Isaac T. Petersen, Ph.D.
Title/Position
Principal Investigator
Dr. Isaac T. Petersen is interested in how children develop individual differences in adjustment, including behavior problems as well as competencies. He is particularly interested in the development of externalizing behavior problems and underlying self-regulation difficulties. Dr. Petersen's primary research interests include how children develop self-regulation as a function of bio-psycho-social processes including brain functioning, genetics, parenting, temperament, language, and sleep, and how self-regulation in turn influences adjustment and school readiness. A special emphasis of his work examines the neural development underlying the development of self-regulation, school readiness, and externalizing problems, with measures of electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs). He is also interested in ways to measure change over lengthy spans of development using different measures over time to account for changes in how constructs manifest with development (i.e., heterotypic continuity).
Graduate Students
Zachary Demko, B.A.
Title/Position
Graduate Student
Zachary Demko received his B.A. in Psychology and French from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Upon graduation, he worked as a post-baccalaureate research fellow for Dr. Brenda Curtis at the National Institute on Drugs and Addiction on projects related to psychometrics and biopsychosocial factors underlying disinhibition. His current research is focused on assessing psychopathology across development and elucidating its basic mechanisms.
Jordan L. Harris, M.A.
Title/Position
Graduate Student
Jordan L. Harris received his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Upon graduation he worked as a full-time project coordinator on NIH-funded research. These projects focused broadly on evidence-based assessments and the integration of technology (i.e., smartphone apps and smartwatches) to increase skill knowledge and acquisition, specifically for parents and children with externalizing problems. His current research is focused primarily on elucidating developmental trajectories and assessing risk factors for specific, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, as well as general dimensions of psychopathology (i.e., p factor) in children and adolescents.
Alexis Hosch, M.A.
Title/Position
Graduate Student
Alexis Hosch received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Upon graduation, she worked as a full-time lab manager for Dr. Haley Vlach on projects examining mechanisms underlying children's learning. Her current research is focused on the interaction of biological (e.g., N2 and P3 ERP components) and environmental factors on the development of self-regulation and externalizing behavior in early childhood.
Lab Staff
Giovanni Longino, B.A.
Title/Position
Lab Coordinator
Gio received his B.A. in Psychological Sciences and B.A. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). At UCI, Gio worked with Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman examining how the justice system impacted young people. Gio is particularly interested in studying the development and course of psychopathic tendencies (e.g., callous-unemotional tendencies) as they relate to externalizing problems (e.g., aggression, delinquency) among children and adolescents. Gio plans to pursue a PhD in either Clinical or Developmental Psychology.
Johanna Caskey, B.A.
Title/Position
Research Technician
Johanna Caskey earned her B.A. Degree in Psychology from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Johanna worked with Dr. R Brooke Lea in his cognitive psychology eye-tracking lab examining mechanisms of language processing, attentional control, and text comprehension. She plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology with hopes to study children and family psychology. Johanna’s particular interests lie in the relationships between family systems, parenting strategies, attachment style, emotional development, and self-regulation.
Research Assistants
Lexi Andersen
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Lexi is a second-year student at the university majoring in psychology with a minor in criminology. She plans to further her psychology studies in clinical or counseling psychology in the future.
Mackenzie Becker
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Mackenzie Becker is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Human Relations. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to further her education and obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Sophia Conard
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Sophia Conard is a third-year student at the University of Iowa majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Relations. After graduation, Sophia plans to attend graduate school to obtain her master's degree with the goal of becoming a counselor.
Charlie Duffy
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Charlie Duffy is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in both Psychology and Theatre Arts. After graduation, Charlie plans on pursuing his PhD in clinical psychology and continuing his career in research.
Madeline Ephraim
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Madeline Ephraim is a third year at Iowa pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Statistics. After completing her undergraduate degree, Madeline plans to continue her education and obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Jordyn Gustafson
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Jordyn is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to continue her education by attending graduate school to pursue a career in counseling.
Emma Hunter
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Emma Hunter is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in counseling.
Mallika Huynh
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Mallika Huynh is a fourth-year undergraduate completing a BS in Psychology and Sociology. Post undergrad, Mallika plans on pursuing a PhD in Organizational Behavior.
Anika Jain
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Anika Jain is pursuing a B.A. in Marketing and Management, and my B.S. in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to obtain her doctorate in psychology and stay in academia.
Emily Kelly
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Emily Kelly is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Art. After graduation, Emily plans to obtain her PhD in Cognitive Psychology and continue her career in research.
Tatum Koch
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Tatum is currently a third year majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Relations and Lifestyle Medicine. After undergraduate Tatum plans to attend a graduate program and go on to work in a clinical setting in the future.
Reese Lieser
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Reese Lieser is a second year at Iowa majoring in Psychology and pursuing a certificate in Resilience and Trauma Informed Perspectives. After graduating undergrad, Reese plans on earning her master's in social work with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Stella Mesch
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Stella Mesch is a third-year student at the University of Iowa majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Relations. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to continue her education in an undecided field of psychology.
Anya Nanjappa
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Anya Nanjappa is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology at the University of Iowa. In the future, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in child psychiatry or pediatrics. Anya enjoys playing golf and piano and is a member of the Dean of Students Advisory Board.
Connor Roberts
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Connor Roberts is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. After completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to pursue his PhD in clinical psychology.
Cayde Schmedding
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Cayde Schmedding is a second-year student majoring in psychology. After completing his undergraduate education, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry.
Maya Shelangoski
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Maya is a second-year undergraduate studying Psychology and Counseling and Behavioral Health Services. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Counseling.
Julia Sillman
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Julia Sillman is a second-year student majoring in Psychology and Political science with a minor in Spanish. After graduation, she plans to further her education in an undecided field of psychology.
Hannah Thomsen
Title/Position
Research Assistant
Undergraduate Student
Hannah Thomsen is a third year at Iowa pursuing a B.S. in both Psychology and Sociology. After completing her undergraduate degrees, Hannah plans to obtain a doctorate in either clinical or counseling psychology.