Cheyenne Harris-Starling, B.A.

Research Coordinator

Cheyenne (she/her/hers) graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science from the University of Connecticut. She is interested in understanding how different forms of adversity impact neurodevelopment in BIPOC youth and the risk for internalizing disorders.  She previously worked as a postgraduate associate at Yale working on a clinical trial testing a novel intervention for children with Tourette's syndrome. She hopes to go to graduate school to pursue a degree in clinical psychology or social work. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cozy gaming, writing, reading, learning embroidery, watching basketball, and cuddling with her cat. 

Eva Purvin

Undergraduate Research Assistant

My name is Eva Purvin (she/her/hers) and I am a fourth year student from New Jersey studying Psychology and Sociology. My research interests involve mental disorders across various populations, including adolescent individuals, those that are or were previously incarcerated, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Following my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a career in clinical psychology, focusing on these research interests. Aside from my academic pursuits, I enjoy surfing at the Jersey Shore, exploring new hikes in Charlottesville, and spending time with my family (including my dog Daisy) and friends!

Marian Herboso

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Marian Herboso (she/her/hers) is a fourth year undergraduate from Virginia Beach, VA pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and Youth & Social Innovation at the School of Education and Human Development. Marian’s research interests are the development of emotion identification/differentiation during adolescence, and the influences of cultural values/identity on emotional stress, especially concerning underrepresented and marginalized groups. Post-graduation, Marian hopes to pursue a Research Coordinator position before taking on a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on child psychopathology, in hopes of providing accessible mental health services for underrepresented communities. When she’s not doing research, you can find her reading entire book series in one sitting, cafe-hopping, or listening to songs on repeat.

Anna Jockin

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anna Jockin (she/her/hers) is a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Neuroscience while also minoring in Global Studies in Education. Anna’s research interests include understanding how adverse childhood experiences affect adolescents’ brain development and mental health. She is particularly interested in how these experiences and other traumas affect children and adolescents of marginalized groups and what can be done to help them in the school setting. Post-graduation, Anna hopes to become a Project Manager or Research Assistant for a lab focusing on adverse childhood experiences before going for a PhD in an undecided sector of Psychology. In her free time, Anna enjoys going on long walks while listening to podcasts, people watching in coffee shops with a good latte, and journaling.

Bora Ya Diul

Undergraduate Research Assistant

My name is Bora Ya Diul (she/they) and I am a fourth year majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Data Science. Outside of school and the lab, I enjoy cooking, being in nature, and listening to all types of music. Some fun facts about me is that my family is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and that the only time I have ever had a broken bone was when I was a baby.

Margot Steinhauser

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Margot Steinhauser (she/her/hers) is a fourth-year Psychology major at the University of Virginia from Allentown, New Jersey. She is an aspiring pediatric occupational therapist with a passion for mental health advocacy and research, and plans to pursue a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Outside of her professional and academic interests, she enjoys crocheting, playing guitar, DJing at the student radio station, playing with her cat, reading, cooking, and exploring Charlottesville with her friends. 

Emily Epstein

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Emily Epstein (she/her/hers) is a third year from Hampton, VA pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. Emily’s research interests include the development of adolescent relationships within the context of social media usage as well as the “services cliff” among adults with autism spectrum disorder. Post-graduation, Emily hopes to take on a Research Coordinator position prior to pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on ABA. She aspires to utilze her dual interest in sociology and psychology to provide accessible mental health and support resources promoting connection across ASD and IDD communities. Outside of research, Emily enjoys reading thriller novels, dancing, studying languages, and spending time with family.

Jadyn Gabriel

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jadyn Gabriel (she/her/hers) is a third-year undergraduate from Richmond, VA pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a concentration in Gender Studies. Jadyn’s research interests include researching the impact of competition, audience stress, and anxiety on athletes’ performance, and how participation in sports shapes adolescents’ sense of identity and social belonging, with a focus on athletes belonging to an ethnic minority. Post-graduation, Jadyn hopes to pursue a PhD in Sport Psychology, using her knowledge in psychology and WGS to work with the NCAA in establishing mandatory psychologists for athletes at all universities. Outside of research, Jadyn enjoys reading, cooking and baking, and watching movies.

Clara Adkins

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Clara Adkins (she/her/hers) is a third year Psychology and English major with a minor in Public Writing and Rhetoric at the University of Virginia. Clara’s interest in research focuses on the inclusion of autistic youth in youth mental health studies, specifically the social perceptual differences putting autistic youth at risk for anxiety disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Coming from a small town in Appalachia, Clara’s postgraduate research goals aim to work in partnership with research labs to make updated findings and mediation approaches more accessible to intervention services in low-income areas. Clara hopes to use her experience in psychology and English in tandem in an effort to make research findings more inclusive and palatable for underserved rural communities. Apart from her career interests, Clara enjoys reading, crocheting, hiking, and learning to play the harmonica!

Bryanna Morales

Undergraduate Research Assistant

My name is Bryanna Morales, and my pronouns are she/her. I am currently a second year at the University of Virginia and plan to major in Psychology. I am from New Jersey, specifically the Jersey Shore! I hope to work within juvenile detention centers, rehabilitating troubled youth while also studying the correlation between childhood development and juvenile delinquency.  For fun, I like to go out with my friends or spend a day at the beach!   

Nikita Majumdar

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Nikita Majumdar (she/they) and I’m a second year at UVA majoring in Psychology and American Studies. My main research interests include the intersectionality between climate change and mental health issues, mental health in the Queer community, and the stigmatization of mental illness in the South Asian community. I love listening to music, going on long walks, visiting cute coffee shops, and hanging out with my friends! In the future, I hope to be a therapist and primarily work with children and adolescents!