Ms. Anusha Sahay , Applied Psychology in Science , Research Project Assistant at Rutgers University, United States
Anusha Sahay is a dedicated and emerging professional in the field of psychology, with a passion for mental health research and trauma-informed care. She earned her Bachelor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she completed an honors thesis exploring narcissistic traits in daily life using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Currently, Anusha serves as a Research Project Assistant at Rutgers University under a SAMHSA-funded initiative, working on school-based mental health systems. She has actively contributed to multiple research labs, including the Mechanisms of Antagonism Lab and the Personality Processes and Outcomes Lab, gaining hands-on experience in participant recruitment, data analysis, and intervention implementation. Anusha brings a compassionate and analytical approach to all her work, and she is particularly interested in trauma, developmental psychopathology, and school-based mental health interventions. Her growing academic portfolio includes manuscripts under review and conference presentations in the field of child and adolescent mental health.
Professional Profile:
Google Scholar
Education 🎓
Anusha Sahay completed her Bachelor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh (2020–2024) with a 3.7 GPA. Her academic journey was enriched by a rigorous honors thesis titled “The Expression of Narcissistic Personality Traits in Daily Life: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study”, under the guidance of Dr. Colin Vize. She also earned a Certificate in Managing Health Services & Projects, reflecting her multidisciplinary focus on both psychology and health management. Her coursework included Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Child Psychopathology, and Neuroscience, which provided her with a solid foundation in mental health and human behavior. Additional training in Organizational Psychology and Public Service Technologies helped her bridge clinical science and real-world health systems. This diverse educational background equips Anusha with a well-rounded understanding of both psychological theory and practical implementation of services in diverse populations.
Experience 💼
Anusha Sahay brings extensive research experience across three major roles. As a Research Project Assistant at Rutgers University (2024–present), she contributes to a SAMHSA-funded mental health initiative, working on data analysis, project planning, and co-facilitating trauma-based interventions in schools. At the Mechanisms of Antagonism Lab (2023–2024), she played a leadership role in an NIMH-funded study examining aggression through EMA, managing participant engagement and training new research assistants. From 2022–2023, at the Personality Processes and Outcomes Lab, she contributed to an NIAAA-funded study on alcohol use among young adults, ensuring data integrity and participant retention. Her technical skills include SPSS, Excel, and EMA platforms, and her interpersonal strengths shine through in participant rapport and team coordination. Anusha’s research experience demonstrates her commitment to applied psychology, trauma-informed care, and behavioral intervention development.
Awards and Honors 🏆
Though early in her professional journey, Anusha Sahay has already distinguished herself through academic and research accomplishments. She successfully completed an Honors Thesis in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, a prestigious designation reserved for students demonstrating exceptional scholarly ability. Her thesis involved real-time behavioral tracking using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), highlighting her proficiency in complex methodologies. Additionally, she held leadership roles in research labs, including training new assistants, coordinating participant interactions, and serving as a bridge between undergraduate researchers and graduate-level coordinators. Her selection as a Research Project Assistant on a high-impact SAMHSA-funded project at Rutgers is itself a form of honor, reflecting her skill, professionalism, and readiness to contribute to national initiatives in school-based mental health. Anusha’s early success and consistent involvement in federally funded studies suggest a trajectory toward impactful research leadership.
Research Focus 🔬
Anusha Sahay’s research focus lies at the intersection of trauma-informed care, personality psychology, and ecological assessment of psychopathology. Her honors thesis investigated the daily-life expression of narcissistic traits using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), reflecting a deep interest in how personality influences behavior in real-time contexts. At Rutgers University, she contributes to the development of trauma-informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in schools, showcasing her passion for school-based mental health. Her experience spans aggression, substance use, and developmental psychopathology, often through EMA and mixed-method designs. She is particularly interested in how early-life adversity and personality shape behavior over time and how evidence-based interventions can mitigate risk in youth. Anusha combines methodological rigor with a human-centered approach, aiming to translate psychological research into scalable interventions within education and community health systems.
Publications 📚
1. Co‑Creating a District‑Wide Professional Development Program and Implementation Model for Trauma‑Informed Schools (2025)
2. The Expression of Narcissistic Traits in Daily Life: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study (2024)