Montclair students participating in research and experiential learning opportunities through a co-op-style program. Learn more about the PAL research internship program.
Yanissa Bishop is a senior at Montclair State University double majoring in Psychology and Justice Studies (Criminal Justice concentration), with a minor in Korean. Her academic interests center on forensic psychology, particularly the psychology of serious offenders and individuals with severe mental illness. Her long-term goal is to become a licensed forensic psychologist, conducting competency evaluations for defendants on trial and working with people with mental illness in correctional and hospital settings.
Yeimi Camargo is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Criminal Justice. She is interested in federal law enforcement and transportation security. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career with the FBI or the Port Authority, where she can apply her criminal justice training. She enjoys learning new things and challenging herself. Outside of school, she loves to travel, often taking weekend trips abroad, and enjoys working on cars.
Himanshi Chugani is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology. She is particularly interested in prison reform and social justice, with a focus on the criminal justice system. Her long-term goal is to work in reentry programs, supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people and advocating for human rights, particularly for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted or accused.
Shannon Coles is a Molecular Biology student at Montclair State University with a strong interest in science, healthcare, and collaborative work. She plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and hopes to gain further experience in research and healthcare. As part of the Project AROS Lab’s “Medical Humanities, Race and Medicine” project, she looks forward to learning how to conduct literature reviews, engaging with different perspectives in medicine, and strengthening her communication and research skills.
Gaelle Daceus is a sophomore at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She is particularly interested in social psychology. Her long-term goal is to pursue graduate education and become a research psychologist, designing scientific experiments, analyzing data, and publishing studies in a research setting.
Nada Dahlan is a sophomore at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She is particularly interested in forensic psychiatry and the intersection of mental health and the legal system. Through her studies and research, she hopes to deepen her understanding of human behavior and mental health. Her long-term goal is to pursue medical and graduate education and become a forensic psychiatrist, working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system and advancing understanding of mental health in forensic settings.
Reya Deshpande is a sophomore at Montclair State University double majoring in Psychology and Child Advocacy and Policy. She is particularly interested in mental health, child development, and the well-being of children and teens. Her long-term goal is to earn a master’s degree in counseling and become a licensed professional counselor, providing young people with a safe, supportive space to discuss their challenges. She is also passionate about advocating for accessible mental health resources.
Rebecca Fessenden is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Computer Science. She is particularly interested in the overlap between international politics and the regulation of technology, as well as the politics of middle-income nations, especially in Asia. She aspires to promote freedom of conscience and expression, particularly as these rights intersect with the Internet.
Edith Fontaine is a sophomore at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. She is particularly interested in the effectiveness of different forms of talk therapy, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Her long-term goal is to earn a PsyD and become a licensed clinical psychologist, using talk therapy to develop accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans that help patients improve their mental health.
Nicole Foye is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice. She is particularly interested in advocacy work and social action. Her long-term goal is to attend law school and become an attorney, using her passion and drive to advocate for others.
Natalia Gonzalez is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology with minors in Social Work and Child Advocacy and Policy. She is particularly interested in the public sector and counseling. Her long-term goal is to earn a master’s degree in social work and become a counselor supporting youth and families in underserved communities.
Diana Guman is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Humanities with a concentration in Comparative Mythology and Literature. She is particularly interested in how women and people of different races have been treated across eras and cultures, and how that history continues to shape their lives today. She plans to pursue graduate study in library science, specializing in archiving and research, to help ensure this history is preserved accurately and not erased.
Savannah Hector is a senior at Montclair State University double majoring in Criminal Justice and Classics, with a minor in Mythology and Ancient Mediterranean Civilization. She is particularly interested in true crime and follows it through podcasts, television, and articles. Outside of her studies, she enjoys hairstyling and beauty.
Neal Jariwala is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Business Analytics. He is particularly interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and applying computational methods to real-world problems. Through his studies and work, he is building skills in programming, statistical analysis, data management, and computational research. His long-term goal is a career in financial technology as a quantitative researcher.
Rama Kayali is a senior at Montclair State University double majoring in Jurisprudence, Law and Society and Interdisciplinary Studies. She has a strong interest in the justice system and legal studies. Her long-term goal is to build a career in the legal field and become a federal agent, conducting research and investigations. She aspires to work alongside law enforcement to advocate for human rights, safety, and security.
Lily Kearney is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in Music Performance with a minor in Japanese. She is fascinated by the intersection of language and the performing arts, with a focus on fostering cross-cultural understanding through music. Her long-term goal is to pursue graduate study and build a career that strengthens connections between Japan and the United States through artistic and educational initiatives, while continuing to perform, teach, and research music and intercultural communication.
Sidra Mahmoud is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. Her long-term goal is to become a psychiatrist, and she hopes to pursue an MD/PhD to help develop new psychiatric medications and approaches to healing. She is particularly interested in understanding people’s lives and how to improve them through interdisciplinary methods, an interest she plans to refine through further study and experience.
Azzure McLeod is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology. She is particularly interested in the connection between psychology and the criminal justice system, especially forensic psychology and human behavior in legal settings. Her long-term goal is to pursue graduate study in forensic psychology and work with individuals involved in the justice system, contributing to a better understanding of the psychological and social factors behind crime, behavior, and rehabilitation.
Sydney Mullin is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Sociology. She is particularly interested in how the ways people think and behave shape the success of sustainability efforts. Her long-term goal is to work with businesses to implement practices that encourage positive social change. Outside of school, she can often be found reading science fiction in search of a new favorite.
Pamela Ocampo is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. She is particularly interested in diversity and communication, especially how different communication skills and forms can bring people together. Her long-term goal is to earn a master’s degree in Business Management and work for an international company where she can use her skills to support and give back to her community.
Mary O’Shaughnessy is a junior at Montclair State University majoring in Psychology. She is particularly interested in research methodology and how research informs clinical practice. Her long-term goal is to become a licensed clinical psychologist, helping children and adolescents access assessment and treatment for mental health disorders.
Crystal Pappoe is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Justice Studies. Her interests center on criminal defense, restorative justice, and the rights of the accused. Driven by a commitment to systemic reform and civil rights, she plans to attend law school and become a criminal defense attorney, challenging structural inequities in the legal system, protecting marginalized individuals, and ensuring fair representation for those facing wrongful prosecution.
Sana’a Pendleton is a first-year student at Montclair State University majoring in Sociology and considering a double major in Film and Television Production. She is particularly interested in understanding people, their emotions, and their experiences, as well as film and music. Her long-term goal is to work both in front of and behind the camera as an actor, director, and producer, drawing on her sociological training to tell stories grounded in a deep understanding of people.
Kyle Penn is a senior at Montclair State University with a strong interest in criminal justice and forensic investigation. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career as a crime scene investigator (CSI), using his investigative skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of the criminal justice system to help solve crimes and make a positive impact in his community.
Rishita Singh is a senior at Montclair State University pursuing a B.A. in Jurisprudence, Law and Society, with minors in Political Science and Pre-Law. A Dean’s List student, she is interested in public policy, legislation, regulatory accountability, lobbying, and advocacy. Through the Project AROS Lab, she contributes to research on gender, climate, and human mobility, exploring how evidence-based research can strengthen advocacy and inform policy change. She plans to attend law school and pursue a career at the intersection of law, policy, and advocacy.
Baheya Sultan is a senior at Montclair State University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law. She is particularly interested in law, public service, and the legal and political systems that shape society. Her long-term goal is to attend law school and become an attorney, using her education and legal career to advocate for others, make a positive impact in her community, and contribute to the pursuit of justice.
