Kayla Ablin is a first-year master’s student at the Eliot Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development. She previously graduated from Barnard College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Sociology. Since graduating, she has worked at the Institute for Family Health where she coordinated care for individuals experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and severe mental illness. She has also worked as an intake coordinator for two CBT and DBT practices. Kayla is primarily interested in researching the impact of parent-child relationships on children’s socio-emotional development to inform the development of evidence-based interventions for families and children. After graduating, she hopes to continue her education as a PhD student. In her free time, Kayla enjoys cooking, crafting, and being outdoors.

Anamaria is an undergraduate junior double majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science at Simmons University. She was born in Colombia and looks to bring an international perspective to her studies and work. As an international student, she aims to acknowledge and advocate for underrepresented communities and amplify their voices. She is particularly interested in human development and the intersection of technology and neuroscience, exploring how these fields can be applied to better help people. In her free time, she enjoys film photography, being outdoors with her dog, reading, and going to concerts.

Madison Heckman is an undergraduate sophomore majoring in Psychology and Child Study and Human Development, with a minor in Sociology. She hopes to pursue school psychology after graduation, and is passionate about education policy and mental health advocacy. Her research interests include education accessibility, and support for neurodiverse students. In her free time, she is always listening to music, and loves reading and creative writing.

Afua Siaw is a junior at Tufts University double majoring in Clinical Psychology and Community Health with a child studies minor. She is passionate about addressing health disparities, advocating for culturally responsive care, and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities. Afua hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology, focusing on research that highlights the unique experiences of Black individuals and the impact of systemic inequalities on mental well-being. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city, scrapbooking, watching TV, and napping.

Irene Yoo is an undergraduate senior pursuing a BS in Cognitive Brain Science and a BA/MA in Child Study and Human Development in the Fifth-Year Master’s Degree program. She currently volunteers at the West Somerville Neighborhood School as a literacy tutor. Her research interests include the sense of belonging in school for immigrant children and the relationship between language, cognition, and culture. After graduating from Tufts, Irene aims to attend graduate school for speech-language pathology. In her free time, she enjoys making jewelry, reading books, and playing board games with her family.