Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation, Inc.

Sarah Gardy is entering her fourth year of her Ph.D. program in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience in the Psychology department at the University of Florida. Her research explores how fear and anxiety influence perception and learning. By using physiological and neural measures, her research aims to uncover how individuals form associations with threat and how these processes contribute to anxiety-related disorders, with the goal of informing more effective treatments and interventions. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys drawing, walking in the park, and trying new local restaurants.

Emily Matusz, a 2023 and 2024 Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation (SNRF) scholarship recipient, is entering her fifth year of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on the intersection among biomarkers, cardiovascular risk factors, and cognition in Alzheimer’s and related dementias across diverse populations. Over the past year, she successfully proposed her dissertation, began analyzing her data, and is currently preparing manuscripts to disseminate findings across her dissertation aims. Emily presented her work at the 2025 International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Annual Meeting and attended the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). She co-authored one peer-reviewed publication and contributed to six research abstracts accepted for presentation at international scientific meetings. Beyond her research contributions, Emily has mentored undergraduate and junior graduate students, supported lab-wide data collection eXorts, and engaged in collaborative training initiatives at the 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. In the upcoming academic year, Emily will continue working toward the completion of her dissertation, with plans to apply for clinical internship in Fall 2025 for placement beginning in Fall 2026. She remains committed to advancing research that improves early detection of cognitive decline and addresses health disparities in aging and dementia care. Outside of academics, Emily enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her dog and going scuba diving in the Florida springs!

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Carlos Rocha is completing his third year of the Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology, with a specialty in substance abuse and addictive behaviors, at the Carlos Albizu University. For his second practicum rotation, Carlos is at a forensic hospital treating individuals with severe mental health issues, assisting with competency restauration. Carlos is also working as the program manager for an emergency homeless shelter, focusing on recovery from addiction and family reunification. Carlos is interested in promoting an integrative care approach to increase treatment effectiveness, and collaborating with psychiatrists and other health professionals to mitigate the damage caused by the increasing substance use epidemic that affects our society. In 2024, Carlos participated at the annual congress of the schizophrenia international research society, presenting his poster about integrated treatment for individuals with early psychosis and comorbid cannabis use. Receiving the Title V PPOHA Grant has alleviated Carlos’s financial burden, thus allowing him to increase his focus on his academic studies and practicum performance.

Czarinah Rodriguez is a clinical neuropsychology trainee on her third year in a doctoral program at Nova Southeastern University. Her current focus revolves around acquiring proficiency in administering neuropsychological assessments to more effectively assess and treat neurological conditions. She started her first clinical practicum providing therapy services to older individuals and couples at NSU's Psychology Services Center Counseling Center for Older individuals. Her second practicum is at NSU's Neuropsychological Assessment Center where she conducts comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, involving administering a battery of tests to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Her next practicum will be at the University of Miami's Department of Neurology in the Division of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, where she will be trained to evaluate patients with a wide range of neurological conditions. With her dedication and commitment to the field, Czarinah is poised to make a significant impact as she continues to advance her knowledge and skills in therapy and clinical neuropsychology.