Our Interns
Internships are offered on a limited basis to provide students beneficial training opportunities to complement the intern’s formal education and prevention projects. Internships are unpaid, tied to the intern’s formal education program, accommodate the intern’s academic commitments, and designed to accentuate the intern’s academic interests.
Alyssa Ragoobir, Fall 2022
Alyssa Ragoobir is a Tulane University senior majoring in Public Health and pursuing a combined degree in Master of Health Administration. Throughout the fall of 2022, Alyssa worked with the UP Institute and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). During this time, she worked on designing multiple graphics for campaigns to reduce corporal punishment and raise awareness for recognizing abusive injuries. She collaborated on editing APSAC’s 2021 annual report and created a one-pager to showcase all 2023 national child abuse conferences. Alyssa plans on continuing her Master of Health Administration at Tulane and hopes to work in managing a children’s hospital one day.
Walden Ferrell, Summer 2022
Walden Ferrell is currently a senior at Tulane University studying Psychology and Urban Studies. Throughout the spring and summer of 2022, Walden has worked with the UP Institute and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). During this time, she has worked on increasing the effectiveness of the Teens, Sex, and the Law presentations, analyzed website traffic, and assisted with the No Hit Zone newsletter. In the spring of 2023, Walden plans to begin her Masters in Psychological Sciences before fully entering the field of social work advocacy.
Irina Parau, Fall 2022
Irina Parau is a senior at Tulane University, majoring in Public Health and Psychology. She chose these fields of study because of her interest in finding ways to provide equitable access to health care for people in disadvantaged communities. She is also has a passion for understanding how the mind works and what motivates people to take action. Irina will be an intern for the UP Institute in the Fall of 2022, where she hopes to gain experience and knowledge that will help define her career path.
Elise Varrone, 2021
Elise Varrone interned with the UP Institute during her senior year at Tulane University, earning her BSc in Psychology. During her time with The UP Institute, Elise focused on updating an academic chapter on non-offending caregivers in cases of child sexual abuse. She also developed a formal request for additional resources to support juvenile sex abuse offenses, presented to the District Attorney’s Office on behalf of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, she assisted with the No Hit Zone book and website and summarized studies for APSAC. Elise plans to pursue her master’s studies in Denmark, where she is currently based.
Aisha Marston, Fall 2021
Aisha Marston is currently a senior at Tulane University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in French. Throughout the Fall 2021 semester, Aisha extensively worked on a curriculum guide for victim advocacy as well as focused her efforts on developing the social media platforms for both the Up Institute and American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). Moreover, she worked to develop and edit the Facebook page that will be used to promote No Hit Zones. She is eager to further pursue her interests in child development care in her future career, thanks to her exposure to the ACEs course and experience interning with the Up Institute and APSAC.
Sam Cole, Fall 2021
Sam Cole is a current senior at Tulane University. He is studying public health, and is also currently in the combined 4+1 BSPH and MPH degree program. After graduation, he plans to go to medical school, where he intends to become a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician. Throughout the Fall 2021 semester, he worked on several projects for both the Up Institute as well as the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). Sam primarily worked on planning the first national No Hit Zone conference in Austin, Texas. He reached out to more than 70 Child Advocacy Centers and child-serving organizations, as well as attended the summit committee meeting with the leaders of the conference. Another major project that Sam worked on was the creation of the Up Institute flyer that highlights all of the trainings and presentations that are offered. After the conclusion of the internship, Sam intends on using his training from both this internship as well as from the Adverse Child Experiences course at Tulane as he starts his medical education.
Conor Green, Fall 2021
Conor Green is a current senior at Tulane University where he is pursuing a double major in Political Science of International Relations and History, alongside a Strategy, Leadership and Analytics Minor (SLAM). After graduation, he plans to attend law school and launch a career in which he can advocate for marginalized populations in the field of immigration. Throughout the 2021 Fall Semester, Conor worked extensively on multiple projects for both the UP Institute and American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). Conor made noteworthy contributions to crafting a military readiness guide intended to educate families and adolescents living on American military bases about sexual assault and methods of prevention. In addition, Conor assisted APSAC through data collection, event planning, and verifying post-nominals for guests at APSAC events. Another project taken on by Conor included constructing a presentation investigating how the legal system often vilifies children who have exhibited problematic sexual behavior. Conor is eager to utilize the experience he has gained in legislative advocacy and administrative work as a foundation for his legal career. Most importantly, he hopes to embody the empathy and giving nature of the UP Institute that he has learned so much from over the course of the semester.
Cassandra Nelson, Winter 2020 & Summer 2021
Cassandra is a pre-law senior at Tulane University, double majoring in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Gender & Sexuality Studies. In September 2020, Cassandra tirelessly updated 126 slides for the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), which are now used to educate professionals in child abuse prevention. This summer, she has dedicated a considerable amount of time collaborating in the development of the VAC curriculum on child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences, which will be taught at Tulane University. Furthermore, she independently developed a summary presentation of 11 research studies on resilience in maltreated children which will be presented at the “Grammys.” On July 13, 2021, Cassandra trained and served as a moderator for the APSAC’s 28th Colloquium, a 3-day national conference on child welfare. She has also helped push the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act through the state legislature by enlisting support from organizations across Louisiana to ban corporal punishment in public schools and join our committee aimed at encouraging legislators to approve the bill. On June 30, 2021, Cassandra represented the UP Institute and attended the Congressional briefing in support of this bill. All her work in legislative advocacy has intensified her passion for law, and she intends to dedicate her time to protecting children and adolescents as a future attorney.
Peyton Schaefer, Summer 2021
Peyton Schaefer is a senior at Tulane University, where she is earning her B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Business Management. She is deeply committed to increasing health equity and is excited to take what she is learning at her time with the UP Institute and applying it to her future career in public health. During this summer, Peyton has collaborated with other interns on a variety of projects, as well as taking some on independently. She has assisted in the development of the VAC curriculum on child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences, which will be taught at Tulane University, and worked as a room monitor for the virtual National APSAC Colloquium. Furthermore, Peyton independently edited and revised the website for The UP Institute and No Hit Zones to update the existing resources and format new additions. Moving forward, she hopes to continue child safety advocacy and focus on the effectiveness of upstream solutions in public health.
Vincie Wang, Summer 2021
Vincie is a senior at Tulane University, earning her B.S. in Economics and Psychology. After graduation, she plans to go to law school where she would continue to advocate for children, women, and other survivors of abuse. In the summer of 2021, Vincie devoted her time to develop and edit the VAC curriculum on child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences, which will be taught at Tulane University. In order to push the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act through the state legislature, Vincie has tirelessly enlisted support from organizations across Louisiana and Georgia to ban corporal punishment in public schools. In June 2021, Vincie attended the Congressional hearing on this bill as a proud representative of the UP Institute. Through this internship, she has not only gained hard skills in legislative advocacy and curriculum development, but has also reconfirmed her dedication toward law and justice. She intends to continue helping vulnerable individuals and communities gain equitable access to justice.
Emma Urdangen, Spring & Summer 2021
Emma is a graduate of Tulane University class of 2021, where she received a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Political Science and Sociology. Emma is excited to take what he has learned in her time working with the UP Institute and apply it to her future career aspirations working with children in related fields such as social work and law. During the Spring 2021 semester, Emma worked with other interns on a variety of projects. She assisted in research in translating peer-reviewed articles from the Child Maltreatment Journal into summary slides for the child-abuse prevention “Grammys,” and co-authoring an article about NHZs for Virtus. She compiled a Black History Month document highlighting child abuse prevention leaders throughout history. Additionally, she created a “whereas” document proposing the implementation of a national “C.H.A.M.P.S.” week to recognize the various disciplines actively working to prevent child abuse. Emma is looking forward to continuing her internship with UP this summer, and taking all she learned from this experience into her future endeavors!
Evelyn Lee, Spring & Summer 2021
Evelyn is a senior at Tulane studying Psychology with minors in Philosophy and Spanish. During the Spring 2021 semester, Evelyn worked with other interns on the AAC courthouse book for adults with disabilities. In addition, she translated peer-reviewed articles from the Child Maltreatment Journal into summary slides for the “Grammys”, assisted a parent in building a NHZ pediatrician packet, and co-authored a NHZ article for Virtus. She also created a document for the implementation of CHAMPS week to recognize the people working to prevent child abuse. Continuing into the summer, Evelyn compiled contact organizations and legislators regarding the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act and represented the Up Institute when attending the bill’s congressional briefing. She further contributed to the Victim Advocacy Curriculum and served as a Technical Assistant Moderator for APSAC’s 28th Annual Colloquium.
Jessica Li, Summer 2021
Jessica is a Senior at Tulane University studying Psychology and Cognitive Science with a minor in Sociology. She is interested in ultimately contributing to the field of Child Development and has appreciated learning about child abuse prevention in the Tulane ACES course along with interning at The UP Institute. During the Spring 2021 semester, Jessica contributed by increasing APSAC Anyk engagement, translating peer-reviewed journals into summary slides, aiding a parent in building a Pediatrician packet, creating a No Hit Zone one-pager, and issuing the first No Hit Zone newsletter. Additionally, Jessica worked closely with other interns in writing the AAC courthouse book for adults with disabilities, and the VIRTUS article on No HIt Zones. Volunteering her time, Jessica aided Summer interns in efforts to educate organizations and legislators about the recent Protecting Our Students in Schools Act. She also contributed to the development of the VAC (Victim Assistance Curriculum) on child maltreatment. Furthermore, Jessica attended the 28th annual APSAC Colloquium as a moderator, listening to presentations regarding resilience in children and families, and forensic interviewing.
Sarah Jane Bruton, Spring 2021
Sarah Jane Bruton is a graduate of the Tulane University class of 2021, and holds her BA in Homeland Security Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies. During her time with The UP Institute, she helped develop the 2020 Ohio Prosecutor’s Guidebook for Human Trafficking Cases Involving Individuals with Disabilities, in collaboration with Adult Advocacy Centers, drawing on her passion for law and human rights. Sarah Jane was also able to produce an analytical report on the 2019 Child Maltreatment Report, throughout which she outlined maltreatment substantiation and fatality disparities as they exist across racial lines in accordance with extant data. Additionally, she collaborated with her UP Intern peers to co-author a No Hit Zone article for VIRTUS. Sarah Jane is proud to have been involved with The UP Institute, and is excited to apply lessons learned through this experience to her future endeavors.
Jacqueline Goldberg, Spring 2021
Jacqueline Goldberg is a junior at Tulane University, studying Psychology and Digital Design. She is planning on furthering her education after college by pursuing a masters in Clinical Psychology. Jacqueline was able to take advantage of her internship with The UP Institute by combining her interests in child development and digital design to contribute to a variety of projects including a ribbon logo for APSAC, UP one pagers and infographics. Simultaneous to the work she was doing at the Up Institute she was enrolled in a seminar at Tulane where she focused her studies on the impact of child abuse on the brain and child development. She intends to further the media presence and awareness associated with child abuse and more upstream solutions.
Hannah Ashbrook, Fall 2020
Hannah Ashbrook is a Senior at Tulane majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in English. She plans to attend law school after graduation and is especially interested in the intersection between neuroscience and law. Working remotely from Orange County, California, Hannah has contributed to the UP Institute by researching and writing an article on delayed disclosure in child sex abuse. She is grateful for the immense experience she has gained, and for the opportunity to explore this field. Hannah is excited to take what she has learned to law school and beyond!
Jamie Berquist, Fall 2020
Jamie Berquist is a junior at Tulane University, studying Public Health and Political Science. She plans on pursuing a MPH in Maternal and Child Health or attending law school after graduation. This summer, after a few plan changes, Jamie worked at Farmers market as a sales associate, as well as waitressed at Washington Golf and Country Club. In the spring of 2020, Jamie took the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) class with Professor Leblanc. With her interests in Public health, this class inspired her to further pursue learning about the crucial effects of early adverse experiences on determining long-term health and how to define and address root causes upstream. This fall she hopes to get back to working on issues she is passionate about and is very excited to be apart of the team. Jamie is looking forward to assisting Stacie with her prosecution manual and work on teen sex and law trainings!
Lauren Black, Fall 2020
Lauren Black is a senior at Tulane University studying Public Health and Urban Studies, and ultimately hopes to receive her MPH in Health Policy or Maternal and Child Health. Lauren is deeply passionate about and committed to mitigating health disparities and improving health equity for historically underserved and neglected populations and communities. After taking Stacie LeBlanc’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) course at Tulane in spring of 2020, she became intrigued by the pivotal role ACEs, adverse community environments, and childhood trauma play in contributing to adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Lauren is excited to be a part of The UP Institute team and looks forward to working alongside likeminded colleagues to reduce adverse childhood experiences and promote healthier children, families and communities.
Celia Constantino, Fall 2020
Celia Constantino is a senior at Tulane studying Public Health and minoring in Spanish. She has become increasingly passionate about bridging disparities in healthcare access in the United States, specifically for immigrant families, and hopes to gain work experience after graduation before deciding on a graduate school. She loved learning about the importance of fostering emotional resilience in early childhood through Tulane’s Adverse Childhood Experiences class, cotaught by Stacie LeBlanc, which inspired her to intern with the UP Institute this fall. Working safely and remotely from St. Louis, MO, Celia contributes immensely by creating infographics for parents and caregivers about the effects of corporal punishment (CP) on a child’s brain structure & function, emotions, and memory, translating No Hit Zone materials into Spanish, and helping to prepare a book chapter on the positive effects of No Hit Zone implementation. Reflecting on her experience this semester, Celia shared that “Working with the UP Institute and having the opportunity to collaborate with professionals in child maltreatment prevention across the country has been an incredibly inspirational experience. I am so grateful to have been a part of the team and am excited to continue advocating for children in the future.” We are so excited to highlight and disseminate Celia’s infographic to help you help parents understand the harms of CP. Please share, print and use Celia’s work.
Jamie Gibori, Fall 2020
Jamie Gibori is a senior at Tulane studying psychology and neuroscience on the pre-med track. She plans to attend Tulane’s 4+1 Masters program next year and med school after that. Jamie has always had an interest in child activism and their psychology, more specifically, trauma-induced mental disorders, which led her to her internship with the UP institute. This semester, Jamie has contributed to our platform immensely by working on a pre-draft for writing a paper on the benefits of using forensic video in child abuse court cases, formatting powerpoint presentations for APSAC, and helping other Interns on their Individual projects Including Infographics and posters. This Internship has truly helped Jamie not only further her academic and professional skills, but has also aided her In overcoming and understanding her own experiences revolving around child abuse and child activism In the legal system.
Lindsey Howell, Fall 2020
Lindsey Howell a junior at Tulane studying psychology and philosophy with a minor in public health. After receiving her bachelor’s at Tulane, she plans on getting her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology and working in the field. She would like to specialize in child and adolescent psychology, so she is really excited to learn about the best practices when it comes to working with child victims of abuse. At the UP Institute, she will be aiding in researching and writing articles on trauma-informed prosecution practices in abuse cases as well as assisting with the Teens, Sex, and the Law program and the No Hit Zone project.
Joie Meyer, Fall 2020
Joie Meyer is a Junior at Tulane studying Public Health and Psychology. She took Tulane’s ACEs course last semester and loved analyzing the intersection between Public Health and Psychology to change social perceptions and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. At her time with The Up Institute, Joie’s primary focus was to develop a comprehensive 24 hour victim advocacy training program to prepare professionals to effectively deliver coordinated evidence informed services. Additionally, she has been helping to develop marketing materials for APSAC’s AnyK, a fundraiser that supports the professionals who solve child maltreatment. This internship has piqued Joie’s interest in social work and she hopes to continue working to prevent child abuse and maltreatment in the future.
Phara Ross, Fall 2020
Phara Ross is a senior at Tulane University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Art. She is also a Pre-Med student and plans to pursue a career in medicine. She is especially interested in orthopedics and studying sports injuries. This summer she worked to complete the medical school prerequisites and ended by taking the MCAT exam. She is very passionate about children’s education and is excited to be apart of the team!
Dayna Siegel, Fall 2020
Dayna Siegel is a senior at Tulane, studying public health and psychology, and will be obtaining her MSW after graduation. From her internship she said she learned a variety of new skill sets, including working with Canva, reading/editing chapters, and utilizing her creative skills to create topics for infographics. In the beginning of the semester, She helped provide edits for Stacie LeBlanc’s chapter on No Hit Zones. She then created a College Sex and the Law, along with other interns, that described the consequences of variety of offenses, including 1st degree, 2nd degree and 3rd rape, felony carnal knowledge and sexual battery. The infographic also explained how to report an attack and to encourage college students to designate a friend prior to going out to help stay away from unsafe situations. She spent the second half of the internship working with Phara Ross and Jamie Berquist to make a series of infographics on topics for college students and high school seniors. These infographics discussed masturbation, body count, how to say “NO,” sexual arousal, experimenting, rumors, how to speak up when bad things happen, and accepting yourself. They also made a short video discussing masturbation to try and make the conversation less awkward.