney enjoys walking her dogs, playing pickleball, and doing the NYT mini crossword puzzles.
Qianlin Yang
Esth
er is a first-year master’s student in the Child Studies program at Vanderbilt. She graduated from Emory University in 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology & Linguistics and a B.S. in Quantitative Sciences. During her clinical and research efforts as an undergraduate, Esther engaged in depth with individuals with histories of addiction, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma through analyzing their personal narratives, conducting direct assessments, and supporting interventions. She also worked with children with developmental disabilities and autism in research and clinical settings to support the design and implementation of improved treatment plans.
She joined the Stress and Coping lab hoping to further her passion in understanding how adverse experiences and stress impact development in order to foster resilience and support children and families.
In her free time, Esther enjoys learning new languages, playing musical instruments, spending time with animals, and exploring new restaurantsand bobashops.
Contact information: qianlin.yang@vanderbilt.edu
Undergraduate & Independent Study Students
Seniors:
Dylan Berlent
Dylan Berlent is a senior at Vanderbilt University pursuing a double major in Child Studies and Medicine, Health, and Society. For three summers, Dylan worked at a day camp for children with cancer and their siblings. She joined the Stress and Coping Lab this April after taking Dr. Bruce Compas’ course, where she expressed an interest in applying course material to pediatric oncology. In the lab, Dylan contributes to both the Young Cancer Survivor Study and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Study, where she supports research focused on the cognitive, academic, and psychosocial outcomes of pediatric cancer. After graduating in May, she plans to work as a research assistant before eventually pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology. Outside the lab, Dylan enjoys exercising, spending time outdoors, and cooking new recipes!
Seohyun Choi
Sally Choi is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Studies and Medicine, Health, and Society with a minor in Anthropology. She joined the lab thorugh the psychology honors program from the fall of 2024, and she is interested in looking into the aspects that impact pediatric cancer survivorship. She plans to go to medical school, so she is studying for her MCAT after coming back from her study abroad in Denmark. In her free time, Sally likes to draw, play and listen to music, and go on little side quests! Much love to our lab folks 🙂
Mohraeil Rezk
Mohraeil is a senior Honors student in the Stress and Coping Lab at Vanderbilt University. She is double majoring in Psychology through the Honors Program and Medicine, Health, and Society, with a minor in Child Psychology and Mental Health. In the Stress and Coping Lab, Mohraeil is contributing to the Social Connectedness and Health in Huntington’s Disease study. She is currently working on her honors thesis, exploring how the severity of parental illness influences the psychological wellbeing of offspring. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is interested in child and adolescent psychopathology and the broader impact of mental health within family systems. She is especially passionate about expanding access to mental health resources in low-income and under-resourced communities. Outside of academics, Mohraeil enjoys spending time with her family, creating art, volunteering with local nonprofits, and exploring theology and philosophy.
Juniors:
Ardella “Rosie” Antimarino
Rosie is a junior at Vanderbilt University double majoring in Cognitive Studies and Social Studies Sociology, with minors in Legal Studies and Child Psychology & Mental Health. She is excited to join the research team to explore early indicators of Huntingtons Disease, particularly those that relate to cognitive and executive functioning, as well as the stress that accompanies this diagnosis. She hopes to pursue a career in law with a specific focus on criminal and juvenile mental states, as well as the psychological development of juveniles and adults that pursue a criminal career. She looks forward to applying the knowledge and experience from the lab to her future legal career.
Ava Grove
Ava Grove is a junior at Vanderbilt University pursuing a B.S. in Cognitive Studies with a minor in Child Psychology and Mental Health. She is an undergraduate research assistant with interests in pediatric brain tumor patients and how illness impacts cognitive and emotional development. In her free time, Ava enjoys working out, reading, and exploring new restaurants.
Aliza Hammond
Aliza Hammond is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Cognitive Studies and Child Studies, with a minor in Medicine, Health, and Society. Her interest in psychological research began in high school through a science research program, where she contributed to a study exploring the overlap between schizophrenia and anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Since then, she has developed a strong passion for the intersection of psychology and neuroscience. Aliza is currently involved in the Stress and Coping Lab, where she contributes to research on pediatric brain tumors and school safety.
Paige Krsulich
Paige Krsulich, Is a junior at Vanderbilt, originally from Westchester, New York. She is a psychology and sociology major interested in combining her interest in the human brain with the study of crime and deviant behavior. She is excited to be involved in the Stress and Coping Lab as she interested in investigating how stress or trauma can affect the development and behavior of children and adolescents. In her free time she loves to read, work out, and, when possible, go to the beach!
Kelsey Onyegbuna
Kelsey is a junior undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University, double-majoring in Psychology and Medicine, Health, and Society on the pre-med track. Her research interests focus on how early-life health challenges shape children’s neurodevelopment and emotional adjustment, with plans to pursue a career in fetal surgery and advance maternal and reproductive health equity.
Merrill Parker
Merrill Parker is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Child Development with minors in special education and child psychology and mental health. After taking Dr. Compas’ course on abnormal psychology, Merrill joined the Stress and Coping Lab. Her research interest lays in how pediatric cancer affects a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. She also hopes to connect her findings in development to her work with children with special needs. Outside of the lab, Merrill loves going on long walks, especially along Lake Michigan while she’s home, needlepointing, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Jessiely Woods
Jessiely Woods is a junior at Vanderbilt University studying Medicine, Health, and Society and Neuroscience. She is from São Paulo, Brazil, and contributed to many projects distributing healthcare to children in underserved communities. Jessiely is passionate about the emotional and physical development of children, and the impacts of early stress and challenges. She has since developed an interest in pursuing pediatrics and neuroscience. She enjoys being outside and going to the beach, and pretending to be a film connoisseur and chef.
