Dr. Laura Donorfio has been a part of the HDFS Department since 1989, receiving her MA and PhD with concentrations in adulthood, aging, and gerontology and intergenerational relationships. During graduate school, Laura’s research focused on family caregiving and filial responsibility. Laura was one of the first in her field to qualitatively capture the dyadic, lived experiences of caregiving daughters and care-receiving mothers. Laura also spent time during graduate school working with the Connecticut Departments of Education and Aging on the Connecticut Aging Awareness Project (AoA grant), developing curricula on aging and intergenerational exchange projects to promote education for, with, and about older adults in an aging society. At that time, Connecticut was one of only three states to advance generations’ education through K-12 schools. Upon graduation, Laura was recruited by The Hartford Financial Services Group (HFSG) as a corporate gerontologist and director of qualitative consumer research, conducting primary, applied research with AARP and the MIT AgeLab where she served as a visiting scientist. In this capacity, Laura utilized a myriad of qualitative methods, including facilitating over 400 focus groups nationally. One of her key research projects was a mixed-methods study with the MIT AgeLab involving a national survey of over 10,000 older drivers to help understand how they can continue driving safer for a longer period through utilizing various self-regulation strategies. Laura was featured on both WNPR’s Where We Live and the Connecticut Television Network (CT-N) to discuss this research and the health and safety implications for older drivers and families surrounding various transportation options and the decision to continue driving. During this time, Laura continued to teach at UConn and the University of Hartford. Upon leaving HFSG, Laura took a one year visiting faculty position at UConn’s A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities as a marketing director concentrating on community and political engagement and website development.

In 2004 Laura joined the HDFS department at UConn Waterbury (she believes fate was involved as she was born in Waterbury). It was the first year that students were able to complete one of four-degree programs on the regional campuses and Laura led the establishment and growth of the HDFS major. To do so, Laura worked with UConn’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to develop a unique interactive television (iTV) platform to deliver her courses across three campuses simultaneously, while creating a physical presence, rotating between campuses. During this time, she had the unique opportunity to begin partnering with UConn Waterbury’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI, established in 2006) conducting intergenerational research and generating new and innovative intergenerational curricula and service-learning programs. Generations United Report (2024) recently featured her intergenerational programming as an exemplary in their report of intergenerational Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Laura has been deeply involved throughout her career in leading gerontology educators internationally through the Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). She is currently the elected Chair of the AGHE member group for GSA and holds fellow status in both AGHE (2012) and GSA (2025). She started AGHE’s first Teaching Institute in 2010 and continues to organize and chair it, celebrating 15 years this November. She has chaired multiple committees and interest groups including the Intergenerational Learning Research and Community Engagement (ILRCE) and the Qualitative Research interest groups. At the departmental level, Laura helped develop the HDFS minor in gerontology.

Most recently, Laura co-led an initiative with the UConn Office of Outreach and Engagement to gain member status for UConn in the International Age-Friendly University Global Network (2025). This is an international consortium of institutions advancing policies and practices that foster healthy aging, intergenerational learning, and lifelong engagement. UConn is now among more than 120 universities globally that are reimagining higher education’s role in an aging society. UConn Joins Age-Friendly University Global Network – UConn Today.

Laura’s research interests center on education and pedagogy innovation and intergenerational programming. She is the author of numerous works, including co-authorship of the book “The Gerontology Field Placement: Internships and Practicums in Aging” (2023, Springer Publishing). She has given over 100 scholarly presentations nationally and internationally related to experiential and intergenerational learning, including a taxonomy of risk-taking relative to activities in the classroom, and innovative educational teaching platforms. As a result of appearing with her son on a reality television show called “Dragnificent!” (2020), Laura has developed a research interest on aging drag queens and how drag expression interfaces with dragism, coping, resilience, family, and generativity across the lifespan. In 2024 she was the recipient of the UConn Lavender Award in recognition of leadership for diverse communities of gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities for her work creating and implementing  UConn’s first ever pride party on the Waterbury campus, now in its fourth year involving other UConn campuses, faculty and staff, and community LGBTQ+ organizations.

Laura has been honored for her many teaching accomplishments, most notably GSA’s Clark Tibbets Award (2022) given each year to one individual internationally who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of gerontology/geriatrics education. At UConn, she is a CETL Teaching Fellow (2018) and an Office of Public Engagement Service-Learning Fellow (2016) and has been awarded the CLAS Excellence in Teaching Award (Behavioral & Life Sciences, 2018), the Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (UConn Foundation Office of Alumni Relations, 2019) and the American Association of University Professors Faculty Excellence for Teaching Career (2023).

Outside of work, Laura is a certified educator for the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Adult, Teen, and Child Lures Prevention Program, having educated over 2,200 individuals on sexual predator awareness and safety. On the homefront, Laura has 25-year-old twins and an 11-year-old bearded dragon named Tina. When time allows, Laura enjoys engaging in house projects and gardening, spending time with family and friends, and having deep conversations about the intrigues and mysteries of life.

Dr. Rebecca Puhl is a Professor of HDFS and Deputy Director of the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health. She joined the HDFS faculty in 2015.

Rebecca was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She completed her BAH in psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and then moved to Connecticut in 1999 to attend Yale University where she completed her MA, MS, and PhD in clinical psychology. She completed her clinical psychology internship at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and then returned to Yale as research faculty in the Department of Psychology and as core faculty of the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity (founded in 2005). In 2015, after 10 years at Yale, the Rudd Center joined UConn’s Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP). UConn’s commitment to multi-disciplinary scientific collaboration and research on health and wellness provided new and ideal opportunities for the Rudd Center to further its mission and contribute to the national research reputation of the university.

Since 2001, Rebecca’s research has addressed weight-based stigma, bullying, and discrimination. Her research has examined weight-based bullying in youth, the impact of weight stigma on emotional wellbeing and physical health, weight stigma within families, health care, and the media, and policy-level strategies to reduce weight-based bullying and discrimination across multiple societal settings. To date, she has authored more than 220 peer reviewed scientific publications and 24 book chapters on these topics. Her research, supported by more than $12 million in external funding, has utilized diverse methodologies including randomized control experiments, population-based studies, survey research, and psychometric investigations. As a national research expert on weight stigma and discrimination, Rebecca has testified in state legislative hearings on weight discrimination and provides expertise on strategies to reduce weight stigma to national and international health organizations. She has also developed evidence-based trainings to reduce weight bias in health care that have been implemented in medical facilities across the U.S., and her work is regularly cited in the national media.

Rebecca has been recognized with national and international awards such as The Obesity Society’s Scientific Achievement Award for Excellence in an Established Research Career; the Excellence in Policy Research Award from the National Eating Disorders Coalition, and Obesity Canada’s Distinguished Lecturer Award. At UConn, she has been the recipient of multiple awards including UConn’s Faculty Excellence in Research Award in Public Scholarship, the AAUP Excellence in Research and Creativity Career Award, the HDFS Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award, and the HDFS Faculty Excellence in Research Award. In 2021, Rebecca’s Scholarship placed her on the Clarivate list of the world’s most highly cited researchers.

Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband Kyle and their two sons. She also loves hiking, baking, photography, reading, and creating small art pieces from sea glass she collects along the coast of Maine.

Keith Bellizzi was interviewed for an article in The Independent on the psychology of changing minds, “How to change your mind–and the minds of the people around you, according to experts“

Rebecca Puhl (PI) received a grant “Equipping Pediatric Health Professionals with Tools for Change: Confronting Weight Bias and Improve Obesity Care in Pediatric Settings”. This 2-year project funded by Eli Lilly & Company is supporting the development of a comprehensive evidence-based online resource for pediatric professionals to reduce stigma and improve supportive patient care to youth with obesity.

Marianne Legassey is the Executive Director at the UConn Child Development Labs (CDL).  She started at the CDL as a classroom Master Teacher in 2004.  The dynamic classroom environment and need to manage many tasks simultaneously prepared Marianne for the challenge of being the director at CDL, a role that requires many hats.

At the CDL, HDFS Early Childhood Specializations (ECS) students receive mentoring and coaching in early childhood education.  Students who go through the ECS program in Storrs receive training by the teaching staff at the CDL, preparing them for work with children and families in their future careers.  Students from various UConn programs utilize the CDL for experiential learning opportunities.  Marianne and the CDL professional teaching staff welcome collaborations with Physical Therapy, Speech and Hearing, Psychology and other departments.  The CDL also employes student workers interested in working with young children.

As the CDL Director, Marianne hopes to establish a space on campus where all are welcomed and affirmed.  The goal is to support college students, children and families with high quality training, care, education and support.  Marianne utilizes trauma informed practices to provide a safe space and trusting relationships at the CDL.

Marianne and her family live, work and go to school in Storrs.  Marianne is a UConn alum, employee and parent.  She has held the roles of HDFS student with multiple placements at the CDL, CDL Master Teacher in multiple age groups, CDL parent, and most recently CDL Executive Director.

The CT Mirror recently interviewed Keith Bellizzi for their article, “Americans are living longer but spending more years in poor health.”

Cora’s career in early childhood development and education began at UConn more than 15 years ago and has continued to evolve through a commitment to reflection and growth. She began her college career as a music major at the Hartt School of Music but soon felt called toward a field that would allow her to make a broader impact. With a longstanding curiosity about early childhood development, she transitioned into the UConn HDFS program and completed her bachelor’s degree and the Early Childhood Specializations in 2010. This experience connected her with influential mentors who have continued to shape both her professional identity and her long-term commitment to the field.

Following graduation, Cora spent six years as a classroom teacher and six years as a center director of a high quality, Reggio-inspired program in New Haven County. These experiences grounded her in the belief that children learn best within respectful relationships that honor their curiosity, emotions, and unique developmental pace. While Cora loved working directly with children and families in this setting, she felt drawn to further explore the parent-child relationship. This interest led her back to UConn, where she completed her master’s degree in HDFS in 2018 while working full-time as a center director. During her graduate studies, she became a registered Circle of Security Facilitator, earned her Infant Mental Health Endorsement, and presented at the World Association of Infant Mental Health conference. She also discovered an enthusiasm for teaching undergraduates while serving as a teaching assistant, an experience that sparked her interest in higher education and led to her becoming an adjunct faculty member at UConn Stamford in 2019.

In 2022, Cora became faculty and Student Coordinator of the Early Childhood Specializations at UConn Stamford. In 2024, she transitioned to UConn Waterbury, where she is now actively building and strengthening Early Childhood Specializations. She is invested in preparing future early childhood professionals through hands-on learning and reflective practice. She is also focused on developing meaningful community partnerships with early childhood programs across the Greater Waterbury area, fostering reciprocal relationships that support both students and local programs.

Central to Cora’s work is an ongoing commitment to reflective teaching and professional growth. She continually refines her practice to stay current in the field. In addition to her university teaching, she provides regular professional development for current early childhood educators throughout Connecticut and serves as an early childhood consultant for several high-quality programs. These roles allow her to remain closely connected to classroom practice while supporting educators in strengthening their relationship-based practice. She is also a parent educator with Peace at Home Parenting Solutions and provides regular virtual workshops and private consultations to parents of young children across the country.

Cora sees her role as both an educator and mentor, striving to support students as they develop competence and a strong professional identity in the early childhood discipline, regardless of the career path they choose. She is passionate about uplifting the field, supporting families and educators, and advocating for universal childcare and play-based education.

Cora lives in Guilford, Connecticut, with her husband Brian, their sons Everett (4) and Warren (2), and their dog Ziggy. Outside of work, she enjoys playing flute with the American Chamber Orchestra, participating in group fitness classes, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

Kevin Ferreira van Leer (PI), Caitlin Lombardi (Co-PI) and Trinidad Tellez (Co-PI) received funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation for their grant, “Support for Research on Youth and Parent Experiences in NH.” This grant supports a community-based participatory research project between researchers at UConn and Centro Latino de New Hampshire which aims to better understand the perceptions of well-being in the current sociopolitical climate by immigrant Latine parents and their children, including how they are experiencing the rapidly changing policy context and the resources they are turning to.

Keith Bellizzi published a new book, Falling Forward: The New Science of Resilience and Personal Transformation. Learn more about it here: https://www.keithbellizzi.com/fallingforward

Mary Tabb Foley first joined the UConn community more than 20 years ago as an undergraduate student. UConn was her first choice – a place that felt both exciting and familiar, being close to her hometown in Connecticut. She began her time at UConn planning to become an elementary school teacher, until a chance enrollment in a Human Development and Family Relations course which required a fieldwork placement changed her entire academic plan. Assigned to the infant classroom at the Child Development Labs, Mary felt an immediate and undeniable pull toward early childhood education, working with children under three years old. That single experience redirected her path and opened the door to a career she instantly knew aligned with her heart and life’s purpose.

Mary often shares this story with students as an example of how remaining open to new experiences or opportunities can lead to a deeply fulfilling and unexpected journey – both professionally and personally. After graduating from UConn, Mary worked in community-based early childhood programs in several urban areas of Connecticut, caring for and guiding the learning of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Finding ways to discover her professional role and engaging in statewide organizations and events, she strengthened her commitment to leadership and her desire to positively impact the lives of young children and families.

Driven by her passion for lifelong learning, Mary pursued a Master of Arts dual-degree in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Saint Joseph, along with CT Teacher Certification focused on birth through kindergarten. She subsequently worked with Connecticut’s youngest children in the CT Birth to Three system and later spent nearly five years with the Early Childhood Consultation Partnership. This statewide mental health consultation program allowed Mary to integrate her deep knowledge of child development, family engagement, and caregiver support to enhance the social and emotional well-being of children birth to five. Her professional roles have spanned the many facets of early childhood work—high-quality education, developmental guidance, early intervention, and community collaboration.

In 2012, Mary returned to UConn in a new capacity, joining UConn Stamford as a lecturer and program coordinator for the new Early Childhood Specializations (ECS) on that campus. Historically offered only in Storrs, Mary launched the specialization in Stamford to expand access and respond to the need for highly prepared early childhood professionals in Fairfield County. After a decade of supporting, shaping, and growing the Stamford program, Mary transitioned back to Storrs in Fall 2022, where she continues to serve as faculty in HDFS.

Since rejoining the Storrs campus, Mary has devoted much of her work to strengthening the ECS program and reaching as many students as possible who might want careers working with young children and families. Through these efforts she has brought recognition to the program and to the department’s broader initiatives. She plays a key role in coordinating program activities, advising and mentoring students, and supporting the structures that help ECS thrive. Mary has also contributed deeply to the ECS national accreditation efforts, helping to align curricula, gather data, and document program quality. She approaches this work as part of her commitment to supporting colleagues, improving student experiences, and ensuring that future early childhood professionals receive the intentional, high-quality preparation they deserve.

With a consistent passion for continued growth and learning, Mary regularly seeks opportunities at UConn and on a broader national level to strengthen her teaching, deepen her understanding of early childhood policy and advocacy, and remain responsive to the evolving needs of the field. She believes that early childhood professionals must be open to continuous learning to best support young children and families, a belief that fuels her dedication to preparing emerging early childhood professionals year after year.

Mary lives with her husband, two young sons, and their dog, Nico, just over the state line in Longmeadow, MA. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys time with family, creating a comfortable home, and diving into her many interests, including reading, running, DIY projects, cooking and baking, organizing, and dreaming up future travel adventures to see as many parts of the country/world as possible.