Members of the SEA Lab (Fall 2024)
Principal Investigator:
Kathryn L. Humphreys, Ph.D., Ed.M. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. She directs the Stress and Early Adversity (SEA) Laboratory. Dr. Humphreys attended Vanderbilt as an undergraduate, earned a master’s in Risk and Prevention at the Harvard, and obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the UCLA. Dr. Humphreys completed her clinical internship and clinical postdoctoral fellowship in Infant Mental Health at the Tulane. She completed an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford. Dr. Humphreys’s ultimate goal is to promote healthy development through supporting families during what is often a challenging time. She has three children of her own, who inspire her daily.
Collaborating Faculty:
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Whitney Barnett, Ph.D., MPH is an Assistant Professor at Meharry Medical College supported by an NICHD K01 award. Whitney's current research work includes understanding the impact of maltreatment in early life on child outcomes and implementing evidence-based approaches to support parents and children to prevent maltreatment. Whitney graduated with an honors degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and earned her Masters in Public Health and her Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Outside of the lab, Whitney enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two children, Madison and Jackson.
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Kaylin Hill, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at University of Notre Dame supported by an NIMH K23 award. Kaylin’s research utilizes multiple methods, including psychophysiology, behavioral measures, and self-report/structured interviews, to examine cognitive and affective processes. Kaylin is most interested in assessing intergenerational risk factors and the rigor of commonly used methods to support early identification and intervention for mood disorders. Kaylin graduated summa cum laude from Butler University, earned her Ph.D. from Purdue University, and completed her clinical internship at the University of Notre Dame. Outside the lab, Kaylin enjoys adventuring and spending time with her family.
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Post Doctoral Fellows:
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Julia Garon-Bissonnette, Ph.D. completed her graduate work in Psychology at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. Her work focused on the developmental mechanisms involved in the intergenerational transmission of trauma, mainly reflective functioning. Julia’s research focuses on how parental and child individual, interpersonal, and psychosocial risk and protective factors interact in understanding infant behavioral and socioemotional development. Outside the lab, she enjoys backcountry skiing, cycling, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
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Megan Hare, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Scholar working with Dr. Humphreys and Dr. Zeanah on the Bucharest Early Intervention Project. Megan graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Florida and earned her Ph.D. from Florida International University, specializing in child and adolescent psychology. Her work focuses on how experiences of early adversity and different components of emotion functioning impact families across the peripartum period through preschool. Megan’s long term career goal is to contribute to a more inclusive mental health landscape, where every family has access to the care they need. Outside the lab, Megan enjoys being outside and spending time with friends .
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Staff:
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Shakira Acosta is a current undergraduate student studying Cognitive Studies in the Vanderbilt Peabody School of Education. She serves as the Family Recruitment and Scheduling Coordinator in the lab. Her research interests include how exposure to early adversity in childhood impacts development and also the relationship this may have with risk-taking behaviors later on. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Shakira loves traveling, exploring new cities, and spending time with friends and family.
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Sarah Bouthillier is our latest addition to the SEA Lab team! Sarah earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology from Belmont University in 2023 and now serves as the CARE Project Coordinator. Her research interests lie in exploring the intersections of attachment styles, relationships, and behaviors across the lifespan. Beyond her academic pursuits, Sarah is a passionate coffee connoisseur and loves to cook. During weekends, you’ll often find her exploring new restaurants and spending quality time with friends!
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Jessica Feller, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Scholar taking a lead role in the Neuroplasticity During Pregnancy project. Jessica graduated with her doctoral degree in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine in 2024, where her work focused on the neurophysiological and cognitive effects of traumatic brain injury. Her broad research interests include understanding neuroplasticity and the neurocognitive effects that occur during and after traumatic experiences. Outside of the lab, Jessica enjoys amateur photography, being outdoors, and snuggling up with her cat and two dogs.
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Juelle Ford graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology. Juelle is a project coordinator in the lab. Her research interests include early life adversity and the implications exposure to trauma may have on later risk-taking behaviors. Outside of the lab, Juelle enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her family.
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Micaela Macfarlane is the Senior Project Coordinator for the SEA Lab. Previously, she was a student in the Child Studies master’s program. She graduated from Southern Virginia University in 2021 with a degree in Psychology. She is interested in researching the impacts of maltreatment on children, brain plasticity, and interventions that promote resilience in maltreated children and their families. Outside of the lab she enjoys basketball and yoga, being outdoors, and reading.
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Janessa Madison earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and now serves as a Research Assistant. She is interested in researching how certain factors like discriminatory experiences, chronic illness, and exposure to violence contribute to psychosocial health outcomes. Outside of the lab, she enjoys shopping, spending quality time with friends, and watching her favorite tv shows.
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Sally Son is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University, where she is pursuing dual majors in Cognitive Studies and Child Development. Her interests focus on childhood adversity, particularly the effects of different parenting styles on speech and language development, as well as related disorders later in life. Outside of the lab, Sally enjoys serene walks in the park and baking with friends and family.
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Ph.D. Students:
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Abby Blum is a Clinical Science Ph.D. student. She graduated from Northwestern University in 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and Creative Writing. Her research interests include caregiver–child attachment and infant mental health. Outside the lab, Abby enjoys exploring new cities, hiking, and novels.
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Yanbin Niu is a doctoral student in the Developmental Science program. She received her masters in Developmental Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2020. Prior to joining the SEA Lab, Yanbin worked as a research assistant at the Teachers College, Columbia University and a research technician at the Florida International University. She is interested in studying brain plasticity, including how the brain changes in response to experiences. Outside of the lab, Yanbin enjoys spending time with her family.
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Hannah Piersiak is a Clinical Science Ph.D. student. She received her M.Ed. in Child Studies from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody School of Education in 2020. Before completing her master’s degree, she received a B.A. in Psychology from Colby College in 2017. Her research interests include the developmental outcomes associated with different early life experiences and protective factors that can promote resilience in children and families. Outside of the lab, Hannah enjoys being outdoors, running, and watching sports.
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Sanjana Ravi is a doctoral student in the Clinical Science program. She graduated from University of Washington in 2018 with a double degree in Psychology and Early Childhood and Family Studies. Prior to joining the SEA Lab, Sanjana worked as a research coordinator in the Child Development Lab at the University of Maryland. She is interested in studying parenting of young children, as well as identifying how to promote healthy development/protect against the development of psychopathology. Outside of the lab, Sanjana is an avid CrossFitter. She loves trying new restaurants and cafes as well as watching vlogs on YouTube.
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Collaborating Graduate Students:
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Jennifer Markfeld is a speech-language pathologist and doctoral candidate in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences. She graduated from James Madison University in 2019 with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and from Vanderbilt University in 2021 with a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Jennifer is interested in how caregiver factors such as experiencing stress may influence caregiver–child interactions and child language outcomes in families with children at risk for neurodevelopmental conditions. Outside of the lab she enjoys cycling, crocheting, playing clarinet, and baking.
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Masters Students:
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McKenzie Greene is a student in the Child Studies master’s program. She graduated from Butler University in 2021 with a degree in Health Sciences. She is interested in researching the impacts of maltreatment on children and interventions for non-traditional familial dynamics. Outside of the lab she enjoys being outdoors, reading, and exploring trendy thrift stores.
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Jada Ledgister is a student in the Child Studies master’s program. She graduated from Lee University in 2023 with her B.A. in Psychology. She is interested in researching the impacts of maltreatment on children, psychopathology, and resilience. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking, caring for her plants, and checking out new coffee shops.
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Samantha OKeefe is a current Child Studies master’s student. She graduated from Clarkson University in 2022 with her Bachelors in Psychology. Her current research interests include learning about the learning styles of neurotypical versus neurodivergent infants and young children to develop more effective early learning interventions. Outside of the lab she enjoys playing with her puppy, reading, and traveling.
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Andrea Petersen is a student in the Child Studies master's program. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Dance from Washington College in 2023 and served as a residential ABA therapist at Princeton Child Development Institute prior to starting the program. Andrea is interested in cross-cultural and individual differences in caregiving on socioemotional developmental outcomes relating to decision-making and emotional regulation. Outside of research, she is passionate about travel, reading, dance, and yoga.
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Summer Phommachieng is a student in the Child Studies master’s program. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2023 with a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. She is interested in exploring how parenting and household environment impact a child’s development, particularly in the realms of emotions and socialization. She hopes to use this knowledge as a way to better understand how caregivers can support children’s development in the context of their individual needs. Outside of the lab, Summer enjoys going to concerts, getting bubble tea with friends, and relaxing with her pet cat Oswald.
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Ryan Wigginton is a student in the Child Studies master's program. He graduated from the University of Richmond in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. He is interested in better understanding the many causes of anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders for minority children and adolescents and developing more effective prevention and intervention strategies to serve these groups. Outside of research, Ryan enjoys listening to music and spending time with his friends.
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Xiaoli (Lydia) Zhou is a student in the Child Studies master’s program. She graduated from University of Wisconsin Madison in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology and Neurobiology. Her research interests include the risk factors related to the developmental trajectory of mental disorders and the neurological contributions. Outside of the lab, Lydia enjoys cooking, doing crafts, and spending time with her cat.
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Undergraduate Students:
Maria Bonnee
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Nan Hu
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Lisa Kim
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Hannah Weissman
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Cynthia Zhou
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Lab Alumni:
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Lamiya Adri
Clean Alexander Brinda Ambal Ekene Azuka Lauren Bailes Emma Baker Trinity Bell Kerissa Bryant Isabella Capra Regan Carell Emilia Cárdenas Casey Carrow Jenna Collazzo Nancy Collie Kiss'Shonna Curtis Nikki Delgado Julia DeLuca Vikas Dodda Addison Dunn Nikkie Dutta Nelson Eiselstein Arielle Emile Garrett Ennis Elizabeth Estes Nicky Farren Brooke Fleming Sean Gallagher |
Vedant Gandhewar
Madison Gilbert Addison Glover Sydney Goldberg Sunny Gorrepati Ellen Habteyonas Madi Halwes Paige Hamilton Regi Hammond Clare Hansen Elizabeth Hinckley Colton Harper Karen Jacques Nyshedra Jordan Florence Kane Alex Katz Kate Kwasneski Sarah Lempres Mia Letterie Elena Li Megan Lin Maya Matsumoto Langley McEntyre Jayden Miller Leah Mortimer Gakenia Muigai |
Gabrielle Napper
Connor Pinson Alexis Richmond Jadyn Rogers Marissa Roth David Russo Virginia Salo Bria Savoy Sara Schunck Sabrina Scollar Michael Scudder Amelia Shaddinger Safa Sheik Sally Shi William Steward Tom Qian Sydney Takemoto Tiffany Tran Matthew Weindling Joyce Woo Rachel Yang Jeanie Yu Chao Zhang Kara Xu |