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. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children, family and friends around the world, and with herself. | Claudia’s CV, Faculty Website, Google Scholar
Postdoctoral Fellows
Tabea Meier is a postdoctoral fellow in Human Development and Social Policy at the Life-Span Development Lab and is funded by an Early Postdoc.Mobility Fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation. Before that, she earned a PhD in Psychology at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Her research examines how emotions and close relationships may contribute to (or impede on) healthy lifespan development. More specifically, she is interested in verbal (e.g., language use) and emotional behaviors in dyadic interactions and how they relate to health and well-being. She also enjoys being outdoors (running or hiking), relaxing with a good book, or baking (and eating) desserts. | Tabea’s Google Scholar
Graduate Students
Chen-Wei “Felix” Yu is a first-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 has been interested in examining how and why people regulate their own behaviors and emotions as well as others’, and whether the “how” and “why” play different roles in the regulatory outcomes. With this understanding, he hopes to develop interventions and inform policies that would enable 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 second-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development and Social Policy Program and a graduate RA at the Institute for Policy Research. He is interested in contributing to the design of school policies to prevent bullying, and in finding strategies that help children to cope with experiences of peer victimization. He is currently trying to identify abilities, behaviors, and interventions that can buffer the detrimental consequences of school bullying on children’s mental health. Outside of research, he enjoys playing sports and cooking Chilean food. | Matías’ Google Scholar
Research Coordinator
Simon Su is a recent graduate in Social Policy. He is interested in examining how emotions and relationships may relate to criminology. Outside of research, he enjoys dance and cooking. | Simon’s LinkedIn
Undergraduate Students
Minji Cho is a second-year undergraduate student studying Psychology. She is interested in how people’s interactions with others affect their emotional regulation and development, as well as how relationships can enhance psychological development. Outside of school, Minji enjoys playing the violin, practicing Taekwondo, and vibing while listening to music.
Lillian Fu is a second-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 wellbeing. Outside of the lab, Lillian enjoys reading, running, going on walks with friends, and playing the flute in band and orchestra.
Veronika Izmaylova is a third-year undergraduate student studying Cognitive Science and Piano Performance with a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. She is interested in the role of emotion in cognitive processes and decision-making. Outside of the lab, you can find Veronika making food for friends, taking sunrise strolls by the lake, or trying out new coffee shops. | Veronika’s LinkedIn
Katrina Li is a third-year undergraduate student studying Cognitive Science and Theatre and minoring in Entrepreneurship. She is interested in empathetic accuracy and its links with mental illnesses such as depression. Outside of lab, she is involved in theatre productions such as the Northwestern Dolphin Show and startups in The Garage. | Katrina’s LinkedIn
Malena Otero is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Cognitive Science. She hopes to earn a master’s degree in cognitive psychology, and is interested in exploring the relationship between positivity resonance and wellbeing. Outside of the lab, you can find Malena at a picnic in the park with her friends, listening to music, or attempting to bake the latest dessert from The Great British Baking Show. | Malena’s LinkedIn
Leah Ryzenman is a third-year undergraduate student studying Human Development in Context. She seeks to explore the role of facial expressions in psychology and how relationships influence various aspects of one’s life. Outside of the lab, you can find Leah reading, advocating for issues important to her, and spending time with friends. | Leah’s LinkedIn
Missy Scavongelli is a third-year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Journalism and minoring in Legal Studies. She is interested in how attachment styles may affect various types of relationships across development, and how healthy relationships can alter and benefit psychological development. Outside of the lab, Missy enjoys playing piano and the bass, boxing, and spending time with friends.
Gary Zhao is a fourth-year undergraduate pre-medical student studying Psychology and the Biological Sciences. He’s an aspiring psychiatrist with an interest in psychopathology treatment, therapy, and adolescent development. Outside of school, if he’s not weightlifting or singing Karaoke, then he’s probably bottom-fragging in Valorant. | Gary’s LinkedIn