HOPPS Alumni Panel
We're delighted to announced that the Hispanic Organization of Professional Psychology Students (HOPPS) is hosting our alumni panel virtually on May 2nd. Join our five GSAPP & HOPPS alumni panelists as they share their experiences navigating diverse professional landscapes. This conversation will explore the complexities of their career development as GSAPP alumni, the nuances of professional practice, and the strategies that may have shaped their trajectories. All are welcome! We look forward to seeing you there!
The panelists are: Nydia Monagas, Psy.D., Jonathan Pastor, Psy.D., Pauline Levy, Psy.D., Angelica Diaz-Martinez, Psy.D., and Melissa Marano, Psy.D.
Zoom Link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/my/js3258
Meeting ID: 203 266 3563
Password: GSAPP
Panelists Bios:
Nydia Y. Monagas, Psy.D., is a Clinical Specialist in the Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy at Montclair State University, where she supervises the practicum experience for undergraduate Child Advocacy and Policy majors and teaches several courses including Child Abuse and Neglect and the senior capstone courses. She is also the Executive Director of the New Jersey Children’s Alliance (NJCA), a statewide non-profit whose mission is to promote and support communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to victims of child abuse, neglect and family violence. Dr. Monagas serves on several statewide Boards, including the Protection Subcommittee of the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board. Dr. Monagas previously worked at the St. Clare’s Center for the Protection of Children and at the Dorothy B. Hersh Regional Diagnostic Center conducting psychological evaluations and treatment for children and families involved with Child Protective Services. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. She also has a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and a Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University.
Jonathan Pastor, Psy.D. is the Associate Director, Counseling and Psychological Services at Princeton University. He oversees clinical services, and provides assessment and therapy to students for help with a wide range of mental health and social concerns, including depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, relationship issues, grief and loss, and life transitions.
He is a certified sport psychologist (2013) and works with Student-Athletes and other performers with issues including performance anxiety, adjustment to injuries or new roles, motivation, concentration, and team-related difficulties. He also coordinates the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Team, which focuses on helping students with substance use issues obtain access to appropriate care.
https://uhs.princeton.edu/about-us/staff/jonathan-pastor-psyd
Pauline Levy Frydman, Psy.D. is a Spanish-English bilingual clinical psychologist from Lima, Peru, who obtained her doctorate from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) at Rutgers University and her BA at Columbia University. Pauline has been working at the Bronx Health Collective (part of Montefiore Medical Center) since August 2020. Her clinical work combines emotion-focused, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral principles and techniques. Pauline works with people from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences, but her work has focused on Latin American children, adolescents, adults and families, as well as individuals who have a history of complex trauma. Pauline is also co-developing a mental health pipeline program in the South Bronx aiming to diversify the mental health field.
Angelica M. Diaz-Martinez, PsyD., is a Teaching Professor, the Program Director and the Director of Clinical Training for the Department of Clinical Psychology. In this role, she coordinates and provides oversight for practica and other training opportunities for the clinical PsyD program, serves as primary advisor to graduate students concerning practicum and internship issues, placement and applications and teaches the Supervision and Development course for first-year Clinical Students. She is also the co-chair of the Global Health Committee for GSAPP.
Dr. Diaz-Martinez has extensive clinical and administrative experience across a range of settings. Prior to her appointment at GSAPP she was the Senior VP for Operations for CPNJ, a non-profit agency serving developmentally disabled children and adults. Past appointments include, being the Chief Psychologist and Director of Training for an APA-accredited psychology pre-doctoral internship program, the psychiatry residents and the masters and bachelor-level externship programs at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Dr. Diaz-Martinez served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School where she supervised psychiatry residents, taught medical students and was an integral part of the research team for various NIH-funded projects. She also served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Montclair State University, directing the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology for Spanish/English Bilinguals Concentration for part of her time. Dr. Diaz-Martinez has multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and has presented at national conferences. She has also served as a guest expert on the Telemundo network concerning mental health topics impacting the Latino community. She is the Chair of the Medical Review Panel for the State of New Jersey Civil Services Commission and has served as a consultant for the College Board, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and other agencies. She is a commissioner for the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) and serves on the APA’s Task Force to Update Psychology Licensure Legislation. She serves as a mentor for APA’s LIWP program and MFP program. She was awarded the Martha Bernal Award for the Advancement of Diversity Training and Education in Clinical Psychology by The Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP) and the Distinguished Career Achievement Award by the GSAPP Alumni Organization. She maintains a private practice, in which her clinical work has been primarily with individuals who suffer from mood and/or anxiety disorders, behavioral medicine and work with Veterans.
Melissa Rivera Marano, Psy.D. obtained both her Masters and Doctorate degrees from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Rivera Marano has provided assessment and therapy services as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 2001. During her career she has worked as an administrator of a youth-based community organization and program researcher. She is an part-time lecturer at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University teaching graduate students Cognitive Assessment and Learning Disability. She also co-teaches an Intro to Clinical and School Psychology undergraduate course. Dr. Rivera Marano is on the Medical Staff of Monmouth Medical Center working with the Regional Newborn Extension Program. Dr. Rivera Marano is also published.
As a private practitioner Dr. Rivera Marano provides clinical services to children through adults. Her clinical specialties include treatment of Anxiety Disorders using a Cognitive Behavioral Approach along with validated techniques that are individualized to each patient. Incorporation of mind-body understanding and techniques are integrated into the work with patients. Dr. Rivera Marano’s assessment services include neuropsychological assessment, pre-surgical assessment for bariatric surgery, psychological evaluation and forensic evaluation. She also provides psychological assessment and treatment for individuals involved in immigration proceedings, workers compensation and auto Injury.
Dr. Rivera Marano is a former Board Trustee on NAMI NJ and the New Jersey Psychological Association Foundation of New Jersey. Dr. Rivera Marano is an active member of the Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey, serving as a past President and currently on their Advisory Council and she is a member of the National Latino Psychological Association and New Jersey Psychological Association.
