People

Dr. Ilya Yaroslavsky, Lab Director

Dr. Ilya Yaroslavsky received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2005, and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston in 2011. Prior to joining the Psychology department at Cleveland State University, Dr. Yaroslavsky completed a National Research Service Award post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine where he developed a programmatic line of research focusing on the role of the autonomic nervous system in emotion regulation outcomes and depression risk.

As a member of the Clinical Psychology Master's program, Dr. Yaroslavsky is committed to clinical research mentorship of undergraduate and masters students. Students in Dr. Yaroslavsky's lab receive extensive training in laboratory and experience sampling research methods (e.g., ecological momentary assessment & electronically activated recording), clinical interviewing via semi-structured instruments (e.g., SCID-5 & SIDP), and the acquisition, processing, and analysis of physiologic signals that are used to infer autonomic nervous system activity (e.g., electrodermal activity, electrocardiography, and impedance cardiography) and eye tracking data. 

Email: i.yaroslavsky@csuohio.edu

Graduate Student Researchers

Amanda Ahn (2nd Year)

Amanda is a second-year student in the clinical psychology program at CSU. She has research interests surrounding emotion regulation, sexual assault and harassment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and military populations. She is also a member of the HEART Lab and is looking to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to pursue a military psychologist career.

Laura Torio (2nd Year)

Laura is a second-year student in the clinical psychology program at CSU coming from Spain, where she did her undergraduate degree and a master program in psychological intervention in crisis and emergencies. Her research interests are emotion regulation, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), forced migration, mood or anxiety disorders, and sexual violence and abuse. She is looking forward to pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology.

Rocco Iacobone (2nd Year)

Rocco is in his second-year of the Cleveland State Clinical Psychology Master's Program, focusing on emotional regulation in chronic pain populations. He has previous research experience as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where he is originally from. Rocco also plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. His goal is to become a licensed Clinical Pediatric and Adolescent Pain Psychologist.

Ariana Ellis (2nd Year)

Ariana is a second-year master’s student at CSU studying Clinical Psychology. She earned her B.S. degrees in psychology and political science from Case Western Reserve University in 2024. Her research interests broadly include forensic psychology and its intersection with psychopathology, developmental, and personality psychology. She is also a member of the MAPP Lab!

Ethan Besselman (2nd Year Psychological Sciences Program)

Ethan is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological Sciences program at Cleveland State University. They completed their undergraduate education at Bowling Green State University, graduating with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in music. Ethan’s research interests lie in the development and improvement of transdiagnostic therapeutic practices targeting the underlying mechanisms of mental illness. They are also a member of the MAPP Lab!

Manar Hesino (1st Year)

Manar Hesino is a first-year student in the clinical psychology master's program at CSU. Her research interests include mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, and emotion regulation. Manar is interested in working with youth populations from diverse backgrounds. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology with minors in Arabic studies and finance from West Virginia University. Manar is looking forward to pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology. 

Undergraduate Student Research Assistants

Ashley Cohn

Ashley is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Neuroscience at CSU. She is interested in researching preventative treatments for PTSD and anxiety disorders, as well as the biopsychosocial factors that contribute to maladaptive cognitive distortions and emotional patterns. She hopes to apply these insights toward more effective therapeutic interventions that address both the unique and shared challenges faced by clients with PTSD or anxiety disorders. Ashley is studying to become a clinical psychologist.

Meghan O'Boyle

Meghan is a junior Psychology major with a minor in Neuroscience who is studying to become a Clinical Psychologist. Her research interests include emotion regulation in high-risk individuals and the development of Mood and Psychotic Disorders, particularly Schizophrenia, Depression, and Anxiety.  She is motivated to investigate the risk factors and prognoses of these disorders from a developmental psychopathological perspective, applying insights to improve treatment planning and guide early interventions.