Clara Adkins (she/her/hers) is a fourth-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!

Kishanti Barmoh (Class of ’27) is a double major in Psychology and Youth & Social Innovation from Richmond, Virginia. On Grounds, she serves as Co-President of Black Voices Gospel Choir, Chair of Historic and Alumni Relations/Secretary for the Black Student Alliance, and Model Chair for Creative, Raw, and Very Edgy (CRAVE). Off Grounds, she holds the title of Miss Piedmont Region 2025, where she advocates for mindfulness practices and mental health literacy among youth. In her free time, Kishanti enjoys watching history documentaries, binging Netflix dramas, and spending time with family and friends.

Emily Epstein (she/her/hers) is a fourth-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 (she/her/hers) is a fourth-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.

Hello! My name is Nikita Majumdar (she/they) and I’m a third-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!

Anastacia Oliynyk is a third-year undergraduate student at UVA. 

Layla Robinson is a fourth-year psychology major and an American Sign Language minor. Her research interests include finding ways to help bridge the gap when it comes to being a minority and seeking mental health services as well as finding better ways to serve minority communities. She is also very interested in collecting data about what happens during development and analyzing this data to help improve child developmental experiences. Post-graduation, she plans to enroll in a Psy.D. Program in hopes of becoming an adolescent clinical psychologist. Outside of research Layla is an active member in the American Sign language department as well as an active member of the DEAFS (Deaf Education and Awareness for Students) Club. She actively tutors other students learning ASL and about Deaf culture, while also helping plan events that help promote awareness for ASL and Deaf culture. Layla is also a UAA Scholar Mentor to first-year students offering guidance and support to help students succeed as they transition to college life. In her free time, she loves watching crime and medical shows, traveling, trying new foods, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. 

Aditi Seshadri is a second-year from India and Malaysia pursuing a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Anthropology. Her research interests include researching difficulties in cultural integration as a foreigner and the mental health impacts of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK). She is especially interested in this process in adolescents as they are in a unique period of development and navigating complex social interactions like peer rejection and acceptance. Aditi also enjoys looking at how social development and positive and negative social comparison can be reflected in adolescent brains. Outside of the lab, Aditi is on the Virginia Women’s Rugby team, a Resident Advisor, enjoys playing pool, cooking and spending time outside.

Marlena James is a third-year and a Cognitive Science major with a concentration in Neuroscience and a Dance minor. Her research interests include researching the neurological changes that occur during adolescence and how these developments influence behaviors in everyday life. She is interested in how maturity in the brain relates to emotional regulation and how it relates to both mental health and physical well-being. Post-graduation, Marlena plans to go to medical school to eventually become a physician. Outside of research Marlena likes to watch movies, hang out with friends, dance, and go on hikes.

Jason Burden is a second year new BEAR Lab research assistant majoring in Psychology with a minor in Public Policy. His research interests center on adolescent mental health, with a particular focus on the relationship between social media use and depression and anxiety in teenagers. He is also interested in adolescents’ access to mental health care, including how factors such as autonomy, parental involvement, and social context influence their ability to receive support and treatment. After graduation, Jason hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work with teenagers. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing and watching sports, especially baseball and football, going out to eat with friends, and spending time with his family.

Siri Chandolu is a second-year research assistant majoring in Cognitive Science with a neuroscience concentration and an intended minor in Health Ethics and Society. Her research interests focus on the neural mechanisms underlying emotion, social behavior, and mental health, with particular interest in how brain development and brain behavior relationships shape psychological functioning in children and adolescents. After graduation, Siri hopes to attend medical school. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, running, and traveling.

Bessie Wang is a first year intending to major in Psychology. Her research interests include how cultural background influences the effectiveness of mental health services for adolescents, the social strategies of emotion regulation that adolescents develop, and the development and application of creative therapy in adolescence. After graduation, Bessie is still exploring specific paths, but hopes to pursue work related to counseling. Outside of the lab, she loves musical theater, both watching and performing, enjoys singing, and likes playing badminton. When she is taking it easy, she makes bracelets with plastic lanyard string and enjoys watching cooking tutorials.

Alex Buddendeck is a third year and a new BEAR Lab research assistant majoring in Psychology and Youth and Social Innovation with a concentration in Youth Mental Health. Her research interests focus on adolescent mental health interventions, especially interventions that target social anxiety. After graduation, Alex hopes to become a school psychologist. Outside of the lab, she loves to read and makes sure to keep her Goodreads updated.