Current Environment: Development

Dev

Madison Surmacz Madison Surmacz

Madison graduated from Johns Hopkins University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Madison spent 2.5 years at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), where she worked primarily on a study that observed the phenomenology of anxiety in preschool children with ASD through clinical and behavioral assessments. She completed her senior honors project in the characterization of intolerance of uncertainty in ASD through completing item-level factor analyses of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children (IUS-C) alongside her research team. On campus, Madison participated in the Best Buddies program, provided academic guidance through peer mentoring, and served as an internal trainer for JHU’s mental health organization, A Place to Talk. Madison is excited to be a part of the Faja Lab and continue to grow in a clinical research context in hopes of one day pursuing her PhD in Clinical or Developmental Psychology. In her free time, Madison enjoys spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and watching documentaries.

 

Emily Quin grayscale headshot Emily Quin

Quin graduated from Wellesley College in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. At Wellesley, Quin served as a House President, directing a residential hall while fostering community, advocating for residents’ mental health, and supervising a staff of Resident Assistants. Quin also worked as a Direct Care Counselor at The Walker School, teaching art and social communication and providing emotional and educational support to autistic students aged 5-14. Before joining the Faja Lab, Quin worked as a Clinical Research Assistant with the VA and McLean hospitals, studying how fMRI neurofeedback and mindfulness practices can be utilized to reduce auditory hallucinations in adults with schizophrenia. With a passion for mental health advocacy and equity in education, Quin aspires to receive a PhD in Clinical Psychology to continue working with autistic children and their families. When not at work, Quin enjoys crafting, exploring Boston, and reading fantasy novels.