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 fourth-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 third-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, MA, is a fourth-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
ERIN TODD, bs - Researcher
Erin got her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and recently moved to Denver. For the next few years, she plans to explore the world of developmental psychology and eventually wants to apply to PhD programs in clinical psychology to further her knowledge in her research areas of interest: Developmental psychopathology and treatment resistant anxiety in youth and beyond. In her free time, Erin enjoys rock climbing, exploring Colorado, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Joey.
Tessa Benefield, BS - Researcher
Tessa is a Research Assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She received her Bachelor's degree in Family and Child Studies from the University of New Mexico, and worked as a Behavioral Therapist with autistic children after moving to Denver. In the future, Tessa plans to peruse a PhD in Clinical Psychology to pioneer new research with infants and their caregivers. In her free time, she enjoys doing yoga, hiking with her dog, and spending time in the mountains.
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.
Emily lorry, ma - Researcher
Emily is a recent graduate from the University of Denver MA in Sport and Performance Psychology program. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors and Distinction in Psychology from Connecticut College. She is interested in pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology to support her long-term goal of becoming a licensed Psychologist. She joined the Care Project team to develop her clinical and research skills. In her free time, you will find her exploring all of Denver’s cafes, training for her upcoming marathon, and spending time with her friends!
Ali Argo, BA - ResearcheR
Ali is a Research Assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She received her Bachelor's degree in Communications from UCLA and is now pursuing an MA in International Disaster Psychology here at the University of Denver. In the future, Ali plans to peruse a PsyD in Clinical Psychology to become a clinician while remaining a lifelong learner and researcher. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga, watching live music, cooking, reading and spending time with the people in her life.
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.
Keely Wright - RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Keely is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a third year from Overland Park, KS and is majoring in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry and a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience. She is interested in learning more about the connection between biology and psychology and is excited to assist the Care Project with the collection of this data. Outside of the lab, Keely is a nanny and a barista at the on-campus coffee shop. She also loves to ski, do puzzles, and hang out with her friends.
CRYSTAL ROJAS CARBAJAL - Research assistant
Crystal is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a third year from Fort Lupton, CO and is majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience and a double minor in Biological Sciences and Criminology. She is interested in learning more about the effects early childhood experiences have on brain development. Outside of the lab, Crystal is a housekeeper and a tutor. She also loves to hike, create stationary items, and hang out with her friends.
bernadetta owusu - Research assistant
Bernadetta is an undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is a Fourth year from Denver, CO and is majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience and minors in Biology and Leadership Studies. She is interested in learning more about the connection between Child Development and Cognition and is excited to assist the Care Project with the collection of this data. Outside of the lab, Bernadetta is a Behavioral Health Technician and a customer service representative in DU’s registrar’s office. She also loves to play tennis, read books, and hang out with her friends.
MAYA SIFUENTES - Research assistant
Maya is an enthusiastic undergraduate research assistant for the Care Project at the University of Denver. She is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in wellness and focusing on cognitive studies. Maya is passionate about child cognitive development and sensory integration and aims to make meaningful contributions to child psychology. She is dedicated to supporting the Care Project's mission and eagerly assists in the lab's data collection efforts. Outside the lab, Maya enjoys listening to music, reading, writing, and spending quality time with her friends & family
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!