Student Advisory Board
Student Advisory Board
The Student Advisory Board (SAB) is a group of students who are chosen to represent the student membership within Division 54. The SAB is made up of four committees: Advocacy & Service, Communication, Membership, and Program Committees. This board works with the Student Representative to promote student interests in division programming, structure, and training, and to encourage other students to get involved.
Student Representatives
Student Representative
Chair, Student Advisory Board
Francesca Lupini, MS, University of South Carolina (2026)
Student Representative-Elect
Kasey Harry, MS, MPH, Student Representative-Elect (2026)
Student Advisory Board Members
Community Outreach & Service (COS)
- Anne Chuning, Co-Chair (2025-2026)
- Brenda Duran, Co-Chair (2025-2026)
- Kayla McCracken, Co-Chair (2026-2027)
Communication Committee
- Katherine Weaver, Podcast Co-Chair (2025-2026)
- Kristen Torres, Podcast Co-Chair (2025-2026)
- Vinkrya Ellison, Podcast Co-Chair (2026-2027)
- Carmen Bango, Podcast Co-Chair (2026-2027)
Membership & Programming Committee
- Frances Cooke, NCR Co-Chair (2025-2026)
- Gabe Cochran, NCR Co-Chair (2026-2027)
- Kathy Yanes Pérez, Mentorship Chair (2025-2026)
- Sarah Barter, Professional Development Chair (2026-2027)
- Mary Rose Yockel, Social programming Chair (2026-2027)
- Elise Weber, Networking Chair (2026-2027)
Student Representative
Francesca Lupini, MS
Student Representative, Board of Directors
Chair, Student Advisory Board
spp.studentrep@gmail.com
Francesca is a third year in the Clinical-Community Psychology PhD program at the University of South Carolina under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Cooper. Prior to USC, Francesca worked with youth with type 1 diabetes as a research coordinator at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. Francesca obtained her B.S./M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University in 2020/2021, with a focus in pediatric sleep. Her research interests lie in promoting health equity among chronic illness populations and in child sleep health, and harnessing cultural strengths such as ethnic-racial socialization to promote child wellbeing. As SPP’s Student Representative, she is excited to advocate for student and trainee members and ensure that SPP is a welcoming and inclusive professional home for student and trainee members.
Kasey Harry, MS, MPH
Student Representative-Elect
Kasey Harry is a fifth-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Cincinnati under the mentorship of Dr. Monica Mitchell. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Education and Wellness Coaching, an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Memphis, and Health Policy and Regulation certification from the University of Cincinnati. Kasey’s research focuses on public health, policy, health promotion, and community engagement. She aims to develop evidence-based strategies that guide policy decisions, prevent disease, and improve access to mental health services, ultimately advancing healthcare equity and the integration of mental health into public health systems. Kasey is excited to serve as the Student Representative-Elect in support of the SAB’s mission to advocate for students and promote equitable growth opportunities.
Community Outreach & Service Committee
Annie Chuning
Community Outreach & Service Co-Chair
Annie Chuning is a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Child Psychology PhD program at the University of Kansas under the mentorship of Dr. Ann Davis at KU Medical Center. Her research aims to understand how cognitive decision-making traits and social or structural barriers impact intervention effectiveness for pediatric patients and their families. Clinically, Annie is passionate about supporting rural families’ engagement in healthy lifestyles and increasing wellbeing for families with medical complexity, especially families whose journey began in the NICU. With a background in nonprofit work and current efforts to engage local policymakers and community stakeholders, she is excited to continue applying her passions by serving as Co-Chair for the Community Outreach and Service Committee for SAB.
Brenda Duran
Community Outreach & Service Co-Chair
Brenda Duran is a fifth-year graduate student in the School Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Houston. She works under the mentorship of Dr. Marisa Hilliard in the Resilience and Diabetes (RAD) Behavioral Research Lab. Brenda’s research interests include examining the effects that family and school systems have in the overall mental health and health-related outcomes in pediatric patients with chronic illnesses, with a specific focus on Hispanic youth and their families. Her long-term career goal is to be a practicing bilingual pediatric psychologist, providing services to youth and families from under-resourced backgrounds who are at risk for health or educational disparities.
Kayla McCracken, M.A., M.S.
Advocacy & Service Committee, Advocacy Co-Chair
Communication Committee
Kristen A. Torres
Communication Committee, Podcast Co-Chair
Kristen (she/her) is a fourth-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Oregon Health & Science University under the mentorship of Dr. David Wagner. Kristen’s research focuses on children living with chronic or complex medical conditions experiencing high social risk, with a particular focus on resilience and sources of strength for these families. Clinically, Kristen aspires to work with children diagnosed with medical conditions and their families to deliver evidence-based treatment. As Podcast Co-Chair on the SAB Communications Committee, Kristen is passionate about discussing pediatric health equity, increasing representation within the field, and uplifting trainee voices.
Katherine Weaver
Communication Committee, Podcast Co-Chair
Katherine Weaver (she/her) is a third-year graduate student in the Psychology PhD program (School Psychology concentration) at the University of South Carolina. Katherine works under Dr. Sayward Harrison’s mentorship. Her interests include collaborating with families of youth with disabilities and chronic medical conditions to develop inclusive interventions for pediatric-to-adult healthcare transition. She also aspires to empower adolescents and their families to adopt adherence and self-management strategies that will promote lasting positive health outcomes. In this role, Katherine is enthusiastic about collaborating with others and promoting diverse voices within pediatric psychology. She hopes that the Pediatric Psychology Podcast can be a platform to advance the field.
Vinkrya Ellison
Communication Committee, Podcast Co-Chair
Vinkrya “Kyra” Ellison, M.S., is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at the University of Memphis under the mentorship of Dr. Kristoffer Berlin. Kyra’s research and clinical interests center on cultural and family dynamics, health disparities, and pediatric behavioral health, with a particular focus on health equity and culturally responsive care for youth with chronic illnesses such as type 1 diabetes and sickle cell disease. She is passionate about advancing health equity and aims to be a catalyst for systemic change by advocating for policies that promote cultural humility in healthcare and amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities. As Podcast Co-Chair on the SAB Communications Committee, she is eager to help elevate diverse voices, share timely research, and foster community through innovative and inclusive communication that supports health equity and culturally responsive care.
Carmen Bango
Communication Committee, Podcast Co-Chair
Carmen is a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Oregon Health & Science University. There, she works in the Developmental Brain Imaging Lab directed by Dr. Bonnie Nagel and the Advancing Research in Pediatric Pain Lab co-directed by Drs. Anna Wilson and Amy Holley. Her research uses neuroimaging and psychosocial measures to investigate predictors of persistent pain conditions in adolescents. Clinically, she hopes to work with youth managing complex medical conditions including persistent pain and disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBIs). As podcast co-chair on the SAB Communications Committee, she is excited to help create spaces for genuine and thought-provoking conversations that raise awareness of critical pediatric health issues, promote health equity efforts, and amplify diverse voices.
Membership & Programming Committee
Frances Cooke
Membership & Programming Committee Network of Campus Representatives Co-Chair
Frances Cooke is a third-year in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the Catholic University of America under the mentorship of Dr. Christina Sharkey. Her research interests include identifying risk and resilience factors for healthcare transition and self-management among adolescents and emerging adults with chronic medical conditions. She is passionate about researching, developing, and providing evidence-based and culturally responsive treatment to address health disparities and improve psychosocial and health outcomes for youth and their families. Frances is the co-chair of the Network of Campus Representatives, which aims to raise awareness of pediatric psychology across the country.
Gabe Cochran
Membership & Programming Committee
Gabe Cochran is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Oklahoma State University, where she works under the mentorship of Drs. John Chaney and Evan White. Her research focuses on psychosocial adjustment in youth diagnosed with chronic illnesses and their caregivers, as well as an interest in social determinants of health in American Indian families. Gabe is also pursuing clinical work with pediatric populations, including youth with chronic illnesses and youth with acquired brain injury.
Kathy Yanes Pérez (she/her)
Membership & Programming Committee, Mentorship Chair
Kathy Yanes Pérez is a fourth-year Clinical Psychology (PsyD) doctoral student at Nova Southeastern University with a background in public health, having earned her Master of Public Health from Florida International University. Her clinical interests center on pediatric psychology, with a focus on supporting children and families facing complex medical conditions, including diabetes, hematology and oncology, solid organ transplant, and palliative care. Kathy’s research interests include pediatric palliative care utilization among underserved and Latine families, health disparities in medical care, and culturally responsive interventions for children navigating serious illness. Kathy currently serves as a National Campus Representative for Division 54 and is excited to continue her role as Mentorship Chair on the Student Advisory Board.
Sarah Barter
Membership & Programming Committee, Professional Development Chair
Sarah Barter is a second-year student in the Clinical Psychology program at Oklahoma State University working under Dr. Christina Duncan in the SMART Lab. Her research interests include transition readiness and self-management within chronic illnesses, specifically in Type 1 Diabetes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She is also interested in parenting factors and their effects on self-management and transition readiness. Sarah is also a current trainee in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program through Oklahoma University. Sarah hopes to pursue a career that combines research and clinical practice at an academic medical center. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, creative writing, and all things musical theater.
Mary Rose Yockel
Membership & Programming Committee, Social Programming Chair
Mary Rose Yockel is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at The Catholic University of America, working under the mentorship of Dr. Christina Sharkey. Her research interests include parent-child communication, family functioning, and children's social, emotional, and cognitive development in the context of chronic illness. She is particularly interested in researching and developing tailored interventions to support the caregivers of children recently diagnosed with cancer. Mary Rose looks forward to being a part of the Student Advisory Board as the Social Programming Chair.
Elise Weber
Membership & Programming Committee, Networking Chair
Elise is a third-year student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Kent State University. She works under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Sato in the Pediatric Health and Stress Lab. Prior to KSU, Elise worked as a research coordinator at the Minnesota Center for Eating Disorders Research at the University of Minnesota. Broadly, her research interests involve psychosocial factors that influence the development and maintenance of disordered eating, as well as how familial factors (e.g., parenting practices, family conflict) impact clinical outcomes.
Programming Committee
Kathy Yanes Pérez (she/her)
Programming Committee, Mentorship Chair
Kathy Yanes Pérez is a fourth-year Clinical Psychology (PsyD) doctoral student at Nova Southeastern University with a background in public health, having earned her Master of Public Health from Florida International University. Her clinical interests center on pediatric psychology, with a focus on supporting children and families facing complex medical conditions, including diabetes, hematology and oncology, solid organ transplant, and palliative care. Kathy’s research interests include pediatric palliative care utilization among underserved and Latine families, health disparities in medical care, and culturally responsive interventions for children navigating serious illness. Kathy currently serves as a National Campus Representative for Division 54 and is excited to continue her role as Mentorship Chair on the Student Advisory Board.
Ellison S. Choate, B.S. (she/her)
Programming Committee, Networking Chair
Ellison (Ellie) Choate is a third-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at Palo Alto University. Ellie works under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Simons in the Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab at Stanford University and the mentorship of Dr. Robert Friedberg in the Center for the Study and Treatment of Anxious Youth at Palo Alto University. Ellie’s research centers around pediatric chronic pain and evaluating person-specific factors to understand what treatment is most effective and enhance treatment matching. Within the SAB, specifically the programming committee, Ellie is responsible for organizing the Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference Student Social Event, which is a social event with the aim of connecting trainees across the organization.
Mariela Monzalvo, Psy.M (she/her/ella)
Programming Committee, Professional Development Chair
Mariela Monzalvo is a third year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at The School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, OH under the advisement of Dr. Janeece Warfield. Mariela’s areas of research interest include examining pediatric health disparities in underserved and marginalized populations, reconciling these disparities from the voices of these communities, and delivering remote interventions on pain management for youth with functional abdominal pain and anxiety. Mariela’s clinical interests include pediatric pain management, primary care, and GI issues. Mariela looks forward to the privilege of being part of the Student Advisory Board (SAB) as the Programming Chair.
We would also like to recognize the students who have completed their terms. Thank you for your excellent work and valuable contributions to the SAB and SPP students and trainees!
Isabelle (Isa) Sereno (2023-24)
Amanda Flagg (2023-24)
Ashley Lahoud (2023-24)
Ariel O. Blakey (2023-24)
Perry Catlin (2023-24)
Kelsey L. Jong (2022-23)
Rachel S. Fisher (2022-23)
Samantha Scott (2023)
Karen Dimentstein (2022-23)
Caitlyn E. Maye (2022-23)
Jennifer A. Kelleher (2022-23)
Mycah L. Ayala-Brittain (2022-23)
Yael Gross (2022-23)
Sahar S. Eshtehardi (2021-22)
Melissa L. Engel (2021-22)
Alix M. McLaughlin (2021-22)
Erin L. Moorman (2021-22)
Nicole M. Ruppe (2021-22)
Clarissa Shields (2021-22)
Social Media
Join the SPP Facebook Group
Student Listserv
SPP student members can join the student listserv by emailing SPP.StudentRep@gmail.com
Graduate Programs, Pre-doctoral Internships, and Fellowships in Pediatric Psychology
Check out our training resources page for lists of APA-accredited graduate programs, APA-accredited internships, and fellowships with an emphasis on pediatric psychology.
APA/APAGS Statement
SPP and the SAB would like to encourage its student members to join the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS). There are many benefits to individual student members, including periodicals focused on graduate student issues, research grants, travel funding, reduced conference registration, scholarships, and the opportunity to serve professional psychology at the national level through APA/APAGS governance.
Learn more about APAGS