LAB DIRECTOR
Jessica Leigh Hamilton, PhD
Email: jessica.hamilton@rutgers.edu
Dr. Jessica Leigh Hamilton (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University- New Brunswick Campus, joining the faculty in January 2021. Dr. Hamilton first received her B.A. in Psychology and History from Swarthmore College. She was awarded her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in 2017 after completing her clinical internship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Hamilton obtained additional postdoctoral training in sleep medicine on a NIH-funded T32 fellowship before joining as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Dr. Hamilton's research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), including a career development award (K01), loan repayment award (LRP), and predoctoral National Research Service award (F31). She has received national awards and recognition, including most recently being named a 2021 Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science. Dr. Hamilton has over 60 publications in top-tier journals and has contributed to several books on digital media interventions. She is very active in professional service and advocacy. She is currently the Media Editor for the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology (SSCP), co-director of the Scientific Advisory Board for a youth-driven mental health organization (MentalHealthio.org), serves on three editorial boards for clinical and developmental psychology journals, and regularly reviews journal articles for some of the top clinical, developmental, and psychiatry journals.
Dr. Hamilton is committed to promoting an inclusive and equitable environment in her research, teaching, and mentorship, as well as more broadly within the field of clinical psychology and academia. Dr. Hamilton enjoys running, reading, playing board/card games, making (and eating) sushi, exploring, and spending time with her family and friends.
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Borrowed quote from Hamilton the Musical: "My name is Jessica Hamilton. There's a million things I haven't done. Just you wait."
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For Dr. Hamilton's CV and a full list of publications:
Graduate Students
David Siegel
Affiliated Graduate Student
David Siegel is a 3rd year student in the PsyD program at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology within Rutgers University. His research interests include the prevention of non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behaviors. He also has an interest in the reduction of mental health stigma, particularly related to severe mental illness. His clinical interests include the integration of different psychotherapeutic modalities. Currently, David provides psychotherapy to individuals across the lifespan with a broad range of internalizing, externalizing, and personality pathology.
Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistants
Saskia Jorgensen
Post- Baccalaureate Research Coordinator
Saskia recently graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in Psychology and minors in Political Science and Business Administration. During her time at DU, Saskia worked with Dr. Kathryn Fox examining self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, particularly in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC adolescent populations. She is generally interested in how social, cultural, and environmental factors impact mental health outcomes, specifically in adolescent populations. She is also interested in how policy influences these dynamics. Saskia is passionate about understanding the ways that research informs clinical practice and how to increase access and utilization of mental health resources, especially in minority populations. Other interests include travel, theatre, skiing, animals, and more.
Woanjun Lee
Post- Baccaluareate Research Assistant
Woanjun graduated from Bard College with a major in Psychology. Woanjun is generally interested in adolescent mental health. Specifically, he is curious about the bio-ecological (individual, family, community) factors as well as cultural/ethnic factors that affect youth's mental health and sleep outcomes (sleep quality and daytime sleepiness). He also hopes to further explore whether certain sleep behaviors can serve as a protective factor for negative mental health factors. Woanjun plans to carry such curiosity and passion toward a graduate program in clinical psychology in the near future.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Sarah Bregna
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sarah is a senior at Rutgers University who is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Latino & Caribbean Studies. She hopes to one day become a clinical psychologist and provide accessible therapeutic services to all demographics. Outside of the classroom, Sarah is the current Vice President of the Women's Club Soccer Team. She also enjoys reading various books and binging TV shows.
Ella Diab
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ella is a senior at the University of Notre Dame. She is majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Digital Marketing. Ella is interested in the connection between psychology and marketing, especially relating to the prominent role that social media plays in our society. She has also always been passionate about mental health and has been a part of Notre Dame's Active Minds club since her freshman year, serving on the executive board for 3 years. Ella enjoys listening to music, reading, drinking boba, and learning how to skateboard.
Adia Moore
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Adia has been interested in social justice and psychology ever since her involvement in a social justice program in high school. As a senior majoring in Psychology, she aspires to work with underrepresented minority communities, either as a clinical social worker or clinical psychologist to advocate and administer mental health resources and services. In her free time, she enjoys acting, reading, listening to music, and watching new TV shows.
Alea Watson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alea is a senior at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice while also double minoring in Africana Studies and Health & Society. In addition to her academics, she is also the current Community Outreach chair, and soon to be Co-President, of Active Minds, one of the four mental health organizations on campus. She is interested in adolescent mental health within minority communities, with a focus on disorders like Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
