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Research Team

Graduate Students

Upton

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

Caitlyn is a 6th year PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology program at Rowan University and just completed 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Lamsion, B.A., M.P.S

Emily is a 1^st 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.

Post-baccalaureate Research Assistants

Selah (Lisa) Caliva

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

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Sapjah Zapotitla

Sapjah Zapotitla is a junior undergraduate student pursuing psychology, a double minor in sociology and psychology of sports and exercise, and a certificate of undergraduate study in social justice and social change. Sapjah is a First-Generation Mexican-American student who is working to become a voice for marginalized individuals and highlight the need for resources in both mental and physical health by becoming a community-based researcher. She is a fellow of the NIH-funded U-RISE and working to be part of UIF at Rowan. She recently became a Governor’s STEM scholar. Outside of academics, she enjoys all kinds of art; photography, dancing, singing, or playing instruments for church! She actively provides ideas and assistance as an alumni athlete for a non-profit organization called Forging Youth Resilience, in which she has done CrossFit for over 5 years.

Aniket Shafin

Aniket Shafin is a junior undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Psychological Sciences at Rowan University. He is passionate about researching human behavior, both from societal and individual perspectives. Currently, Aniket is involved in the HABIT Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Bethany Raiff. He has also interned at the Wellness Center and serves as a Success Coach at Academic Support Program. Beyond research, he is deeply engaged in student leadership as a Class of 2026 senator. Additionally, he is the Founder and President of UNICEF at Rowan University, demonstrating his commitment to social impact and community well-being.

Lucas Wittenburg

Lucas Wittenburg is a sophomore 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.

Christopher Daverso

Christopher is pursuing a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, as well as a minor in Chemistry. He is also a peer tutor and CPR instructor for Rowan University’s departments of student success and campus recreation. After graduation, Christopher plans to attend medical school to pursue his aspirations of becoming a physician. Christopher joined the HABIT Lab in the 2025 spring semester, in order to participate in research aligning with his passion for holistic wellbeing. Christopher is also involved in research at Cooper University Hospital, investigating pediatric cervical spine clearance after traumatic injury.

Emily Santana

Emily Santana is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences, with a minor in Pre-Health and a concentration in Spanish. She plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant, to specialize in emergency medicine, a field that appeals to her because of its fast pace and the opportunity to care for a wide variety of patients. Emily is deeply passionate about both mental and physical health, with a strong interest in human behavior and addiction medicine. In addition to her studies, Emily is actively involved in the Rowan community. She volunteers with Rowan EMS, serves as a pre-health ambassador, and holds the position of secretary for the pre-dental club. Outside the classroom, Emily enjoys exploring new coffee shops and hitting the slopes, skiing is her favorite sport.

Sarah Maung

Sarah is a freshman undergraduate student majoring in Biological sciences and planning to declare a minor in Psychology. She hopes to pursue a career as a physician specializing in either psychiatry or neurology. Sarah is passionate about the integration of neurology, psychology, and medicine to promote better patient care. Outside of school, she is involved in Rowan’s HAWCC Club and the Muslim Student Association, while also volunteering at Jefferson Hospital. Sarah enjoys spending her free time reading, playing tennis, painting, and spending time with her cats.

High School Research Assistants

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.

HABIT Lab Alumni

Affiliate Members

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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).