Cheyenne Harris-Starling

Research Coordinator, B.A. 

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.

Diana Starkey

 Undergraduate Research Assistant

Diana Starkey (she/her/hers) is a fourth year Psychology major with a minor in Human Development from Howard University. Diana’s research interests include understanding how different environmental factors increase vulnerability to psychopathology in adolescents and emerging adults in marginalized and underrepresented communities and identifying protective factors in these groups. Post-graduation, Diana hopes to enter a post-baccalaureate program before obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology. Outside of her academic and professional interests, Diana enjoys reading, painting, drawing, and listening to music.  

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.

Jumi Park

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi everyone! My name is Jumi, I use she/her pronouns, and I'm a fourth year from Georgia majoring in psychology. My research interests include adolescent development and mental health. In the (near) future, I want to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually open up my own therapy practice. In my free time, I like to bake, weightlift, and dance! 

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. Her research interests are centered around the development and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents. She is an aspiring therapist and plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Outside of her professional and academic interests, she enjoys crocheting clothes and accessories, practicing guitar, DJing at the student radio station, playing with her cat, reading, cooking, and exploring Charlottesville with her friends.

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!