The team

I am a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange at Cornell University. I am also co-founder of Purpose Commons - the sister organization to PSiX - aiming to translate the science of purpose for the greater good.

My research focuses primarily on sense of purpose, with an emphasis on investigating its role in everyday experience and adjustment of young people. My work leverages developmental science and translational approaches, and I care deeply about integrating scientific methods with meaningful community-engagement to produce insights that advance knowledge and benefit people.

I am a PhD candidate in Developmental Psychology at Cornell University. My research mainly focuses on the role of control-related processes on the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology. Similarly, I am interested in better understanding the nature in which the interplay of specific cognitive and psychological processes may contribute to or hinder well-being.

Prior to my work at Cornell, I received my Master of Science in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University. At these placements, I primarily studied the role of psychological factors on the etiology of psychopathology in adolescents. My overall aim is to utilize my research on the interplay of stress and psychological resources to explore translational paths in which individuals may better understand how to optimally navigate specific contexts.

I am a third-year PhD student in Human Development within the Department of Psychology. I hold a B.S. in Psychology from Haverford College and, prior to coming to Cornell, I worked for two years as the Science Associate at the Society for Research in Child Development, where I managed the application and review process for grants and awards.

My research interests center around the development of a sense of purpose in life during adolescence and downstream health and well-being outcomes. I am especially interested in the relationship between narrative identity and purpose, exploring how individuals make meaning from life experiences, social context, and environmental affordances to inform a sense of future direction. In my free time, I love making pottery, running, cooking, and being outdoors!

I am a senior majoring in Human Development with minors in Business and Health Policy Studies. My interests include the intersection of psychology, business, and public policy, harnessing insights from human behavior and decision-making to improve the lives of others and drive success in organizational contexts. In addition to working as a research assistant, I am a Project Manager and Global Director of Consulting for TAMID, Vice President of Culture & Engagement for Professional Development of Women, and a Human Ecology Ambassador.

As a student driven to learn about the understanding of human behavior and thinking that leads people to make certain life choices pertaining to purpose and identity, I am eager to use my prior experiences and skills to contribute to research in this field.

I am a junior majoring in Human Development with a minor in Art. My academic interests center on the development of purpose and its connection to identity formation. I am passionate about helping adolescents build the knowledge needed to reflect on what they want to dedicate their lives to in ways that align with their personal strengths. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family back home, running with friends, playing pickleball, and reading bildungsroman novels.

I am a junior in Arts and Science majoring in Psychology. I am interested in going into clinical psychology post graduation and working with children and youth. In the lab, I am working on the Social Influence study examining the effects of purpose on social influence. Outside of the lab, I am passionate about advocating for better mental health resources and supporting clubs on campus, such as EARS, that offer services to improve students’ mental health. In my free time, I like to workout, play volleyball, and work as a barista.

I am a junior studying Human Development. My main interests center around developmental psychology with an emphasis on adolescent development across a range of contexts including law, mental health, and social media. On campus, I am Vice President of Outreach for Cornell Minds Matter, a member of the Cornell Ballet Club, and a Human Ecology Ambassador. After graduation, I am planning to pursue graduate studies in the field of psychology.

I am a senior majoring in Human Development at Cornell University. My research interests center on understanding psychological processes that contribute to individual differences in mental health and well-being, particularly factors that may be modifiable through intervention.

In the Purpose and Identity Processes Lab, I am conducting an independent project examining how a brief reflection intervention influences perceived control, stress, motivation, and state purpose. More broadly, I am interested in how purpose, perceived control, and other psychological resources may inform interventions designed to improve and sustain better mental health outcomes.