People

Maddy Ephraim (she/her)

Maddy graduated from the University of Iowa in 2025 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in statistics. While at the University of Iowa, she was a lab manager for the Hank Virtual Environments Lab and a research assistant in the Developmental Psychopathology Lab. Maddy plans to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology. Her previous research has focused on the role the home environment plays in the development of children’s executive functioning and parenting.

Maddy can be contacted at mephraim@psych.rochester.edu

Maddy’s favorite childhood book: The Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin

Brianna Simon

Brianna Simon is a third-year student at the University of Rochester majoring in Psychology and Computer Science. She plans to work in industry after graduation, with a focus on making technology more accessible. Her research interests center on development, particularly how technology influences social and cognitive development.

Brianna’s favorite childhood book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Cincy Cheng

Cincy is currently a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in computer science. Having done research on adolescent psychology and moral development in terms of cyberbullying, she is interested in studying more about how the younger generation views each other and the world. In the future, she plans on pursuing further education on social psychology to broaden her horizons in the field.

Cincy’s favorite childhood book: The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain

Dibya Panda

Dibya is a first-year undergraduate student planning to major in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. She is interested in understanding brain development in children and how it differs for children with special needs. She has conducted independent research projects examining the relationship between parenting styles and placement on the autism spectrum, as well as athletes’ perceptions of optical illusions. In addition to research, Dibya has experience working with children through volunteer roles at daycares and libraries, where she led engaging activities for kids. 

Dibya’s favorite childhood book: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Duaa Alkarawi

Duaa Alkarawi is a 3rd year student at the University of Rochester, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Statistics. She plans to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology after she completes her undergrad. Her research interests center around the bi-directional and multi-directional relationships and dynamics between parents and children. More specifically, she is interested in the different predictors that manipulate and alternate this outcome. More specifically, she is interested in studying immigrant populations and the extent to which the different identities of children of immigrant parents work together in favor and in disfavor of these children, as well as their parents. She is also interested in the multiple predictors associated with the extent to which these children feel confident in their multiple identities overall (ex: parental support, personal satisfaction/identification with specific aspects of their multiple identities, the extent to which these children feel like they are safe/comfortable to express themselves, the idea of a “double life”, etc).

Duaa’s favorite childhood book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Morgan Jay

Morgan (She/her) is a junior double-majoring in Psychology and Brain and Cognitive Sciences. She is interested in children’s mental health, specifically how their environment shapes their cognitions and behaviors. She hopes to one day pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Morgan’s favorite childhood book: The Dork Diaries Series

Mrinmayee Sama

Mrinmayee Sama is a junior at the University of Rochester double majoring in Psychology and Molecular Genetics and is from Fremont, California. She loves to be around children and hope to one day be a pediatric cardiologist. Her research interest pertains to children and their development throughout their toddler years.

Mrinmayee’s favorite childhood book: David Goes to School

Stephany Delgado

Stephany is a sophomore majoring in Brain and Cognitive Science and Psychology. She is originally from the suburbs of Chicago. Stephany is interested in pursuing speech-language pathology, with plans to work with children on the autism spectrum. She is also interested in supporting geriatric patients during stroke recovery and in the treatment of swallowing disorders. Her research interests focus on how parental beliefs about their child’s diagnosis influence children’s self-perception and their interactions with peers.

Yuliahnna Mendiola

Yuliahnna is a Senior studying Psychology and Biology, and is from San Antonio, Texas. She is broadly interested in bias and how children come to understand power structures within their environment and eac hother. 

Yuliahnna’s favorite childhood book: Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

William Rice

William is a first-year at the University of Rochester planning to major in psychology and minor in neuroscience. He is interested in learning more about the multidirectional relationships between children and their guardians, how their lives impact each other’s wellbeing, and how their wellbeing impacts each other’s lives. During his time in New Jersey, William interned at the Academy of Clinical and Applied Psychoanalysis, where he got to peek behind the curtains of talk therapy and see how clinicians supported and helped each other learn by reviewing transcripts and providing input. 

William’s favorite childhood book: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales