Maria LaRusso Maria was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor effective August, 2025! Maria LaRusso is a developmental psychologist and interdisciplinary scholar with research that integrates approaches from human development, psychology, health, education, and anthropology. However, her work has been most profoundly shaped by her training in Human Development, particularly the fundamental view of child […]

Marsha Polanco (‘02 BA HDFS)   Marsha Polanco graduated from UConn in 2002 with a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies. Her academic experiences at UConn provided a strong foundation that has guided both her professional endeavors and personal growth. Marsha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has dedicated over two decades to the […]

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 […]

Rebekah Hobbs 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. […]

Carly Prentiss 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 […]

Kari was promoted to Professor effective August, 2025! Dr. Kari Adamsons came to UConn 18 years ago, in 2007, following a fairly winding journey. She spent her first two years of college as an international relations major with a specialization in Russian foreign policy (which continues to come in dismayingly handy in recent years). However, […]

Terry Berthelot, MSW, JD Terry was promoted to Associate Professor-in-Residence effective August, 2025! Terry Berthelot joined the HDFS Department in 2016. Her research and advocacy efforts are primarily about access to healthcare for people who are sixty-five and older and for people living with disabilities. She received her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]