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
Google Scholar

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., Junior Specialist

Ian is a Junior Specialist 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 factors in a child’s environment affect how they see and interact with the world. Outside of the lab, Ian plays soccer with friends and practices his trumpet and guitar. 

Seaera Juarez, B.S., Lab Manager

Seaera is the Lab Manager of the Diversity in Development Lab in the Psychology Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She received her B.S. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Human Developmental Sciences from the University of California, San Diego. Before joining the lab, Seaera worked as a research assistant in Dr. Lindsey Powell’s Social Cognition and Learning Lab and as a student researcher for the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, & Teaching Excellence at UCSD. She is broadly interested in the developmental mechanisms that facilitate and underlie social learning. Outside of the lab, Seaera enjoys sculpting, cooking for friends, and reading.

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 second-year psychology major at the University of
California, Santa Cruz. Her previous work experience includes coaching
preschool-aged children in gymnastics and dance. She is interested in
how multi-racial children interact with their environment as well as
how they develop social and racial biases. Kendall aspires to pursue a
PhD in clinical psychology, working with adolescent patients to manage
chronic pain, and she also hopes to work in research focused on
trauma-storing within the body. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going
on walks, baking, 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