Paulo Graziano, Ph.D.
Lab Director; Professor.
IES Postdoctoral Fellow, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Pediatrics/Clinical Child Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology,
M.A., Clinical Psychology,
B.S., Psychology (Major), Sociology (Minor), University of Central Florida
As the director of the S.E.L.F.-Regulation Lab, Dr. Graziano’s research focuses on the role of children’s self-regulation as it pertains to School Readiness, Early Intervention, Learning, and Fitness (S.E.L.F.). He is particularly interested in how parental and environmental factors (e.g., teachers/classroom) may influence or moderate the impact of regulatory processes on adaptive functioning outcomes. Special emphasis on the role of physiological (i.e., RSA suppression) and neurocognitive processes in the development of psychopathology (emphasis on disruptive behavior disorders) as well as pediatric obesity. A large portion of his research focuses on developing and examining early interventions (e.g., behavioral parent training, summer programs) that can target children’s self-regulation skills and subsequent adaptive and
Fun Fact: Dr. Graziano enjoys traveling with his wife, playing golf and is a proud father of two daughters (ages 12 and 14) and a son (age 5).
Current Doctoral Students
Melissa Hernandez
Doctoral Candidate & Intern
Masters Thesis: Individual differences in germ spreading behaviors among children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The role of executive function
Education:
Pre-Doctoral Internship: Interdisciplinary Pediatric Hearing Loss Program, Mailman Center for Children Development, University of Miami
Fun Fact: I love to travel and try new foods.
Madeline Curzon
Doctoral Candidate & Intern
Masters Thesis: Exploring Differences in Physical Health in Young Children with and without ADHD
Education: Northwestern University - B.A. in Psychology (major) and Business Institutions (minor); DePaul University - M.S. in Psychology
Pre-Doctoral Internship: Special Health Care Needs, Oregon Health & Science University
Fun Fact: I love to bake desserts and cats are my favorite animal
Maggie Johansson
3rd Year Doctoral Student
Research Interests: Executive functioning in children with ADHD, mechanisms of change for children with ADHD, and children with ADHD's risk and response to adversity
Education: University of Washington - B.S. in Psychology (major)
Fun Fact: I've been skiing since I was 2 years old
Leanett Reinoso
3rd Year Doctoral Student
Research Interests: Examining how community factors influence mental and physical health outcomes in children with and without ADHD
Education: Florida International University - B.A. in Psychology (major) and Criminal Justice (minor)
Fun Fact: I enjoy baking and spending time outdoors
Eva Goldhagen
3rd Year Doctoral Student
Research Interests: Examining emotion dysregulation as a transdiagnostic factor in young children with ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders
Education: University of Florida - B.S. in Psychology (major) and B.A. in Sociology (major); American University - M.A. in Psychology
Fun Fact: I love to bake bread and read novels
Dr. Graziano will be taking a doctoral student for the 2027-2028 school year. Click here for program and application information.
Research Staff
Victoria Quintanilla
PCIT and STP-K Coordinator
Education: Florida International University - M.S. in Psychology (Professional Counseling Psychology)
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Ana Uribe
Education: Florida International University - Senior Psychology Student with Applied Behavior Analysis Track
Fun Fact: I have a twin brother!
Natalia Perez-Rodriguez
Education: Florida International University - Senior Psychology and History Student
Fun Fact: I love to crochet and draw in my free time!
Yenice Hechavarria
Education: Florida International University - Senior Psychology Student with an ABA track
Fun Fact: I love adrenaline, and I love spending time with my family and cooking for them.
- Lab Alumni
Graduate Students
Taylor Landis, Ph.D. (2022) Assistant Professor, Division of Child Safety and Integrated Care at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School
Jennifer Coto, Ph.D. (2020) Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology at Children’s Hearing Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Alexis Garcia, Ph.D. (2020) Assistant Professor, Director of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Clinic at Medical University of South Carolina
Rosmary Ros, Ph.D. (2019) Assistant Professor (tenure track), Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina
Former Post-doctoral Students
Jamie Spiegel, Ph.D. (2020) Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at University of South Florida
Andre Maharaj, Ph.D. (2018-2019) Co-Director, Center for Social Development and Education, Graduate Program Director - Applied Behavior Analysis, University of Massachusetts Boston
Valentina Tobia, Ph.D. (Summer 2018) Assistant Professor (fixed term researcher), Developmental Psychology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele
Notable Past Placements for Former Staff/ Undergraduate Research Assistants
Aldana Almutairi (Pursing a career as a registered nutritionist)
Melissa Alonso (Master’s Program in Professional Counseling Psychology, Florida International University)
Carina Alvarez (PhD Student - School Psychology, University of Virginia; Postdoc - Florida International University)
Cecily Alvarez (Graduate student - Mental Health Counseling, University of Miami)
Samantha Angulo (Graduate Student - Professional Counseling Program, FIU)
Katherine Aparicio (Gra Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Miami)
Luisa Bermeo (PhD Student - Clinical Psychology, University of Southern Alabama)
Nisha Brijmohan (PhD student - Cognitive Neuroscience, Florida International University)
Andrea Bueno (Graduate student - Mental Health Counseling, Appalachian State University)
Danielle Companioni (Graduate Student - Mental Health Counseling, Florida International University)
Maria Cordero (Dentistry Program, New York University)
Cassie Corley (Nursing Program, Florida International University)
Sahara Defeo (Graduate Student - Professional Counseling Psychology, FIU)
Johanna Dominguez (pursuing career in mental health counseling)
Sarah Gearhart (pursuing career in mental health counseling)
David Gomez (Medical Student, College of Medicine, Florida International University)
Katherine Gonzalez (Graduate student - University of Miami)
Della Gregg, M.S. (Professional Mental Health Counseling, FIU)
Williana Magloire (PsyD Student, Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology)
Arielle Marcus (Master’s Program in Speech-Language Pathology, University of Florida)
Jennifer Melo (PhD Student, Clinical Psychology, NOVA University)
Lucybel Mendez (PhD Student, Clinical Psychology, University of Utah)
Karina Moenck (pursuing career in mental health counseling)
Paola Mondino, MDes (Interior Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design)
Stephanie Munio (PsyD Student, Clinical Psychology, La Salle University)
Carmen Ortega (Law Student, College of Law, Florida International University)
Ana Rondon, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama)
Katrina Rosiak (Medical Student, Edward Via College of Medicine)
Kayla Sanchez, M.S. (Professional Mental Health Counseling, Florida International University)
Carlos Sanchez (PhD Student - Clinical Psychology, Texas Tech University)
Lissandra Sotolongo (Graduate Student - Mental Health Counseling, Florida International University)
Sarah Suarez (Master’s Program in Mental Health, University of Central Florida)
Rosa Uriart (Master’s Program in Professional Counseling Psychology, Florida International University)
Aileen Valdez (Graduate Student, Mental Health Counseling, Florida International University)
Valerie Valledor (Graduate student - Eastern Michigan)
Samantha Vaquerano, M.S. (Speech-Language Pathology, Florida International University)