Dr. Hannah L. Schacter

Dr. Schacter is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Developmental Science Area at Wayne State University affiliate faculty of 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)

Ayodeji Solomon Adegoke

As a second-year Ph.D. student in Developmental Science and Quantitative Methods, my research focuses on the critical social contexts of adolescence, including peer relationships, victimization, and parent-child dynamics, and their impact on psychosocial development. My academic foundation, including a master's in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has driven my passion for applying rigorous quantitative methods to complex research questions. My goal is to produce research that not only advances scientific understanding but also directly informs decisions and policies that support youths and adolescents.

faizun bakth

Faizun is a Ph.D. Candidate in Developmental Science at Wayne State University. Her research examines how peer relationships, from supportive friendships to experiences of victimization and discrimination, shape adolescents' health, well-being, and long-term adjustment. She employs advanced longitudinal methods, including daily diary and multi-wave studies, to capture both short- and long-term developmental processes. A central goal of her work is to promote equity by uncovering the unique challenges faced by marginalized youth. Her research has been published in leading journals, including the Journal of Research on Adolescence, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, Sleep Health, and the International Journal of Behavioral Development. Outside of the lab, Faizun enjoys horror movies, reading, and exploring new cuisines.

je’nae johnson

I am a fourth-year Clinical Psychology graduate student at Wayne State University, coming from Los Angeles, California. I received my Master of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside. My primary research interest is in how interpersonal and community factors influence youth psychological well-being and achievement in diverse communities. I also have an interest in understanding how child and adolescent trauma impacts long-term development. 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 traveling, creative writing, reading fictional novels, watching movies/shows, and hanging out with my dog, friends, and family.

emily sokol

My name is Emily Sokol. I am a first-year Developmental Science graduate student at Wayne State. I received my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2024 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University in 2021. My primary research interest is the impact of emotion dysregulation on mental health and interpersonal relationships (e.g., parent-child relationships, peer relationships).

Fareeha Chaudhry

Fareeha is a senior at Wayne State University, where she’s majoring in psychology and minoring in public health. She is interested in studying adolescent clinical psychology, particularly in how school environments influence youth mental health and how school-based initiatives can support student well-being. On campus, she’s involved with the department’s Psi Chi chapter and the Psychology Academic Support Services (PASS). In her free time, Fareeha enjoys reading mystery books, crocheting, and taking nature walks.

TAHMINA ISLAM

Tahmina Islam is a first-year student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University, majoring in Neuroscience. She is particularly interested in the study of cognitive behaviors in adolescents and young adults. She is still exploring whether to pursue medical school or a PhD. Over the summer, she volunteered as a medical assistant at the Children’s Clinic of Michigan and currently worked part-time as a pharmacy technician. She is also a committee member of the Bangladeshi Students' Association and actively involved in the Muslim Students' Association.

ZOYA MARYAM

Zoya is currently a junior at Wayne State University, where she’s majoring in psychology and neuroscience. Her research and volunteer interests focus on adolescent populations, with experience volunteering in the peadiatrics unit at Windsor Regional. She is an active member of the Pakistani Student Association at Wayne State and also works as a pharmacy assistant, gaining valuable exposure to healthcare. In her free time, Zoya enjoys reading and traveling.

LAURA SUMNER

Laura Sumner is a junior 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.