Research Assistants
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.
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.
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.
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. She is excited to work with the Family Involvement Lab as a research assistant as well as gain hands-on experience!