PEOPLE
FACULTY
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Matthew Yalch, Ph.D. Matt is an associate professor at Palo Alto University. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University (2016) and completed his predoctoral internship (2016) and postdoctoral fellowship (2017) in substance use and co-occurring disorders at the San Francisco VA Health Care System. Matt is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of comorbid PTSD/SUD and multi-method personality assessment. His research interests include the intersection of personality and trauma, interpersonal theory, and the application of Bayesian statistics. CV |
STUDENTS
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Dominic Ceroni, M.A.
Dominic received his B.A. in psychology from Cal State University Northridge in 2016 and his M.A. in clinical psychology from Cal State University Northridge in 2018, focusing heavily on forensic psychology. Following this, he worked with prisoners teaching alternatives to violence and with court ordered teens on probation in a placement facility. Dominic’s clinical and research interests include psychopath and other personality pathology, externalizing disorders, and the influence of trauma on psychopathy, especially in incarcerated settings. |
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Nicole Baldwin, M.A.
Nicole received her B.A in psychology and criminal justice, with a minor in Spanish from the University of Arkansas in 2017, followed by an M.A in psychology from NYU in 2020. Nicole’s research and clinical interests are in trauma and externalizing behaviors among military and forensic populations. She is also a case manager with the Palo Alto VA, and a member of La Clínica Latina. |
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Christine (Chrissy) Hujing, M.S.
Chrissy received her B.A. in Psychology from California State University Channel Islands in 2020. Chrissy’s research and clinical interests include the influence trauma has on personality pathology in incarcerated populations as well as early intervention and prevention efforts in juvenile corrections settings. |
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Kaleigh Newcomb, M.S.
Kaleigh received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and Public Health from the University of North Florida in 2019. Her interest in both forensic and veteran populations lead her to pursue a career in forensic psychology. Kaleigh’s primary clinical and research interests include competency to stand trial, risk assessment, the impact of trauma on violent behavior, intimate partner violence, and malingering. |
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Margaret (Meg) Froehlich, M.A.
Meg earned her B.S. in Psychobiology with a minor in Evolutionary Studies from Albright College in 2015, followed by an M.A. in Psychology at American University in 2020. Her research interests include PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, emotion regulation, depression, personality, and addiction. Meg has experience working in residential treatment centers, which she continues to hone as a counselor. |
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Abbey Robbins, M.S.
Abbey received her bachelor's degree in Sociology with minors in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and East Asian Studies from New York University in 2018, and her master's degree in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019. She is currently pursuing forensic and neuropsychology emphases at PAU. Abbey’s clinical and research interests include psychopathy, aggression, and violence. |
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Rebekah (Bekah) Nerenberg, B.S.
Rebekah Nerenberg received her B.S. in Applied Psychology with a minor in Global Public Health from New York University in 2018. Her clinical interests include trauma-focused treatment of refugees and military veterans. Bekah’s research interests include the intersection of personality disorders, decision making, trauma, and grief. |
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Meghri (Meli) Sarkissian, M.A.
Meli received B.A. degrees in both European studies and in Psychology from San Diego State University in 2017, and her M.A. in Forensic Psychology from University of Denver in 2019. Since then, she provided treatment to people involved in the criminal justice system and worked as an assistant to a trial consultant. Meli's clinical and research interests include working with the impact of trauma on anger disorders, substance abuse, and its influence on expressions of anger that may result in violent behavior. |
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Emily Barbera, B.A.
Emily received her B.A. in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Geography from Rowan University, NJ in 2019. Her current clinical and research interests include mindfulness, mindfulness-based interventions for trauma, and predictors of traumatic responses in young adult and adult populations. |
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Sydney Stone, M.S.
Sydney received her B.A. degree(s) in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice from Arkansas Tech University in 2019, and both her M.S. degree in clinical psychology from Missouri State University and certification in child forensic psychology in 2021. Sydney has clinical and assessment experience with forensic, collegiate, and community populations. Her research and clinical interests relate to the intersection of trauma and personality within forensic populations, particularly justice involved youth. She has secondary interests in offender psychopathology, law enforcement personality pathology, and policy and prevention. Sydney is also a member of the Human Rights in Trauma and Mental Health joint program with Stanford University. |
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Mariana Ward, M.S.
Mariana received her B.S. in psychology and biology, with a minor in neuroscience from University of Connecticut in 2019, followed by an M.S. in psychology from Palo Alto University in 2023. Her primary clinical interest is working with veterans with PTSD. Mariana’s primary research interests are treatment-seeking behaviors and mental health care utilization in trauma-exposed individuals. |
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Connor Freeh, B.A.
Connor received his B.A. in psychology from Georgetown University in 2014. His clinical interests include trauma-focused interventions across the lifespan and his interests are at the intersection of death anxiety, mystical experiences, and personality. |
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Elizabeth Bedrossian, B.A.
Elizabeth received her B.A in Psychology at California State University Northridge in 2023. Her clinical interest in the incarcerated population has inspired her to pursue a career in forensic psychology. Elizabeth's current research interests include the intersection of trauma and offending behavior, substance use, and personality. |
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Karan Dilawari, B.A.
Karan received his B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Riverside, in 2023. His current clinical interests include utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy within healthcare settings. Karan's current research interests involve health psychology, specifically examining the impacts of diet on well-being and aspects of personality, such as narcissism and optimism. |
ALUM
Dr. Sania Ahmed received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2023, completing her clinical internship at the Southern Arizona VA. She plans to start her private practice in 2024.
Dr. Ryanne Dehart received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing her clinical internship at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, MN. She is currently at her postdoctoral fellowship at South Carolina Department of Mental Health completing civil and criminal forensic assessments.
Dr. Alana Gallagher received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024. She completed her clinical internship at VA Salt Lake City and is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship in Women’s Mental Health in Michigan Medicine/VA Ann Arbor’s Clinical Psychology Consortium.
Dr. Alicia Marmolejo received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing her clinical internship at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System. She is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the South Texas VA Healthcare System with an emphasis in psychosocial rehabilitation for serious mental illness.
Dr. Malia Moreland received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University 2024, after completing her clinical internship at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. She is currently completing the CESATE postdoctoral fellowship at VA Puget Sound, Seattle with a focus on substance use treatment and research.
Dr. Desheane Newman received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing his clinical internship at Denver Health, a community safety net hospital. He is currently completing his postdoctoral fellowship at Bryant West Psychology, a group private practice.
Dr. Sloane Rickman received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2022, completing her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Holistic Mental Health at VA Loma Linda. She is currently a staff psychologist at VA Loma Linda.
Dr. Jessica Sklar received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2023, completing her clinical internship at Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and her postdoctoral fellowship at Kaiser San Rafael Adult Psychiatry with an emphasis in trauma. She is currently working as a full-time psychologist at Kaiser San Jose specializing in the treatment of trauma.
Dr. Amber Stewart received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing her clinical internship at the VA Portland Health Care System. She is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Long Beach Health Care System.
Dr. Kayleigh Watters received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2022 and completing her clinical internship at the Oregon State University's Counseling & Psychological Services and her postdoctoral fellowship in PTSD at Stanford University. She is currently an assistant professor of psychology at Palo Alto University.
Dr. Ryanne Dehart received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing her clinical internship at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, MN. She is currently at her postdoctoral fellowship at South Carolina Department of Mental Health completing civil and criminal forensic assessments.
Dr. Alana Gallagher received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024. She completed her clinical internship at VA Salt Lake City and is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship in Women’s Mental Health in Michigan Medicine/VA Ann Arbor’s Clinical Psychology Consortium.
Dr. Alicia Marmolejo received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing her clinical internship at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System. She is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the South Texas VA Healthcare System with an emphasis in psychosocial rehabilitation for serious mental illness.
Dr. Malia Moreland received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University 2024, after completing her clinical internship at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. She is currently completing the CESATE postdoctoral fellowship at VA Puget Sound, Seattle with a focus on substance use treatment and research.
Dr. Desheane Newman received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing his clinical internship at Denver Health, a community safety net hospital. He is currently completing his postdoctoral fellowship at Bryant West Psychology, a group private practice.
Dr. Sloane Rickman received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2022, completing her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Holistic Mental Health at VA Loma Linda. She is currently a staff psychologist at VA Loma Linda.
Dr. Jessica Sklar received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2023, completing her clinical internship at Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and her postdoctoral fellowship at Kaiser San Rafael Adult Psychiatry with an emphasis in trauma. She is currently working as a full-time psychologist at Kaiser San Jose specializing in the treatment of trauma.
Dr. Amber Stewart received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2024, completing her clinical internship at the VA Portland Health Care System. She is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Long Beach Health Care System.
Dr. Kayleigh Watters received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2022 and completing her clinical internship at the Oregon State University's Counseling & Psychological Services and her postdoctoral fellowship in PTSD at Stanford University. She is currently an assistant professor of psychology at Palo Alto University.
