Primary Investigator
Natalie Russo, Ph.D. (she/her)
Dr. Natalie Russo is interested in the manner in which typically developing children and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) process and integrate sensory information from one or more sensory modalities. Dr. Russo’s research interests focus on understanding of neurophysiology of sensory processing and multisensory integration among persons with ASD. She explores these research questions through the use of behavioral and electrophysiological measurements within the context of developmental psychopathology, using strength based approach to data interpretation and research design.
Dr. Russo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Syracuse University, and affiliated faculty in Neuroscience. She completed her graduate degree at McGill University in School psychology/applied Development; her predoctoral clinical internship at the TEACCH Center for Autism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical School (APA accredited). She was an ‘Autism Research Training’ postdoctoral trainee through Montreal Children’s Hospital, and completed her postdoctoral training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Dr. Russo fully supports the School Psychology Unified Anti-Racism Statement and Call to Action.
Her CV can be found here and a compilation of articles relevant to our research can be found here.
Graduate Students
Connor Mackenzie, B.A. (he/him)
Rochester, New York
Connor is a fifth-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with departmental honors from Otterbein University. Connor’s interests stem from his previous experiences as a research assistant at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and his work with Suicide Prevention Services in Columbus, Ohio. His research interests include the relationship between screen time and social anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD. In his free time, Connor enjoys fishing, traveling, biking, and playing chess.
Jarryd Osborne, B.Sc. (he/him)
Kingston, Canada
Jarryd is a fourth-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. He received his Bachelor’s in Neuroscience with a concentration in Cognitive Science at Princeton University. He is interested in understanding how autistic individuals perceive social situations through both a psychological and neurological lens. Outside of school, Jarryd likes playing a variety of sports, playing board games, and watching an endless amount of television.
Marie Shuter, M.Sc. (she/her)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marie is a third-year doctoral student in the School Psychology program at SU. She graduated from The University of Nottingham with her Master of Science in Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology and with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from East Carolina University. Her research interests include understanding the development of tactile sensory processing for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. When not in the lab Marie enjoys traveling, biking and hiking with her dog Bentley.
Xiaoxiao Chen, Master’s in Applied Psychology (she/her)
Chongqing, China
Xiao is a third-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. She got her Bachelor in applied psychology at Nanjing Normal University. She is interested in autistic sensory processing, atypical multisensory integration, and the welfare and job security of autistic individuals and their families. In her free time, Xiao enjoys hiking, traveling, swimming, fostering plants, and watching Stand-up comedy and animation (Hunter X Hunter is the Best!).
Aidee León Lúa (she/her/ella)
Los Angeles, California
Aidee is a second-year graduate student in the School Psychology program at SU. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish. She is interested in learning more about the neural correlates of autistic children, especially those who are non-verbal/non-speaking. She is also interested in working as a bilingual psychologist and ensuring that Spanish-speaking, Latine families have equitable access to research opportunities and clinical services. In her free time, Aidee enjoys hiking, dancing, and traveling.
Danielle Lynch (she/her)
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Danielle is a first-year doctoral student in the School Psychology program at Syracuse. She graduated from The University of South Carolina in 2022 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Experimental Psychology. Prior to graduate school, Danielle was a research assistant at USC’s Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab working with infants with fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. Her research interests include understanding how early detection and intervention in high-risk population with co-occurring conditions influence aspects of development over time, such as behavior regulation, social interactions, and sensory processing. Outside of school and lab, Danielle enjoys traveling, reading and running!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Chloe Britton Naime (they/them)
Los Angeles, CA // Chicago, IL
Chloe is a third-year student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at SU pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Neuroscience. They are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. In their free time, they enjoy rock climbing, knitting, and crocheting.
Sarah Alamarie (she/her)
Syracuse, NY
Sarah a third-year student at Syracuse University in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is pursuing a bachelor degree in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Biology. Sarah is interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Physicians Assistant studies to become a pediatric neurologist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to podcasts, and watching Netflix.
Hunter Pyke (he/him)
Akwesasne, NY
Hunter is a second-year student at Syracuse University, majoring in psychology and neuroscience. He is interested in pursuing a career in medicine and working with patients from underrepresented backgrounds. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports with some friends, spending time with his dogs, and reading.