Research Team
Dr. Costopoulos
Dr. Julie Costopoulos is currently coordinating and teaching in the Forensic concentration for the Clinical Psychology PsyD program and teaches in the undergraduate Psychology and Forensic Psychology degree programs.
Dr. Costopoulos has a passion for helping students inform their clinical work with empirical findings. Her research team supports students as they develop comfort with the scientific exploration of the empirical foundations of knowledge in the field of psychology. Dr. Costopoulos' career has been in the area of forensic psychology. She comes to Florida Tech after serving as a senior forensic psychologist for the Sexually Violent Predator Program of Florida. Previously she served at a forensic psychiatric inpatient unit at Florida State Hospital where she conducted therapy and assessments, and testified to the court on issues of residents' competency to stand trial, commitment for hospitalization and other forensic matters. Dr. Costopoulos has taught at several universities including psychology, statistics, and research methods courses to undergraduate and graduate students.
More information on Dr. Costopoulos
Click here for links to publications
Olivia Bruno
Olivia Bruno, B.A. is a second year clinical psychology doctoral student pursuing a concentration in forensics. Olivia graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from West Chester University. Her interests include the etiology of criminal behavior, specifically the intersection of trauma and violent crime, in addition to forensic evaluation and treatment. Currently, Olivia works with Dr. Costopoulos as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and is leading a literature review team on the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms.
Kari Cummons
Kari L. Cummons, M.A., M.S. is a third year clinical psychology doctoral student pursuing a concentration in forensics. Kari graduated from the University of North Dakota with a master's degree in forensic psychology. Her primary interests include forensic evaluations in the areas of competency to proceed, best interest child custody, mitigation, and mental status at the time of the offense.
Jennifer Beard
Jennifer Beard, M.S, is a fourth year clinical psychology doctoral student pursuing a concentration in forensics. Jennifer graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from University of North Florida . Her interests include forensic assessment and treatment. Currently, Jennifer works with Dr. Costopoulos as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and is the co-research coordinator for the forensic research team under Dr. Costopoulos.
Natalie Buczek
Natalie Buczek, B.A. is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student pursing a concentration in forensics. Natalie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. Her interests include forensic assessment and police and public safety. Currently, Natalie works with Dr. Costopoulos as an examiner, administering forensic measures of malingering, and leading a team on data input.
Rima Malkan
Rima Malkan, M.A., is a first year Clinical Psychology doctoral student pursuing a concentration in forensics. Rima graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice- City University of New York (CUNY) with a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Her primary areas of interest include forensic evaluations, sexual offenders, and criminal behavior as it relates to violent offenders and crime. Rima is currently working as an examiner on Dr. Costopoulos’ research team.
Nadia Bortolin
Nadia Bortolin, B.S. is a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology student pursuing a concentration in Forensics with an interest to work with children and adolescents or adults that have a history of juvenile offense. Nadia graduated from Florida State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Italian. Her primary areas of interest include psychological assessments, forensic-related trauma, and working with individuals who have intergenerational trauma, specifically with adolescents in juvenile detention centers. She has past experiences working with children and adolescents who have suffered from abuse and trauma in both the assessment and therapy setting. Nadia is currently working with Dr. Costopoulos on the Test of Memory Malingering research team.
Ilona Likhtman
Ilona Likhtman, M.S. is a second year Clinical Psychology doctoral student pursuing a
concentration in Forensics. Ilona graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida. She later received a Master of Science degree in Neuroscience and Education from the Teachers College at Columbia University. Her primary areas of interest include forensic evaluations, violence risk assessment, and personality as it relates to criminal behavior and violent crime. Ilona is currently working with Dr. Costopoulos and serving on the Test of Memory Malingering research team.
Desiree DeLuca
Desiree DeLuca, B.A is a second year Clinical Psychology student pursuing a concentration in Forensics. Desiree graduated from Florida Institute of Technology where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology. She currently works at Circles of Care as the Forensic Specialist for Brevard County. Her primary areas of interest include forensic evaluations, violence risk, and forensic-related trauma. Desiree has been working with Dr. Costopoulos since undergrad and is currently leading a literature review team on the Test of Memory Malingering.
Research Team Alumni
Kate Goodall
Intern: Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, FL
Katie Glauner
Intern: Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, FL
Hayley Rodriguez
Date Graduated: 2022
Intern/Currently: Patton State Hospital, San Bernandino CA
Shannon Cantalupo
Date Graduated: 2022
Intern/Currently: Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, FL
Chelsea Bennett
Date Graduated: 2021
Intern : Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, FL
Lauren Price
Date Graduated: 2021
Intern: St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Bethany Wellman
Date Graduated: 2020
Intern: Northeast Florida State Hospital
Currently: Psychologist at Western State Hospital
Alyssa Johnson
Date Graduated: 2018
Intern: Federal Correction Complex
Currently: Lake Correctional Institution
Joseph Cirigliano
Date Graduated: 2017
Internship: Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo
Post Doc: Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Currently: Manhattan Family Court
Rebecca (Howes) Rock
Date Graduated: 2015
Intern: Larned State Hospital
Currently: Lake Correctional Institution
Trevor Taylor
Date Graduated: 2015
Currently: Forensic Private Practice
Amy Plewinski (left), Patricia Monaghan (right)
Date Amy Graduated: 2016
Internship/Currently: Atascadero State Hospital
Date Patricia Graduated: 2015
Currently: Coordinator of Psychological Testing at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Apryl Alexander
Date Graduated: 2012
Internship: Patton State Hospital, San Bernandino, CA
Currently: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Laura DeMarzo
Date Graduated: 2012
Internship/Currently: Mendota Mental Health Institute