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
Jeremiah Crosswhite, B.A.
Research Assistant
Jeremiah 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 study. He plans to pursue his PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future and is interested in investigating how executive functioning, emotion regulation, and future expectancies contribute to resilience in populations with and at-risk for 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
Mohraeil Rezk, B.A.
Research Assistant
Graduate Students
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 fourth-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 fourth-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 third-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.
Esther Yang, B.A.
Esther is a Second-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
Anya Lensink, B.A.
Anya graduated from Rhodes College in 2025, with her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Piano Performance. At Rhodes, she researched school based social emotional interventions, and interned at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she studied neurocognitive functioning in pediatric patients with Sickle Cell Disease.
Anya is currently pursuing her M.S. In Quantitative Methods and Data Analytics for Human Behavior at Vanderbilt. She is involved in the pediatric cancer studies with the Stress and Coping lab, where she particularly enjoys investigating cognitive processing and outcomes in these patients. She intends to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, where she hopes to continue her research on supporting neurocognitive outcomes and family functioning in pediatric patients with chronic diseases.
When she is not in the lab, Anya enjoys hot Pilates, playing Rachmaninoff on the piano, and trying new restaurants.
Contact information: anya.j.lensink@vanderbilt.edu
Lucia Jin, B.A.
Lucia Jin is a Second-year master’s student in Vanderbilt’s Child Studies program. She graduated from Brandeis University in 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology and Education and a minor in Legal Studies.
During her undergraduate years, Lucia worked closely with children and adults in trauma-exposed populations, particularly families affected by domestic violence. She supported trauma-informed services for children and assisted with psychosocial intake documentation for survivors and their families, which deepened her interest in understanding how early adversity influences developmental trajectories and resilience.
Lucia joined the Stress and Coping Lab and is currently working on the Huntington’s Disease and pediatric neuroimaging studies. She is particularly interested in using neuroimaging methods to examine brain function and neurobiological mechanisms underlying children facing stress and adversity.
In her free time, Lucia enjoys reading thrillers, practicing pottery, cooking, and exploring new restaurants in Nashville.
Contact information: xingyuan.jin@Vanderbilt.Edu
Caitriona Andre, B.A.
Contact information: caitriona.m.andre@Vanderbilt.Edu
Carys Cook, B.A.
Carys is a first-year master’s student in the Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in Context program at Vanderbilt. She graduated with her BA in psychology from Auburn University with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. In her undergrad, she researched child-parent relationships, interned for a clinical psychologist, and interned at a day school.
Carys joined the Stress and Coping lab and is working with the pediatric cancer studies. She hopes to learn more about the implications of high stress and adversity on youth as well as intervention methods. She intends to pursue her PhD in clinical psychology and research childhood adversity.
When she is not in the lab, Carys enjoys art, working out, and being around animals.
Contact information: carys.r.cook@Vanderbilt.Edu
Undergraduate & Independent Study Students
Seniors:
Ardella “Rosie” Antimarino
Rosie is a senior 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 senior 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 senior 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 senior 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!
Merrill Parker
Merrill Parker is a senior 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 senior 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.
Juniors:
Catherine Chun
Catherine is a junior who is majoring in Neuroscience. She joined the Stress and Coping Lab in hopes of gaining knowledge on the effect of pediatric brain tumors on the social development and neurocognitive functioning of children. In her free time, she loves to playing with her dog and chickens and enjoys spending time outdoors. She also likes to cook and volunteer.
Annie Xu
Sophomores:
Tal Berreby
Tal Berreby is a sophomore undergraduate student at Vanderbilt majoring in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. When she is not studying, Tal is dedicated to helping cancer patients navigate their first oncology appointments at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and helping children whose parents have cancer at Camp Kesem. She is excited to contribute to pediatric and young adult clinical cancer research. After her busy days, she can be found in the dance studio practicing with the Momentum Dance Company.
Barrett Lockhart
Barrett is a sophomore double majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Child Development on the pre-med track. she is excited to join the Stress and Coping Lab because she am interested in how early-life health challenges and the stress they can bring could affect adolescents’ development and behavior. She hopes to use what she learns to support her goal of becoming a Pediatric doctor.
Stevie Nathanson
Stevie Nathanson is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in neuroscience with a minor in psychology on the pre-med track. She is passionate about neuroscience as well as the emotional/intellectual well-beings of children facing medical challenges. Outside of the Stress and Coping Lab, Stevie spends her summers working at Sunrise Day Camp, a nonprofit camp for children with cancer and their siblings. In her free time, Stevie loves exploring new coffee shops, dancing, and knitting!