Our Team

 

Principal investigators

 

elysia poggi davis, phd

Dr. Elysia Poggi Davis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver. She received her PhD in Developmental Psychobiology at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota and completed a postdoctoral fellowship as the University of California, Irvine. The multidisciplinary research that is conducted in her lab examines biological and social/behavioral processes in human pregnancy and in fetal, infant, child and adolescent development. This research addresses a major health issue involving the role of early experiences in determining the risk for health and disease across the lifespan. Specifically, her program of research evaluates the way that prenatal exposure to maternal psychosocial stress and stress hormones are incorporated into the developmental program and the influence this has on adaptation to the postnatal world.

Benjamin Hankin, PhD

Dr. Benjamin Hankin is a developmental psychopathologist interested in understanding the etiology, ontogeny, trajectories and patterning of depression over the lifespan, especially in children and adolescents. In particular, he has sought to understand and advance knowledge in three fundamental areas: 1) accurate and appropriate description, structure and classification of depression and co-occurring disorders, 2) etiological vulnerabilities and mechanisms underlying the development of depression and the specificity of these risks for prediction of depression versus co-occurring disorders, and 3) the emergence of sex differences in depression and explanations for why more girls are depressed than boys.

Jennalee R Doom, PhD

Dr. Jenalee Doom is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Denver. She completed her PhD at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development and her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the biological and behavioral mechanisms by which prenatal and childhood stressors, such as violence and poverty, influence mental and physical health across the lifespan. She examines the interactions between family risk and protective factors, including nutrition, neighborhood and interpersonal violence, and the quality of social relationships, which is crucial for creating interventions that promote resilience.

 
 

Postdoctoral fellows

 

sarah perzow, phd - Momcare provider

Sarah Perzow is a postdoctoral fellow and MomCare provider for the Care Project. She is a Colorado native and has returned home after completing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Penn State University and internship at the University of Michigan's University Center for the Child and Family. Dr. Perzow has experience providing clinical care for children, adolescents, and adults facing a variety of life stressors and mental health difficulties, and is passionate about supporting women through pregnancy. In her free time Sarah loves outdoor adventures, cooking, and live music.

 

lillybelle Deer, phd - research fellow

LillyBelle Deer is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Denver. She is from Honolulu, Hawai’i and completed her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at the University of California, Davis. LillyBelle has experience working with children from infancy through adolescence. Outside of her work, she enjoys hiking, exploring Colorado, and playing with her dogs.

 

sarah curci, phd - research fellow

Sarah Curci is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Denver/CU Anschutz. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Arizona State University and completed her internship in pediatric psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital/The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding how early life experiences shape lifelong health and aims to identify resilience factors that promote positive mental health for parents and young children facing stressful circumstances during the first few years of life, such as poverty, immigration, or medical illness. As a clinician, Sarah has experience delivering evidence-based treatment across diverse perinatal and pediatric healthcare settings. In her free time, Sarah enjoys running and being outside, trying new recipes, and spending time with family and friends.

catherine demers, phd - momcare provider

Catherine Demers is a MomCare provider and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Denver. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and completed internship at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Denver. Catherine has experience in working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety or reactions to significant life stressors using many evidence-based treatment approaches. In her free time, Catherine really enjoys photography and capturing candid moments of family and friends.

 

Emily Melnick, phd - research fellow

Emily Melnick is a postdoctoral fellow with the Care Project. She completed her M.P.H. in Public Health Nutrition at The Colorado School of Public Health and her Ph.D. in Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver. Emily has experience working with young children in childcare settings to improve dietary and physical activity behaviors, and conducting research focused on maternal and child health. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her family and completing crossword puzzles.

anna zhou, phd - research fellow

Anna Zhou is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Denver. She completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Penn State University. Anna has experience working with mothers across the perinatal period as well as experience working with children from infancy to adolescence. Her research focuses on understanding which children may be at higher risk for developing anxiety and depression, and identifying possible targets for intervention. In her free time, Anna enjoys baking, gardening, and exploring Colorado with her family.

 

Graduate Students

 

özlü aran, ms - Graduate student, developmental

Özlü is a fifth-year Developmental Psychology doctoral student at the University of Denver. Before joining the Care Project, she completed studies in her home country, Turkey. She has been working with mothers and babies in a research context for 5+ years and enjoys the cultural diversity her work provides her. You may meet her if you have an in-person infant visit at DU. In her free time, Özlü enjoys exploring Colorado, trying new food, making travel plans, and watching independent movies.

 

Melissa nevarez-brewster, MA - graduate student, developmental

Melissa Nevarez Brewster is a fifth-year Developmental Psychology graduate student at the University of Denver. She completed her BA at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is interested in learning more about prenatal maternal and infant sleep patterns, as well as the potential effects of prenatal depression on infant health and neurodevelopment. When she is not in the lab, Melissa enjoys baking, hiking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, and cuddling her puppy, Ender.

 

Megan maxwell, bA - graduate student, clinical

Megan Maxwell is currently a first-year graduate student in the University of Denver's Clinical Psychology PhD program. She graduated with a bachelor's from Washington University in St. Louis majoring in both Psychology and Art History. After undergrad, she worked as a research coordinator at Chapman University and Florida International University. Her current research interests are in early life adversity, maternal mental health, and early childhood development.  In the future, she would love to be a professor in an academic medical center integrating both research and practice. In her free time, Megan enjoys thrifting, reading, playing ping-pong, and learning to bake.

Ella-Marie HENNESSEY, MA - Graduate student, clinical

Ella Hennessey is a fourth-year clinical psychology graduate student at the University of Denver. She earned her Master's in Counseling Psychology from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She is particularly interested in anxiety, stress, and infant cognitive development. In her free time, Ella enjoys pretending she is on the Great British Baking Show, listening to BTS, watching tennis, and exploring Denver.

 

Kenia Rivera, MA - Graduate Student, Developmental

Kenia Rivera is a sixth-year developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of Denver. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Her research interest focuses on how stress and early adversities influence mental and physical health through the lifespan. She is particularly interested in examining the biological and behavioral pathways of how stress influences health and development. When she is not in the lab, Kenia enjoys readings, drawing, and taking dance lessons.

 

gilly acedo, bS - graduate student, developmental

Gilly Acedo is a first-year developmental psychology graduate student working with Dr. Doom. She earned a BA in English from University of California, Irvine in 2011 and graduated from California State University San Marcos with her MA of Psychological Science in 2020, where her thesis investigated inflammation and depressive symptoms in preschoolers. Her research continues to focus on developmental psychopathology and physiological correlates, particularly examining the biological mechanisms underpinning the association between mental health disorders and stress responses in children and adolescents, with hopes of contributing to early identification, prevention, and informed care for those at risk. As a native Californian, she loves the beach, spending time with family and friends outdoors on hikes and camping trips, and crafting with her cat, Mowgli.

 

Staff

 

CLAIRE FISHER, MPH - Researcher

Claire joined the Care Project in July 2024 after making her first big move from her hometown of Chicago to Denver. She worked at Northwestern University for four years, most recently on a study of epigenetic changes during pregnancy related to socioeconomic and interpersonal stressors and subsequent child development. She received her Master of Public Health degree in 2023 from Northwestern University, and she is excited to continue working on a research project dedicated to understanding the longitudinal relationship between health in pregnancy and child outcomes. She is excited to hike and ski more in Colorado and spends her free time playing guitar, going to concerts, and trying new crafts.

 

Elizabeth viveiros, BS - Researcher

Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus in Life Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University in 2025. Originally from Massachusetts, she joined the Care Project because of her love for research and passion for making a difference in women’s health. Elizabeth plans to attend graduate school in the future with a research focus on how cognitive processes and social contexts shape perceptions of environmental solutions and well-being. In her free time, you can find Elizabeth exploring the Colorado Rocky Mountains, reading, and enjoying live music.

 

eve halterman, BS - Researcher

Eve grew up in Denver and is a DU alumna with both her MBA and BA (in psychology).  Most of her career was spent in consultative qualitative research for boutique and global agencies in a wide range of industries for clients like Best Buy, Carhartt, Cuisinart, Google, LEGO, Merck, Ulta, Weber, Western Union, and Wing Stop.  She has near-native fluency in Spanish from in-country immersion as a youth and time living and working in Latin America as an adult.  She also taught Spanish language for many years in an adjunct faculty role and has completed hundreds of written translations for business, research, and healthcare.  Eve is committed to working with the local Spanish-speaking community, having served as a behavioral health researcher at Kaiser Permanente, as Director of Multicultural Initiatives for the Colorado Alzheimer’s Association, and as a bilingual researcher on other DU psychology studies.  Outside of work, Eve enjoys gardening, listening to true crime podcasts, and traveling.

 

Izzie Le, BS - ResearcheR

Izzie, some might know as Thu, graduated with a B.S in Psychology from Denison University in Ohio. She plans to learn more about sleep and developmental psychology with CARE and SLUMBER. In her free time, she loves staying in the kitchen cooking or baking. She also loves exploring cafe shops in Denver. 

 
 
 

Volunteers

 

Daisy EDWARDS - Research assistant

Daisy is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a third year from Nashville, TN and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Mental Health & Wellness. She is interested in the connections between the environmental and biological factors and their correlation to behavioral outcomes in children and is delighted to be helping the Care Project find more in this field. In her free time, Daisy loves to spend her time reading, painting, crafting, and watching movies. She also loves to cook and works in a bagel shop. 

Maddie heiberg - RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Maddie is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a second-year student from Denver, CO, majoring in Psychology. She is interested in learning how to better support children in their developmental journeys and is excited to contribute to research that deepens our understanding of child health and well-being. In her free time, Maddie enjoys rock climbing, spending time outdoors, babysitting, hanging out with friends, and playing with her bulldog.

ashley quezada flores - Research assistant

Ashley is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a third year from Thornton, CO and is majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Chinese. She is on the pre-medical track, and is interested in neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder. Outside of the lab, Ashley is the President of PODER, a phlebotomist, and an advocate for Autism Acceptance. She loves playing the flute, going to concerts, and traveling

 

mafer gonzales - Research assistant

Mafer Gonzales is immersed in a demanding academic journey, pursuing a double major in Biology and Psychology, with a focused concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience. Her commitment extends further with minors in Chemistry and Accounting, showcasing a broad interdisciplinary approach to her studies. Beyond academics, Mafer is actively involved as a Research Assistant and a member of the E-STEM program.  She balances her studies with practical experience as a caregiver, offering support in the lab and assisting wherever needed. Driven by a deep passion for neuroscience, interdisciplinary science, and the acquisition of new skills, Mafer embraces diverse fields of study. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she finds joy in spending time with friends, admiring sunsets, and enjoying the outdoors.

agnes kilroy - Research assistant

Agnes Kilroy is an undergraduate Research Assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a first-year student from New Orleans, LA, majoring in psychology. She is interested in developmental psychology and how environmental and genetic factors impact the mind and behavior of children. She is delighted to assist the care project in researching the development of mothers and their children. Outside of the Lab, Agnes enjoys sewing, crocheting, knitting, and making most kinds of art. She has years of childcare experience by way of babysitting and caring for her niece and nephews. 

laura benton - Research assistant

Laura is a current 4th year undergrad research assistant for The Slumber Study and The Care Project at the University of Denver. She was born in Mexico and raised in Colorado where she enlisted and served in the U. S. Navy 9 years. Laura is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She is interested in learning more about complex trauma and the correlation between the behavioral outcome in children. Laura loves spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.

 

alyssa wilson - Research assistant

Alyssa is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a third year from Pennsylvania and is majoring in Biology on a pre-med track. She is interested in learning more about the connection between biology and psychology and is excited to assist the Care Project with these interactions. Outside of the lab, Alyssa is the Secretary of her club gymnastics team here at DU and apart of E-STEM and of many other extracurriculars on campus. She also loves to hang out with friends, watch movies, listen to music and read!