Research Assistants and Trainees
Ms. Aliscia Carvalho
BA Psychology,
Graduate Research Assistant, Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging
Email:a0c63425@marymount.edu
Phone: 774-488-4458
Aliscia has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Roger Williams University, where she helped conduct studies with faculty on alternative therapies, including art. She is currently a Graduate Research Assistant for the Center of Optimal Aging, where she will help with the research process of the center’s Arlington Longitudinal Optimal Health Aging Study (ALOHA). Aliscia is currently in her second year of pursuing her Master of Arts in Forensic and Legal Psychology from Marymount University.
Ms. Yordanos Berhanu Tolessa
BSc Public Health, MPH.
Graduate Research Assistant, Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging
Email: ybt68349@marymount.edu
Phone : 571 457- 8883
Ms. Yordanos Tolessa has over five years of experience working in the healthcare sector in the areas of data analysis, project management, product development, and operations. She is currently working at the Center for Optimal Aging as a Graduate Research Assistant, where she focuses on assisting the center’s researchers with conducting surveys, handling the Redcap software for data collection purposes, and managing social media presence. Yordanos is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Information technology and specializing in Data Science from Marymount University.
Catherine Goldstein
MCOA Associated Research Fellow
Email: catherinegoldstein436@gmail.
Catherine Goldstein is a senior at Alexandria City High School and is focused on pursuing a degree in psychology or cognitive science in college. After observing the detrimental impact of Alzheimer’s disease on her beloved grandmother, she was motivated to improve the care and treatment for those diagnosed with dementia. In 2021, Catherine’s passion for learning about Alzheimer’s disease led her to become a certified volunteer at Silverado Memory Care Center in Alexandria, where she leads activities, converses with memory care residents, and assists staff. In January of 2022, she created an Adopt-a-Grandparent Program that connects memory care residents with second-grade students at a nearby elementary school. The students and residents in the program formed close relationships through the exchange of letters and packages. While at the Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging during the summer of 2022, Catherine is working with Dr. Heyn as a research assistant. During her time as a research assistant, Catherine hopes to gain insight into ways to provide optimal care to individuals suffering from dementia, expanding her current knowledge base and applying what she learns to her future career.
