Lab Members

Joseph S. DeLuca, PhD
Principal Investigator
I joined the faculty of the Fairfield University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in Fall 2022, and opened the INSPYR Lab shortly thereafter. Since then, I have mentored more than ten Fairfield undergraduates on projects related to stigma and youth mental health. I've also had students work on research collaborations with Fairfield's graduate mental health programs, as well as on specialized early-stage psychosis projects through my affiliation with the Department of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Joseph Giacobbe
Research Assistant
Class of 2026
Major: Psychology
Minor: Religious Studies
I joined the INSPYR Lab as a research assistant during Fall 2025. Our current project focuses on psychotic-like experiences and their interactions with internal coping strategies, such as emotional regulation. I am also a member of the Fairfield University Psychology Club, and enjoy playing intramural sports with my friends. My goal is to pursue a career in either counseling or research where I can help people in need and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Emily Lamoureux
Research Assistant
Class of 2027
Major: Psychology
Minor: Health Studies
I began working as a research assistant in the INSPYR lab under Dr. DeLuca in the Fall of 2025. My current project focuses on psychotic-like experiences in the general population, specifically examining the impact of stigma. I hope to learn more about how stigma in mental health affects an individual's desire to seek care and how that influences their treatment. At Fairfield University, I am involved in several organizations on campus, including Psychology Club and Students for Rare, and currently hold a position under the Office of Student Engagement. After graduation, my goal is to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
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Madison Oberly
Research Assistant
Class of 2027
Major: Psychology (concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience)
Minors: Health Studies & Special Education
I began working in the INSPYR Lab under Dr. DeLuca in the Fall of 2025, where my current supervised research focuses on analyzing data regarding psychotic-like experiences and their relationship to women’s health. I am passionate about advancing research that bridges clinical psychology and overall health outcomes. In addition to my studies at Fairfield University, I am a student-athlete on the Fairfield University Dance Team, which has strengthened my teamwork skills, provided an outlet to pursue what I love, and emphasized the importance of time management. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology, with a possible fellowship in Neuropsychology.
Lab Alumni
Annie Cozens
Cecilia Hall
Ava Holmes
Jack Kenny
Sara Kranzlin
Clare McGuinness
Lennart Mierow
Reese Ranno
Bobby Schattle
Nicole Whelan