LJ is currently a first year Psychological Counseling E.d.M student at Teachers College, Columbia University. He received his BA in Psychology with a focus in gender studies from Hunter College, in 2020. LJ was a recipient of the Livingston-Welsh for Research honors award and is currently a research assistant conducting reviews on substance abuse and opioid withdrawal. LJ is interested in the research of early aversive stimulation in early childhood—especially children from marginalized and underserved communities—and how aversive experiences during early critical development may serve to develop grit, resilience, and perceived control in individuals with secure attachment. LJ seeks to improve vocational maturity levels and mental wellness in said communities through empirical research and evidence-based practice. He plans to pursue a PhD in counseling psychology in the near future.