In July each year, Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) welcomes new trainees to several educational fellowships, internships, and practicum programs. This year’s nearly 30 trainees share their bios and interests as they join the YCSC community this month as fellows, residents, interns, and practicum students.
Advanced Clinical Social Work Fellows
Gerardo M. Enríquez Rivera completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Puerto Rico. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Connecticut. He participates in the "Connecticut ¡Adelante!" program, which promotes bilingual social workers. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, and spending time with his cat.
Ellie Walter-Goodspeed is currently working toward a master's in social work at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s in psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she was captain of the volleyball team. She has completed internships at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the women's health department as well as at a K-8 public school in Philadelphia. In her free time, she enjoys coaching youth club volleyball, running, reading, and traveling.
Albert J. Solnit Integrated Adult & Child Psychiatry Residents
Ben Coleman, MD, PhD, graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he combined medical training with doctoral research in genetics and computational psychiatry. Originally from Maine, Ben earned his undergraduate degree in Physics at Cedarville University before returning to New England to join UConn’s dual-degree program. His research focuses on computational phenotyping of psychiatric disorders and the development of deep phenotyping resources that bridge genomics, clinical data, and behavioral science. His long-term goal is to develop predictive and precision-based tools for understanding and treating mental illness. In his free time, he enjoys spending time in the mountains, playing guitar, and being with his family.
Ann Johnson, MD, PhD, completed her doctoral studies at Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health in May of 2026. Her dissertation was on improving the delivery of evidence-based practices for people living with HIV in Ukraine and Southern Africa. Her work focused on depression, anxiety, and substance use in people living with HIV. Ann led additional studies with Rick Altice, MD, at Yale and Salome Charalambous, PhD, at the Aurum Institute in Johannesburg. During her time at YCSC, Ann plans to apply these implementation science methods to evidence-based mental health interventions for children and adolescents globally.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows
Solnit South track
John Crane, MD, earned his medical degree at St. George's University and a post-baccalaureate certificate from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Before that, he completed undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. After college, he worked as a domestic violence counselor, and while applying to medical school, he worked as an HIV prevention program coordinator, leading biomedical research and collaborating with public health leaders. He completed adult psychiatry residency training at Elmhurst Hospital Center through Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Queens, NY. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.
Leah Eburne, MD, completed general psychiatry residency at Charles E. Schmidt Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. She earned her medical degree at the Florida State University College of Medicine and her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Florida. During her medical education and training, she enjoyed volunteering as an American Kennel Club (AKC) canine ambassador. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and competing in dog sports with her papillon, Arthur.
Kareena Lashley, MD, attended an accelerated BS/MD program at Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, earning a bachelor's degree in biomedical science followed by a medical degree from the City College of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine. She completed adult psychiatry residency at Northwell's Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York. During her training, she led initiatives focused on serving diverse patient communities and on mentoring medical students. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new places and revisiting familiar ones, fulfilling food cravings, taking in views, and spending time with loved ones.
New Haven track
Danielle A. Espinoza, MD, earned a bachelor's in biological sciences at Fordham University, and her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, both located in the Bronx, New York. She completed general adult residency training at The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. She aims to deliver compassionate, culturally and linguistically sensitive, trauma-informed medical care and contribute to mental health research and education. In her free time, she enjoys singing, attending musicals and concerts, drawing, walking in nature, learning languages, and gaming/movie nights with friends.
Simone Hasselmo, MD, completed undergraduate training at Harvard College where she studied social and affective neuroscience and honed her cartooning skills as a member of the Harvard Lampoon. She then moved to New Haven where she spent two years as a clinical neuroscience fellow in the McPartland Lab at YCSC, assisting with studies on biomarkers of autism and social development. She fell in love with New Haven and decided to stay to pursue medical school at Yale, where she began using her cartooning skills to work on a medical historical graphic novel and various therapeutic tools for children's mental health. She continued this work while a psychiatry resident, also at Yale. In her free time, she enjoys reading, studying languages, and spending as much time as possible at New Haven's local beaches, even in the winter.
Ayomipo Ifidon, MD, earned her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and her bachelor’s degree at Georgia Southern University. She completed her residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern. She has special interests in working with underrepresented patient populations and exploring global mental health initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, thrifting, and spending time with her friends and family.
Julian Urrutia Ripoll, MD, PhD, was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, where he attended medical school at the Fundación Universitaria Ciencias de la Salud. His undergraduate training was in philosophy, politics, and economics at the University of Pennsylvania, and he earned a PhD in health policy at Harvard University. His advocacy and policy work has been devoted to promoting health and human rights through scholarship, strategic litigation, and technical assistance to governments, NGOs, and multilateral agencies. His academic scholarship has primarily been in the field of population-level bioethics. In his free time, he enjoys swimming at the beach, sailing in open waters, and hiking lush forest trails. At home, he likes to read, tend to his orchids, and play board games.
Child Psychology Fellows
Early childhood track
Lillian Blanchard, MS, is pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Connecticut. She earned her bachelor's degree at Duke University. During her graduate training, Lillian completed practicum placements at YCSC, Connecticut Children's Hospital, and Connecticut Pediatric Neuropsychology Associates. Her dissertation examines clinical predictors of treatment outcomes for children receiving brief, school nurse-delivered anxiety interventions. In her free time, she enjoys baking, watching movies, and taking dance classes.
Pediatric track
Melissa Hall, MA, earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the clinical science program at the University of Notre Dame. Throughout her graduate training, she has developed a strong foundation in evidence-based care, working with youth with co-occurring medical and psychological concerns. Her dissertation examines family functioning by identifying interaction patterns, testing a family stress model, and evaluating an intervention meant to improve parent–child communication. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and reading.
Autism track
Rachel Hantman, MEd, MA, is pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical-community psychology at the University of South Carolina, where she earned a master's degree in clinical-community psychology and certification in quantitative psychology. She earned a master’s degree in education at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington. Her research centers on understanding the role of context and biobehavioral interactions in families with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and Fragile X syndrome. For the past five years, she has served as a clinician in South Carolina, where she has mainly provided therapeutic and diagnostic services for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental differences. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and cooking/baking for loved ones.
Trauma track
Stephany Pinales, MA, earned a master's degree in school psychology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a bachelor's degree in psychology at Sam Houston State University. Through her dual roles as a student and practitioner in Texas, she has collaborated with youth, families, and professionals to advance culturally and linguistically responsive mental health care. She has provided psychoeducational assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, and support within multi-tiered systems of care across schools, hospitals, community clinics, and nonprofit organizations. Her research interests include trauma-informed and culturally sensitive assessments and interventions, school-based mental health, and access to care. In her free time, she enjoys baking, working out, and exploring new restaurants with friends.
Clinical Interns & Practicum Students
Juandiego Carmona, MA, is a doctoral student in the school psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. He received his master’s degree in educational psychology: schooling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. Before starting his doctoral training, he worked as a lab coordinator at the University of Connecticut Child Language Lab, where he supported research focused on child language development. His research interests include culturally responsive mental health services for youth and families, cultural humility in mental health practice, and treatment engagement. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and exploring outdoors.
Elise Gilcher is a marriage and family therapist (MFT) trainee working towards her master’s at Southern Connecticut State University. In her previous career, she earned a doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, focusing on renewable, green catalysis. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and German studies from the University of Connecticut. She is now applying her passion for studying complex systems to marriage and family therapy, where she is excited to use a relational and psychodynamic approach. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and creating her ever-expanding garden.
Lois Hanshaw is working toward a master’s in social work and previously earned a Juris Doctor at Howard University School of Law. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Her previous placement was with the counseling center at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to embarking on her social work degree, she spent over a decade as an attorney and is currently a certified professional coach. She enjoys spending time with her fur babies, cooking and eating good food, and belly laughs.
Sophie Kuchel is pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at Southern Connecticut State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Delaware. Her clinical interests include family, couples, and child therapy, with a focus on trauma, social-emotional development, LGBTQ+ affirming care, and family systems work. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing music, and spending time at the beach with friends.
Sarah Lempres is a clinical psychology PhD student at Yale University. She earned her bachelor's degree at Vanderbilt University. Her research examines how childhood adversity is embedded in the developing brain and how these experiences are linked to psychopathology risk. For the past year, she has served as a therapist at the Yale Psychology Department Clinic. In her free time, she enjoys baking, walking with her dog, and playing soccer.
Tinuade McClish, MA, earned a master’s degree in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, and a bachelor's degree at Pace University. As a graduate student, she has completed several practicum experiences in schools around Connecticut, working with children ages 5 to 12. She served as a research assistant for a consultation-based research project known as PRIME2, and as a graduate assistant for the Center for Students with Disabilities at the University of Connecticut. In her free time, she enjoys going for walks, making art, and listening to new music.
Briana Perigyi, MEd, is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Springfield College. She earned a master's degree in general counseling from Springfield College and a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in clinical mental health from Southern Connecticut State University. During her graduate training, she gained experience in neuropsychological assessment, psychotherapy, and research. Her dissertation focuses on developing a psychometric measure to characterize neuropsychological and physical symptoms and stages of shutdowns in autism spectrum disorder. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her twin sister, her cat Cleopatra, and being outside near the water.
Maria Sanchez-Santana is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Connecticut as part of a bilingual social work program. She is in her second and final year of the program. During her time at UConn, she completed an internship at Wilbur Cross High School, where she worked closely with Spanish speaking students facing social, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges.
Audrey Scudder earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and mathematics at Vanderbilt University and is currently a fourth-year doctoral student in school psychology at the University of Connecticut. Her dissertation research focuses on the relations between cognitive abilities and adaptive functioning in autistic youth. Outside of her program, she enjoys playing video games, crocheting, and spending time with her tuxedo cat Semolina.
Nia Simmons earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Barnard College. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Connecticut. Before pursuing her master's degree, she worked as a children's program coordinator at Solar Youth, during which her interest in working with children and families solidified. In her free time, she enjoys reading mystery novels, knitting, and spending time with loved ones.
Mitali Temurnikar, MPhilEd, MSEd, earned a master’s in professional counseling and mental health services at the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi, India. During her graduate training, she completed practicums across community health centers and free-of-cost outpatient clinics. Her master's work focused on career identities in young adults. Her doctoral dissertation focuses on a qualitative exploration of experiences of psychological and relational safety in college-aged women. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching stand-up comedy, and scrolling through Reddit to find her favorite local spots to visit.
Lucas Vander Ploeg, MA, earned a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree from Calvin University. He is a doctoral candidate in educational psychology at UConn and is working on his dissertation examining physical activity interventions for anxiety in school systems. He has completed placements in multiple schools and participated in a government grant for neurodevelopmental disability education. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike, going for runs, reading, and singing in a cappella groups or barbershop quartets.
YCSC Clinical Internships, Residencies, & Fellowships
YCSC training programs share a common goal of providing a deep understanding of adaptive and maladaptive development in children and their families. This is gained through supervised clinical intervention delivery, didactic experiences, and involvement in research initiatives designed to increase knowledge and inform clinical decision-making.