Nancy Raitano Lee, PhD
nancy.raitano.lee@drexel.edu
Nancy Raitano Lee, PhD, leads the LADDER lab. She received her BS in Human Development and Family Studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and her PhD in Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Denver. She is a licensed psychologist whose research seeks to characterize the neuropsychological and neuroanatomical phenotypes associated with different neurodevelopmental disorders in an effort to identify more effective targets of treatment to improve cognitive outcomes and ultimately quality of life for individuals and their families. Having grown up on Long Island, NY just 15 minutes from the beach and lived in Colorado near the Rockies for many years, she loves the ocean and the mountains and wishes that Philadelphia were about 60 miles further east or 1700 miles further west. Reluctantly accepting that this is not a possibility, she relishes in time spent outside in Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, cabin camping and travel.
Kelsey Csumitta
kdc72@drexel.edu
Education: BS (2017) Brain & Cognitive Science, BA (2017) Psychology, University of Rochester
Kelsey is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program doctoral student in the LADDER lab from Cleveland, Ohio. She received her BS in Brain & Cognitive Sciences and her BA in Psychology from the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. After graduating, Kelsey completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health where she assisted in research investigating brain-behavior relationships in Autism Spectrum Disorder and in typically-developing adults. Her current research interests include using neuroimaging and behavioral methods to examine cognitive development and predictors of neuropsychological outcomes in neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of lab, Kelsey enjoys practicing yoga, going to museums, and trying new restaurants.
Hannah Grosman
heg45@drexel.edu
Education: BA (2016) Psychology and Linguistics, Emory University
Hannah Grosman is a doctoral student from Brooklyn, NY. She received her BA in Psychology and Linguistics from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. While a student at Emory, she worked as a behavioral interventionist at the Marcus Autism Center and then transitioned to a clinical research coordinator role at the center following graduation. As a clinical research coordinator at the Marcus Autism Center and later at the Seaver Autism Center, she built an interest in translational neuroscience research and interventions to support children and families with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Her research interests include investigating cognitive and language profiles in NDDs using novel measures and approaches as well as their relationship to functional adult outcomes. When not in the lab, Hannah enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time outside.
Meghan O’Brien
heg45@drexel.edu
Education: BS (2019) Cognitive & Brain Sciences, BS (2019) Computer Science, Tufts University
Meghan is a first-year master’s student from Rhode Island. She received her BS from Tufts University in 2019, where she double majored in Cognitive & Brain Sciences and Computer Science. After graduating, Meghan worked for a year as a clinical research assistant in the Center for Neuropsychology at Boston Children’s Hospital, before completing a two-year post-baccalaureate clinical fellowship through McLean Hospital, where she worked in direct care in the inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit at Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Boston. Her research interests broadly include the intersection of cognitive function and psychopathology in children with disabilities. She loves musicals, baking, and going for walks around the city.
J. Snoza
jcs473@drexel.edu
Education: BS (2021) Psychology, Bryn Mawr College
J. Snoza (they/he) is a 2nd year master’s student in the LADDER Lab. In 2021, they earned a bachelor's in psychology from Bryn Mawr College with a concentration in child and family studies and are continuing to pursue work in developmental psychology. Currently, their research in the lab focuses on young children with neurodevelopmental differences. Snoza is fascinated with the way kids interact with and understand each other and the world around them. They balance research at Drexel with work at a preschool in Philadelphia, where they bring principles of psychology, art, reading, and movement into his teaching. Outside of school, Snoza loves to make art of all kinds, bask in nature, and cuddle with their two kitties, Joonie and Goobie.
Diego Aragon-Guevara
Diego is an undergraduate Psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in neuroscience. His current research is in neurodevelopmental disorders with a particular emphasis on autistic adolescents and adults. He is particularly interested in the neural changes occurring in the transition between adolescence and adulthood with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life in autistic adults. Diego is from the Bay Area, California but has come to greatly enjoy Philadelphia. He is the current president of Drexel’s chapter of the Psi Chi Psychological Honors Society and an ambassador for the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. In his free time, Diego greatly enjoys cooking and reading.
Hunter Cheng
Hunter is an undergraduate psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in criminal justice. He is interested in both forensic psychology and neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically focusing on how neurodivergence affects individuals as they enter their adolescent years, and how going undiagnosed can negatively affect an individual's quality of life. Hunter is originally from Queens in New York City and refuses to leave a city environment. Outside of the LADDER Lab, Hunter spends his time rock climbing and making digital art.
Laylah Jones
Laylah is an undergraduate psychology major and research assistant in the LADDER Lab from Philadelphia, PA. Her academic interest lies in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychology with the hopes of working with minority and marginalized communities in Philadelphia. Since being at Drexel, she has completed a six-month co-op cycle at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) within their Center for Violence and Injury Research and Prevention as a part of their Bullying Prevention Research. She is also an active member of the Students of Color in Psychology organization where she serves as the Event Coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and skateboarding.
Angelita Seak
Angelita is a second-year undergraduate psychology major with a neuroscience minor. She is particularly interested in Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology. Angelita is also the secretary of Drexel's Psi Chi Junior E-board. She is from Northeast Philadelphia and enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and exploring the city during her free time.