Research Team

Primary Investigator

Natalie Russo, Ph.D. (she/her)

Dr. Natalie Russo is interested in the manner in which typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) process and integrate sensory information from one or more sensory modalities. Dr. Russo’s research interests focus on understanding of neurophysiology of sensory processing and multisensory integration among persons with ASD. She explores these research questions through the use of behavioral and electrophysiological measurements within the context of developmental psychopathology, using strength based approach to data interpretation and research design.

Dr. Russo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University, and affiliated faculty in Neuroscience.  She completed her graduate degree at McGill University in School psychology/applied Development; her predoctoral clinical internship at the TEACCH Center for Autism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical School (APA accredited). She was an ‘Autism Research Training’ postdoctoral trainee through Montreal Children’s Hospital, and completed her postdoctoral training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Dr. Russo fully supports the School Psychology Unified Anti-Racism Statement and Call to Action.

Her CV can be found here and a compilation of articles relevant to our research can be found here.

nrusso@syr.edu

Postdoctoral Fellow

Elia F. Soto, Ph.D. (she/her/ella)

Norfolk, NE

Dr. Elia F Soto is a Postdoctoral Researcher working within the CARE lab in conjunction with the ADHD Lifespan Treatment, Education, and Research (ALTER) lab at Syracuse University. She is a McNair Scholar from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University. Her interests include examining the neurocognitive profiles within ADHD and ASD, with particular focus on executive functioning. Dr. Soto has also published on a wide range of topics, including measurement validity, academic achievement, hyperactivity, emotion regulation, and externalizing behaviors.

elsoto@syr.edu

Graduate Students

Emily Watts, M.Sc. (she/her)

Buffalo, NY

Emily is in her last year as a doctoral student in the School Psychology program at SU. In her free time Emily enjoys spending time with her cats!

eawatts@syr.edu

Erin Matsuba, M.Sc. (she/her)

Toronto, Canada

Erin is a fifth-year doctoral student in the School Psychology program at SU. She received her Bachelor’s in First Class Honours Cognitive Science with a minor in Psychology at McGill University.  Her research interests include neuroimaging and its applications for supporting the diagnosis of autism. In her free time, Erin enjoys trying new recipes and watching Netflix.

esmatsub@syr.edu

Connor Mackenzie, B.A. (he/him)

Rochester, NY

Connor is a fourth-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with departmental honors from Otterbein University. Connor’s interests stem from his previous experiences as a research assistant at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and his work with Suicide Prevention Services in Columbus, Ohio. His research interests include the relationship between screen time and social anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD. In his free time, Connor enjoys fishing, traveling, biking, and playing chess.

ckmacken@syr.edu

Jarryd Osborne, B.Sc. (he/him)

Kingston, Canada

Jarryd is a third-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. He got his Bachelor’s in Neuroscience with a concentration in Cognitive Science at Princeton University. He is interested in understanding how autistic individuals perceive social situations through both a psychological and neurological lens. Outside of school, Jarryd likes playing a variety of sports, playing board games, and watching an endless amount of television.

josborne@syr.edu

Marie Shuter, M.Sc. (she/her)

Philadelphia, PA

Marie is a second-year doctoral student in the School Psychology program at SU. She graduated from The University of Nottingham with her Master of Science in Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology and with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from East Carolina University. Her research interests include understanding the development of tactile sensory processing for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. When not in the lab Marie enjoys traveling, biking and hiking with her dog Bentley.

mshuter@syr.edu

Xiaoxiao Chen, Master’s in Applied Psychology (she/her)

Chongqing, China

Xiao is a second-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. She got her Bachelor in applied psychology at Nanjing Normal University. She is interested in autistic sensory processing, atypical multisensory integration, and the welfare and job security of autistic individuals and their families.  In her free time, Xiao enjoys hiking, traveling, swimming, fostering plants, and watching Stand-up comedy and animation (Hunter X Hunter is the Best!).

xchen128@syr.edu

Aidee León Lúa (she/her/ella)

Los Angeles, California

Aidee is a first-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish. She is interested in learning more about the neural correlates of autistic children, especially those who are non-verbal/non-speaking. She is also interested in working as a bilingual psychologist and ensuring that Spanish-speaking, Latine families have equitable access to research opportunities and clinical services. In her free time, Aidee enjoys hiking, dancing, and traveling.

aleonlua@syr.edu

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Yvonne Chen-Yih Kuo (she/her)

Fremont, CA // Hsinchu, Taiwan

Yvonne is a Senior student in the College of Arts and Sciences at SU pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Forensic Science. Her research interests include the sensory processing patterns in Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD and its relationship across development and behavior as well as its possible applications to the legal system. In her free time, Yvonne enjoys hiking, traveling, watching Netflix, and cafe/restaurant hunting. 

Leah Hamdoun

Beirut, Lebanon

Leah is an international student from Beirut, Lebanon. She’s a Senior in the College of Arts and Sciences at SU pursuing her bachelor’s degree in both neuroscience and psychology. She’s also pursuing a minor in cognitive science. She’s interested in a career in neuropsychology and looks forward to helping patients. Leah is also a FYS 101 peer instructor and volunteers with Engineering ambassadors where she teaches local middle school students by conducting hands-on STEM projects. In her free time, Leah loves traveling, reading, and watching Netflix.

De’Lisia Adorno (she/her)

Pittsfield, MA

De’Lisia is a Junior in the College of Arts of Sciences at SU pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. She’s interested in pursuing Clinical Child Psychology in graduate school and is looking forward to opening her own clinic to help neurodivergent children! On her free time, she enjoys singing, cooking, and working out.

Chloe Britton Naime (they/them)

Los Angeles, CA // Chicago, IL

Chloe is a Sophomore in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at SU pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Neuroscience. They are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. In their free time, they enjoy rock climbing, knitting, and crocheting.

Emily Hartman (she/her)

Long Island, NY

Emily is a Junior in the College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at SU pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in Psychology and Policy Studies. She is interested in pursuing a a J.D. to become involved in political policy making. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, going on hikes, and playing with her dog.

Caitlin Grogan (she/her)

Gillette, NJ

Caitlin is a Senior in the College of Arts and Sciences at SU pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. She’s interested in pursuing a Physician’s Assistant master’s degree to practice psychiatric and neurological medicine. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, spending time with her friends, and reading.

Sarah Alamarie (she/her)

Syracuse, NY

Sarah a second-year student at Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences. She is pursuing a bachelor degree in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Biology. Sarah is interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Physicians Assistant studies to become a pediatric neurologist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to podcasts, and watching Netflix.

Hunter Pyke (he/him)

Akwesasne, NY

Hunter is currently a freshman majoring in psychology and neuroscience. He is interested in pursuing a career in medicine and working with patients from underrepresented backgrounds. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports with some friends, spending time with his dogs, and reading.