Lab Director: Annie Maheux

Assistant Professor

Winston Family Distinguished Fellow

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience

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Graduate Students

Rhetta Power

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

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.

Research Staff

Lab Manager: Ashley Slocum

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.

Research Faculty

Kaitlyn Burnell

Kaitlyn Burnell is a Research Assistant Professor with the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain, and Psychological Development. Kaitlyn received her PhD in Psychological Sciences from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2020, and her BA in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University in 2015. Her research examines how adolescents and emerging adults use smartphones and social media to experience traditional developmental tasks and challenges, including their experiences with peers, social comparison, and body image. She has a special interest in how these experiences relate to mental health. Kaitlyn is interested in applying cutting edge methodologies to her various lines of research, including the use of ecological momentary assessments, direct observations and passive sensing of digital content, and eye-tracking.

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholars

Chelly Maes

Chelly Maes (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the SEA Lab and a Guest Professor in Communication Sciences at the University of Antwerp. Her research examines the complex relationships between digital media use (e.g., social media, television, pornography) and youth development, focusing on body image, sexuality, identity, and mental health (see personal website for an in-depth overview of research interests: https://chellymaes.com). Her research entails an interdisciplinary approach by integrating theories from communication science with psychology literature. Her methods include advanced quantitative techniques (e.g., longitudinal survey studies, daily diary studies, experiments, content analyses) and qualitative approaches (e.g., focus groups, interviews). Chelly’s work has been recognized with competitive grants, including funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, and she has published extensively in Q1-ranked journals. In her spare time, Chelly enjoys horseback riding, going out with her boyfriend, and snuggling with her cat, Mira.

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Natasha Wood

Natasha is a PhD candidate at the University of Mississippi. She received her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Seattle University, her M.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and her M.S. in Social Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She researches the motivations that drive people to radicalize to violent extremism, as well as the effects of social disconnection and technologies on relational outcomes. Her research has examined the effect of thwarted fundamental psychological needs on extremism—such as after experiencing loneliness, social isolation, or ostracism—and the experience of social exclusion in the incel community. In the SEA Lab, Natasha uses her expertise in experimental methodology to explore how exposure to particular social media content and features influences psychosocial outcomes.

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Lab Affiliates

David Jack

David Jack is a second-year graduate student in the Developmental Psychology program. He received his BS.c. in Psychology from the University of Jos, Nigeria, in 2019. Following graduation, he worked as a research assistant with the Culture and Mental Health Research Group, supervised by Dr. Dung Jidong at Nottingham Trent University. His research aims to explore social media use and adolescent development from cross-cultural perspectives with a specific focus on adolescents from low-and-middle-income-countries. In his free time, he enjoys photography and spending time with family.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Katie Yoon '26

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.

Ethan Page '25

Ethan Page (he/him) graduated in 2025 from the College of Arts & Sciences. He majored in Psychology with a double minor in German and Chemistry. He has previously volunteered as a Learning Assistant in the Psychology Department at UNC and as a Second Language Teaching Assistant in Vienna, Austria. He plans to pursue a PhD in Cognitive Psychology.

Zoe Monroe '26

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 '26

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.

Sam Davis '27

Sam Davis (he/him) is a third-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is double majoring in Psychology and Political Science. He has been accepted into the Teach for America Ignite Fellowship and possesses a deep interest in adolescent mental health. In the future, he plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical or Developmental Psychology. In his spare time, he enjoys playing piano and traveling with his family.

Sowndarya Chivukula '28

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!

Meredith Alt '27

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.

Lillian Wu '28

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 '28

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 '28

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 '28

Jeslyn Pratiknjo (she/her) is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences, 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 '28

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.

William Malone '25

William Malone (he/him) is a Senior from Atlanta, Georgia studying Psychology and Japanese. He started college abroad in Stirling, Scotland as part of Carolina’s Global Launch program, and studied psychology as well as jazz drumming. He also spent six weeks in Kyoto, Japan studying Intercultural Communication & Leadership, and volunteered at a Japanese elementary school. At UNC, he is a sibling at St. Anthony’s The Hall, a co-ed art and literary fraternity; enjoys rock climbing; playing hackysack; and is an avid musician, releasing his own original music while playing lead guitar and drums for a student band, The Wallabies. William hopes to combine his interests in Japanese, intercultural communication, and psychology as he pursues graduate programs in social work.

Kyndall Holt '25

Kyndall Holt (she/her) is a fourth-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is double majoring in Psychology and Medical Anthropology with a minor in Health and Society. She is the founder of Blooms that Heel, serves as an executive officer in the Carolina Cancer Association, and works as a research assistant in the DSN Lab. Passionate about advancing healthcare accessibility and patient advocacy, Kyndall plans to continue her education after graduation and pursue a career as a physician assistant (PA).

Teen Advisory Board

Nathaniel W.

Nathaniel is a junior in high school from Durham, North Carolina. He thinks technology is constantly advancing, whether in AI, scientific advancements, or other technologies. It is important to understand and use this technology to become a functioning member of the changing society that technology is creating. He has personally used AI to help expand his understanding of his interests and the world around him. A fun fact about him is that he is a Public Forum Debater at his high school!

Fatima A.

Fatima is a sophomore in high school from Greensboro, North Carolina. She thinks technology is transforming the way we connect, learn, and grow. It has allowed her to explore new ideas, share her voice, and access opportunities that once felt out of reach. A fun fact about her is that she can speak 3 languages!

Aashrith T.

Aashrith is a junior in high school from Cary, North Carolina. He thinks technology has opened up a lot of new ways for young people to tell their own stories and find support in places they might not have had access to before! It is really interesting to see how digital spaces are woven into everyday life now, influencing not just how people communicate, but how they see themselves and the world around them.A fun fact about him is that he really enjoys making origami!

Haley B.

Haley is an 8th grader in middle school from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She thinks technology is changing the world by being able to help surgeons do hard surgeries, and answering questions fast. She has used technology in a positive way by connecting better with her friends, as she lives far away from them. She thinks technology is good for some things, but it can be used for bad things, like when people use it to spread false information. A fun fact about her is that she can read a book a day!

Sam W.

Sam is a sophomore in high school from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He thinks technology can be distracting and prevent people from focusing sometimes. On the other hand, he has used technology for wayfinding or catching the bus and getting around town, which is positive. A fun fact about him is that he is an only child and obsessed with soccer!

Segev L.

Segev is a sophomore in high school from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He thinks technology is changing the world by helping people stay connected. As a high schooler he has used it in positive ways, from keeping up with my friends and using it for research. A fun fact about him is that he has a pet cat!

Julian S.

Julian is a senior in high school from Carrboro, North Carolina. He thinks his learning has been greatly affected by rapidly advancing technology. As he looks to the future, he imagines a world that has been further meshed with more advanced technologies. AI has the potential to dramatically change the world, potentially solving many problems while creating new questions to be answered. A fun fact about him is that he is the president of a club that organizes high school students to volunteer to teach instruments at local elementary schools. He teaches guitar, and it has been a great learning experience for him.

Nithyashri N.

Nithyashri is a sophomore in high school from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She thinks technology is driving growth and innovation across every industry, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and entertainment. It’s incredible to see how digital tools are helping us solve complex problems, streamline processes, and reach wider audiences than ever before.She is excited to be part of a time where technology is not just supporting progress, but accelerating it further. A fun fact about her is that she collects stamps and magnets from every city she visits!

Saachi A.

Saachi is a senior in high school from Morrisvile, North Carolina. She thinks technology is rapidly transforming every aspect of our lives: from the classroom to hospitals, from telemedicine making healthcare more accessible to AI helping doctors analyze medical data faster, technology is being used as an incredible asset. Personally, she uses technology for education, creativity, and productivity. She thinks it's important to recognize that we need to continue using this technology for the greater good! A fun fact about her is that she is a published author! Check out The Lilac Ring on Amazon!

Fiona C.

Fiona is a sophomore in high school from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She thinks technology is a powerful tool which has completely changed, and will continue to change, our world. It gives us the power to stay in touch, spread information globally, and solve problems more efficiently. She is most thankful for how technology allows her to communicate with friends and family from all areas of the world, at all times. A fun fact about her is that she has 5 cats!

Jitsu M.

Jitsu is a junior in high school from Alexandria, Virginia. He believes technology has allowed for the integration of previously unrelated fields. Technology has allowed him to learn quicker and solve more complex problems with greater and faster efficiency. Technology is the key to solving many problems, regardless of field according to him. A fun fact about Jitsu is that he has watched House of Cards 7+ times!

Sarayu G.

Sarayu is a junior in high school from Raleigh, North Carolina. She thinks technology is changing everything around us, like how we learn in school and how doctors help patients. Things like telemedicine and AI are making healthcare easier and faster. She uses technology to learn, be creative, and get things done, and she believes we should keep using it to help others. A fun fact about her is that she can speak 4 languages!

Amber R.

Amber is a junior at Northwood High School from Pittsboro, North Carolina. She thinks that the rise of technology has been one of the most impactful events in human history. While it comes with both positives and negatives, she values how it has provided powerful tools to people across the world. A fun fact about her is that she is a 2025 Smithsonian Youth Ambassador.

Hana C.

Hana is a junior in high school from Herrick, New York. She thinks technology has completely transformed how we access information—making it faster, easier, and more accessible than ever. It’s also opened doors to connections we might never have made otherwise. You can really see its impact on the lives of teenagers, where it plays a major role in how they learn, connect, and experience the world around them. A fun fact about her is that she loves boba!

Caroline K.

Caroline is a junior in high school from Raleigh, North Carolina. She is very interested in the innovations with technology and social media and aspires to learn more about the effects they have on teens like her. She loves keeping in contact with her friends and reading the news using social media and appreciates how technology makes recent news and events widely accessible- especially during the current changing political climate. A fun fact about her is she has an adorable rescue dog at home!

Siyu L.

Siyu is a junior in high school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She thinks technology is transforming the world by bridging distances and expanding access to information and opportunity. People are greatly influenced by technology in their daily lives, from how they communicate to how they learn and work. A fun fact about her is that she likes to collect shopping bags and boxes, just in case she needs them one day (though she rarely does)!

Annabelle E.

Annabelle is a junior in high school from Concord, North Carolina. She thinks technology is a revolutionary tool and has inevitably grown to influence many people's lives. She is interested in how technology impacts different people and in the future role it will have in society. Her favorite ways to use technology are for communicating with friends and family and learning new things. A fun fact about her is that she is teaching herself how to play the drums!

Ava M.

Ava is a junior in high school from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She thinks technology is changing the world in many ways. One way is it’s helping the science and medical field with new findings. It’s also changing the world for people, technology has made it incredibly easy to connect, communicate, and form bonds with people anywhere at anytime. She's used technology positively when doing her homework every day and also when contacting family and friends from all over the nation. She thinks technology is very important (if used correctly) to build and expand our society and world. A fun fact about her is that she has 2 dogs!