Current DASH Lab Members
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 degree 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
Antonia Caba, MPH, graduated from Yale School of Public Health with a master's degree in public health and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in health, wellbeing, and prevention. She is interested in determinants of health and wellbeing among LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults, including identity development processes and identity disclosure. In her spare time she enjoys reading, baking sourdough bread, and hiking.
Email: antonia.caba@uconn.edu
Email: antonia.caba@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
Madeline Jones, 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: madeline.jones@uconn.edu
Email: madeline.jones@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