Saaraa Aggarwal (she/her). I am a sophomore and an international student from India at the University of Minnesota. I am pursuing a degree in developmental psychology (BS) with a minor in family therapy. My research interests are firmly centered on investigating the intricate relationship between substance abuse and a disrupted environment and their impact on the development of psychopathological conditions in children. I plan to attend graduate school in clinical psychology.
Alexandra Brucker (she/her). Alexandra is a junior studying at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology. Her research interests include how environments and experiences influence early childhood and adolescent mental health as well as how they impact individual trajectories. After graduation, she plans to gain field experience before attending graduate school for School Psychology.
Celina Faraj (she/her). I am a senior and am originally from Chanhassen, Minnesota. I am pursuing a Psychology Bachelor of Science degree and completing prerequisite courses for pharmacy school. My goal is to become a psychiatric pharmacist and work in a mental health clinic or hospital. My research interests include the role psychiatric medications play in development of children and adolescents, the effect of other substances and drugs on the brain, and the neurophysiology of depression and bipolar disorder.
Sydney Hicks. Sydney is a senior at Minnesota and is originally from Manhattan, Kansas. She is majoring in Developmental Psychology with minors in Psychology and Biology. Sydney hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology in the future.
Boone Johnson. Boone is a senior at the University of Minnesota and is originally from South St. Paul, Minnesota. He is majoring in Psychology (B.S.) with a minor in Developmental Psychology. His research interests include social factors associated with the development of psychopathology in children and young adults and the effect of altered parenting in childhood development. Boone plans to attend graduate school for Clinical Psychology after graduation and hopes to become a therapist one day.
Eliot Kennedy. Eliot is a senior pursuing a Psychology major and Developmental Psychology minor in the honors program here at the U. She is originally from Bloomington, Illinois. She is also a member of the Women’s Swimming and Diving program. Eliot’s research interests include studying substance abuse trajectories across development and investigating potential personality differences within that.
Allison Kulwicki. Allison is a junior at the U majoring in Developmental Psychology. After graduation she plans to get her Masters in Child Life to become a Child Life Specialist. She is from a very small town called Phillips, Wisconsin (under 2,000 people). In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as doing numerous activities outside. Her research interests include studying the relationship between stress and a child’s development both physically and cognitively. She is also interested in studying how any medication affects a child’s developmental path.
Ellie Schwartzman (she/her). Ellie is a sophomore studying developmental psychology with minors in family violence prevention and family therapy. Her research interests include understanding how stress and early childhood environments influence a child’s developmental trajectory. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology after graduating from the U.
Ricardo Vazquez Montero (he/him). Ricardo is a junior at the University of Minnesota and is originally from Winter Haven, Florida. He is majoring in Developmental Psychology (B.S.) with minors in Psychology and Neuroscience. His research interests include environmental factors and social inequalities associated with developmental psychopathology and understanding the underlying neurological processes. Ricardo plans to attend graduate school for Clinical Psychology after he graduates.
Ayshia Yaeger (they/them). Ayshia is a senior within the Developmental Psych (BA) program and will have a minor both in Family Therapy and Health Psychology upon graduation. Their research and clinical interests include early childhood trauma and its effects on mental health in adolescence and adulthood, and harm reduction. After graduation they will get their PhD in Clinical Psychology where they hope to provide necessary queer and transgender representation within the mental health field.
Keira Young. Keira Young is a junior set to graduate in December of 2025! She is a Developmental Psychology B.S. major and has a Sociology minor. She plans to use her undergraduate studies, research, and work experiences to advance her career and go to Occupational Therapy School.