Meet the Team

Research Coordinators

Professor Hyesung Grace Hwang, Principal Investigator & Director

Dr. Hwang is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz. She leads the Diversity in Development Lab. She received her B.A. in Psychology from University of Chicago, M.S.W. from Columbia University, Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at University of Chicago. Her research has been supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and American Psychological Foundation (APF). She is a developmental psychologist interested in how early emerging cognitive and affective mechanisms that initially help us learn about the social world later hinders us from creating a more equitable society. Check her website for more information.
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Faculty Page
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Annie Schwartzstein, B.A., Graduate Student

Annie is a third year graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Annie received her B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked as a lab manager for Dr. Lauren Emberson at the Princeton Baby Lab where she conducted eye-tracking research with toddlers. Annie is interested in how children develop a sense of political identity, as well as how their social context impacts how they feel about and choose to partake in political activism. Outside of the lab, Annie enjoys baking for friends, trying out new restaurants, and reading.
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Samantha Fong, B.S., Graduate Student

Samantha is a second year graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She received her B.S. in Cognitive Science with an emphasis in Neuroscience and a minor in Education from the University of California, Davis. Before joining the DID lab, Samantha worked as a research assistant at Dr. Steve Luck’s Laboratory for Basic and Translational Cognitive Neuroscience and Dr. Susan Rivera’s Neurocognitive Development Lab. Samantha is currently interested in researching the neural bases of infant’s perception of racial ingroups and outgroups and the impact of diversity in social environments. Outside of the lab, she enjoys crocheting, knitting, and traveling.

Tobi Britton, Ed.M., Graduate Student

Tobi is a second year graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz, and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, and her Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard. Prior to embarking on her PhD journey Tobi worked as a researcher in Dr. Marjorie Rhodes’ Conceptual Development and Social Cognition lab at NYU on projects related to the emergence of racial bias in early childhood. Tobi is broadly interested in how aspects of young children’s social environment influence their social-cognitive development. When she is not in the lab, Tobi enjoys spending time with her family, surfing, and being in nature with friends.

Ian Ferrucci, B.A., Lab Manager

Ian is the Lab Manager for the Diversity in Development Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He received his B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College. His past experience working with children comes from Santa Cruz Soccer Camp in Santa Cruz county as a coach, helping children better understand life while having fun in the sun. Ian is broadly interested in how culturally communicated messaging influences how children interact with others in their community. Outside of the lab, Ian plays soccer with friends and practices his trumpet and guitar. 

Research Assistants

Arielle Poon, Research Assistant

Arielle is a third year psychology major with a biology minor at UC Santa Cruz. Her previous work experience includes working as a dance teacher for kids at her hometown dance studio and a resident assistant for the Joffrey Ballet School New York Summer Intensive. Arielle has also worked on campus at AAPIRC and Cowell Programs where she provided programs and resources to students. She is interested in working with children in the field of clinical psychology. Outside of lab, Arielle enjoys going to the beach, trying new foods, and hanging out with her loved ones.

Kendall Byers, Research Assistant

Kendall is a third-year Cognitive Science student at UC Santa Cruz. She has experience coaching preschool-aged children in gymnastics and dance. Her research interests broadly consist of understanding mechanisms of cognitive control and its ability to mediate negative affective states through various neuroimaging techniques. Kendall aspires to pursue a PhD in Cognitive or Behavioral Neuroscience with the overall goal of becoming a research professor. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going on walks, playing tennis, and spending time with her family and friends.

Nara Kim, Research Assistant

Nara is a second year Intensive Psychology student with a minor in GISES at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has experience working in a Child Development Center along with tutoring students in Elementary and early Grade school. She is interested in how physical space facilitates development and social interaction. Nara aspires to pursue a M.A in IO Psychology, focused on the application and execution of real-world solutions. Outside of the lab, Nara enjoys cafe hopping with friends, photography, and reading

Kendall Byers, Research Assistant

Maya is a fourth-year Intensive Psychology and Cognitive Science student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has experience working as a full time nanny and babysitter. Her research interests lie at the intersection of clinical applications and developmental neuroimaging, with a focus on children who experience attention deficits or have been exposed to trauma. She aims to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a licensed psychologist. Maya is excited to apply her research experience in developmental psychology to her future clinical practices. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time outdoors, escape rooms, and watching movies.

Alan Abelaye-Mateo, Research Assistant

Alan is a third-year Psychology and Critical Race & Ethnic Studies double major at
the University of California, Santa Cruz. His experience includes being a mentor for middle to
high-school students at the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Conference in his hometown
and serving as one of UCSC Bayanihan’s Activities coordinators to program small to large scale
events for the general community of the organization. He is interested in bridging the gap
between ethnicity and psychology among developing children and aspires to have a Ph.D. in the
field of Developmental Psychology. Outside of the lab, Alan enjoys going to the beach, playing
and watching basketball, and spending time with his family and close friends.

Annika Romero, Research Assistant

Annika is a fourth-year Intensive Psychology student with a minor in Literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has experience working as a behavioral technician supporting children in special education, and she is particularly interested in how children’s upbringing and social experiences shape how they perceive the world. Passionate about advocating for underserved populations, Annika aspires to earn her M.A. and Psy.D. in Psychology and hopes to work with children or individuals struggling with addiction by integrating holistic and nutritionally based therapy practices into clinical work. Outside of the lab, she enjoys music and musical performance, exploring local cafés, learning about the gut microbiome, and staying active through all forms of exercise.

Minahil Afzal, Research Assistant

Minahil Afzal is a third-year Intensive Psychology major and a Politics minor. She has experience working with children through summer camps and tutoring. Her research interests include how familial socialization shapes trauma and stress responses. Minahil hopes to continue working closely with children and plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology after graduation. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends, trips to the beach, listening to music, and trying new foods.  

Lilian Fisher, Research Assistant

Lilian is a third year majoring in intensive psychology and global and community health at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her previous experience includes working as a developmental aid, a Summer camp counselor, and a teaching assistant at an elementary school in France. She is interested in the ways that trauma and environment during early development manifest themselves in physical and mental health. Lilian aspires to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology working towards treatment and prevention development for mental illnesses. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and skiing as well as spending time with friends and family. 

Aimee Talley, Research Assistant

Aimee is a third-year undergraduate, majoring in intensive psychology and education, studying at UC Santa Cruz. Aimee is working on applying to graduate school straight after graduation. Aimee is interested in developmental psychology to provide therapy to young children in need. Aimee has experience working with children through summer camps and babysitting. Outside of the lab, Aimee likes to explore the outdoors, travel, read, and spend time with friends!

Claire Ersunay, Research Assistant

Claire is a third-year student pursuing an intensive psychology major and a minor in legal studies. Claire has been babysitting children for seven years, and is interested in how developing in situations that pose a significant risk to children’s emotional, physical, and mental well-being affects children’s behaviors, and how it relates to criminality in adolescence. Claire aims to pursue my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on pediatrics and forensics, and eventually work with children in juvenile detention centers and adolescents involved in the legal system. Outside of the lab, Claire enjoys painting, hiking, and going to coffee shops with friends.

Erika Arambulo, Research Assistant

Erika is a fourth-year Psychology major with an Education minor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her previous work experience includes working as a third-grade teacher assistant at an elementary school and working with a high school program that focused on advising families and students. Erika aspires to pursue an MSW and an LCSW, with a focus on supporting minority groups who are disenfranchised, oppressed, and/or marginalized. Outside of the lab, Erika enjoys traveling, knitting, and spending time with her loved ones.

Anmol Jaura, Research Assistant

Anmol is a recent graduate from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a major in Psychology, and minor in Biology. She has previous work experience as as a camp counselor during the summer, as well as being a Peer Mentor at the Transfer Preparation Program at UCSC. She hopes to work with children one day, and learn how they perceive the world through their personal experiences. Anmol aspires to earn a PhD in Psychology and help people in need. Outside the lab, she enjoys bullet journaling, photography, listening to music, and watching sunsets at the beach!

Jess Ruiz, Research Assistant

Jessica is a fourth-year intensive psychology student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. They have experience tutoring middle school students in Language Arts and Music. They are broadly interested in the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities of speech disorders and language development. Jessica is currently aspiring to pursue an M.A. in Developmental Psychology, and also hopes to work in research relating to speech impairments. Outside of the lab, Jessica enjoys reading, drawing, and playing guitar.