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Research Team

Graduate Students

Connor Burrows, B.S., M.A.

Connor is in his 6th year as a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology at Rowan University, and is currently at an internship in Gainesville, FL at the University of Florida Health Sciences. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science and his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Rowan. His research interests include the application of behavioral economics and behavioral interventions to a variety of health concerns, such as smoking cessation and physical activity. Connor has clinical experience working in integrated health care settings including a general hospital and primary care office. His clinical interests include the application and integration of behavioral interventions into medical settings and the clinical applicability of behavioral economic measures.  

Matthew Dwyer, M.S., M.A.

Matt is in his 6th year as a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology program at Rowan University and is currently at an internship in St. Louis, MO at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. He received a Master of Science degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology from Eastern Michigan University, with coursework in both clinical psychology and applied behavior analysis. He received a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Rowan University. His research interests include using behavioral economics to study decision making in drug use. 

Caitlyn Upton, M.S., M.A.

Caitlyn is a 5th year PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology program at Rowan University and is currently at an internship in Saginaw, MI at Aleda E. Lutz VAMC. She received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology at Eastern Michigan University and her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology at Rowan University. Caitlyn’s interests broadly include the application of behavioral principles and interventions in substance use disorders, mental health care, and integrated healthcare settings. She is also interested in behavioral approaches to social justice. Her clinical experiences include work in an acute psychiatric hospital and day programs, both of which offered services for a wide range of disorders.

Shelby Goodwin, B.S., M.P.S.

Shelby is a 2nd year PhD candidate in Rowan University’s Clinical Psychology program. She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and her Master of Professional Studies in clinical psychological science from the University of Maryland College Park. She is interested in studying substance use and psychiatric co-morbidities, as well as polysubstance use. Shelby is currently doing practicum at Courage Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.

Mikaela Bubna, B.S., M.S.

Mikaela is a 1st year PhD candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Rowan University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour at McMaster University in 2018 and her Master of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa in 2021. Mikaela is broadly interested in addictions, brain injury, and using technology-based interventions for health behaviour change. In her free time, Mikaela loves to lift weights, run, curate Spotify playlists, and learn Chopin pieces on the piano.  

Matthew Mitnick, B.S.

Matthew is a 1st year PhD candidate in Rowan University’s Clinical Psychology Program. He received his Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Scranton. His research interests include behavioral interventions for substance use and comorbid anxiety disorders. He is also a Medical Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and hopes to incorporate his military experience into his future clinical work.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Selah (Lisa) Caliva – Lab Manager

Lisa is a senior undergraduate working towards her Bachelors of Science in Psychological Science with a minor in Statistics and Operations Research. Eventually, she hopes to earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology. After school, Lisa plans on a career in research and higher education. Lisa’s research interests are in addiction science, particularly the study of behavioral interventions for substance use disorders. In her free time, Lisa plays viola, enjoys puzzles, and reads anything she can get her hands on.

Mary Healy – Assistant Lab Manager

Mary is a senior undergraduate working towards a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Education. She aspires to obtain her PsyD in Clinical Psychology and eventually pursue a career as a mental health counselor. In her free time, Mary likes to play tennis with friends, play guitar, and spend time with family and friends.

Kristin Bassi

Kristin is a junior undergraduate student working towards a B.A. in Psychology. She aspires to continue her education at either the Master’s or Doctoral level and pursue a career in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests are substance abuse interventions and addiction science.  In her free time, she likes trying new recipes in the kitchen and spending time with family.

Harris Khan

Harris is currently in his junior at Rowan University, pursuing a bachelors of science in biology and a minor in chemistry and neuroscience. As a research assistant in the HABIT Lab, Harris’ interest is in aiding patients who suffer from substance use disorders with getting treatment. After college, Harris hopes to attend medical school and become a physician. 

Nicolas Samson

Nick is currently a junior at Rowan University as a Biochemistry major with a Public Health & Wellness minor. He is interested in pursuing medical school, hoping to be a practicing physician one day. Some of Nick’s hobbies include playing sports and hanging out with his friends. A fun fact about Nick is that he has never broken a bone!

Colby Cleary

Colby is a junior at Rowan University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in sociology. She plans on becoming a school counselor and receiving her LPC in the future. One fun fact about Colby is that she loves art and is part of a sorority at Rowan University, Delta Phi Epsilon! 

Waverly Pross

Waverly is currently a junior at Rowan University pursuing a B.S. in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Law and Justice. In the future, she plans to continue her education with a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and hopes to continue to work in behavior intervention. In her free time, Waverly enjoys reading, especially classic literature. 

HABIT Lab Alumni

Affiliate Members

Kimberly Kirby, PhD, BCBA-D

Kimberly C. Kirby, PhD, BCBA-D is currently is an affiliate of Rowan University, a senior scientist with the TRI Cente on Addictions at PHMC and holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Her research focuses on developing practical interventions for substance abuse and addiction. She has been the principal investigator on multiple grants and contracts using principles of behavior economics to improve treatment of opioid and cocaine use disorders. She also has had multiple grants focused on helping families use Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) to deal with the substance use problems of a loved one. She is nationally recognized for her work in addictions, is a past-president of Division 28 (Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse) of the American Psychological Association and is a Fellow of APA Divisions 28 and 50 (Addictions).