CUNY JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
WEISS RESEARCH LAB
MEET THE LAB!
DOCTORAL STUDENTS
​​Lilliam Castillo, M.A.​
Shanique Meyler, M.A.
Kabrianna Tamura, M.A.​
MASTERS STUDENTS
Ashley Garcia, B.A.
Elli McCarthy, B.A.
Ingrid Lopez, M.A.
Delia McInerney, M.A.
CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
Lilliam Castillo
Shanique Meyler
Kabrianna Tamura
Delia McInerney
Ingrid Lopez
Thaisa Santos
Ashley Garcia
Elli McCarthy
Cordale Jimmison
Marianny Arias
Xiang Li
Christine Lee
Amy Polinsky
Miriam Woodruff
Stephany Betances
HOW TO JOIN THE LAB!
​Sophomores are encouraged to apply to the lab. However, more advanced undergraduate students may be considered (juniors and seniors). All John Jay undergraduate lab members must complete PSY 385 with Dr. Weiss. Moreover, lab members must work in the lab for at least one semester prior to signing up for PSY 385. Lab members are encouraged to continue with PSY 485 (independent research) although it is not required. Please note, if lab members wish to enroll in PSY 485, they must have completed a relevant literature review, methodology and have submitted an IRB PRIOR to the semester in which they register for PSY 485.​
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
The lab is actively recruiting bilingual (Spanish/English) graduate students. Students in both MA programs at John Jay (Forensic Psychology or Forensic Mental Health) are eligible to join the lab. Lab members will receive training and supervision for commonly used forensic assessment measures. They are needed to administer these measures to bilingual (Spanish/English) and monolingual (Spanish only) research participants.
Masters students are expected to contribute 6-8 hours per week to the lab. They are asked to complete 2-3 evaluations per week. Students are not required to conduct independent research, although relevant research topics will be considered. Students on a thesis track (mentored by Dr. Weiss) must complete their literature review, receive IRB approval, and begin data collection PRIOR to the end of their first year. Students will create a timeline with Dr. Weiss regarding the completion of their thesis; students are responsible for adhering to that timeline.
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DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Doctoral students must apply through the Graduate Center, City University of New York.
NON JOHN JAY STUDENTS
Considered on a case-by-case basis.
ALUMNI LAB MEMBERS
Amanda Rosinski, M.A.
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Miriam Woodruff, M.A.
Jara Rodriguez, M.A.
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Betsy Galicia, B.S.
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Nishma Ramos-Gonzalez, B.A.
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Michelle Tanur, B.A.
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Dylan Tellez, B.A.
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Stephany Betances, B.A
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Cynthia Alardo, B.A
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Ashley Rajkumar, B.A
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Celines Rodriguez, B.A
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Danielle Gary
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Vanessa Jiminez, M.A.
Vanessa Jiminez research interests are psychometrics, police research, psychopathy, counterterrorism, and domestic terrorism. Vanessa is currently working at the Department of Justice as an Operational Support Technician. Vanessa Jiminez loves her job because it involves working with several government agencies.
Karla Sevilla, M.A.
Karla Sevilla is currently working as a Mental Health Youth Advocate for a non-profit at Rikers Island. She also works part-time as a group treatment facilitator for a Sex Offender Treatment agency in Long Island City. Karla conducts treatment groups in Spanish. Additionally, she is still involved in Dr. Weiss research lab as well as Dr. Jeglic's Sex Offender Research Lab.
Alex Levitz, B.A.
Alex Levitz attended Union County College located in Cranford, NJ, where he earned an A.A. in Criminal Justice. He then transferred to John Jay College, where he earned a B.A. in Forensic Psychology and a certificate in Dispute Resolution in the spring of 2015. As an undergrad at John Jay, Alex joined Dr. Rebecca Weiss's research lab and worked as a lead undergraduate research assistant. During his senior year, Alex designed and carried out his own research project, which focused on the effect of instruction on participants' ability to successfully feign.
Jillian Schweizer, B.A.
Jillian is currently working as a paralegal for a defense attorney in the New York Southern District Court. In the evenings, she works for the YMCA in Middlesex County, New Jersey, where she resides. Her casework includes Parent Coaching, Teen Mentoring and Life Skills Coaching for young adults.
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Qian Li, B.A.
Qian Li was a McNair Scholar at John Jay under the mentorship of Dr. Weiss. Beginning in the Fall 2016 semester, she will continue her studies in the clinical psychology doctoral program at University of Memphis.​
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Laura Lin, B.A
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Laura Lin obtained a B.A. in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College. Dr. Weiss and Lin are currently working on a manuscript investigating the cultural validity of personality assessments among Asian Americans. Moreover, Lin is currently in the M.S. School Psychology program, with the intention to transfer to the Psy.D. School Psychology program in 2018, at St. Johns University. Additionally, Lin is currently receiving training on Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy and Verbal Behavioral (VB) Therapy. Furthermore, Lin is also currently exploring the cultural considerations in assessing anger disorders with Dr. DiGiuseppe in St. Johns University.
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Betsy Galicia, M.A.
Betsy Galicia was a Pinkerton Fellow at John Jay of Criminal Justice. Upon graduation, she started working at Memorial Private High School in Houston, Texas as the Dean of Student Life. Her research interests include cultural differences in psychological assessments and evaluations.
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Shana Harris, B.A
Shana Harris was a Honors Program student under the mentorship of Dr. Weiss and carried out her own research project, which focused on the effect of race on a law students/lawyers decision to refer their clients for competency to stand trial evaluations. She is currently conducting research at the Child Mind Institute while continuing her work with Dr. Weiss.
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Nishma N. Ramos-Gonzalez, M.A
Nishma N. Ramos-Gonzalez completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico. She moved to New York to complete her Master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. She works as a bilingual case manager for immigration proceedings under the U.S. government Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) at Omaha, Nebraska.