Current DASH Lab Members
Eva S. Lefkowitz (she/her) 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
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]
Naomi Inman (she/her), B.S., graduated from Brigham Young University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and minors in Sociology and Family Science. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in couple relationships. She is interested broadly in sexuality, sexual well-being in the context of romantic relationships, and sexual socialization--particularly how individuals learn about, define and assign meaning, and adopt beliefs about sex. 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), B.S., graduated from Brigham Young University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, specializing in child and adolescent development. She is interested in how children and adolescents understand and express gender and sexuality, including how parents and families socialize these concepts to their children. In her spare time, she enjoys attending live concerts, reading, playing piano, and practicing yoga.
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]