IncLab Team
Laura Smith is a Professor of Psychology and Education in the Counseling Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and she is the Chair of the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology. Laura was formerly the Director of Training for Pace University's Predoctoral Internship Program and the founding Director of the Rosemary Furman Counseling Center at Barnard College. She was also the Director of Psychological Services at the West Farms Center in the Bronx, where she provided services, training, and programming within a multifaceted community-based organization. Outside psychology, Laura loves buildings, maps, animals, and New York City.
Laura Smith is a Professor of Psychology and Education in the Counseling Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and she is the Chair of the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology. Laura was formerly the Director of Training for Pace University's Predoctoral Internship Program and the founding Director of the Rosemary Furman Counseling Center at Barnard College. She was also the Director of Psychological Services at the West Farms Center in the Bronx, where she provided services, training, and programming within a multifaceted community-based organization. Outside psychology, Laura loves buildings, maps, animals, and New York City.
Oliver Yimeng Xu is a fourth-year doctoral student in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. As a member of Inclab, he researches the epistemological assumptions foundational to whiteness and racial hierarchies and how they structure psychological research methods. His doctoral research focuses on Asian American mental health, specifically the unique challenges that second-generation Asian Americans face in relation to model minority imperatives. Oliver also currently serves as the Chair of the Asian American Psychological Association Division on Students. He previously worked as a biochemical researcher at Columbia University Medical Center and sought to enter a career in engineering before discovering his passion in psychology.
Outside of school, Oliver is a semi-professional ballroom dancer and a community leader in the post-collegiate ballroom dance scene in New York City.
Educational Background
Masters of Arts, Psychology in Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2022
Masters of Science, Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, 2019
Bachelors of Science, Biomedical Sciences and Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 2015
Oliver Yimeng Xu is a fourth-year doctoral student in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. As a member of Inclab, he researches the epistemological assumptions foundational to whiteness and racial hierarchies and how they structure psychological research methods. His doctoral research focuses on Asian American mental health, specifically the unique challenges that second-generation Asian Americans face in relation to model minority imperatives. Oliver also currently serves as the Chair of the Asian American Psychological Association Division on Students. He previously worked as a biochemical researcher at Columbia University Medical Center and sought to enter a career in engineering before discovering his passion in psychology.
Outside of school, Oliver is a semi-professional ballroom dancer and a community leader in the post-collegiate ballroom dance scene in New York City.
Educational Background
Masters of Arts, Psychology in Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2022
Masters of Science, Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, 2019
Bachelors of Science, Biomedical Sciences and Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 2015
Cindy Asencio Arroyo is a second-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to pursuing her doctoral studies, she worked as a full-time bilingual mental health counselor in a community mental health care clinic in Brooklyn, NY. Cindy’s research interests include the critical analysis of psychotherapy practices, intersections of social class and psychotherapy, classism and social exclusion, whiteness in psychological theory and practice, and the development of psychopolitical consciousness among mental health practitioners and trainees.
Cindy is an avid non-fiction reader, hiker, tea connoisseur, Letterboxd member, and dessert enthusiast.
Educational Background
Masters of Education (Ed.M.), Mental Health Counseling w. Bilingual Latiné/x Mental Health Concentration, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2023
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology, Swarthmore College, 2020
Cindy Asencio Arroyo is a second-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to pursuing her doctoral studies, she worked as a full-time bilingual mental health counselor in a community mental health care clinic in Brooklyn, NY. Cindy’s research interests include the critical analysis of psychotherapy practices, intersections of social class and psychotherapy, classism and social exclusion, whiteness in psychological theory and practice, and the development of psychopolitical consciousness among mental health practitioners and trainees.
Cindy is an avid non-fiction reader, hiker, tea connoisseur, Letterboxd member, and dessert enthusiast.
Educational Background
Masters of Education (Ed.M.), Mental Health Counseling w. Bilingual Latiné/x Mental Health Concentration, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2023
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology, Swarthmore College, 2020
Cole Zetterquist is a first-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Cole received both a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University, where he was a student-athlete and conducted Social Psychology research about race and intergroup relations. Cole’s research interests include Critical Race Theory (CRT), the relationship between internet use and mental health disparities, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the field of Counseling Psychology.
Outside of TC, Cole enjoys playing squash, exploring the food scene in NYC, spending time with friends, and watching horror movies.
Cole Zetterquist is a first-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Cole received both a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University, where he was a student-athlete and conducted Social Psychology research about race and intergroup relations. Cole’s research interests include Critical Race Theory (CRT), the relationship between internet use and mental health disparities, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the field of Counseling Psychology.
Outside of TC, Cole enjoys playing squash, exploring the food scene in NYC, spending time with friends, and watching horror movies.
Ally Eun is a first-year master's student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. at Smith College with a Psychology major and East Asian studies minor. Her research interests include examining how intersectionality and discrimination affect mental and physical health, focusing on utilizing a biopsychosocial lens to uplift underserved populations. Past research projects have focused on the acknowledgement of racism in the field of perfection psychology research, the racial disparities in physical activity engagement between Black and white disabled youth, and chronic pain in minority groups.
In her free time, she enjoys logging food spots on Beli, crocheting, and taking dance classes of all genres!
Ally Eun is a first-year master's student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. at Smith College with a Psychology major and East Asian studies minor. Her research interests include examining how intersectionality and discrimination affect mental and physical health, focusing on utilizing a biopsychosocial lens to uplift underserved populations. Past research projects have focused on the acknowledgement of racism in the field of perfection psychology research, the racial disparities in physical activity engagement between Black and white disabled youth, and chronic pain in minority groups.
In her free time, she enjoys logging food spots on Beli, crocheting, and taking dance classes of all genres!
Outside of her studies, Abigail is a video game lover, enjoys exploring the city, spending time with friends, and discovering new shows.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Howard University, 2024
Outside of her studies, Abigail is a video game lover, enjoys exploring the city, spending time with friends, and discovering new shows.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Howard University, 2024
Annabel Lee is a first-year master’s student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. in Applied Psychology and Human Development from Boston College, with minors in Communication and Leadership in Higher Education & Community Settings. Bel has worked across several research labs, including projects in global mental health and youth purpose development, and her interests span multicultural counseling, capacity-building in community settings, and the intersections of emotion regulation, purpose, and well-being.
Beyond academics, Bel is an ACE-certified personal trainer, an avid singer/songwriter, and a lover of creative community spaces—from a cappella to ballroom dance.
Annabel Lee is a first-year master’s student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her B.A. in Applied Psychology and Human Development from Boston College, with minors in Communication and Leadership in Higher Education & Community Settings. Bel has worked across several research labs, including projects in global mental health and youth purpose development, and her interests span multicultural counseling, capacity-building in community settings, and the intersections of emotion regulation, purpose, and well-being.
Beyond academics, Bel is an ACE-certified personal trainer, an avid singer/songwriter, and a lover of creative community spaces—from a cappella to ballroom dance.
Arielle Rosker is a second-year Master’s student in Mental Health Counseling in the Counseling Psychology Department at Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently works as a graduate extern counselor at John Jay Counseling Services Center, supporting survivors of gender-based violence through a combination of counseling and Title IX advocacy. Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, she worked as a disability advocate at the Urban Justice Center’s Mental Health Project, assisting clients experiencing homelessness and mental health concerns.
Arielle is interested in clinically supporting and conducting research with communities navigating both systemic oppression and internal psychological challenges. Outside of school, she enjoys practicing yoga, watching reality television, and spending time with her cat.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology; Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Wesleyan University, 2021
Arielle Rosker is a second-year Master’s student in Mental Health Counseling in the Counseling Psychology Department at Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently works as a graduate extern counselor at John Jay Counseling Services Center, supporting survivors of gender-based violence through a combination of counseling and Title IX advocacy. Prior to pursuing her master’s degree, she worked as a disability advocate at the Urban Justice Center’s Mental Health Project, assisting clients experiencing homelessness and mental health concerns.
Arielle is interested in clinically supporting and conducting research with communities navigating both systemic oppression and internal psychological challenges. Outside of school, she enjoys practicing yoga, watching reality television, and spending time with her cat.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology; Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Wesleyan University, 2021
Alexandra Protter is a first-year master’s student in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in global mental health. She has contributed to research on the well-being and safety of vulnerable populations, including women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and LGBTQ individuals in the United States. Her additional academic interests include social and political psychology, with a focus on intergroup relations and political polarization. Alexandra also maintains applied experience through her work in behavioral therapy with children. Her current lab research explores the intersection of psychology and artificial intelligence, focusing on emerging theories, methods, and applications in this rapidly evolving field.
A lifelong New Yorker, Alexandra enjoys theater, tennis, and both journalistic and creative writing.
Alexandra Protter is a first-year master’s student in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in global mental health. She has contributed to research on the well-being and safety of vulnerable populations, including women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and LGBTQ individuals in the United States. Her additional academic interests include social and political psychology, with a focus on intergroup relations and political polarization. Alexandra also maintains applied experience through her work in behavioral therapy with children. Her current lab research explores the intersection of psychology and artificial intelligence, focusing on emerging theories, methods, and applications in this rapidly evolving field.
A lifelong New Yorker, Alexandra enjoys theater, tennis, and both journalistic and creative writing.