Current DASH Lab Members
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Eva S. Lefkowitz (she/her) is currently a professor 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 was a professor at Penn State University for 18 years where she served as Professor-in-Charge of the Undergraduate and Graduate Programs. At UConn, she served as Department Head for 10 years. She also has served as Associate Editor for Developmental Psychology, currently serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Research on Adolescence, Journal of Sex Research, 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 the LGBTQ+ CREW (COVID-related RElationships and Well-being) Study and the College Relationships and Well-being (CREW 2) Study. She also collaborates with Kari Adamsons (PI) on the Young Adults Risk Behavior Survey and with Christina Ross (PI) on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication in Foster Care Study. |
Faculty Collaborators
Amanda Denes (she/her), Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut. Her primary areas of specialization are interpersonal and health communication. Overall, the aim of her research is to identify communication processes in close relationships that contribute to people’s physical, psychological, and relational well-being and use these findings to inform interventions that improve the health of the individuals at the heart of her work.
Departmental Website
Google Scholar
Email: [email protected]
Departmental Website
Google Scholar
Email: [email protected]
Christina Ross (she/her), Ph.D., RN, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Connecticut. Her research focuses on how youth-serving professionals can better meet adolescents' SRH needs, foster positive development, and significantly reduce the disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
Departmental Website
Email: [email protected]
Departmental Website
Email: [email protected]
Graduate Students
Naomi Inman (she/her), M.A., earned her master's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2025 and her bachelor's degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Family Science from Brigham Young University in 2023. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in couple relationships. She is interested broadly in sexuality, sexual and romantic relationships, and LGBTQ+ individuals and couples well-being. She is especially interested in sexual and gender socialization--particularly how individuals learn about, define and assign meaning, and adopt beliefs about sex, sexuality, and gender—and how these socialization processes may shape sexual and romantic relationships. When she finds free time, Naomi enjoys reading, long walks, playing video games, and traveling.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Elise Sumsion (she/her), M.A., earned her master's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2026 and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Elise is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in child and adolescent development. She is interested in LGBTQ+ identity development through adolescence and emerging adulthood, and specifically how gender and sexual identity relate to mental health and social wellbeing in LGBTQ+ youth. In her spare time, she enjoys attending concerts, reading, playing piano, and practicing yoga.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Madeline J. Hebert (she/her), M.S., graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a master's degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is interested in how religion, sexuality, and gender influence LGBTQ+ close relationships, focusing on religious LGBTQ+ couples and individuals. In her spare time, she enjoys finding good food, watching anime, and spending time with her husband.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Angel Reed (they/them) B.S., graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a dual major of Psychology. They are currently pursuing a PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, and are focused on researching romantic relationships. They are especially interested in the health and relationships of queer young adults, as well as the subtle perceptions that can influence their relationship stability. They live with their fiancé and cat, where they enjoy watching horror movies, playing video games, and collecting vintage dolls.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Rachael E. Farina (she/her), 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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]