Research Assistants

Kellie Lund

Kellie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Monterey Bay in the Fall of 2018 with magna cum laude honors. Her main interests within the psychology field include abnormal psychology, clinical psychology, and neuropsychology. She plans on continuing her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a neuropsychology concentration. She wants to become a practicing psychologist but also has interests in research as well.

As a research assistant, Kellie takes on research that is relevant to the current cases Dr. Perrotti is working on. She also assists patients on the phone and in-person, as well as handling patient files. Other jobs she does around the office include typing up and editing reports, fact-checking reports, and verifying and inputting various psychological tests that Dr. Perrotti conducts with his patients.

Kellie is also a caregiver for a young woman with cerebral palsy when she is not working here as a research assistant. When she is not working, Kellie likes to go hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, and boating. She loves the outdoors and being with friends and family.

Olivia Backley

Olivia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles.  She was among the top 10% of the students at her university and was inducted into the Honors Society (Alpha Sigma Lambda).  Her future plans include earning a Master’s in Psychological Research, followed by a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and eventually becoming a clinical and forensic psychologist. Recently, Olivia was accepted to CSULB’s Master of Arts in Psychological Research, starting in Fall of 2021.

As a research assistant in the office, Olivia assists Dr. Perrotti with his podcasts, engages in research relevant to his cases, and handles and organizes client files.  She also types up and edits Dr. Perrotti’s case reports, letters to clients, and case outlines, as well as inputting and verifying test data.  Additionally, she accommodates Dr. Perrotti’s clients both in person and over the phone.

Olivia has worked various internships related to psychology.  She practiced art therapy with young children awaiting their hearing at Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Courthouse in Monterey Park, interned with a high school psychologist at an all girl’s charter school for at-risk youth in Echo Park, and currently works as a client care coordinator at a therapy center in South Pasadena when she is not in the office.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling with friends and family. So far, she has been to France, Scotland, England, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. She hopes to travel to Italy in the near future.

Madeline Hemphill

Madeline received her bachelor’s degree in 2017, from California State University, Chico with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Since graduating, she has worked in the Applied Behavioral Analysis field, working with children on the autism spectrum to improve independence as well as important social and cognitive skills.  Her primary interests include neuroscience as well as forensic psychology, and she plans to soon return to graduate school to study in one of these fields. She hopes to one day have a career working in the criminal justice system or as a neuroscience researcher. 

As a research assistant in the office, Madeline aids Dr. Perrotti in gathering research materials, inputting test scores and managing case files. She also aids in the intake of new clients. 

In her spare time, Madeline enjoys spending time in nature, practicing her art, and reading books related to psychology and politics. Madeline also spends her time working one-on-one with a preschooler with autism in Long Beach.

 

Delaney Falsken

Delaney is currently a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Psychology. After graduation in Fall of 2021, she is planning on furthering her education by receiving a Ph.D. in Psychology. Her main interests within the field include developmental, abnormal, and clinical psychology, and in terms of career goals, she hopes to become a practicing psychologist while also conducting research.

Delaney recently joined the research team in the office, and she will be working to help Dr. Perrotti by reviewing research materials, managing case files, typing case reports, and corresponding with his clients both in person and over the phone.

Throughout her undergraduate experience, Delaney has gained research experience working in a Memory and Cognition lab at UCLA where she manages participant engagement in various studies, reviews pertinent research findings, and conducts data input from experimental results. Additionally, Delaney also contributes to a blog for Acacia Counseling and Wellness, which is a counseling center dedicated to providing mental health care to college students.

In her spare time, Delaney works to give back to her community, and she has spent the past 2 years tutoring a UCLA custodial employee in English to help her gain citizenship in the US. Also, she enjoys going to the beach, reading books related to psychology and self-help, painting, and listening to music.

 

Salsabil Emdad

Salsabil (pronouns: she/her/hers) is currently enrolled in California State University, Fullerton, and is majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is expected to graduate in Spring 2022. 

She is planning to continue her higher education and pursue her Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Her long-term goal is to accomplish a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology, concentrating on Forensic Psychology. Her primary interests are developmental psychology, cross-cultural psychology intersecting with abnormal psychology, and statistics. She currently serves as a Course Assistant in PSY 300 (Research Methods) at CSUF under mentors Dr. Emily Cheng and Dr. Susan Shimazu. Her past experiences include working as a Behavioral Support, case managing IEP plans, and providing ABA therapy (one-on-one) for middle and high school children under Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD).

As a research assistant in the office, Salsabil assists Dr. Perrotti with respect to reviewing and gathering research reports, correspondence and intake of patients, case file management, outlining and fact-checking case reports.

As an immigrant, Salsabil prioritizes standing in solidarity with community-driven interventions and advocating for mental health and abolition. Outside school and work, she is committed to Mutual Aid work with a local organization, J-town Action and Solidarity – serving hot meals, fresh produce, clothes, PPE, hygiene products, clean health kits with harm reduction products (clean syringes, needles) + NARCAN, and a charging booth for the unhoused folks in and around Little Tokyo District, Downtown Los Angeles. She also lobbies for Criminal Justice reform bills in legislative meetings with Initiate Justice, an organization working towards abolition and providing re-entry programs/ services for folks impacted by the incarceration system. 

Her interests include spending time with family, reading, deep diving on the Internet, enjoying electronic music, painting, scenic drives, kayaking, and rock climbing in the desert.