Kind Lab
Research Team
Director
Lab Manager
Megan Himes
Hi, I'm Megan Himes, the KiND Lab Manager. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology from Arcadia University in 2016 and then completed my master’s in Experimental Psychology at Villanova University in 2018. Since 2019, I’ve had the privilege of working with Dr. Lauren White, focusing on understanding the risk and resilience factors of mental health through an intergenerational perspective. In my current role, I oversee all intergenerational studies within the lab, manage databases, and train new lab members on our research procedures. Outside of work, I enjoy practicing yoga and reading.
Clinical Research Coordinators
Julia Katowitz
Hi, I’m Julia Katowitz and I am a Clinical Research Coordinator, and joined the KIND lab in the fall of 2025. I graduated with honors from Haverford College (Class of 24'), where I completed a senior thesis examining how parental affection and parent-child communication impact Asian American and white college students' well-being. For the past year, I have worked as a Montessori Preschool Teacher, and led the Extended Day program for 3-6 year olds.
I am interested in studying child development and education psychology, and hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical School Psychology. In my free time, I love to bake, go on hikes in the Wissahickon, and explore the Philly food scene!
Sara Leik
Hi, I'm Sara Leik and I am a Clinical Research Coordinator in the KiND Lab. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Temple University in the spring of 2026 with a B. A. in Psychology. I have previous experience as a clinic coordinator for Dr. Philip Kendall's Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic and pursued my research interests through the completion of two independent research projects. My interests lie in childhood anxiety, with a specific interest in juvenile justice and providing mental health resources to at-risk youth. I am excited to do more work in the field of child mental health and development and i'm eager to apply and expand my clinical and research skills. In my free time, I enjoy reading on my Kindle, doing crosswords, and finding new restaurants with friends!
Samra Bowser
Hi! My name is Samra, and I am a Clinical Research Coordinator. I joined KiND Lab in May 2026 after graduating from Temple University with my Masters of Science in Psychological Research. From working in a neurocognition lab throughout college, I developed an interest in pursuing research that could uncover differences in cognition and development to help improve treatment. I am excited to expand my research to developmental psychology and work in applied clinical settings. In my free time, I love photography, taking recreational dance classes, going on bike rides, and trying new kinds of art!
Norah Yao
Norah graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Music. She then earned her M.Ed. in Child Studies from Vanderbilt University, where she worked with Dr. Autumn Kujawa. Using a multimodal approach, she is interested in studying how early life adversity, including childhood maltreatment, influences the development of internalizing disorders in youth. She is also interested in improving emotion regulation skills in children and families to enhance resilience. In her free time, Norah enjoys playing the guitar and piano, going to concerts and venues, dancing, reading, and traveling! 
Graduate Research Assistants
Isabelle Kim, MSW
Isabelle is pursuing her PhD in Social Welfare at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice. She is interested in investigating intergenerational trauma among racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly how the somatization of psychological distress impacts experiences of mental health in one’s own life and across generations. Isabelle is working with Dr. White on various projects examining the intergenerational transmission of internalizing psychopathology among mothers and children.
Isabelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Studies and Psychology from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Social Work from Boston College where she earned a certificate in Neuroscience and Social Work. Prior to coming to Penn, Isabelle worked at Boston Children’s Hospital on a clinical research study examining neurodevelopmental outcomes after prolonged anesthetic exposure in early infancy.
In her free time, Isabelle enjoys running, baking, spending time with friends, and exploring new restaurants! She ran the Philly marathon last fall and plans to run it again this year.
Athena Gainey
Athena joins KiND Lab from the PASS Study Team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where she served as a Clinical Research Assistant/Community Health Partner.
Athena assisted in research for parent training interventions for families of children with ADHD. Prior to her role in PASS, she worked in mental health, health equity and identity formation research at Ursinus College and UNC Chapel Hill. She is passionate about advancing equitable health outcomes, intergenerational mental health, and is enthusiastic about continuing her career and education with the KiND Lab team.
Athena is also enrolled as a graduate student in the Graduate School of Education at University of Pennsylvania for counseling psychology with aims of working in child and family counseling.
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Undergraduate Research Assistants
Sara Ugbana
Hello! My name is Sara, and I joined the KiND Lab in the fall of 2024. I am in the Class of 2027 at Penn studying psychology and cognitive neuroscience, and I intend on pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology after I graduate. In my free time, I enjoy reading, doing puzzles, and playing the drums!
Grace Lee
Hi, my name is Grace Lee, and I joined the KiND Lab in the spring of 2025 as an undergraduate research assistant. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania studying Health & Societies on the pre-medical track. In my free time, I love fashion, writing, and running!
Evan Morris
Hello! I’m Evan Morris, an undergraduate research assistant in the KiND Lab and a rising junior at Auburn University majoring in Neuroscience. Outside the lab, you can usually find me writing short stories, experimenting with new recipes, or getting far too invested into a TV show.
Irelan Vasquez
Hi! My name is Irelan, and I joined the KiND Lab in Summer 2026. I am currently an
undergraduate student at Temple University studying Health Professions on the pre-
med track. I hope to become a pediatric physician, so the opportunity to work in the
KiND Lab is incredibly meaningful to me. I am excited to learn from the team, contribute
to research that supports children and families, and see where this experience takes
me. Outside of school and our lab, I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, and spending time
with family and friends!
Adria Gonzalez
Adria is a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania from Miami, Florida. She plans on majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Healthcare Management. After graduation, Adria plans on attending medical school and hopes to pursue neurology or psychiatry. In her free time, Adria enjoys reading and watching movies.
Madeleine Stokes
I am a Freshman at the University of Pennsylvania from Austin, Texas studying Neuroscience and Healthcare Management. In my free time, I enjoy running and swimming!
Angelina Chen
My name is Angelina Chen (Angie for short), and I am a rising junior at Haverford College majoring in Psychology. This summer, I am excited to join the KIND Lab as a Summer Researcher, with support from the Gertrude Heller Fund. I have a strong passion for working with children and education. In the past, I founded a small tutoring group that provided academic support to students from low-income families, helping make educational resources more accessible to those who needed them most. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy staying active at the gym, baking delicious desserts, spending time with friends, and watching fun reality police shows. I am looking forward to expanding my research experience this summer and contributing to the meaningful work being done in the KIND Lab.
Anna Preston
Hi, my name is Anna Preston, and I am an incoming junior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience. I am excited to be working in the KiND Lab as part of the CHOP Research Institute Summer Scholars Program (CRISSP)! I love working with children and am interested in researching anxiety in children on the Autism spectrum, with the goal of applying findings to create resources that improve their mental health and social-emotional regulation skills. Outside of doing research, I enjoy swimming, learning languages, and trying new places to eat in Philly while I’m here for the summer!
Daniel Ngiam
Hi, my name is Daniel, and I joined the KiND Lab in the fall of 2024 as an undergraduate research assistant. I’m a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania studying Neuroscience and Health Care Management & Policy. In my free time, I love to play guitar, doodle, and play tennis.
Hope Applegate
My name is Hope Applegate and I’m an undergraduate research assistant at the KiND Lab. I’m a part of the class of 2028 at the University of Pennsylvania, studying Psychology on the pre-medical track. In my free time I like to paint and cook.
Stephanie Oyelakin
Hello! My name is Stephanie Oyelakin, and I joined the KiND Lab as an undergraduate research assistant in Summer 2026. I am currently junior psychology major at Howard University. My future goal is to pursue a Doctorate level degree, fight for mental health awareness, and serve my community. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, music, and spending time with my family and friends!
Tamsin Gutierrez
Hello! My name is Tamsin and I joined the KiND Lab in the summer of 2025 through the CHOP-RISES program. I am excited to be back for the summer of 2026! I am currently a rising freshman majoring in psychology at Penn State! In my free time I enjoy baking, going out with friends, and spending time with my family!
Lab Alumni
Destiney Green
Hi! My name is Destiney Green and I worked and conducted research at the KiND Lab during Summer 2024 as an NIH CRISSP scholar at Penn Medicine and CHOP! I'm a junior at Duke University studying Cultural Anthropology with minors in Chemistry and Global Health. My research focuses on advancing maternal and child health by promoting trustful and responsive care, and patient-centered communication. In 2024, I researched how COVID-19 may have disrupted physician trust, impacting obstetric outcomes. In my free time I love to sit in nature and soak up the sun.
Josie Elwell
Hi! My name is Josie Elwell, and I worked as an undergraduate research assistant at the KiND Lab! I began working in the lab Fall of 2024. I was in the Class of 2025, studying Neuroscience and Nutrition in the College. In my free time, I enjoy swimming and exploring new places.
Charity Chu
My name is Charity Chu and I began working as a student research assistant at the KiND Lab during the fall of 2023. I am a member of the Class of 2026 at the University of Pennsylvania, where I am pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience. During my free time, I love to spend time with my cat.
Dominick Ciccotelli
Hi everyone, my name is Dominick Ciccotelli and I am an undergraduate research assistant in the KiND Lab focusing on father/secondary caregivers. I am currently a senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Biochemistry on the pre-medical track. In my free time, I love playing volleyball and taking walks around new neighborhoods in Philly!
Beza Mersiehazen
My name is Beza Mersiehazen, and I have been a student research assistant since Fall 2024. I am a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, studying Biology and Health and Societies. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and violin.
Jai Smith
Hello! My name is Jai Smith, and I joined the KiND Lab as an undergraduate research assistant in Summer 2025. I am currently a member of the University of Pennsylvania Class of 2026, majoring in Psychology. My future goal is to pursue an M.D. in psychiatry, with a passion for supporting athletes in their mental wellness. Outside of academics and research, I enjoy playing basketball, exploring new music, and discovering different foods.
Rachel Breon
I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Psychoanalytic Studies. I am primarily interest in how anxiety influences life decisions and can increase the risk of certain behaviors and thinking patterns, as well as the intersections between psychological research and criminal interventions. In the future, I hope to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and pursue a career as a psychologist within the government.
Gabriella Gusciora
My name is Gabriella Gusciora, and I am an undergraduate research assistant at the KiND Lab. I joined the lab in Spring 2025 and am currently a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Penn, majoring in Psychology. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and discovering new restaurants.