Dr. Pankhuri Aggarwal
Director
Dr. Pankhuri Aggarwal is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Aggarwal completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Miami University of Ohio and her predoctoral internship at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Thereafter, she was appointed as the Madigan Family Clinical Research Fellow at the Family Institute at Northwestern University where she completed her postdoctoral fellowship.
Sarah Shahriar B.S.
(she/her)
Graduate Student
Sarah is a first-year Clinical Psychology PhD student at the University of Cincinnati. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience from Penn State University before gaining experience in several clinical research settings. Most recently, Sarah worked on psychosis research at the University of Pennsylvania, where she conducted clinical diagnostic and cognitive assessments with individuals on the psychosis spectrum of diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Her current research interests focus on the intersection of immigrant experiences and the development of serious mental illness, including psychosis spectrum disorders. Sarah was drawn to the CREW lab for its collaborative environment and its dedication to advancing research and improving health outcomes through a culturally inclusive lens.
Fun Fact: Sarah has a cat named Oikotan (Oiko for short!), which is the musical term for "harmony" or "togetherness" in Bangla.
Daisha Mathew M.A.
(she/her)
Graduate Student
Daisha is an incoming Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Cincinnati. She earned her Master of Art in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent from Montclair State University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Religion from Seton Hall University. She previously worked as a Project Coordinator under the mentorship of Dr. Linda Oshin at Rutgers University, where she supported suicide prevention research and program implementation/adaptation across applied mental health settings. Her research interests focus on suicide prevention with a special interest in South Asian and Asian American populations, immigrant mental health, and improving access to culturally responsive care. She is particularly interested in how cultural and contextual factors shape emotional experiences, help-seeking behaviors, and mental health outcomes across diverse populations.
Fun fact: Daisha loves binge-watching Korean and Chinese dramas (honestly, any drama with subtitles), is constantly deciding on her next travel destination and learning the language along the way (she’s conversational in Korean!) and is a veteran BTS ARMY.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Psychology and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor
Mika Sevilla
Mika is a senior at UC with research interests in cultural psychology, program intervention, and implementation. They joined the CREW Lab to connect with other scholars and contribute to innovative approaches for understanding culture and well-being. Their current work reflects a passion for translating research into practical strategies that can improve lives across diverse communities. After graduation, they plans to apply to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs to further pursue these interests. Outside of academics, Mika enjoys baking and playing video games.
Communications; Psychology
Lucy Guenther
Lucy is a sophomore passionate about researching the intersection of cultural context mental health treatment outcomes. She is particularly interested in how past experiences influence depression and suicide, which has driven her to volunteer with veterans in the Cincinnati community. Lucy values the opportunity to dissect the role that culture plays in doctoral training and the types of psychological care provided. After graduation, her long-term goal is to become a psychologist specializing in supporting veterans through counseling and mental health services, with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology focused on serious mental health illnesses. Fun fact: she is currently studying abroad in Lisbon, Portugal this semester!
B.S Psychology
Betsy Cardenas Aguilar
Betsy Cardenas is a third-year Psychology student at the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests focus on psychosis spectrum disorders. She joined the CREW Lab to gain hands-on research experience, develop new skills, and explore her academic interests more deeply. After graduation, Betsy plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of academics, she is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Psychology and Minority Health Studies Certificate
Diana Martins
Diana is an aspiring psychologist with a strong interest in multiculturalism, bilingualism, and self-esteem. She is currently contributing to Dr. Aggarwal’s Professionals in Psychology project and is an active member of the CREW Lab, where she helps explore often overlooked cultural dimensions in therapeutic practice. As the child of immigrant parents, Diana has experienced firsthand how traditional therapeutic models can overlook critical aspects of identity. This personal insight fuels her passion for culturally responsive care. She plans to pursue graduate studies in psychology and ultimately hopes to become a practicing therapist.Fun fact: Diana is bilingual in English and Portuguese!
Psychology, Sociology and Public Health
Blessing Johnson
Blessing Johnson is a senior at the University of Cincinnati majoring in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health. Her research interests focus on how culture, socioeconomic status, race, and gender intersect to influence mental health outcomes, access to care, treatment, and perceptions of mental health. She joined the CREW Lab because of its commitment to conducting research that centers the perspectives of populations underrepresented in psychological research. After graduation, Blessing plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing and watching soccer and has a dog named Beni.
Psychology
Benjamin Ginsberg
Ben is entering his fourth year and final semester at the University of Cincinnati. His research interests focus on understanding the personal and environmental factors that contribute to the development of mental health disorders and using this knowledge to improve treatment and help individuals lead happier lives. Ben joined the CREW Lab after taking Dr. Aggarwal’s Introduction to Clinical Techniques course, where he became interested in her research and wanted to become more involved. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career as a therapist and plans to apply to Clinical Psychology doctoral programs this fall. A fun fact about Ben is that he once recorded a voice-over for a show that was supposed to air in the United States, but it ultimately never aired.
Psychology B.A; History Minor, Deaf Studies Certificate
Yanai Hamel - Sasson
TJ is a fourth-year undergraduate student with research interests in sexuality, LGBTQ+ issues, sexual deviance, and behavioral addictions. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, TJ joined the CREW Lab to help bring visibility to populations that have often been underrepresented in academic research. After graduation, TJ plans to pursue a Ph.D. to further explore these important topics.Outside the lab: TJ works at an art house theatre in Cincinnati and has a deep passion for film.
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Psychology and Neuroscience
Dhanvi Sayani
Dhanvi is a Psychology and Neuroscience double major whose research interests center on how cultural contexts, social relationships, and emotional processes interact to shape mental health and well-being. She is particularly drawn to studying these dynamics in diverse and underrepresented populations, with the goal of promoting resilience, equity, and positive life outcomes. She joined the CREW Lab because of its interdisciplinary approach and its use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand complex human experiences. Through this work, she hopes to bridge scientific rigor with culturally informed, real-world applications. Fun fact: Dhanvi used to be a national-level chess player
Volunteers
Nainika Hira
Ph.D. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision
Penn State University, 2nd Year
Nainika Hira is a second-year Ph.D. student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Counselor Education and Supervision at Penn State University. Her research interests focus on culturally sensitive and personalized digital mental health tools, particularly for South Asian communities. She joined the CREW Lab to contribute to the Cultural Closet Project and plans to pursue a career in academia at an R1 institution or in industry developing culturally informed digital mental health interventions. Outside of research, Nainika is a trained Hindustani classical musician.
Ummul Fatima
M.Phil in Clinical Psychology
Ummul is interested in multicultural competence, intervention development, and cross-cultural formulations of mental illness. She was drawn to the CREW Lab because of its focus on examining the cultural applicability of Western psychological theories, diagnostic systems, and treatment modalities—an area that aligns closely with her interests in help-seeking and treatment across cultures. Her work reflects a commitment to understanding how mental health is shaped by sociocultural contexts, particularly in non-Western settings. Through the lab, she is excited to grow her interests in context-sensitive, globally informed mental health research through both scholarly and applied engagement.
Surabhi Rathore
MA Applied Psychology with Specialization in Counselling Psychology
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
Manager
Surabhi is interested in how social institutions and everyday relationships shape psychological well-being across diverse cultural and structural contexts. Her research draws on social, cultural, and abnormal psychology while integrating insights from public health, social neuroscience, and environmental psychology. She is particularly focused on issues related to gender, trauma, addiction, poverty, and marginalization, with the goal of informing applied, interdisciplinary approaches to mental health. She joined the CREW Lab because its focus on culture, relationships, education, and well-being aligns with her interest in connecting collective and institutional factors to individual and community outcomes.
Afreen Zehra
MA Applied Psychology
Afreen Zehra graduated in 2023 with majors in Clinical Psychology and Philosophy. Her research focuses on minority and marginalized populations, particularly how structural factors such as gender, caste, stigma, and cultural norms shape mental health outcomes. She joined the CREW Lab because its focus on global mental health disparities and culturally responsive clinical science aligns closely with her passion for developing more culturally competent mental health frameworks. Afreen currently works as a Senior Applied Researcher in digital mental health and as a Counseling Psychologist, and she hopes to continue advancing research and clinical work that improves culturally responsive care for marginalized populations and communities experiencing protracted conflict. A fun fact about Afreen is that she genuinely enjoys doing literature reviews—she knows it sounds suspicious, but it's true!
Alumni
Psychology and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor
TJ Journey
Mika is a senior at UC with research interests in cultural psychology, program intervention, and implementation. They joined the CREW Lab to connect with other scholars and contribute to innovative approaches for understanding culture and well-being. Their current work reflects a passion for translating research into practical strategies that can improve lives across diverse communities. After graduation, they plans to apply to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs to further pursue these interests. Outside of academics, Mika enjoys baking and playing video games.
Communications; Psychology
Brooklyn Blaising
Lucy is a sophomore passionate about researching the intersection of cultural context mental health treatment outcomes. She is particularly interested in how past experiences influence depression and suicide, which has driven her to volunteer with veterans in the Cincinnati community. Lucy values the opportunity to dissect the role that culture plays in doctoral training and the types of psychological care provided. After graduation, her long-term goal is to become a psychologist specializing in supporting veterans through counseling and mental health services, with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology focused on serious mental health illnesses. Fun fact: she is currently studying abroad in Lisbon, Portugal this semester!
B.S Psychology
Jasmine Ramirez
Betsy Cardenas is a third-year Psychology student at the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests focus on psychosis spectrum disorders. She joined the CREW Lab to gain hands-on research experience, develop new skills, and explore her academic interests more deeply. After graduation, Betsy plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of academics, she is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Psychology and Minority Health Studies Certificate
Diana Martins
Diana is an aspiring psychologist with a strong interest in multiculturalism, bilingualism, and self-esteem. She is currently contributing to Dr. Aggarwal’s Professionals in Psychology project and is an active member of the CREW Lab, where she helps explore often overlooked cultural dimensions in therapeutic practice. As the child of immigrant parents, Diana has experienced firsthand how traditional therapeutic models can overlook critical aspects of identity. This personal insight fuels her passion for culturally responsive care. She plans to pursue graduate studies in psychology and ultimately hopes to become a practicing therapist.Fun fact: Diana is bilingual in English and Portuguese!
Psychology, Sociology and Public Health
Blessing Johnson
Blessing Johnson is a senior at the University of Cincinnati majoring in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health. Her research interests focus on how culture, socioeconomic status, race, and gender intersect to influence mental health outcomes, access to care, treatment, and perceptions of mental health. She joined the CREW Lab because of its commitment to conducting research that centers the perspectives of populations underrepresented in psychological research. After graduation, Blessing plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing and watching soccer and has a dog named Beni.
Psychology
Benjamin Ginsberg
Ben is entering his fourth year and final semester at the University of Cincinnati. His research interests focus on understanding the personal and environmental factors that contribute to the development of mental health disorders and using this knowledge to improve treatment and help individuals lead happier lives. Ben joined the CREW Lab after taking Dr. Aggarwal’s Introduction to Clinical Techniques course, where he became interested in her research and wanted to become more involved. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career as a therapist and plans to apply to Clinical Psychology doctoral programs this fall. A fun fact about Ben is that he once recorded a voice-over for a show that was supposed to air in the United States, but it ultimately never aired.
Psychology B.A; History Minor, Deaf Studies Certificate
Yanai Hamel - Sasson
TJ is a fourth-year undergraduate student with research interests in sexuality, LGBTQ+ issues, sexual deviance, and behavioral addictions. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, TJ joined the CREW Lab to help bring visibility to populations that have often been underrepresented in academic research. After graduation, TJ plans to pursue a Ph.D. to further explore these important topics.Outside the lab: TJ works at an art house theatre in Cincinnati and has a deep passion for film.
Psychology and Neuroscience
Dhanvi Sayani
Dhanvi is a Psychology and Neuroscience double major whose research interests center on how cultural contexts, social relationships, and emotional processes interact to shape mental health and well-being. She is particularly drawn to studying these dynamics in diverse and underrepresented populations, with the goal of promoting resilience, equity, and positive life outcomes. She joined the CREW Lab because of its interdisciplinary approach and its use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand complex human experiences. Through this work, she hopes to bridge scientific rigor with culturally informed, real-world applications. Fun fact: Dhanvi used to be a national-level chess player