Dr. Hoyt’s work is situated at the intersection of developmental psychology and population health. She investigates how biological processes, psychological experiences, and social contexts interact during youth to influence lifelong health trajectories and health disparities. Specifically, she studies these dynamic factors across two key developmental transitions: from childhood to adolescence (puberty), and from adolescence to adulthood (emerging adulthood). These transitions represent critical turning points in the life course, windows of opportunity to alter behaviors, attitudes, and environments, which could lead to long-term changes in health and well-being. 

The 3D Lab includes PhD students in the Applied Developmental Psychology doctoral program at Fordham University.

Jasmine is currently a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Applied Developmental Psychology Doctoral program at Fordham University. She received her B.A. in psychology from San Francisco State University and her M.A. in applied psychology from NYU. Her research is centered on understanding and supporting the civic and identity development of Black women and girls as they navigate intersecting systems of oppression while cultivating identity, well-being, and civic agency. Grounded in qualitative and mixed methods, her work centers the voices and experiences of marginalized communities and advances psychology that is both rigorous and justice-oriented. 

Projects: C19 College Project; BGRR

 Jiwoon Bae is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Applied Developmental Psychology Doctoral program at Fordham University. He received his B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests include exploring individual, social, and broader ecological factors to promote resilience among Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth and young adults in under-resourced environments. Specifically, he is interested in how contextual and sociocultural factors influence their responses to adversity. His recent line of work focuses on the sociocultural influences underlying alcohol use and suicidality among AANHPI youth and young adults. He hopes that his program of research will ultimately help AANHPI youth and young adults to identify optimal coping methods while taking into account contextual (e.g., social and organizational environments) and sociocultural (e.g., ethnic-racial identity, Asian values) factors in promoting positive health outcomes.

Projects: 3E Study

Angelica is a third-year student in the Applied Developmental Psychology PhD Program. Her research focuses on identifying risk and protective factors that shape the college experiences of emerging adults and nontraditional students facing diverse challenges. I aim to conduct research and design programming that centers student needs and resilience, with the goal of informing practices that promote student well-being, equity, and overall college success.

Projects: 3E Study

Frankie Osso is a post-bacc research assistant who majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology and Disability Studies. During his senior year at Fordham, Frankie along with his classmates in Dr. Hoyt’s YPAR course partnered with students of All Hallows High School to conduct a YPAR project. This year, Frankie will be assisting Dr. Hoyt with her new class of YPAR students and prepare a manuscript together on his cohort’s findings. Frankie’s research interests includes psychopathological and psychosocial outcomes of family caregivers.

Projects: YPAR

Giovanna is the lab manager for the 3D Lab and project coordinator for the 3E Study. She is interested in community engaged and participatory research with adolescents and emerging adults. Her research interests also include wellbeing in the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood as well as addressing disparities in mental health. In the future, Giovanna plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. 

Projects: 3E Study, YPAR, Election Study

Sade is a recent graduate, interested in the Clinical and Counseling side of Psychology, more specifically in relation to youth and adolescents. Sade is currently TA’ing for Dr. Hoyt’s YPAR class and assisting on the REST study. Sade is currently working on a manuscript on her independent study on youth engagement in self-injury and related factors, as well as aiding Dr. Andover on her study on the display of information and misinformation about BPD on TikTok. .

Projects: Election Study, YPAR, REST Study

Leslie is a fourth year undergraduate student at Fordham University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She is passionate about direct community engagement and nonprofit work, focusing on increasing access to resources for underrepresented communities. Leslie's interests include exploring how systemic inequities affect the mental health and educational outcomes of children and adolescents, and she aims to advocate for more equitable support and opportunities.

Projects: 3E/REST Study, Election Study, DHR, 

Nia is an undergraduate student in psychology at Fordham University on the teaching track, specializing in Special Education. Her passion lies in exploring the workings of creating positive self-identity, especially among black youth. She uses her fervor to fuel her as she works with the students in a local public Middle School as an after-school group leader and nurtures the young black minds of the Boys Room program as a Book Club facilitator. Though her yearning for answers has led her to academic spaces beyond her home in Jamaica, such as Costa Rica and now New York, her life's purpose still lies in the social development of her home island. 

Projects: 3E Study, Election Study

Fordham Undergraduate Senior

Gianna is an undergraduate student at Fordham College at Rose Hill, majoring in psychology and minoring in bioethics and business administration. She aspires to work as a sports psychologist and work with professional athletes to ensure their mental health needs are met. She is the Co-chair of the Student Alumni Ambassador and a Student Athletic Training Aide with the Fordham Football Team. 

Projects: Black Girls Routine Resistance (BGRR), 3E/REST Study

Fordham Undergraduate Senior

Ayya Omar is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Arabic. She serves as the Co-President of the Psychology Club and a Community Advisory Board member for the Fordham University Sleep Study (FUSS). Her interests center on working directly with youth and adolescents, particularly within neurodivergent and Arab/Middle Eastern communities.

Projects: YPAR, 3E/REST Study, Election Study

Stephania is an undergraduate senior double majoring in Psychology and Political Science, with a strong passion for exploring the intersection of behavioral health and multiculturalism in adolescence. Her research interests include behavioral medicine and health psychology across diverse populations, with a particular focus on inpatient pediatric populations, family dynamics in high-risk groups, adolescent resilience, and the vital role of public health and social justice. Outside the lab, Stephania contributes to the Pediatric Health and Behavior Lab under Dr. Rachel Annunziato, The Loddenkemper Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital under Dr. Tobias Loddenkemper and serves as a Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line, offering support to those in need. In her free time, Stephania enjoys watching theater performances on Broadway, strolling through the Botanical Gardens with friends, and experimenting with baking  recipes in the kitchen.

Project: Election Study, DHR Project

Ashley is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology with an interest in neuroscience research. Her aim is to become a neuropsychologist with a specialization in adolescent neuropsychology, researching how the environment influences the development of mental disorders. Outside of the lab, she is probably in her kitchen cooking up a feast. 

Projects: YPAR, DHR Project

Daniel Perez is a junior at Fordham University, majoring in General Science with a minor in Urban Studies and Public Health on the pre-med track. He completed a summer internship at Pfizer in the Chief Medical Office, working on operational efficiency projects, stakeholder survey analyses, and drug development initiatives. He serves as a tutor-counselor for Fordham STEP/CSTEP and is beginning research assistant work in Fordham’s 3D Lab on the NIH-funded 3E Study. A first-generation science student from the Bronx, with a strong understanding of urban culture, and ways to bridge urban culture/history with a better understanding of health and medicine. He hopes to go into the industry side of healthcare and eventually obtain an MPH & PhD in Public Health.

Projects: 3E Study, DHR Project

Mhya Tejada is a junior majoring in Psychology on the pre-health track. She aspires to become a child psychiatrist, combining her interests in medicine, mental health, and developmental psychology. Her research passions focus on the intersection of child and adolescent development, cultural identity, and health disparities in underserved communities. Outside of the 3D Lab, Mhya works as a tutor and counselor for Fordham STEP/CSTEP programs. Through her future career, Mhya hopes to integrate patient care, clinical research, and community engagement to advance accessible and equitable mental health services for children and families.

Projects: YPAR, 3E Study

Samantha is an undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences on the Pre-Health track. She aspires to become a medical doctor in the future focusing on the intersection of physical and mental health of Black women who are often neglected in health settings. Outside of the 3D lab, she works as an Office Assistant at Fordham College Dean’s Office and is an GMU ambassador for the skin care company, Good Molecules.

Projects: Black Girls Routine Resistance (BGRR)

3E Study