Dr. Hannah L. Schacter

Dr. Schacter is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Developmental Science Area at Wayne State University and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. She completed a National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Southern California, and received her PhD in Psychology from UCLA and BA from Hamilton College.

Broadly speaking, her research examines how adolescents’ interpersonal relationships contribute to their psychological well-being, physical health, and school functioning. She seeks to understand pathways from peer stress to adjustment problems and identify contextual factors that protect against versus exacerbate the maladjustment of socially vulnerable (e.g., bullied) youth. Dr. Schacter investigates these questions using multiple methods and time-scales (e.g., daily diaries; yearly school-based surveys) to understand both the short- and long-term impact of interpersonal difficulties.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

faizun bakth

Faizun is fourth year Developmental Science graduate student at Wayne State. Her research interests include examining how adolescents’ racial/ethnic identity develops in the presence of racial/ethnic discrimination/victimization, and how bio-behavioral and environmental protective factors play a role in the development of minority youth. Faizun graduated from John Jay College with a B.A. in Forensic Psychology. In her free time, she likes to read non-fiction historical books, watch horror movies, and spend time with her family and friends.

Alexandra Ehrhardt

Alexandra is a fourth year doctoral student in Developmental Science at Wayne State University. She received her M.S. in Clinical Research Methods from Fordham University, and a B.S. in Cell & Molecular Biology from Tulane University. Her research interests include peer relationships and adolescent health. She is interested in psychoneuroimmunological markers of stress and has experience working with multiple physiological measures of health including actigraphy, saliva- and blood-based biomarkers, and electrodermal activity. She enjoys making pancakes and rollerskating on the Dequindre Cut in her spare time. 

je’nae johnson

My name is Je’Nae Johnson. I am a first-year Clinical Psychology graduate student at Wayne State coming from Los Angeles, California. I received my Master of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2018 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside in 2016. My primary research interest is underserved youth and understanding the effects of poverty on well-being and academic achievement. My long-term goal is to apply this understanding to intervention development that is culturally considerate of diverse experiences. In my spare time, I enjoy creative writing, reading fictional novels, watching movies/shows, and hanging out with my dog, friends, and family.

Sydney Carroll

Sydney Carroll is a Senior at Wayne State University and a member of the Irvin D. Reid Honors college pursuing her BA is Psychology and a minor in African American Studies. After undergrad, she plans to pursue her PhD in either Clinical or Counseling Psychology and become a school psychologist. She waitresses part-time and is a full-time Residential Advisor for Ghafari Hall on Wayne State's Campus. Her research interests involve understanding the sources and consequences of adolescent adversity and victimization. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and photography.

FAREEHA CHAUDHRY

Fareeha is a sophomore at Wayne State University, where she’s majoring in psychology with a co-major in university honors. Her research interests align within the clinical and developmental fields, where she hopes to focus on adolescent psychology in her career. She’s also on the executive board for NAMI Warriors, an on-campus chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where she helps to advocate for mental health awareness at WSU. In her free time, Fareeha enjoys reading mystery books and poetry, as well as taking nature walks.

Emily Fisher

Emily Fisher is in her Senior year at Wayne State University where she is majoring in psychology and minoring in urban studies. Her research interests involve mental health, mood disorders, and trauma. She also takes great interest in how urban environments can play a part in mental cognition and well-being. Emily plans to finish her undergraduate degree and pursue a Ph.D. in psychology in the near future.

Bilal Elhasan

Bilal is a a first year Medical student at Wayne State school of medicine and he is currently striving to work in primary care looking forward the next four years. His research interests are based on understanding when and how youth adjust when faced with interpersonal stressors and how he as a doctor can implement helpful guides to relief or ease his patients from these stressors . In his free time, he enjoys weight training, playing sports, and video games.

nour ghosn

Nour is a senior pre-med student at Wayne State University majoring in Psychology with co-major in University Honors and a minor in Biology. On campus, she is the president of Wayne State’s “Best buddies” chapter where she works on creating friendships between Wayne States students and individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDD). Outside of campus, she is a medical assistant at a primary care clinic. Her research interests lie in understanding the role of culture in shaping human development and to what extend does the environment affect identity. 

Jennifer losiowski

Jennifer is an alumnus of Wayne State University with her master's degree in Basic Medical Sciences, preceded by her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University. Her main research interest lies in better understanding the biological and environmental factors that puts children at risk for development of psychiatric disorders and utilizing neuroimaging techniques to evaluate structural and functional brain changes associated with psychiatric disorders. In her spare time, she enjoys attending concerts and Detroit sporting events, as well as spending a beautiful day outdoors. 

Koi Rice-Cutts

I am a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in B.A. Psychology. After graduating, I plan to go on to receive a PhD in child/developmental psychology. I currently work at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center and volunteer at the Children’s Center of Detroit. My research interests include the importance of nutrition in early childhood development, how parent’s play a role, and what affects occur from inadequate nutrition. Additionally, I want to gain understanding on the types of stressors youth of various socioeconomic backgrounds face most often and the effects of these stressors. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, trying new activities, and exploring new areas.

Audia robinson

I am a Senior majoring in Psychology focusing on childhood trauma and development and also having a minor in Art. I am also apart of the Irvin D. Reid Honors college. I plan on graduating in December and either partaking in a Master's program either in Michigan or out-of-state. My research interests are learning how childhood trauma can affect personalities and coping mechanisms. In my free time I enjoy drawing/painting, journaling, and spending time with my mom or my friends.

Laura sumner

Laura Sumner is a sophomore at Wayne State University and a member of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College pursuing her BS in Psychology and a minor in Folklore and Fairytale Studies. After undergrad, she plans to pursue her Ph.D. in either Clinical or Counseling Psychology and become a psychologist working with adolescents. She is invested in multiple Psychology Organizations and plans to be more involved. Her research interests include the various factors contributing to mental illness and how they shape behaviors, with a focus on development. She enjoys photography and listening to music.