Johnson ’26 Takes Her Psychology Research Beyond the Classroom and Into an Italian Hospital

October 29, 2026

Through RIT’s combined BS/MS program, she gained international research experience while building a foundation for a future career in clinical psychology.

For 10 weeks this summer, RIT psychology student Alessandra Johnson traded Rochester for Genoa, Italy, where she worked alongside a clinical psychologist at a local hospital, researching how technology use by parents may influence early childhood development.

The experience gave Alessandra, who earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in summer 2026, an opportunity to apply her classroom knowledge to an emerging area of psychological research while gaining firsthand experience in an international clinical setting.

Her work focused on parental technoference, a term describing how technology use, particularly smartphones, can interrupt interactions between parents and their children. Working one-on-one with a clinical psychologist, Alessandra reviewed existing research and drafted a paper examining how parental smartphone use may affect infant development.At the conclusion of her internship, she presented her findings to members of the hospital's psychology department.

For Alessandra, the opportunity to explore psychology through research was a significant milestone in her academic journey. Now, back in Rochester, she remains in contact with the psychologist, who is continuing research on the topic for a potential publication and book. Alessandra’s contributions are expected to inform part of that ongoing work.

Finding her place at RIT

Growing up in a military family, Alessandra lived in several states and another country before eventually settling primarily in the Washington, D.C., area. When choosing a university, she wanted somewhere that offered both a strong research environment and a welcoming community.

RIT was already familiar territory. Her father had attended the university as a photography student, but Alessandra was drawn to its psychology program and opportunities to work alongside research-focused faculty.

"I wanted to go to a research school because I wanted to look into research in psychology," she said.

After touring several universities, RIT's close-knit campus environment stood out. Coming from a high school with approximately 30 students, she appreciated the accessibility of the campus and the sense of community she experienced during her visit. Still, transitioning to college came with challenges.

"I was very scared," Alessandra recalled of her first year. Navigating unfamiliar classes, meeting new people and building relationships with professors required an adjustment. Over time, however, those experiences helped her become more confident and discover a clearer sense of direction.

An accelerated path to new possibilities

Alessandra was admitted to RIT's combined bachelor's/master's (BS/MS) program before beginning her undergraduate studies, an opportunity she initially knew little about.

"I didn't even know about the BSMS program when I went in to RIT," she said.The program provided a pathway to complete both degrees in five years. It also gave her additional motivation to maintain strong academic performance.

She completed a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a minor in forensic clinical psychology, in summer 2026. Now in her fifth year at RIT, she is pursuing a master's degree in experimental psychology, which she expects to complete in spring 2027.

Beyond her coursework, she works in RIT's Psychopathology, Adolescence, Development, Methodology, Evaluation (PADME) Lab with Dr. Dustin Haraden, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology, contributing to research examining relationships between sleep, mental health and other variables. She is also an active member of a campus sorority, where she holds a leadership position.

Her academic and international experiences have helped sharpen her professional ambitions. Although she originally expected to enter the workforce after completing her master's degree, she is now considering additional graduate education, including a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program.

Her goal is to pursue clinical psychology, working directly with individuals through counseling and therapeutic services, a career path she hadn't envisioned when she first arrived at RIT, but has become increasingly clear through her studies and research experiences.

A place to discover what's possible

As Alessandra prepares for the next chapter of her education, she hopes prospective students recognize the opportunities available to explore their interests, challenge themselves and discover new possibilities. Her own experience, from adjusting to college life to conducting psychological research in Italy, reflects how much her goals have evolved throughout her time at RIT.

When asked what she would tell prospective students considering RIT, her answer centered on the university's community."I think it's a place for everybody," she said. "I've met people from all demographics, people with all stories."

For Alessandra, that sense of belonging, combined with opportunities for academic exploration and hands-on research, has helped turn an initial interest in psychology into a promising direction for her future.