Graduate Research Assistants Profiles
Allie Jedinak
Allie Jedinak is attending Chatham University part-time to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She currently works full-time at Carnegie Mellon University in Undergraduate Admission. She received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Millersville University and a Master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University – Bloomington. Prior to moving to Pittsburgh, Allie served as a Residence Hall Director at Southern Methodist University. She volunteers for Crisis Center North, assisting those affected by domestic violence, and serves as an online mentor for high schools students, helping students develop career plans. Her professional affiliations include the NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the American College Counseling Association (ACCA). Her research interests include gender and the college student population. Allie enjoys cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers (and showing off her Steeler tattoo!), running half-marathons, and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee!
Krista Laux
Krista Laux received her B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College in May 2008. She is currently in her second semester of the M.S.C.P. program at Chatham University, and is hoping to pursue a Psy.D degree upon completion of her Master’s. Although undecided on which population she would like to work with in the future, Krista has experience working with children as a Therapeutic Staff Support and as a Research Specialist on the Childhood Anxiety Treatment Study at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. By joining the Research team, Krista hopes to broaden her horizons. In her free time, she likes traveling, hiking/camping, reading, going on sushi dates with friends and her boyfriend, and spending time with her dog.
Yvette Mallory
Yvette Mallory is a native of New Jersey and has been living in Pittsburgh for nine years. I miss the Atlantic Ocean and hope to move closer to the beach, family and friends in the near future. I am a registered nurse and am currently coordinating research trials for heart patients at the University of Pittsburgh. Both nursing and psychology have always been a strong interest and my goal is to combine both aspects into helping others both physically and psychologically. Spirituality is a very important part of my life and I spend time working with middle school and adolescent girls through my church’s mentoring program. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and watching sports. Watching football, college basketball and golf are my biggest extracurricular activities. I am a ESPN and NFL network junkie! My goal for the future is to be as good as Tiger Woods!
Lindsay Donofrio
is currently in her third semester of the M.S.C.P program, and is hoping to pursue either a Psy.D or Ph.D degree upon completion of her Master’s. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Duquesne University in May 2009 with an Existential Phenomenological approach to learning. Lindsay would ideally like to work with either the adolescent or young adult populations, and is pursuing her interests in this through research. Lindsay currently works at The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh; she enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as reading, running outdoors, and especially cheering for her favorite hockey team the Pittsburgh Penguins!
Angela Dean
received a B.F.A from Carnegie Mellon University in Drama with a concentration on Scene Design and Theater Management in 1997. After working briefly in theater, she worked for several local retailers in corporate roles including both IT and supply chain positions. After learning much about human trafficking and the modern slave trade, she decided to pursue a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology in order to assist survivors of human trafficking. While this is no longer the population with which she wishes to work professionally, Angela still desires to work with them on a volunteer basis. She is particularly interested in working with individuals in palliative care, particularly cancer care, and their families. Her research interests include not only gender research, but also research on positive psychology and positive behavior intervention support. After graduation, Angela hopes to pursue a Psy.D. When not on campus, Angela can be found with her family, or friends, volunteering with her church, or leading her daughter's Brownie troop.
Ethan Shanker
received his B.A. in psychology from Metropolitan State College of Denver in Colorado. He is currently pursuing his M.A. in psychology from Chatham University. Ethan is a certified addictions counselor in the state of Colorado and worked with transitioning Department of Corrections men with serious mental illness in an Therapeutic Community setting. His research interests are primarily focused on religion and spirituality's effects in the counseling environment and with being mentally healthy. Ethan is en route to earning his Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
