Sara K. Johnson, Ph.D.
Evans Family Assistant Professor
Education: Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, 2012.
Certificate in Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology, University of Connecticut, 2012.
Expertise: Adolescence and young adulthood; identity development; youth contribution; quantitative methods (including mixture models such as latent class and latent profile analyses); positive youth development; critical consciousness
Matthew Gee, B.S.
Doctoral Research Assistant
Education: M.A./Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2025.
B.S., Neuroscience, Bates College, 2016.
Research Interests: My research interests include the the interplay between ethnic-racial identity and critical consciousness development as young people confront social inequality, negotiate their identities, and challenge systems of oppression.
SooYun Byeon, B.A.
Doctoral Research Assistant
Education: M.A./Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2027.
B.A., Psychology; B.A. Studio Art, University of Virginia, 2022.
Research Interests: My research interests include the development of racial and ethnic identity, particularly the role of civic engagement within racial and ethnic identity development, and how children and adolescents learn about race through engagement. I aim to promote positive identity development and intervene against predictors of social bias.
Mairéad O’Grady, B.A.
Doctoral Research Assistant
Education: M.A./Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2028.
B.A., Music; B.A. French, Grinnell College, 2010.
Research Interests: My research interests include the intersection of identity development and civic engagement in adolescents. I am particularly interested in the role of mentors, role models, and other non-parental adults in the development of adolescent civic identity.
Marisa Huang (Nardone Mahoney), B.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Education: M.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2024. B.A., Psychology, Wellesley College, 2020.
Research Interests: My research interests are in racial ethnic identity and how it affects adolescent development, specifically as it pertains to transracial adoptees.
Aarushi Dabas
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.S., Biology; B.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2024.
Research Interests: Comparing how ethnic/cultural identity affects moral and purpose development as well as critical consciousness in the Western and Non-Western spheres.
Sam Chock
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2025.
Research Interests: Human empowerment & thriving within the context of corporate structures, education, and sports.
DICE Alumni
Yerin Park, B.A.
Doctoral Research Assistant
Education: M.A./Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2023.
B.A., Psychology, Korea University, 2018.
B.B.A., Business and Administration, Korea University, 2018.
Research Interests: I am interested in identity development during adolescence and how this contributes to healthy psychological development.
Rosemary Kyne, B.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Education: M.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Anticipated 2023.
B.A., Psychology, Bates College, 2018.
Research Interests: Within the DICE lab I am interested in why individuals get involved in civic engagement or care about social issues. Outside the lab I am interested in the broader field of the developmental benefits of sports. I am also an advocate for increased accessibility to sports and outdoor activities for children and youth, especially young women and girls.
Nicole Verde
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.A., Child Study and Human Development; B.S., Clinical Psychology, Tufts University, Anticipated 2023.
Research Interests: LGBTQ mental health, social justice motivations in young adults.
Marvin Agyen
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.S., Human Factors Engineering, Tufts University, Anticipated 2023.
Research Interests: I am most interested in researching how STEM students become and stay engaged in civic engagement and how college graduates can continue to develop their civic identity.
Linnea Otto, B.A.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 2022.
Research Interests: Youth civic engagement, adolescence, early childhood, and educational equity.
Joslin Regalado, B.A.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.A., Sociology, Tufts University, 2022.
Research Interests: My interest include youth empowerment, civic engagement, and equity in educational spaces.
Krishna Kaneria, M.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Education: M.A., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 2022. B.A., Psychology, University of Rochester, 2019.
Scholarship & Research: My research interests include identity development and mental health of minority adolescents as well as how intergenerational trauma influences the development of ethnic/racial identity.
Naaila Hudani, Ph.D.
Doctoral Research Assistant
Education: Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 2021.
Ed.M., Human Development and Psychology, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2012.
A.L.B., Psychology, Harvard University, 2009.
Research Interests: My research interests include how adolescents’ relationships with adults influence their development in the moral aspects of character.
Mary H. Buckingham, Ph.D.
Doctoral Research Assistant
Education: Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 2019.
M.A. Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 2014.
B.A., Psychology, St. Joseph’s College, NY, 2012.
Research Interests: My research investigates empathy development using a relational developmental systems framework.
Michelle B. Weiner, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate
Education: Ph.D., Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, 2015.
M.A., Developmental Psychology, San Francisco State University, 2010.
B.A., Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 2006.
B.A., Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park, 2006.
Research Interests: My research uses a relational developmental systems framework to understand and promote the positive development of youth and young adults.
Katharine Odjakjian, B.A.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: B.A., Psychology, Tufts University, 2020.
Research Interests: Social and personality psychology; identity development; adolescence.