Keely Bieniak-Fortier, 5^th year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, Child Track 

Keely (she/her) received her Bachelor of Science in psychology at North Central College with minors in neuroscience and wellness. After earning her Master of Science in general psychology, she continued her training at DePaul and is now in her 5^th year of the clinical child psychology PhD program. Keely’s research focuses on the intersections of mental health and pain experiences in pediatric populations. She has a fondness for mixed-methods research that gives voice to research participants. Presently, Keely is working on her dissertation, which is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and ASD in youth with chronic pain, as well as a variety of other projects in the lab. Clinically, Keely has completed a clinical and assessment practicum at DePaul Family and Community Services, a pediatric neuropsychology practicum at NorthShore Endeavor Health, a pediatric psychology practicum at the University of Chicago, and is currently completing a pediatric psychology externship at Shriners Children’s Hospital. Outside of academics, she loves puzzles, exploring restaurants in different Chicago neighborhoods, and spending time with her family! 

Kayla McCracken, Kayla McCracken, 3^rd Year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, Child Track 

Kayla (she/her) is a third-year Ph.D. student in Clinical-Child Psychology at DePaul University. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, her M.S. in Psychology from the University of Memphis, and recently earned her M.A. in Clinical-Child Psychology and a graduate certificate in Trauma at DePaul. Kayla’s research focuses on chronic pain, health disparities, and Sickle Cell Disease, with a particular interest in emerging adults, coping, and transitions in care and life. She enjoys mixed-methods research, seeing the value and beauty in both qualitative and quantitative approaches especially when combined, and engages in community-based research, including her work as a program evaluator at the Steans Center. Currently, she is working on publishing a systematic review and meta-analysis examining psychological interventions for pain management in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease. Clinically, Kayla has completed a therapy practicum at DePaul Family and Community Services, where she led social skills groups with preschoolers, provided individual therapy ranging from children to caregivers, and enjoyed conducting Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). She is currently completing a pediatric neuropsychology practicum at Rush University Medical Center’s Neurobehavioral Center, as well as an internship at UCAN Behavioral Health Services. Outside of academics, Kayla enjoys building Legos, exploring new coffee shops, and has recently developed a love for matcha!   

Giselle McPherson-Isbell, 2^nd Year Research Psychology M.S. Student

Giselle McPherson-Isbell received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Research Psychology at DePaul University. She has long been passionate about working with adolescents and young adults, with a research focus on understanding chronic pain, stress, coping, and the psychological impact of illness. At DePaul’s Pediatric Coping, Health, and Illness Lab (CHILL Lab), Giselle contributes to systematic reviews on psychological interventions for pain in sickle cell disease and on mental health comorbidities in chronic pain. She is also involved in a manuscript examining stress, chronic pain, and mood disorders, and has presented her work at regional and national conferences. Her master’s thesis, Exploring the Roles of Grit and Health Anxiety in the Relationship Between Discrimination and Pain-Related Functioning Among Adolescents and Young Adults, examines psychosocial factors that influence pain-related outcomes in youth. Beyond her thesis, Giselle is broadly interested in resilience and emotion regulation among youth facing health challenges and trauma. Outside of research, Giselle enjoys going to concerts, spending time at vinyl and thrift shops, and searching for the best matcha in the city.

Autumn Rajcevich Schwer, 2^nd Year Research Psychology M.S. Student 

Autumn Rajcevich Schwer (she/her) received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Neuroscience from Carthage College. After graduating, she worked in two outpatient behavioral health clinics and is currently a neuropsychological testing technician. She is a second year in the M.S. in Research Psychology program at DePaul. In the lab, she is involved in various studies, including a Sickle Cell systematic review, a Pain Comorbidity systematic review, a low back pain pilot study in collaboration with the Timothy Community Corporation and Rush University Medical Center, and a community-based participatory research manuscript. Her research interests lie in the interaction of biological processes with psychosocial factors and how they regulate one another to influence mental and physical health outcomes. Her thesis will analyze how social support influences somatic health symptom manifestation in emerging adults and proposes that cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate this relationship. Outside of academics, she loves reading, movies, painting, swimming, and exploring the city! 

Kate Kaufman, 1^st Year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, Child Track

Kate (she/her) graduated from University of Virginia in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. After graduation, she gained two years of research experience working as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the postbaccalaureate training program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Kate is excited to continue her education at DePaul and to explore research at the intersection of disability, pain, and health-equity. She is particularly interested in working to improve children’s quality of life through preventative care and systems-level change. Outside of school, Kate loves to read, hike, practice yoga, and spend time with family and friends.