I entered UConn in Fall 1975 majoring in Home Economics Education. During my time at UConn not only did I get an excellent education, but I also met my husband. I loved my coursework, especially the classes in the Child Development and Family Relations (CDFR) department, which eventually become HDFS. When it came time for […]

Huda Akef is a PhD candidate planning to defend her dissertation and graduate in Summer 2025. Before finding her way to HDFS, she started her academic journey with a B.S. in Electronics Engineering with a minor in Computer Science from the American University in Cairo. After working as an engineer for a telecom operator in Egypt […]

Marlene Schwartz is a Professor in HDFS and Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. She grew up Columbia, Maryland and graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania with a BA in Psychology in 1988.  After college she moved back to Maryland and worked for two years as an RA in Marion Radke-Yarrow’s lab […]

Alyssa Clark (PhD ’23) and Eva Lefkowitz’s research on associations of sexual and affection behaviors and sexual with relationship and sexual satisfaction was highlighted recently in the media: https://www.psypost.org/study-identifies-three-patterns-of-physical-behavior-linked-to-sexual-satisfaction-in-committed-couples/ https://www.unilad.com/news/sex-and-relationships/study-reveals-physical-acts-satisfying-relationship-890321-20250419

Congratulations to Sarah McKee (PhD ’23), who just started a position as Nutrition Specialist at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts!

Marketa Burnett led a session entitled “Disrupting the system(s): Empowering Black Girls in Education” for school leaders at the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Spring Leadership Conference on April 28th.

Laura Donorfio, Katherine Garcia (undergraduate student), and Joanna Szeto (UConn Alum) organized UConn Waterbury’s 3rd Annual Pride Party (4/1/25). This year’s theme was “Trans Rights are Human Rights” (National Trans Day of Visibility occurs on 5/31) and featured 2 UConn alum and 1 undergraduate student as keynote speakers: Matt Blinstrubas, Executive Director, from Equality CT […]

STAT News, a Boston Globe Media company, recently interviewed Keith Bellizzi for a story “As more patients get automated test results, researchers seek ways to calm their nerves,” to accompany a newly published study in JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e254019. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.4019. Story link: https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/08/what-refreshing-your-online-medical-test-result-page-says-about-anxiety/

The UConn Waterbury early childhood program was featured in UConn Today! Learn more about Cora D’Alessandro’s role bringing the program to Waterbury, and one of the first students there, Alee Ennis ’25 (HDFS): https://today.uconn.edu/2025/04/local-partnership-expands-early-childhood-development-training-for-uconn-waterbury-students/

Eliza grew up in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut, surrounded by UConn sports fans and sledding on Horsebarn Hill as a child. While completing her degree, she served as her university’s Vice President of Habitat for Humanity, helping to build houses in West Virginia and rebuilding NOLA after Hurricane Katrina. She focused her studies on […]