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Research Student Affiliates

Current Student Affiliates
	Katelyn Pitcher Ph.D. student, Developmental Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs. Her research concentrates on prejudice development and awareness in children, particularly the effects of parent socialization. She is also interested in the adjustment and well-being of gender and sexual minority youth, including the effects of familial and peer rejection and acceptance especially for nontraditional sexual minorities. katelyn.pitcher@uconn.edu
Recent Alumni
	Dr. Sumbleen Ali Research Scientist, The Rohner Center, HDFS, UConn Assistant Professor, State University of New York, Oneonta After graduating from UConn, Dr. Ali completed her postdoctoral research training on the Einstein Ageing Study (EAS). Her work and academic training are centered on investigating the developmental outcomes of interpersonal relationships from a behavioral as well as a neuropsychological perspective. Guided by IPARTheory, her research with children, adolescents, and adults examines how various social contexts (e.g., families and peers) and individual characteristics (e.g., ethnic-racial, gender, and cultural orientations) influences psychological adjustment, emotion regulation, cognitive decline, and brain functioning using fMRI. The overarching goal of her research is to promote optimal human development and enhance family functioning across cultures.
	Dr. Ryan Allred Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Dr. Allred earned his PhD in Communication Sciences, UConn in 2020. His research focuses on communication inhibitors and pro-social emotions as they relate to creating and maintaining relationships. Specifically, he explores the intersection between interpersonal communication and technology by examining the influence of cell phone usage on face-to-face communication (i.e., phubbing). He is interested in understanding how cell phones may inhibit or change communicative processes and in helping individuals navigate the complexities of an ever-expanding digital era. Additionally, he studies the effects of pro-social emotions (e.g., gratitude, empathy, and forgiveness, etc.) in relation to overcoming such inhibitions. His work considers the expressive writing paradigm as a tool for enhancing positive emotion and fostering healthy relationships. ryan.allred@uconn.edu; allredr@uwosh.edu
	Dr. Maggie Bennett Online Instructor, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas Dr. Bennett graduated from Communication Sciences at UConn in 2019. She has also worked as a visiting Assistant Professor, Communication Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton. Maggie’s research focuses on romantic relationships as well as media portrayals and its effects on romantic relationships. Her primary focus is on disclosure and communication in intimate partner settings. margaret.bennett@uconn.edu
	Dr. Alex Reid Assistant Professor, Department of Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies, California State University, Bakersfield Dr. Reid specialized in Parenthood. Alex received his Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a PhD in parenting and parenthood from HDFS, UConn in 2018. His research interests focus on family dynamics and parental behaviors related to mental health outcomes (e.g., depression and self-esteem) in adolescents and emerging adults. alexander.reid@uconn.edu; areid2@csub.edu
	Dr. Kaitlin Flannery Assistant Professor, Psychology, State University of New York College, Cortland Dr. Flannery specialized in Developmental Psychology. She received her Master’s and PhD degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut, Storrs in 2017. Her research interest focus on friendship dissolution among adolescents, social cognition in peer relationships, and gender development. website
	Dr. Selenga Gürmen Assistant professor of Psychology at the Ozyegin University, Turkey Dr. Gurmen research in the marriage and family therapy field focuses on issues of co-parenting, divorce, and high-conflict therapy. Currently, she aims to understand extended family relationships after divorce, and extended family’s supportive role on co-parenting among divorced families. In light of the findings from her research, Dr. Gürmen also develops various therapy modalities and parent education programs that target decreased conflict and increased cooperation among high-conflict co-parents. She also conducts research studies that explore the impact of technology, smartphones, and social media on romantic relationships. Additionally, Dr. Gürmen has been engaged in several studies that examine tenets of interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (IPARTheory) and she is actively involved in translating and adapting IPARTheory measures. selenga.gurmen@ozyegin.edu.tr ; selengagurmen@gmail.com
	Dr. Ppudah Ki Assistant Professor, Korea National Open University: Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea Dr. Ki research interests are in the study of (1) individual and family risk and resilience, (2) interpersonal acceptance-rejection dynamics, and coping, (3) diversity issues and multicultural counseling, and (4) marriage and family therapy. Dr. Ki graduated from UConn’s MFT program in HDFS. After graduation she completed her Post-Doctoral training at the Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea ppudahki@gmail.com
	Dr. Alex Molaver Adjunct Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs Dr. Molaver’s research focuses on interpersonal rejection and mental health consequences in adulthood, including loneliness, fear of intimacy, and rejection sensitivity. alex.molaver@uconn.edu
	Dr. Yuan Zhang Post-Doctoral Fellow, Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on the parent-child relationship, and on the development of interpersonal relationships and social skills within different cultures. Her research interests include the way in which parent-child relationships influence individuals’ social-skill development, and the way in which the improvement in relationship quality and positive parent-child interaction skills are relevant to individuals’ social well-being. Yuan is also interested in the long-term effects of parent-child relationships on individuals’ lifespan and intimate relationships with significant others when they merge into adulthood. yuan.5.zhang@uconn.edu