Principal Investigator
Dr. Michelle J. Zaso (she/her)
Dr. Michelle J. Zaso is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University.
Dr. Zaso received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Syracuse University. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship in addictions and clinical research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions and the Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo.
Her research focuses on interplay between the individual and their environment in problem drinking. Her current projects are working to characterize the role of affective alcohol cognitions in responsiveness to adverse, alcohol-triggering stressful and traumatic environments. She also examines how individual factors (genetics, affective alcohol cognitions, personality) influence susceptibility to abundant alcohol-facilitating socioenvironments across adolescence and young adulthood.
Graduate Students
Kriti Behari (she/her)
Kriti Behari is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at Syracuse University.
Kriti received a B.A. in psychology from Skidmore College and an M.A. in psychology from Stony Brook University. Kriti is interested in the role of trauma and stigma-related processes in maintaining mental health disparities for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. She is also interested in adapting and implementing affirming interventions for SGM people. In her spare time, Kriti enjoys tending to her plants, puttering, and playing with other people’s dogs.
Contact: kbehari@syr.edu
Mariya Churina (she/her)
Mariya Churina is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at SU.
Mariya graduated from the University of Michigan – Dearborn where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Prior to starting graduate school, Mariya worked as a research assistant at the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry. Her research interests include the cognitive and affective factors that underlie the development and maintenance of stress- and trauma-related alcohol use. In addition to research, Mariya enjoys making art, traveling, and reading.
Contact: mchurina@syr.edu
Nessia Crispe (she/her)
Nessia Crispe is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at SU.
Nessia graduated from the Lehigh University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In her undergrad, Nessia was part of multiple research projects that addressed issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline, FASD, and parental help-messaging in the context of alcohol. Her research interests are more broadly focused on emerging adults in the context of alcohol and more specifically how parental involvement shapes alcohol use during this developmental stage. In addition to research, Nessia enjoys spending time with her cat Floofer, snowboarding, rock climbing, crocheting, and making pottery!
Contact: ncrispe@syr.edu
Research Staff
Lizzy Charney
Lizzy Charney is a Project Coordinator for the IMPACT Lab.
Lizzy graduated from St. Lawrence University where she earned a B.S. in psychology. During her undergraduate studies, Lizzy participated in multiple research projects focusing on the relationship between belonging, well-being, and retention. Lizzy is interested in learning more about the relationship between trauma and alcohol use. In addition to research, Lizzy loves to be outdoors, crochet, and listen to music.
Contact: echarney@syr.edu