Student Profiles

Hometown:
Hangzhou, China
 
Academic Background:
B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Communication from The Ohio State University (2020)
M.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences from The Ohio State University (2023)
 
Topics of interest/research:
The role of parental psychological and physiological characteristics in their preschoolers' socioemotional development; Dyadic data analysis; longitudinal analysis.
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Gong, Y., Feng, X., Inboden, K., & Chan, M. H. (2022, June). Family life changes during the COVID-19: Influences on maternal psychological health and children’s emotional adjustment [Poster presentation]. International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development 2022, Rhodes, Greece.
• Gong, Y., & Feng, X. (2023, February). Parenting stress mediates the association between emotion dysregulation and children’s adjustment problems: A longitudinal dyadic analysis [Oral presentation]. EHE Student Research Forum 2023, Columbus, OH, United States.
• Gong, Y., Feng, X., Yang, Q., & Inboden, K. (2023, March). Associations between Mothers’ and Preschoolers’ Emotion Expression: Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia as Moderators [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development 2023, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
I was deeply attracted to the class atmosphere and the large, tight-knit community of graduate students. The OSU program is very successful at finding placements for its students. I believe that when I graduate I will leave with a firm understanding of what it takes to obtain jobs in either academia or industry. 

Hometown:
St. Louis, Missouri
 
Academic Background:
B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience from Drury University
M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
 
Topics of interest/research:
LGBTQIA+ inclusive relationship and sex education, inclusion of partners and families in mental health treatment
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Marriage Strengthening Research & Dissemination (MAST) Center Small Grant Recipient, 2023
• Ryan, Rachel, Bermea, A., & Mallory, A. (2023, November). Identity Centrality and Psychological Distress in Racially Diverse Sexual and Gender Minorities. Poster to be presented at the Annual Conference of The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. New Orleans, LA.
• Ryan, R. P., Springstein, T., & English, T. (2021). Predictive ability of depression and suppression on daily spousal reports of interaction quality. Presented at the 7th Biennial Conference of the Association for Research in Personality.
• Ryan, R. P., & Ro, E. (2019). Perceived levels of equity in relationships differing in sexual orientation and sexual expression. Presented at the 127th American Psychological Association Annual Conference. Chicago, IL.
• Ryan, R. P., Ro, E., Pomerantz, A., & Pawlow, L. (2019). Attachment, emotion regulation, and gender role issues in BDSM relationships: An exploratory analysis. Presented at the 20th Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Conference. Portland, OR.
• Woods, C. W., Ryan, R. P., Robinson, J. A., & Silva Brown, J. (2016). Sex and God #blessed: The relationship between faith and reported frequency of hooking-up among college students. Modern Psychological Studies, 21(2), 1-10.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
This program is unique because it allows me to get my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy while simultaneously working towards my PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences. Both programs value systemic theory, which emphasizes the different contexts that human beings exist in and values relationships between people and their communities. These values align well with mine, especially as someone who has always wanted to focus on relationships in research and practice. This, along with the unmatched amount of faculty support and opportunities, is what brought me to this program at OSU.

Hometown:
Morganton, NC
 
Academic Background:
BS in Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
MS in Rehabilitation Mental Health Counseling and Certificate in Behavioral Addictions, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
MS in Human Development and Family Sciences, Couple and Family Therapy Specialization, The Ohio State University
 
Topics of interest/research:
Mental health outcomes of gun violence survivors and their family; Health disparities; Substance use; Sexual and racial trauma; Fatherhood.
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

AWARDS

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Minority Fellow, 2022, 2023; Funded by: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) 
• Ruth Jane Yauger Scholarship, 2023
• Myrtle Wolcott Cram Scholarship 2021, 2022
• Addiction Research and Clinical Health Fellow at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, 2021; Funded by: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

• Cuthbertson, C. & Pratt, K. (2023, November). Black Children’s Perceptions of Parental Support and Parenting Practices: Weight Loss and Retention in a Pediatric Weight Management Program [Poster Presentation]. National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida.
• Pizzulo, A. & Cuthbertson, C., (2023, September). Cutoff and Connection: Social Network Compositions of Youth Experiencing Homelessness [Conference Presentation]. Intervention Research Network of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Provo, Utah.
• Cuthbertson, C. (2023, May). Associations of Anger, Conflict, and Substance Use in Families with Gun Violence Injuries in an Urban Emergency Department. [Conference Presentation]. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Minority Fellowship Program Training Institute, Arlington, Virginia.
• Slesnick, N., Cuthbertson, C., & Pizzulo, A. (2023, March 30- April 1). Family Systems Therapy with Youth and Families Experiencing Homelessness: Successes and Failures [Conference Presentation]. International Family Therapy Association’s World Family Therapy Conference, Malaga, Spain.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Slesnick, N., Brakenhoff, B., Bunger, A., Chavez, L, Cuthbertson, C., Famelia, R., Feng, X., Fitzpatrick, M., Ford, J., Holowacz, E., Jaderlund, S., Kelleher, K., Luthy, E., Mallory, A., Martin, J., Pizzulo, A., Yilmazer, T., Wu, Q., Zhang, J. (2023). Housing is Not Enough: Lessons Learned from Housing Youth Experiencing Homelessness. [Manuscript Under Review].
• Cuthbertson, C., Pratt, K.J., Eneli, I. (2023). Associations between children’s perceptions of parental support and parenting with weight loss and retention in a pediatric weight management program. [Manuscript complete].

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
I chose this program because of their success in research and federal funding. My previous program was strong in clinical training, so I wanted to be challenged in a new realm-- research. At the time my research interests were still broad, and the faculty created a space and provided me the opportunity to explore my specific interests through research and professional development opportunities. A highlight of this program has been attending the International Family Therapy Association’s World Family Therapy Conference in Malaga, Spain. Spain was always the top country on my bucket list. Having the opportunity to explore Spain and Morocco, meet world-renowned family therapists, and present research is an unforgettable experience. 

Hometown:
Columbus, OH
 
Academic Background:
I received my BA in Public Policy with a minor in Public Health from the College of William and Mary; my MPA from The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs; and my MPH from the Yale School of Public Health.
 
Topics of interest/research:
promotion of positive social-emotional development in early childhood
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

Publications:

• Fox, E. G. (2020). Fostering Healthy Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Development Through Effective Implementation and Scale-Up. Journal of Youth Development, 15(3). https://doi/org/10.5195/jyd.2020.950
• Kaminski, J., Barrueco, S., Kelleher, K., Hoagwood, K., Edwards, A., and Fox, E. G. (2023). Vital Signs for Pediatric Health: School Readiness. NAM Perspectives.

Presentations:

• Fox, E. G., Lang, S. N., Tebben, E., Ryu, D., & Hudson, A. (2023) Examining personal and contextual factors that support quality coaching in early care and education. Poster presented at biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Salt Lake City, UT.
• Lang, S. N., Tebben, E., Luckey, S. W., Hurns, K., Fox, E. G., Ford, D. Y., Ansari, A., & Pasque, P. (2023). Early educators’ skills, knowledge, and dispositions related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. Poster presented at biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Salt Lake City, UT.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
A highlight of this program for me is the opportunity to work with community partners in my work. I grew up in Columbus and appreciate being able to support my community through my research.

Hometown:
McDonald, Ohio
 
Academic Background:
MS, Human Development and Family Science (Couple and Family Therapy), The Ohio State University 
BS, Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University
 
Topics of interest/research:
Cognition, emotional expression, problem-solving, substance use, and systemic interventions
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Pizzulo, A. & Cuthbertson, C. (2023). ""Cutoff and connection: Social compositions of youth experiencing homelessness."" AAMFT Intervention Research Network Conference, Provo, Utah.
• Slesnick et al. (2023). Lessons learned from housing first, rapid-rehousing trials with youth experiencing homelessness. Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 18:58.
• Slesnick, N., Pizzulo, A., & Cuthbertson, C. (2023) ""Family systems therapy with youth and families experiencing homelessness: Successes and failures."" IFTA World Family Therapy Annual Congress, Malaga, Spain. 
• Pizzulo, A. (2023). ""Patterns of problem-solving and cognitive distortions in suicidal youth experiencing homelessness: A mediation analysis."" EHE Research Forum, Columbus, Ohio.
• Doctoral Student Representative, OSU Couple and Family Therapy Program 
• Student Ambassador, HDFS-CFT PhD Program, Department of Human Sciences 
• Member, Graduate Student Advisory Council, College of Education and Human Ecology

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
As a returning Buckeye, I was drawn to Ohio State by their community impact, and hard work in service of others is a personal principle of mine. I was also aware of how research-driven the university is as an R-1 institution, and how these initiatives contribute to the global dialogue in creating meaningful change. I think a highlight of the combined HDFS-CFT PhD is the opportunity to receive balanced training in both clinical/practical community settings and academic research arenas. 

Hometown:
San Jose, CA / Columbia, SC
 
Academic Background:
Masters of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy, Syracuse University, 2016-2019
Master of Social Work, Syracuse University, 2016-2019
Bachelor of Arts in Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina, 2011-2015
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of South Carolina, 2011-2015
 
Topics of interest/research:
Disordered eating, body image, family systems theory, access, intervention/implementation/utilization of services, and health outcomes
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• My mentor at OSU is Dr. Keeley Pratt, who I am lucky to work with. I am an author on four peer-reviewed published articles, three of which are about access to primary care services for individuals with functional disabilities, and one of which is about the neighborhood food environment for individuals seeking bariatric surgery. I currently have two manuscripts in progress where I am first author. I have presented one paper and one poster at the EHE Research Forum (2023), two posters and one paper at the American Public Health Conference (2018), and a paper presentation at the Society for Social Work Research (2018). I have an upcoming paper presentation at the National Council on Family Relations this fall (2023). 
• I have also been awarded a University Fellowship at The Ohio State for the 2022-2023 semesters. Previous awards I have been granted include Class Marshal of the Marriage & Family Therapy Department at Syracuse University (2019) and the Falk College Student Research Winner for independent research at Syracuse University (2018). 
• I am a licensed independent marriage & family therapist in Ohio and New York state. I am also an AAMFT-approved supervisor.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
The primary thing that brought me to this program has been the opportunity to work with Dr. Keeley Pratt, whose research encompasses family systems theory, access to food, nutrition, and wellness, developmental science and child health, and medical/therapeutic intervention science. 

Hometown:
Akron
 
Academic Background:
Bachelors of Science in HDFS from THE Ohio State University
 
Topics of interest/research:
Bowen Family System Theory
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Presented at the EHE Research Forum and the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum in SP23. 

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
The invaluable relationships nurtured by the faculty with their students has been profound and remarkable. Even at such a large institution, faculty and staff alike ensure students, no matter what background, are supported on their academic journey. The companionship and inclusion I have experienced at OSU will leave me a forever buckeye! GO BUCKS!

Hometown:
Voorhees, NJ
 
Academic Background:
B.S. in Psychology, Villanova University
M.S. in Psychology, Villanova University
 
Topics of interest/research:
My research involves studying the impacts of poverty, homelessness, and related risk factors such as food insecurity on early child development and academic achievement. Utilizing a risk and resilience framework, I am also interested in researching potential protective factors such as strong parent-child relationships, access to resources, access to high quality early child care and education, and public policies for children experiencing adversity.
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

Peer-Reviewed Papers:

• Buckley, M. N., Abdul-Masih, M., Yang, Q., Ansari, A., Purtell, K. (2022, September). The cumulative and timing-specific effects of residential mobility on high school truancy. The Ohio State University. Submitted to The High School Journal

Selected Conference Presentations:

• Abdul-Masih, M., Fox, E., Purtell, K., Lang, S. (2023, March). Predictors of TANF receipt in families with young children. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Child Development Biennial Meeting. 
• Abdul-Masih, M.Y., Keane, J.N., & Herbers, J.E. (2021, May). Food insecurity, sleep behaviors, and measures of cognitive function. Poster, Association for Psychological Science Virtual Convention and Poster Showcase, virtual. 
• Keane, J.N., Abdul-Masih, M.Y., Shelleby, E.C., Awada, S.R., Herbers, J.E., Banks, B.I. (2021, April). Homelessness and residential mobility: Risks for later academic achievement. Poster, Society for Research on Child Development Biennial Meeting, virtual.

Selected Applied Research Reports (not peer-reviewed):

• Abdul-Masih, M. (2021). Benefits and Recommendations Related to Transitional Housing for Youth and Young People Experiencing Homelessness. Summary of research report created for People’s Emergency Center and community partners. 
• Abdul-Masih, M. (2021). Counts of Pennsylvania’s Children and Youth Identified as Homeless in Fiscal Years ‘18-’20. Summary of research report created for People’s Emergency Center and community partners.

Selected awards/Fellowships:

• Dorothy Scott Scholarship (2023)
• Jane Shanely Phi Upsilon Omicron Graduate Scholarship (2023)
• Inducted into Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences (2023)
• Lucile and Roland Kennedy Scholarship in Human Ecology (2022)
• Inducted into Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society (2020)
• Graduate Summer Research Fellowship (2020)
• Graduate Student Tuition Scholarship (2019)

Internships: 

• Policy Analyst and Advocacy Intern at People's Emergency Center
• Intern in the Concussion Clinic at Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
Prior to beginning my degree at OSU, I worked as a Research Analyst on the Early Child Development team at Child Trends, a non-profit using research to improve the lives of children facing adversity. Here, much of my work focused on evaluating and implementing interventions to improve access and quality of early child care. Earlier that year, I also served as a Policy Analyst and Advocacy intern at People’s Emergency Center where I analyzed new policies and research findings, wrote reports for community partners and policymakers, and created a resource map to link community partners and connect youth experiencing homelessness with housing and high-quality early education services. I decided to pursue my PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences from The Ohio State University in order to hone my research skills, refine my research interests, and expand in my community impact. I was drawn to OSU because of the supportive, collaborative, and knowledgeable faculty and student group in the HDFS program which in unmatched. I have enjoyed getting to learn and grow alongside them over the past year.

Hometown:
Cove, Utah
 
Academic Background:
I'm a 5th year PhD student in Couple and Family Therapy.
 
Topics of interest/research:
Therapist factors which influence therapy, Therapist Cultural Humility
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Whiting, R., & Bartle-Haring, S. (2022). Variations in the association between education and self-reported health by race/ethnicity and structural racism. SSM-Population Health, 19, 101136.
• Bartle-Haring, S., & Whiting, R. (2022). Structural racism and the education gradient for early all-cause mortality. SSM-Population Health, 17, 101076.
• Bartle‐Haring, S., Bryant, A., & Whiting, R. (2022). Therapists' confidence in their theory of change and outcomes. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(4), 1190-1205.

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
I came to OSU so that I could better learn how to help people. I believe that OSU provides rich opportunities for academic learning. There are resources to help you learn, and achieve your personal goals.

Hometown:
Athens, GA
 
Academic Background:
B.S. Psychology from the University of Georgia (Minor in Human Services)
M.Ed. Professional Counseling from the University of Georgia
 
Topics of interest/research:
Studying intimate partner violence within minority communities, LGBTQ+ couples, minority stress, intersectionality, and emerging adulthood
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Awarded the Early Offer Eminent Scholar Fellowship 

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
I have worked for the past year and a half as a trauma counselor while getting my master's degree in Professional Counseling, working with victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV) and I have an interest in continuing to study and work with victims as part of my research. I was interested in OSU because of the opportunities to complete research and collaborate with students and faculty who share my passions and research interests.

Hometown:
Beacon Falls, Connecticut
 
Academic Background:
Gettysburg College, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (2019)
 
Topics of interest/research:
Early childhood education, Children's development, Poverty, Social policy
 
Selected Publications/Presentations/Awards/Achievements/Internship:

• Buckley, M.N., Abdul-Masih, M., Yang, Q., Ansari, A. & Purtell, K. (in press). The cumulative and timing-specific effects of residential mobility on high school truancy.
• Zimmerman, K., Buckley, N., Ansari, A., Gottfried, M. (2023, March). Absenteeism in Preschool: The Role of Teacher and Peer Racial/Ethnic Match. To be presented at the 2023 Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Awards:

• The Jane Shanely Phi Upsilon Omicron Graduate Scholarship Recipient, 2023
• Jennifer Sedgwick Endowment Fund Recipient, 2023
• Professor Patrick McKenry Memorial Fund Recipient, 2023
• The Anita R. McCormick Endowment Fund Recipient, 2022

What brought you to this program? What is a highlight of this degree at OSU?
My research interest is centered around achieving equity in education for individuals of all backgrounds. Thus, I was drawn to the program here at OSU knowing there would be ample opportunity to truly apply what we discuss in the classroom within the diverse communities of Columbus. Personally, the highlight of this degree has been my experiences with the faculty. The genuine support for academic and personal development I have received since beginning at OSU has made this group one that I am happy to share both my successes and my areas of growth with.