Author: Janice Berriault

Research by Alyssa Clark and Eva Lefkowitz highlighted in media

Headshot, Alyssa Clark
Alyssa Clark
Headshot, Eva Lefkowitz
Eva Lefkowitz

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:

Laura Donorfio heads up UConn Waterbury’s 3rd Annual Pride Party

Headshot, Laura Donorfio
Laura Donorfio

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 (2009); Alderman Bilal Tajildeen, 5th District of Waterbury (UConn ‘12), and Tyler Rivera, Waterbury undergraduate student, sharing his life and trans experience. Over 17 community organizations and businesses from across Connecticut participated, sharing LGBTQIA+ resources and opportunities, including the health department with free STI testing. Also, UConn Waterbury’s Career Center, Library, and Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) shared essential LGBTQIA+ resources. Over 100+ students and faculty attended. The goal of the Pride Party is to be educational and to create a campus environment where all identities and all colors feel respected and welcomed.

Keith Bellizzi interviewed by STAT News (Boston Media Globe)

headshot, Keith BellizziSTAT 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/

HDFS Welcomes Eliza Nokomis, Educational Program Assistant

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 socio-economic barriers to women and children, helping her Department Chair census our local homeless population and then open the No Freeze shelter in Willimantic. Many of her family members were nurses at the Mansfield Training School, and at 19 she began her State Service working for the CT Department of Developmental Services’ newly established group homes in the UConn area. Throughout college she also interned at the Willimantic Juvenile Court, managed a Naturopathic Physician’s office and volunteered frequently with local social service agencies.

Eliza first joined the UConn community as a staff member at SHaW, before relocating to Northern Arizona, where she supported their local university until her children had graduated high school. At Northern Arizona University she served as a CLAS graduate advisor, helped create, test, and implement their Business Center model and also worked in Student Accounts & Financial Aid. As beautiful as the red rocks may be, Eliza was not made for land locked life and is very happy to be home in New England again. When not at HDFS, she can be found gardening, baking, or walking her dog.

LaRusso and Ferreira van Leer highlighted in UConn Today article

Headshot, Maria LaRusso
Maria LaRusso
Headshot, Kevin Ferreira van Leer
Kevin Ferreira van Leer

UConn Today recently highlighted Maria LaRusso and Kevin Ferreira van Leer for their participation in the public health celebration with the UConn Public Health House Learning Community where they were part of a panel of researchers sharing their work on school and child health and how undergraduates can get involved in research. https://today.uconn.edu/2025/04/learning-community-students-celebrate-public-health-week-with-child-health-researchers/