Director and Principal Investigator
Claudia Haase is an Associate Professor of Human Development and Social Policy in the School of Education and Social Policy and (by courtesy) of Psychology. She is also a faculty member at the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience program, a faculty associate at the Institute of Policy Research, and a faculty affiliate at the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences and the Buffett Institute for Global Studies at Northwestern University. | Claudia’s CV, Faculty Website, Google Scholar
Graduate Students
Chen-Wei “Felix” Yu is a third-year PhD student in the Human Development and Social Policy program. His research interests revolve around two core human affective phenomena: emotion and motivation. Specifically, he is interested in examining how and why people regulate their behaviors and emotions and others’, as well as whether the “how” and “why” play different roles in the regulatory outcomes. He hopes to develop interventions and inform policies enabling people to capitalize on their emotion and motivation to flourish in multiple critical aspects of their lives, such as long-term goal pursuits, significant relationships, and health. | Felix’s Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Website
Matías Martínez is a Ph.D. candidate in Human Development and Social Policy. His research is at the intersection of school policy evaluation, bullying, mental health, and human capital. He is currently studying the safe school paradox, brain-based susceptibilities to social relationships, spillover effects of bullying, and how institutional features related to school finance, accountability, and autonomy can improve children’s experiences at school. Outside of research, he enjoys playing fútbol-soccer, watching sports, and cooking Chilean food. | Matías’ Google Scholar
Şebnem Ture is a doctoral student in the Personality, Development, and Health program at Northwestern University’s Psychology Department. Her research centers on narrative identity, examining how personal life stories are influenced by individual differences, cultural context, and history, and how autobiographical reasoning might relate to psychological and physical health outcomes. She’s also interested in adult development, focusing on late midlife adults and their motivations in life and interpersonal relationships. Outside her studies, she enjoys writing, playing the violin, and traveling.
Thita “Palmy” Lamsam is a second-year master’s student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Her research focuses on exploring systemic interventions geared towards formerly incarcerated people and their support systems, and ways to assist the relational transition of people impacted by the justice system. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating, creating content on social media, and hunting for outdoor rinks to skate on in the winter. | Palmy’s LinkedIn
Research Coordinator
Connor Caserio is a fourth-year undergraduate double majoring in Psychology and Political Science. Connor’s research interests include emotional regulation and narrative identity across the lifespan, addiction recovery as identity transformation, and emotional regulation strategies in trauma survivors. Outside the lab, he enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and watching soccer. | Connor’s LinkedIn
Undergraduate Students
Lillian Fu is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Human Development in Context and Psychology. She is interested in how honest conversations and empathy can enhance individuals’ satisfaction in close relationships as well as their overall well-being. Outside of the lab, Lillian enjoys reading, running, going on walks with friends, and playing the flute in band and orchestra.
Angela Zhong is a second-year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Neuroscience. She is mainly interested in the (in)coherence of subjective emotions and behavioral/neurophysiological responses and emotional dysfunction in psychopathology and neuropathology. Outside of the lab, Angela enjoys snowboarding, photography, and exploring the world via reading and traveling.
Beckett Sands is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Psychology and Mathematics. He is interested in using advance computational methods to learn how concepts, such as positivity resonance and attachment style, can facilitate or discourage healthy relationships. Outside of the lab, you can find Beckett boxing, petting random dogs on the street, or working on his standup comedy.
Quira Kennerly is a second-year undergraduate studying Psychology and Asian Languages and Cultures focused in Korean, with a minor in Global Health. She is interested in cross-cultural psychology; how different cultural norms and values shape interpersonal relationships amongst different populations and different aspects of multicultural individuals and their overall emotional and social development. Outside of the lab, Quira enjoys reading and crocheting in her free time.
Allison Kim is a second-year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Journalism. She is interested in narrative research within both relationship science and personality, specifically examining how these areas influence well-being and conflict resolution outcomes in individuals and couples. Outside of the lab, Allison enjoys exploring different Chicago neighborhoods, reading, and watching movies at cool independent theaters.
Natamon “Amp” Kangsumrith is a second-year undergraduate student studying Cognitive Science and Human-Computer Interactions. She is interested in the connection and overlap between relationships and mental health. Outside of the lab, Amp enjoys cooking, watching movies, and playing badminton.