Research Assistants
Ashlee is a senior at the University of Maryland, currently completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Family Health. Driven by her passion for medicine, Ashlee hopes to pursue pediatrics, utilizing the skills and concepts learnt from FIL to deliver inclusive, holistic healthcare. Her research interests include language development (with an emphasis on bilingualism), applications of Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, cultural differences in parenting styles, and explorations of child development through the context of current events. Outside of FIL, Ashlee is a Department Liaison within the Family Health major, supporting undergraduate teaching assistants through her involvement in SPHL333.
Claire Wray earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She is a licensed clinical social worker, providing psychotherapy for young children ages birth to 12. Through practice, she’s observed the positive impact of research, discovering her interest in research projects on young children and their emotional development. Claire’s goal is to pursue a PhD and contribute to child development research. Her research interests include children’s emotional regulation, factors during infancy that lead to dysregulation issues and the impact of the parent-child relationship on children’s development, especially in minority families.
Elli Shmunis
Elli Shmunis is a second-year student at the University of Maryland pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology alongside Business Management, with a strong interest in child development and early learning. Currently, she is involved in research regarding the home numeracy environment and the development of early numeracy skills. Outside of research, Elli is a member of the Women’s Ice Hockey Club Team and works as a Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Aide.
Erandy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Arizona State University, with a minor in Family and Human Development. As a lifelong learner with a deep drive to conduct research, she also holds a Certification in Clinical Research Coordination. She is a research assistant with an interest in understanding children's cognitive, social, and physical development. Particularly intrigued by caregivers' involvement and how it shapes their achievements through cultural and ethnic differences in parenting behaviors. Through her experience in community health education, behavioral health, and extensive research, she can bridge the gap between knowledge and practice to support families in diverse communities, as well as fulfill her interest in higher education.
Gabriella Chiasera
Gabriella is a senior at the University of Maryland, pursuing a dual degree in Microbiology and Spanish. Her research interests include how culture and language influence parent-child interactions and child-rearing practices. She is particularly interested in childhood bilingual development and the role of language in early family environments. Outside of research, Gabriella is a Team Lead for Maryland mentor corp and enjoys playing sports and going to the gym.
Koryn is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. Her interests center on understanding the neural and cognitive mechanisms that shape mental health, with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions. She is especially interested in using research-informed interventions to better understand how environmental factors contribute to neurodevelopment. Koryn is also a member of the Honors College, particularly the Gemstone program.
Leavy Hu
Leavy is a sophomore at the University of Maryland pursuing a bachelor of science in Public Health Science. Passionate about health, medicine, and education, Leavy is particularly interested in understanding how family-based interventions are implemented and evaluated to support child development and parental education.
Norah Hannum
Norah is an undergraduate student at University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. She is a member of the UMD Honors College, specifically within the University Honors program. Driven by a strong commitment to learning and impactful research, Norah’s interests include child–parent relationships, the role of technology in development, and intervention studies. She is currently involved in research examining cultural influences on parental beliefs and patterns of parent praise.
Parker Landau
Parker is a Bachelors in Science candidate at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a Freshman with a major in psychology on the pre-medical track. Her research interests include child development, how culture plays a role in parenting and the development of children's executive functions, and mental health of both adolescents and parents and how that plays a role in their development and relationship.
Ria is a pre-med student at the University of Maryland, majoring in Neurobiology and Physiology and Psychology, with a strong interest in child development and maternal-fetal medicine. She is particularly drawn to topics such as playfulness and injury risk in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as the impact of socioeconomic conditions on maternal and child health. Currently, she is involved in research on parental playfulness, and also enjoys exploring parenting practices across different cultural contexts.
Suhani Shah
Suhani is a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Human Development. She is part of the UMD Honors College, specifically the Interdisciplinary Business Honors. Suhani finds a deep interest in parent-child interactions as well as the long lasting effects of a good parent-child relationship. Outside of FIL, Suhani engages with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at UMD as the event coordinator.