Jen Traver (she/her) is a fourth-year graduate student in the Developmental and Quantitative psychology programs working with Drs. Annie Maheux, Patrick Curran, and Andrea Hussong. She received her B.A. and M.S. in Psychology from William & Mary, where she worked with Danielle Dallaire to study the effects of incarceration on parent-child relationships. Her current research examines how parents and media shape adolescent well-being and often involves harmonizing developmental theory with novel statistical methods. Outside of school, Jen loves to read, go on long walks with her dog, and pick up miscellaneous crafting hobbies (currently: sewing).

Rhetta Power (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in the Developmental and Social psychology programs working with Drs. Annie Maheux and Barbara Fredrickson. She received her BA in Psychology, with a minor in Feminist and Gender Studies from Colorado College in 2023. As an undergraduate, she worked with Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts to develop a theory about smartphone mediated being-in-the-world. Her research now aims to investigate the impact of technology use on adolescent development. She is specifically interested in how certain technologies (e.g., generative AI, smartphones, wearable tech) shape well-being, social connection, and health behaviors. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring nature and new places, swimming, and spending time (virtually and in-person) with her loved ones. 

Caitlin Mbuakoto (she/her) is a first-year graduate student in the Developmental Psychology PhD Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated from The College of New Jersey where she received her B.A in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Following graduation, she worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and volunteered in the Youth, Media, and Wellbeing Lab at Wellesley College. Her current research aims to understand how digital media influences the development of Black girls. More specifically, she is interested in Black girls' online experiences and how it impacts their identity development, sexual wellbeing, interpersonal relationships, and overall wellbeing. She is passionate about centering the voices of Black girls in her research with a variety of methods. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys reading, discovering new music artists, and spending time with her loved ones.

Ashley Slocum (she/her) is a Part-Time Lab Manager for the Social Environments & Adolescence Lab (SEA Lab) and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at the UNC School of Social Work. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022. Prior to joining the SEA Lab, Ashley worked as a Project Coordinator in UNC’s Developmental Social Neuroscience Lab and Carolina Affective Science Lab, where she managed studies on emotion regulation, neurodevelopment, and youth mental health. Ashley hopes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is passionate about working with adolescents and their families. She is interested in combining micro- and macro-level approaches by providing evidence-based therapeutic care to youth while also developing systems-level interventions to improve access to mental health resources. In her free time, Ashley enjoys exploring national parks with her fiancé, attending pilates classes, reading, and playing with her cat, Indigo.

Maddie Valentino (she/her) is a lab manager for the Social Environments & Adolescence Lab (SEA Lab). In May 2025, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S. in Psychology and a Certificate in Social Work & Social Welfare. Maddie is interested in how technology and media shape developmental trajectories, particularly the ways they influence adaptive functioning over time and overall well-being. More specifically, she is intrigued by how the digital world impacts character formation, psychosocial functioning, and resilience in children and adolescents. In the future, Maddie is motivated to pursue a PhD in Human Development & Family Studies or Developmental Psychology. Beyond research, she loves to read, learn languages, and spend time outdoors. 

Caroline Cahill (she/her) is a Project Coordinator for the FACES Project. She earned her B.S. in Integrative Neuroscience from Binghamton University in 2024. Caroline is passionate about understanding how various factors influence adolescent development and risk for internalizing psychopathology. Her research interests focus on adolescent neural and behavioral reward processing, particularly how these mechanisms shape responses to digital social rewards and punishments and, in turn, impact social media experiences. Caroline plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys running, climbing, hiking, reading, and thrifting.

Sarah Isenhour (she/her) is a Project Coordinator for The FACES Project. She graduated from NC State in May 2024 with B.A.s in Psychology and Criminology, as well as minors in Cognitive Science and Political Science. Sarah is interested in the intersection of psychology, the law, social media/technology, and the social context, particularly when it comes to the efficacy of clinical interventions within the criminal justice system. She hopes to further explore these interests in a Clinical Psychology PhD program. In her free time, Sarah loves reading, baking, crafting, and watching hockey.

William Malone (he/him/his) is a Project Coordinator in the Developmental Social Neuroscience Lab, assists with studies in the Social Environments & Adolescence Lab, and is funded on projects in the Winston Center on Technology & Brain Development. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Fall 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Japanese. His research interests revolve around social media, adolescent development, and peer relations, specifically pertaining to developing community solutions. He hopes to explore these interests in his role as a project coordinator and further as he pursues Clinical and Developmental Psychology PhD programs.

Katie Yoon (she/her) is a fourth-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is double majoring in Psychology and Statistics & Analytics with a minor in Medicine, Literature, and Culture. She is the president and competing member of UNC’s club taekwondo team and is a research assistant at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. In the future, she plans to continue research and pursue an MPH or PhD in Clinical Psychology or Neuroscience.

Zoe Monroe (she/her) is a fourth-year in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is majoring in Psychology (B.S.) with a minor in African, African American, and Diaspora studies. She is currently involved in HGAPS, a non-profit psychology organization on campus and is an undergraduate learning assistant (ULA) for PSYC 270: Research Methods. In the future, she plans to pursue her PsyD in Counseling/Clinical or Developmental Psychology.

Jinjin Huang (she/her) is a fourth-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. As publicity chair for the student organization FACSS, she is actively involved in promoting initiatives that foster student engagement and support for underrepresented groups. Jinjin is passionate about the intersection of mental health and social dynamics, and she plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology to further explore these areas. 

Meredith Alt (she/her) is a third-year in the College of Arts and Science. She is majoring in Psychology with minors in Musical Theatre Performance and Environmental Science. She is a member of Star Heels Dance Team and serves on the executive board for UNC's Student Film Association and UNC's chapter of A Moment of Magic Foundation. With A Moment of Magic, she works with medically vulnerable children in Chapel Hill and beyond, bringing happiness and magic to children's hospitals. Outside of academics and clubs, Meredith is passionate about acting, dance, and all things outdoors. 

Raina Gupta (she/her) is a third-year exchange student from India. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. She is very interested in working with children and adolescents and how early life interventions could help prevent future disorders. She wants to work with vulnerable populations especially in India. Other than that, she enjoys reading, swimming and traveling. 

Mercedes Fields (she/her) is a third-year student at UNC-Chapel Hill in the College of Arts and Sciences. For as long as she can remember, she has been fascinated by the mind and how varied the human experience is. She is passionate about mental health and hopes to build a career that allows her to treat individuals' mental health struggles, as well as further research different facets of psychology.  In her free time, she likes to crochet, drink coffee, watch horror movies, read, and meet new people. 

Sowndarya Chivukula (she/her) is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. She is involved in the Carolina Neuroscience Club on campus and plans to pursue an MD or MD-PhD to go into pediatric neurology in the future! 

Lillian Wu (she/her) is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. She is passionate about the intersection between various sociocultural factors and how mood disorders manifest. In her free time, she likes exploring the outdoors and cafe hopping. In the future, she plans to continue doing research whilst pursuing a career in healthcare.

Andrew Graboski (he/him) is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychology (B.S.) and is following the pre-nursing track. He plans to pursue a career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), combining his passions for psychology and healthcare. Outside of academics, he enjoys hiking and capturing nature through photography.

Maggie Meyers (she/her) is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is double majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy. As an executive member of HGAPS and Active Minds, she is dedicated to illuminating and researching mental health struggles in online communities as well as increasing public understanding of psychological science and psychotherapy. In the future, she plans to obtain an MD and to specialize in psychiatry to better integrate psychotherapy within psychiatric practice. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going for walks, and wearing Japanese fashion.

Jeslyn Pratiknjo (she/her) is a second-year student in the School of Data Science and Society, double majoring in Data Science (B.S.) and Psychology (B.A.), with a minor in Information Systems. She is interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, mental health, data analytics, and healthcare. Jeslyn hopes to pursue a career that combines research and data-driven solutions to address mental health challenges. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing tennis, working out, and cooking.

Zoya Barnes (she/her) is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is double majoring in Psychology and Data Science with a minor in Biology. As a member of the Penn Lab for social cognition and schizophrenia, she is passionate about combining clinical and social psychology to focus on mental health as it relates to intimate relationships in vulnerable populations like women, adolescents, and people struggling with mental disorders. After graduating, she plans to pursue a doctoral program to achieve her goal of becoming a professor and principal investigator. 

Sonal Mahapatra (she/her) is a first-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences, intending to major in Computer Science and Information Science. She works as a Residential Computing Consultant with ResNET and serves as UNC's IBM Z Ambassador. Sonal is interested in machine learning, cybersecurity, and socially impactful computing, and has published research on AI-driven technologies. She is currently pursuing these interests as a full-stack developer with the Computer Science + Social Good club at UNC.

Princess Oluwajubelo Adeyi (she/her) is a first-year undergraduate student from Lagos, Nigera who is passionate about making meaning of the human experience. Adolescent menorship, working with children, and forming connections with people are a few of the things she considers to be her life's work. As a member of the Executive board at WeMind—a student nonprofit advocating for mental health access in underserved communities—Princess believes that mental health resources should be available and accessible to everyone regardless of economic status or cultural stigmas. Princess is pursuing an IDST major at Carolina, combining her passion for neuroscience, human communication–linguistics, and global studies. After graduating, she hopes to do research on the relationship between childhood trauma, and adolescent brain development, (specifically on the role trauma plays in neuroplasticity) before pursuing the path to be a future physician. In her free-time you can find Princess lying in the grass in the Arboretum, running, and writing poetry.