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Research Team
Graduate Students
Shelby Goodwin, B.S., M.P.S.
Shelby is a 5th year PhD candidate in Rowan University’s Clinical Psychology program and is currently completing her internship at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. 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 recently accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit and will begin that position in Fall 2026. She was also recently awarded the APA Division 25 SEAB Dissertation Award in Applied Research for her dissertation titled, “Contingency Management for Opioid Use Disorder Buprenorphine Treatment Engagement: 3-Month Outcomes.”
Mikaela Bubna, B.S., M.S.
Mikaela is a 4th 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. Mikaela is currently doing a practicum at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Mikaela loves to lift weights, run, curate Spotify playlists, and learn Chopin pieces on the piano.
Matthew Mitnick, B.S., M.A.
Matthew is a 4th 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. Matt is currently doing a practicum at the University of Pennsylvania.
Emily Lamison, B.A., M.P.S
Emily is a 1st year PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at Rowan University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Elizabethtown College in 2021 and her Master of Professional Studies in Clinical Psychological Science from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2022. Emily is interested in researching community-based substance use treatment, treatment barriers, and continuing care models. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and embroidering.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Sapjah Zapotitla
Sapjah Zapotitla is a senior psychology major at Rowan University with double minors in sociology and sport psychology and certificates in Spanish and Social Justice & Social Change. A fellow of U-RISE, University Innovation Fellow (UIF), and a Governor’s STEM Scholar (GSS). Beyond research, Sapjah is deeply engaged in community leadership and service. She leads Bride Breakfast, a ministry serving the unhoused and addicted population in Kensington, and continues to support Forging Youth Resilience by mentoring youth and supporting free CrossFit classes for teens in the Camden community. She also uses photography and videography as tools for social awareness, storytelling, and advocacy. As a Mexican-American First-Generation scholar, she aims to amplify underrepresented voices and provide accessible interventions.
Lucas Wittenburg
Lucas Wittenburg is a junior undergraduate pursuing a double major in neuroscience and social work, with psychology and advanced pre-health minors. Lucas eventually hopes to become a licensed social worker before attending medical school for psychiatry. He also volunteers as a Staff EMT at Rowan EMS, works as a community assistant, and serves as an officer at Rowan’s NeuroClub. Lucas is especially passionate about addiction medicine and mental healthcare equity. In his free time, he’s self-described as outdoorsy and outgoing, practicing martial arts, socializing with friends, and enjoying all things mutlimedia. Lucas excitedly joined HABIT Lab in Spring 2025 to support their research into behavioral interventions that promote wellbeing.
Sweta Banjara
Sweta is an undergraduate freshman majoring in Psychology. She has volunteered with the Getfit program and plans to volunteer with Rowan EMS next semester. Sweta enjoys learning about behavioral patterns and is passionate about supporting her community. She is also a member of the Active Minds club. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology. Outside of academics, Sweta enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with her brother.
Sampada Tuladhar
Sampada Tuladhar is a freshman undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science and planning to minor in New Media. She is an international student from Nepal who developed an interest in psychology after studying it in high school. While she is still exploring different career paths within the field, she is especially interested in child and adolescent development and industrial/organizational psychology. In the HABIT Lab, Sampada works as a research assistant and is excited to be involved in research and expand her understanding of psychology through hands-on experience. Outside of academics, she works as an Admissions Ambassador at Rowan University and manages social media for the Rowan Badminton Club, combining two things she loves, playing badminton and creating content. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, watching movies, and making vlogs.
Ryan Shintani
Ryan Shintani is a high school student in Ridgewood, New Jersey who is dedicated to understanding and addressing practical topics in psychology. In the HABIT lab, he assists in research about substance abuse and behavioral interventions and applications in mental health care. In addition, Ryan is passionate about the area of sleep psychology, creating an organization dedicated to elevating understanding of this topic. Outside of his academic pursuits, Ryan enjoys traveling, playing basketball, listening to music, and sleeping.
Affiliate Members
![Kim headshot Rowan 2[1]](https://habitunit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/kim-headshot-rowan-21-e1633903175735.jpg)
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).
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