Gloria Oladeji is a first-year HDFS PhD student in the Health, Wellbeing, and Prevention specialization. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Education with a minor in Human Kinetics from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) in 2021, and completed her master’s degree in Kinesiology and Health at the University of Wyoming in 2025. At the University of Wyoming, Gloria examined how Nigeria’s food security interventions align with the United Nations’ best practices for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—a focus on ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.  She also contributed to mental health research, deepening her interest in the intersection between food security, mental health, and the social determinants of health. Beyond academics, Gloria is passionate about social impact and gender equity. She is the founder of The GLEA Network (The Gloriae Girls’ Empowerment and Advancement Network), a youth-led nonprofit advancing education, health, and empowerment for girls and women in underserved communities. One of her major projects before coming to the U.S. focused on supporting the mental health of young girls who were survivors of female genital mutilation by providing psychosocial care and community sensitization.

At UConn, Gloria hopes to explore research and community-based interventions that enhance food and nutrition security, promote physical wellbeing, and prevent chronic diseases across diverse populations while working with her advisor, Professor Kim Gans. She aims to merge her academic research with her social development experience—building evidence-based, sustainable interventions that advance health globally.

Originally from Oyo State, Nigeria, Gloria enjoys volunteering, exploring new foods, traveling, and spending time with her husband. She believes in purposeful living and finds joy in using her voice and research to create positive, lasting change.

Sampson Chinonso Ipiankama is a first-year HDFS PhD student specializing in adulthood, aging, and health. Before joining UConn, he served as the Research, Grants, and Sustainability Lead at Project PINK BLUE – Health & Psychological Trust Centre in Nigeria, leading national initiatives supported by organizations such as AstraZeneca, the Global Colon Cancer Association, the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS), the ACT Foundation, and From Testing to Targeted Treatments (FT3) to strengthen cancer control and patient-centered care across Nigeria.

At UConn, Sampson works with Dr. Keith Bellizzi to explore the psychosocial aspects of health and aging, focusing on resilience, adaptation to chronic illness, and cancer survivorship across the lifespan. He is particularly interested in applying emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to better understand these processes and enhance psychosocial care. Sampson’s long-term goal is to improve cancer survivorship outcomes through technology-driven, culturally responsive approaches.

Sampson was born and raised in Nigeria and brings a strong passion for global health equity to his work. Outside of academia, he enjoys volunteering, writing, mentoring young advocates, and spending time with his family. Sampson also loves storytelling and photography, which he uses to highlight resilience and hope in the cancer survivorship journey.

Graduate student Gloria Oladeji was selected as a fellow for the upcoming year in the Food and Nutrition Section of the American Public Health Association. This selection was made from a highly competitive pool of over 100 applicants. She was also elected as the Student Liaison for the upcoming year.

Anisiasunta Guzelides-DiCarlo

Anisiasunta Guzelides-DiCarlo is a first-year HDFS PhD student in the child and adolescent development specialization. She recently graduated with her M.S. in Psychology from Arizona State University. During her first year in the master’s program, she joined the Social Relationships and Health lab, where she centered her research on adverse childhood events, the parent-child dyad, and attachment theory. Over the following year, drawing from her personal experiences in the child welfare system, she refined her research interests on foster care placements, attachment theory, and sibling relationships—specifically speaking to the aftermath of placement disruptions. She is currently working on a manuscript related to this work. Additionally, while in the master’s program, she contributed to the Child and Adolescent Relationships and Emotions lab and Families in Transition Co-Lab, which helped her develop her skills in quantitative and qualitative research and deepened her passion for research.

At UConn, Anisiasunta is working with Dr. Preston Britner. As a doctoral student, she hopes to expand her research related to attachment theory, foster care, and sibling relationships. She aims to continue growing, learning, and evolving into a knowledgeable and solution-oriented professional who leads with passion. Her long-term goal is to conduct impactful research that influences policy for the child welfare system.

Anisiasunta is a proud Arizona native who misses home but is excited to explore a new state. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her husband and their cats, Jameson and Ginger.

Rebekah Hobbs (she/her) is a first-year HDFS PhD student. After graduating from Wellesley College in 2022 with a BA in Psychology and Spanish, Rebekah spent three years working as a Postgraduate Research Associate with Yale University. She spent her first year with the Yale site of the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Following that position, Rebekah spent two years as an RA with the Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative (MHI). While at the MHI, she assisted with the development and running of multiple clinical trials. Most notably, Rebekah was the Lead RA for Project SPACES, a study aimed at improving relationships and reducing stress among parents of LGBTQ children.

At UConn, Rebekah hopes to continue researching the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ young people working with her advisor, Dr. Ryan J Watson. More specifically, Rebekah is interested in how family dynamics such as sibling interactions and religious environments influence identity development and disparate mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people compared to their cisgender/heterosexual peers. Additionally, Rebekah is interested in continuing to develop family-based interventions for families with LGBTQ members.

Rebekah was born and raised in New Jersey, where she continues to visit family whenever possible. In her free time, Rebekah also enjoys singing in choirs, baking, outdoor rock climbing, and watching too much reality television.

Carly Prentiss is a first-year HDFS PhD student in the health, wellbeing, and prevention specialization. She recently graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU). Based on personal experiences and her time as a youth services coordinator, she developed an interest in how health behaviors and subsequent outcomes were often overlooked in their developmental process and significance to psychological health. Much of her undergraduate research centered around mental and physical health outcomes, such as fitness, weight, and nutritional wellness. As a member of ECSU’s Health & Human Performance Lab, she worked closely with peers to investigate physical health and its association with wellbeing in young adults. She was also a co-author in presenting the lab’s research at the New England Psychological Association’s annual conference . Additionally, she independently developed a research project to examine the association between proper nutrition and academic motivation in university students.

At UConn, Carly is working with Dr. Marlene Schwartz, where she plans to expand her research ideas regarding the effects of poor perceptions of weight and food quality. She hopes to gain valuable experience conducting and assisting with research at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. She looks forward to also developing new projects to better understand the developmental process of maladaptive health behaviors. Her long-term goal is to become a professor in developmental science. She aspires to create her own behavioral health lab, where students can build their niche curiosities, much like she did as an undergraduate student.

Carly is a Connecticut native and continues to appreciate the beauty and relaxing nature of the state. In her free time, she likes to go to concerts, watch true crime documentaries, and go on adventures with her friends.

Rashel Marrero

Rashel  Oliva Marrero is a dedicated HDFS major at UConn Stamford. During her time as an undergraduate student, she has embodied a passion for supporting and nurturing others at every stage of life. Rashel is committed to a holistic understanding of human well-being and is pursuing a dual degree in Public Administration, maintaining a strong GPA of 3.8. She aims to apply her studies in human development, equity, and leadership toward policy, communication, and community empowerment.

Rashel’s interest in leadership and public engagement has been deepened by her internships. Most notably, she completed an internship with The Campaign School at Yale Law School (TCSYale), a nonpartisan, issue-neutral training program whose mission is to increase the number and influence of women in elected and appointed office. Through this experience, Rashel gained firsthand insight into the intersection of gender equity, civic participation, and institutional leadership. In addition, she served as a Social Media Intern for different religious organizations, where she developed skills in content strategy, audience engagement, and digital storytelling. These roles allowed her to explore how to leverage online platforms for community impact, advocacy, and public education.

As she approaches graduation, Rashel continues to seek opportunities that integrate her academic training with her passion for building equitable systems, effective communication, and inclusive leadership.

Roselind is a passionate and dedicated first-generation academic who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Couples and Family Therapy. As a proud UConn alum, she earned her HDFS BA, with a minor in Women’s Studies, in 2015. She later obtained her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University in 2020.

With over 18 years of experience in the mental health field, including seven years as a mental health Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Roselind has committed her career to supporting and empowering individuals and families. Her research focuses on the reintegration of military service members into their families and communities, and she is a passionate advocate for racial equity and cultural inclusion.

As a skilled bilingual therapist, Roselind excels at connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds across all stages of life. She currently works in the Young Adult Services program at the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services while also managing her private practice, Blooming Wellness & Therapeutic Services, LLC. Roselind’s work reflects her unwavering commitment to healing, equity, and community impact.

Lydia O. Nyarko is a first-year HDFS master’s student working with Dr. Jolaade Kalinowski. Lydia earned her UConn BA in Global Health and Society with a minor in HDFS. As an undergraduate student, she explored health disparities and health equity. She became passionate about child health and community influences on child development. Lydia received a scholarship from the Hurley Gurley Foundation that funded her passion project titled Amplifying the voices of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community in Ghana.

As a graduate student, Lydia works with Dr. Kalinowski as a research assistant on her Stress Lab Project. Currently, Lydia is exploring mental health-seeking behaviors among women of color and young adults. She plans on applying multidisciplinary frameworks to inform mental health interventions, particularly for immigrant families. After completing her master’s, Lydia hopes to pursue a PhD in HDFS.

Lydia grew up in Ghana before moving to the US. While an undergraduate student, she studied abroad three times. Her longterm goal is to visit all the countries in the world. She enjoys vlogging her life.

Chizzy is an HDFS PhD student who first joined the program in 2023. He was born in Southeastern Nigeria and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, a medical degree from Igbinedion University, and a master’s degree in HDFS from the UConn. Before coming to UConn, Chizzy worked as a general medical practitioner in Nigeria and as a clinical instructor at St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada.

Chizzy’s interest in gerontology can be traced to his time working as a medical practitioner. During his clinical encounters with older patients, he often found these patients’ problems unique and misunderstood. These, plus an eagerness to work with his UConn advisor, Dr. Candi Nwakasi, drew him to UConn. His research centers focuses on psychosocial and sociocultural drivers of health, with a particular emphasis on cancer survivorship and cognitive health. As an aspiring academic, Chizzy hopes to champion efforts to modify the curriculum in the medical, allied, and other affiliated health sciences, toward an acceptance and normalization of a healthcare delivery model that is holistic and caters to the needs of all people irrespective of their age bracket.

Chizzy loves sports, mainly soccer and track and field events. He also enjoys watching TV shows, cooking, and gardening.