People

Raul Gonzalez, PhD

raul.gonzalezjr@fiu.edu 
305-348-4921
Dr. Gonzalez's CV
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Dr. Gonzalez is Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Immunology at Florida International University (FIU) and Director of the Substance Use and HIV Neuropsychology Lab. He is a faculty member of the Department of Psychology Clinical Science and Cognitive Neuroscience Programs and is affiliated with the Center for Children and Families (CCF) and the Center for Imaging Science (CIS).

Dr. Gonzalez graduated with his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the San Diego State University / University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program, where he specialized in Clinical Neuropsychology. He has approximately 20 years of experience conducting research on neurocognitive contributors and consequences of substance use and addiction, with a focus on cannabis. Most has been funded by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Through his research, Dr. Gonzalez aims to identify neurocognitive differences that may place individuals at risk for substance use disorders or that emerge from their use. He is currently the site Co-Principal Investigator of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study: a landmark project that brings together scientists and clinicians from across the United States with a broad range of knowledge and expertise to enroll 11,000+ healthy children and follow them from age 9-10 into early adulthood in order to better understand biological and environmental contributors healthy development, including risk factors and consequences for substance use disorders.

Dr. Gonzalez is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Florida and has substantial experience conducting neuropsychological evaluations in English and Spanish.

Samuel Hawes, PhD

Research Assistant Professor
shawes@fiu.edu 
305-348-5439
CV
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Dr. Hawes' research is focused on understanding the affective and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the early-onset and developmental course of distinct facets of psychopathology (e.g., callous-unemotional features, psychopathy, negative emotionality) across childhood and adolescence. His work is particularly targeted toward identifying how these processes contribute to the onset, maintenance and desistance from high-risk behaviors (e.g., conduct problems/antisocial behaviors, impulsivity, substance use, violence) via unique etiological pathways. Dr. Hawes also has a strong methodological interest and his work uses a combination of MRI-based functional and structural imaging and advanced latent variable modeling (e.g., Bayesian SEM, growth mixture modeling) techniques.

Erin Thompson, PhD

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Dr. Thompson is a Research Assistant Professor within FIU’s Center for Children and Families. Her research is focused on the interactive effects of community and school-based drivers of health, with a particular focus on upstream predictors of exclusionary discipline within schools, including structural racism and interpersonal discrimination. In addition, her research explores the roles of childhood adversity and neurobiological functioning on the long-term effects of school discipline (e.g., school push out, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders). To support her research agenda, Dr. Thompson is funded through a career development award (K01, 2022-2027, NIMHD) and is a co-investigator on the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

Dr. Thompson completed a NIDA T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship at FIU under the primary mentorship of Dr. Raul Gonzalez and received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also completed her pre-doctoral internship through the National Center for School Mental Health within the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine. She previously earned an MPP from Georgetown University.

Dayana Paula, MPH

dpaula@fiu.edu 
305-348-6638

Ms. Paula has been the Program Manager for the SUN lab since 2013. She has a Master of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As the manager, Ms. Paula maintains effective working relationships with the other sites, laboratories, companies, and liaisons, and coordinates all aspects of the research. She is interested in adolescent health/risky health behaviors, Maternal & Child Health and enjoys interdisciplinary research projects, such as the ABCD study. She initially joined the SUN lab working with the Choices study. A few years before joining the lab, she assisted in managing a large-scale study in Ecuador. She enjoys reading nonfiction and fiction, outdoor adventures, art in all forms, and cycling.

Ashley Adams-Fanning, MS 

BA in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Neuroscience,  MS in Developmental Psychology
asadams@fiu.edu

Ashley enrolled as a doctoral student in the Child and Adolescent Clinical Science Program at FIU in Fall 2020. Before attending FIU, she graduated with a BA from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, in Spring 2018, where she double majored in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Neuroscience. In the Spring of 2020, Ashley obtained an MS in Developmental Psychology with an emphasis in Quantitative Methods and Cognitive Sciences. Her research interests have been primarily centered on at-risk populations during the transitional period between adolescence and young adulthood. Her research aims to understand interactions between neurobiological systems, neurocognition, and environmental factors that lead to substance use and risky sexual behaviors. With a diverse background, she values interdisciplinary approaches to science and aims to apply skills gained in other disciplines to her clinical training in Neuropsychology. Ashley hopes to integrate her perspectives in a future career as a Neuropsychologist in an academic research setting. As a Midwesterner, Ashley enjoys making her family jealous of the Miami weather in the winter and visiting breweries with her fur babies.

Sarah Lehman

CV

Sarah is a doctoral student in the Clinical Science program at FIU. Her research interests involve the examination of external factors that influence kids and adolescents to start using substances. She has a passion for anything soccer related, and spending time with her dog Murphy.

Christine Kaiver

ckaiver@fiu.edu

Cinthya Camacho

BS in Biological Sciences, BA in Psychology
cicamach@fiu.edu
305-348-5474

Cinthya is a graduate student pursuing her master’s degree in counseling psychology from FIU. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UF in 2018 and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from FIU in 2023. Her research interests lie in adolescent mental health and its relationship with substance use. She also has research interests in anxiety and PTSD in adolescents. Cinthya hopes to become a licensed mental health counselor and work with adolescents and young adults who have internalizing disorders. In her off time, she likes to cook, bake and watch true crime documentaries.

Arlyn Cuan

305-348-3247

Arlyn Cuan is a senior at Florida International University (FIU), currently pursuing a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience and a BA in Natural and Applied Sciences, with a Minor in Chemistry. With a strong dedication to research, Arlyn has been a volunteer at the SUN Lab for one year and now serves as a research assistant. Her work primarily focuses on the ABCD Study, where she has co-authored a Health Disparities Manuscript supported by the NIH, NIDA, and NIHMD, among other esteemed institutions. In her role as a co-author on the Health Disparities Manuscript, Arlyn conceptualizes mechanistic pathways and theoretical frameworks essential for health disparities research. Her interests lie deeply in health disparities and social determinants of health, in addition to diversifying research registries. Additionally, she is actively involved in a meningioma research study at the Miami Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health South Florida. Arlyn's commitment to advancing the field of science is evident through her extensive involvement in both service and research. She plans to continue her research endeavors with the ABCD consortium and engage in clinical research in the future. As a proud supporter of FIU, she aspires to join the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at FIU one day. Outside of her academic and research commitments, Arlyn ensures she takes time each week to connect with nature through activities like kayaking and enjoys reading patient narrative novels.

Melissa Orama

305-348-6637

Melissa is a recent graduate from Florida International University, she earned a BA in Psychology and Natural & Applied Sciences with a minor in Chemistry. She was a volunteer at the SUN Lab for over a year before becoming an RA, and has now transitioned into the Lead Research Assistant role for the ABCD Study. Her research interests lie in the effects of one’s environment on physical and mental health. She is also interested in how these environmental experiences can affect development into adulthood. In the future, she plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in Psychiatry. Besides her academic interests, Melissa enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading, and cooking.

Veronica Alfonso

305-348-3390

Veronica Elena is an alumna of Florida International University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience and Natural and Applied Sciences. She also holds an Associate in Arts in Pre-Medical Science/Dentistry from Miami Dade College. Veronica began her involvement with research as a volunteer in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study and the SUN Lab, later transitioning into a Behavioral Research Assistant role with the ABCD Study. Through this work, she has developed a strong passion for neuroscience, particularly in understanding brain development and the connections between cognition, behavior, and health. Looking ahead, Veronica plans to pursue a career in dentistry. She hopes to integrate her background in neuroscience research into her future practice, drawing on the shared foundations between the two fields—including the nervous system, pain perception, behavior, and the brain-body connection—to improve oral health and overall well-being. Beyond her academic and professional interests, Vero enjoys volunteering in the community, baking, listening to music, biking, spending quality time with family and friends, and exploring nature.

Andy Waisser

BS in Psychology, BA in Political Science
awaisser@fiu.edu
305-348-5474

Andy is from Mexico City, Mexico and is a Research Assistant at the ABCD Study, having recently obtained his B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Political Science at Emory in 2025. In terms of research, he is interested in adolescent mental health, especially in relation to substance, social media consumption, and neurodiversity. Andy intends pursue a doctorate in order to become a clinical psychologist, helping children and young adolescents lead meaningful, healthy lives. When not in the lab, Andy can be found reading a mystery novel, playing soccer, spending time with friends and family, or writing music.