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

Kathy-Diane Reich (2nd year) 

Kathy is a second-year student in the clinical psychology program at CSU. Her research interests include emotion regulation and psychopathology, mainly focusing on depression in underreprese

nted and under-researched populations. Much of her research has been dedicated to positively impacting the LGBTQ+ community. She is also a practicum student with the Behavioral Health Research Group at University Hospitals. Her next goal is to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to advance her research, as she aspires to conduct clinical research as a career.

Amanda Ahn (1st year)

Amanda is a first-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 (1st year)

Laura is a first 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 (1st year)

Rocco is in his first 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 (1st year)

Ariana is a first-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 (1st year Psychological Sciences Program)

Ethan is a first-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!

Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistants

Taelor Mullins

Taelor has just recently graduated from Cleveland State University with her undergraduate degree in psychology and neuroscience. Her research interests involve how various clinical disorders might differ depending on culture. She is currently taking a gap year before pursuing a graduate program.

Undergraduate Student Research Assistants

Ashley Cohn

Ashley is a junior 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.

Hayley Vance

Hayley Vance is a 20 year old Psychology major, working towards and is in her last year of getting her bachelor’s. She is interested in many different areas of research, but has mainly participated in areas such as, industrial organizational, criminal psychology, as well as mood and emotional regulation.