Ashley Aker
Ashley is a junior undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology. She is currently a research assistant in the CFL lab on the CARPE DIEM study. Post-graduation, Ashley plans to continue her studies to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology to seek a career as a clinical psychologist. Outside of her academic pursuits, Ashley enjoys participating in theatre productions, volunteering with her friends, and spending time with her family.
Blanca Salguero
Blanca Salguero is a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology. She is currently working on the CARPE DIEM study. Blanca hopes to continue her studies and plans to become a Somatic Therapist for Children and Adolescents. Outside of school, she enjoys playing guitar and spending time outside.
Catalina St John-Hernandez
Catalina St John-Hernandez is a third year undergraduate in the CFL Lab working on the CARPE DIEM study. She is double majoring in Developmental Psychology and Spanish Studies, to one day become a bilingual therapist for children. With this career she would like to help Latino’s/ Spanish speakers overcome mental health challenges. Outside of school she enjoys spending time outdoors, going to concerts, reading, and hanging out with friends.
Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in both Developmental Psychology and in Asian Studies- Chinese. Emily currently works as a Supervised Parent Monitor, where she provides parental coaching and interventions during noncustodial parental visits. After her undergraduate studies, she wants to earn a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Her passion wanting to alleviate mental health disparities within the Asian community has a large influence in her career aspirations. Her career goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist, who works with the Asian-American community. She hopes that her fluency in English, Mandarin, Indonesian, Javanese, and Malay will help her provide services to those who experience a language barrier.
El Reinhard
El Reinhard is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. They hope to gain more insight into adolescents of minority groups, as they aspire to work with LGBTQ+ adolescents in their career. They want to focus on working with teens dealing with adverse circumstances and the psychopathology related to it. El is from Cupertino, California, and is studying at the University of Minnesota. They enjoy studying at new coffee shops, reading, and making lino print artworks in their free time.
Ella Hedstrom
Ella is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota where she is pursuing her degree in History with a concentration in Indigenous Studies. Ella is an active research assistant at the CFL Lab and has substantial experience working in a variety of educational settings where she finds a lot of inspiration for the future. Ella is passionate about equitable, truthful education and plans to continue to investigate the intersections between activism and pedagogy and how she can be involved in meaningful work going forward. In her free time, Ella enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending time with her friends and family.
Ellen Lundeen
Ellen Lundeen is a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in Developmental Psychology and minoring in Family Therapy. Her interests in how cultural background plays a part in a child’s development is what drew her to the CFL Lab. During the summer, she works as a camp counselor for Camp Fire, an organization based on youth empowerment and environmental education, where she shares her love of nature and creativity with a broad age range of children. In the future, she wishes to obtain a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology, focused on helping children and families overcome and thrive following adverse experiences. Outside of school, Ellen enjoys running, hiking, and lifting, playing the piano, and listening to music!
Ev Cho
Ev Cho is a 4th year undergraduate at the University of Minnesota pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Family Therapy. After their undergraduate studies, Ev hopes to earn their PhD in Clinical Psychology. Inspired by their experiences co-facilitating group therapy and Executive Functioning coaching with diverse youth at Stepping Stone Clinic, Ev’s dream career is to work with youth and families impacted by intergenerational trauma. Specifically, Ev’s experiences as a mixed-race Korean American raised in the rural midwest drives them to work with multicultural and cultural minority families in the US and abroad.
Grace Abdelkarim
Grace Abdelkarim is a fourth year student pursuing a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and a minor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities and is an undergraduate research assistant on the Carpe Diem study. She is interested in going to graduate school for a PhD in educational psychology and plans to work in the education system to improve teaching methods in elementary schools. Outside of academics, Grace enjoys reading, playing tennis and pickleball, and watching TV shows.
Hibaq Hassan
Hibaq Hassan is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology on a pre-med track. She is currently working as an undergraduate research assistant in the CARPE DIEM study. In the future, Hibaq hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. Outside of school, Hibaq enjoys shopping, going on walks, taking pictures, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Kalina Berg
Kalina Berg is a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the Culture and Family Life Lab. Post-graduation, Kalina plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology, and research interests in mental health disparities in prisons and rehabilitation efforts. Outside of school, she enjoys the outdoors, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Karen Castellanos
Karen Castellanos is a senior at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Developmental Psychology and minoring in Chicano Latino Studies. She is currently a student research assistant in the CFL lab, working on the CARPE DIEM study. After graduation, Karen plans to pursue a career in counseling, with the goal of working with diverse communities. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and being with friends and family.
Mallory Boles
This fall, Mallory will be entering her third year as an undergraduate at UMN, majoring in Developmental Psychology. Many of her passions lie in breaking stigmas surrounding mental health and other aspects of psychology, as well as promoting holistic ways of maintaining a healthy state of mental well-being. In the future, she wishes to pursue a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, focused on training to help people overcome trauma. In her free time, you can find her sewing, painting, reading, or enjoying the outdoors.
Meaghan Dulmes
Meaghan is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Developmental Psychology along with a minor in Family Therapy. She is currently an active research assistant in the lab working on the CARPE DIEM study. After undergrad, Meaghan plans on continuing her studies and hopes to obtain her Doctor of Psychology to one day become a child therapist. She is interested in exploring the various approaches to behavioral and emotional therapies for children. In her free time she loves going to concerts, spending time with friends and going on long walks.
Meili Hill
Meili is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is studying Developmental Psychology with a minor in Chinese Studies. She is driven to study Developmental Psychology because she believes the effects of social and environmental factors on individuals is the most fascinating part about people. Meili strives to use her knowledge and passion to help make an influence for all children and families. She hopes to be able to work abroad and use that knowledge to educate others about families from different cultures. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside relaxing, catching up with friends, and traveling.
Miski Farah
Miski Farah is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Developmental Psychology at the Institute of Child Development, and minoring in public health. She is a certified phlebotomist, as well as a dedicated volunteer at Children’s Hospital where she works closely with medical professionals, child life specialists, and children on the surgical unit. Post-graduation, Miski’s goal is to attend a Physician Assistant program with hopes to work in neonatology. Her interests span from photography, Somali culture and dance, as well as fashion and fashion history.
Monir Sabia
Monir Sabia is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota pursuing a B.S. in Developmental Psychology. He is currently a student research assistant at the CFL Lab working on the CARPE DIEM study. After undergrad, he is interested in doing developmental research in a non-profit or community based setting and afterwards going on to graduate school. Outside of academics, he enjoys cooking, crocheting, reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Nea Nwanokwale
Nea Nwanokwale is a third year undergraduate student working on the CARPE DIEM study. She is a Developmental Psychology major on a Pre-PA track. She has an interest in psychopathology, neuroscience, and holistic practices for well-being. She hopes to become a PA and work in the neuroscience, psychiatry, or orthopedic field. In her free time, she likes taking film photography, as well as playing piano.
Phyllis Fan
Phyllis Fan is a second-year student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Phyllis is particularly interested in studying social and personality development and is currently working as a research assistant on the CARPE DIEM study. In the future, Phyllis plans to pursue graduate studies in psychology. Outside academics, Phyllis enjoys playing baseball, cooking, and listening to music.
Sarah Lenertz
Sarah Lenertz is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Developmental Psychology. She is interested in facilitating emotional and social development in adolescents and supporting them in overcoming mental health challenges. While unsure of her future career, she is interested in working in occupational therapy or family counseling. In her free time, Sarah likes walking her dog, reading books, and spending time with her friends and family.
Selam Kassahun
Selam is a fourth-year student pursuing a double major in Psychology and Health and Wellbeing Sciences. Currently serving as a research assistant for the CARPE DIEM study, she is excited to begin work on the project. After graduating, she plans to enroll in the Masters of Nursing program at UMN, with the long-term goal of pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to better serve underserved communities with limited access to healthcare. Outside of academics, Selam enjoys exploring parks, beaches, biking, and canoeing. She also works as a Direct Care Professional, where she finds fulfillment in caring for and spending time with her residents.
Sophia Weaver
Sophia Weaver is a third-year student at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a degree in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Family Therapy. In the future, she has hopes of obtaining a MFT license and practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Sophia is an active Research Assistant in the CFL Lab and has years of experience working with children of all ages. In addition to the lab, she is currently working at LifeFx as an Executive Function Coach where she also co-facilitates group therapy. Sophia has strong passions for helping others, helping children thrive in unique circumstances, breaking stigmas around mental health, as well as reading lots of books, spending time with loved ones and spending time outdoors!
Sundus Saleh
Sundus Saleh is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Sociology of Law, Criminology and Justice. She is currently working as an undergraduate research assistant at the CFL lab on the CARPE DIEM study. After graduation she hopes to pursue a Masters in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA, and to eventually become a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional. In her free time she enjoys reading, hanging out with her family, playing tennis, and exploring new bookstores.