Human Development and Family Studies Lab Alumni Parent-Child Relationships and Well-Being Lab Alumni

Kelly Brown is a graduate student in the Masters of Social Work program at CSU. She earned her master’s of Education degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Montana State University. Kelly is interested in the psychological well-being of parents of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Outside of school, Kelly loves to spend her time hiking, reading, cooking, and traveling.

Sara is a student at the University of Denver working towards her Master in Forensic Psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology at the University of Texas at El Paso. Her current research interest is in traumatic brain injury in prison settings. Other research interests include the effects of healthy parent-child relationships in high-risk populations. Her clinical interests include domestic violence and family-oriented treatment. After graduation, she hopes to continue her education in a Ph.D. program to further her knowledge about behavioral neuroscience in at-risk populations. In her free time, she likes to binge-watch comedy specials and hang out with friends.

Amy Smith is a fourth year Ph.D. student in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. She earned her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU in 2018. Her research interests focus on how relationships influence development and how close relationships can be used to support positive health outcomes. After graduation, she hopes to continue pursuing her passions for teaching, applied research, and working with people. In her free time, she loves to travel, dance, read, crochet, and spend time with family and friends including her two guinea pigs (Marmalade and Hazelmaye).

Nicole Tarcha received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from CSU in 2019. Her research interests include successful aging throughout the lifespan, cultivating beneficial intergenerational relationships, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences throughout an individual’s lifetime. She is currently attending graduate school at CSU for her Masters of Social Work degree and plans to continue working on future research projects in order to benefit the Fort Collins community. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, hiking, painting, and running.

Alicia Zelaya Graduated from The University of Michigan-Dearborn with a bachelor’s degree in public health. Her current research interest are childhood adversities and the acquainting health impacts later in life, domestic violence against women and children and the impact on mental health, and mother and infant health. She is also currently a graduate student at Colorado State University pursuing a master’s in public health with a concentration in epidemiology. She plans to study nutritional related illnesses like obesity and diabetes in children and how this intersects with racial and environmental justices. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, practicing yoga, crafting, and catching up on Netflix shows.