People

LEaRN Lab Team

• Graduate Students

  Rebecca Handsman

  

  Rebecca Handsman (she/her) is a PhD student in the LEARN Lab. Rebecca graduated from the University of Rochester with a BS and BA in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Psychology. After graduating, Rebecca worked at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Children’s National Hospital contributing to research on executive functioning and supports for neurodivergent youth. Her current research interests include understanding transdiagnostic factors across neurodevelopmental differences, such as executive functioning, and the role of mental health in the experiences of neurodivergent individuals. Her current work is focused specifically on self-advocacy  and how social, cognitive, and mental health factors may impact the development of self-advocacy skills.

   

  Jenna Sandler

  

  Jenna Sandler (she/her) is a PhD student in the LEARN Lab. Jenna graduated from Brandeis University with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Linguistics. After graduating, Jenna worked at the UC Davis MIND Institute contributing to research on the early indicators of, and the shared and distinct developmental pathways to, autism and ADHD. Her current research interests include understanding the intersection between neurodiversity and child mental health, particularly how to identify which children are at higher risk of developing mental health conditions and the role of mental health in neurodivergent children's lived experiences. 

• Research Assistant

  Nevaeh Garrison

  

   

  Nevaeh Garrison (they/she) is a professional research assistant in the LEARN Lab. Nevaeh Graduated from the University of Denver with a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience, and minors in Sociology and Biology. During their undergrad, Nevaeh was a research assistant in the LEARN and BRAVE Labs working on a NIH-Funded study investigating anxiety symptoms in children with learning differences. Their current research interests include understanding the role of mental health in the experiences of neurodivergent children and adolescents as well as understanding and dismantling  barriers to education through research and public policy.