Eva S. Lefkowitz is currently a professor and Department Head of the Graduate Program in the Human Development and Family Sciences Department at the University of Connecticut. She received her bachelors degree from Brandeis University and her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has served as Associate Editor for Developmental Psychology, currently serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Research on Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood, was a Founding Executive Council Member of the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood, and previously chaired the Membership Committee of the Society for Research on Adolescence.
Her research focuses on sexuality during adolescence and emerging adulthood. She takes a developmental approach to studying sexual health, incorporating both sexual development and risk perspectives. She is interested both in how sexual and romantic relationships and experiences develop, and in predictors and outcomes of these relationships and behaviors (e.g., attitudes such as beliefs about gender, religiosity, relationships with parents, peers, and partners, consequences). Her most recent work includes LGBTQ+ CREW (COVID-related RElationships and Well-being) Study, CIEL (College Interactions and Experiences Lab Group), and ULS (University Life Study).
Departmental website
Google scholar
Email
Curriculum Vitae
Her research focuses on sexuality during adolescence and emerging adulthood. She takes a developmental approach to studying sexual health, incorporating both sexual development and risk perspectives. She is interested both in how sexual and romantic relationships and experiences develop, and in predictors and outcomes of these relationships and behaviors (e.g., attitudes such as beliefs about gender, religiosity, relationships with parents, peers, and partners, consequences). Her most recent work includes LGBTQ+ CREW (COVID-related RElationships and Well-being) Study, CIEL (College Interactions and Experiences Lab Group), and ULS (University Life Study).
Departmental website
Google scholar
Curriculum Vitae
Graduate Students
Alyssa N. Clark, M.S., graduated from Illinois State University in 2019 with a master's degrees in Developmental Psychology and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in couple relationships. She is interested in physical and sexual behaviors in romantic partner relationships, focusing on Asexual, Bisexual, and other LGBT+ identities and experiences. In her spare time she enjoys reading, drawing, and long-distance biking.
Email: alyssa.clark@uconn.edu
Email: alyssa.clark@uconn.edu
Veronica R. Hanna-Walker, M.S., graduated from Brigham Young University in 2020 with a master's degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in adolescent development. She is interested in sexual development, including sexual self-schemas, sexual self-concepts, sexual possible selves, and the meaning of sex. In her free time she enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her husband and dog.
Email: veronica.hanna-walker@uconn.edu
Email: veronica.hanna-walker@uconn.edu
Tracy L. Walters, M.A., graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2011 with a master's degree in Developmental Psychology and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in health and well-being. She is interested in sexual development, including parenting and communication about sex, sexual attitudes and motivations, sexual behavior, and sex-related consequences. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching TV, and spending time with her dog.
Email: tracy.l.walters@uconn.edu
Email: tracy.l.walters@uconn.edu
Rachael E. Farina, M.A., LMFT, ADS, graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2018 with a master's degree in Human Development and Family Studies (with a concentration in marriage and family therapy) and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in health and well-being. She is interested in sexual behavior and sexual health. Specifically, she is interested in adolescent and adult pornography consumption. In her spare time, Rachael enjoys exercising on her Peloton bike and spending time with friends.
Email: rachael.farina@uconn.edu
Email: rachael.farina@uconn.edu
Samantha E. Lawrence, M.A., graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2017 and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in prevention and early intervention programs. She studies intergroup relations in adolescence and young adulthood. Specifically, she is interested in experiences and mental health consequences of victimization based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation and body weight. In her spare time, Sam enjoys running, hiking, and baking.
Email: samantha.lawrence@uconn.edu
Website: https://hdfs.uconn.edu/person/samantha-lawrence/
Email: samantha.lawrence@uconn.edu
Website: https://hdfs.uconn.edu/person/samantha-lawrence/
Yuan Zhang, M.A., M.P., is a doctoral student in the department of Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in parenting and parent-child relationships of children/adolescents in cultural contexts. Her research interests include how parental behavior affects adolescents’ mental health (e.g., parental psychological control and depression), cultural differences in parenting behaviors (e.g., parents’ perception of children’s developmental outcomes), and acculturation of immigrant families and international students (e.g., how parent-child acculturation discrepancy influences the adolescents’ development).
Sophia E. Lindsay is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 2022. She is double majoring in Psychological Sciences and HDFS and minoring in sociology. Sophia is interested in sexual development, aspects of relationships, and LGBTQ+ well-being. In her spare time, Sophia enjoys practicing yoga, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Email: sophia.lindsay@uconn.edu
Email: sophia.lindsay@uconn.edu
