Our Team

Thao Ha, Ph.D.

Director and Principal Investigator

Dr. Ha is a developmental psychologist and the director of the @HEART Lab. Her research explores how emerging technologies (including social media, AI, and VR) reshape adolescent romantic relationships at a time when love is at its most pure and vulnerable, yet profoundly formative in shaping lifelong love, relationship patterns, and mental health. By examining how young people navigate partner choices, relationship dynamics, and breakups within their broader social world, including peers, caregivers, and educators, Dr. Ha identifies key risk and resilience factors that influence well-being. Her work provides critical insights for designing tech-driven solutions, policies, and interventions that foster healthy relationships that flourish in both digital and physical spaces.

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Taren McGray, Ph.D., MPH.

Post-Doctoral Research Scholar

Dr. McGray (Dr. Mac) is a behavioral and social health scientist and the post-doctoral researcher in the @HEART lab. Her research examines the epidemiology and measurement of sexual and dating victimization in underrepresented global communities, particularly as emerging digital technologies alter the context of how harm is perpetrated and who experiences it. Dr. Mac is interested in how digital platforms are used in relationships; how social identities impact digital and in-person victimization; how that information can be used to guide programming, policy, and advocacy; and how network-oriented approaches can be engaged to reduce risk and foster healthier relationships.

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Olivia Maras, M.A.

Graduate Student

Olivia is a fifth year Developmental Psychology PhD student at ASU from Nebraska. She received her Master of Arts in Psychology from ASU in 2023, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020. After graduating, she worked as a Research Technician at the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory at UNL. In the @HEART Lab, Olivia is interested in studying peer, romantic, and familial relationships, and how technology and social media impacts these relationships, and the influence on healthy development. She is additionally interested in understanding predictors of in-person and digital dating violence.

Jen is a third-year Developmental Psychology PhD student in the @HEART Lab. She is interested in the role of adolescents' and young adults’ sociocultural and digital contexts on their in-person and digital relationship dynamics and mental health. romantic development processes, digital romantic dynamics, and the relationship between culture and close relationships. She is particularly interested in exploring how one’s cultural identity, experiences, and values impact romantic relationship development and subsequent outcomes, particularly among Hispanic and Latinx adolescents and young adults. She completed her B.A. and M.A. in Psychological Science at California State University San Marcos.

Jennifer Figueroa, M.A.

Graduate Student

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Tamira Whitaker

Graduate Student

Tamira is a first year Developmental Psychology PhD student at ASU. Tamira earned a B.S. in Psychology from Georgia State University and contributed to the design and evaluation of a parenting program aimed at fostering socioemotional skills and positive empathy in children. In the @HEART Lab, she is interested in adolescent romantic and familial relationships, with a focus on how these connections influence academic engagement, dating abuse among youth, and the role of parental involvement in shaping outcomes. In addition, she is also interested in how adolescents use AI as a support tool and its impact on emotional well-being, help-seeking behaviors, and the development of interpersonal skills.

Meera Patel

Graduate Student

Meera is a first year Developmental Psychology PhD student at ASU. Meera earned her B.S. in Psychology at Stony Brook University and was a Research Coordinator at Cincinnati Children's Center for ADHD and the University of Rochester's Mt. Hope Family Center. In the @HEART Lab, she is interested in studying the bidirectional nature of relationship dysfunction and externalizing psychopathology, with a particular focus on how factors such as cultural processes and digital media influence adolescents' responses to adversity in their relationships.

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Natalie Gross

Lab Manager

Natalie graduated in 2024 from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a certificate of Law and Human Behavior. Natalie began in the @HEART lab as a Research Assistant in 2023. She was the Project Coordinator on our Daily TIES Study, and the third wave of our TIES Study. She is now co-leading data collection for our CIELO Study. Natalie is interested in exploring how digital environments and online content influence adolescent development, risk, and relationship outcomes, and is pursuing PhD programs in Psychology for the Fall 2026 cycle. She is currently leading an innovative project evaluating how effectively AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, respond to adolescents’ romantic relationship concerns, incorporating insights from teen-focused online communities.

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Maggie Auza

RA Coordinator

Maggie is a senior studying Psychology at Arizona State University. She began in the @HEART Lab as a Research Assistant in 2024, and her research interests include exploring the culture of divorce in America, the influence of social media on adolescent relationships, and the ways parental separation shapes adolescent dating behaviors. She is also interested in how family dynamics, attachment styles, and intergenerational patterns impact relationship development across the lifespan. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy after graduation.

Research Assistants

  • Alec Donahoo

    Alec is a senior majoring in Psychology at Arizona State University. His research interests focus on how adolescent relationships influence psychological functioning and clinical outcomes, as well as the growing role of artificial intelligence in relationship research. He joined the @HEART Lab to deepen his understanding of relationship science and mental health.

  • Alicia Coleman

    Alicia is a post-baccalaureate Research Assistant in the @HEART Lab with a background in psychology and forensic psychology. She is currently a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and practicing therapist, with plans to pursue a PhD. Her research interests focus on early prevention, emotional intelligence, and developing healthy relationships, particularly within forensic and high-risk populations.

  • Angela Sun

    Angela is a junior double majoring in Psychology and Family & Human Development at Arizona State University, with additional training in human systems engineering and family communication. Her interests center on attachment development across the lifespan and how technology can be used to design trauma-informed, prevention-based interventions. In the @HEART Lab, she contributes to research examining how digital environments shape relationship decision-making and well-being.

  • Audrey Hammond

    Audrey is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Film and Media Studies at Arizona State University. Her research interests focus on adolescent romantic relationships, attachment styles, and how social media influences communication and relationship development over time. She joined the @HEART Lab to gain hands-on experience conducting research on human connection and relationships.

  • Elden Hendrick

    Elden is a junior majoring in Psychology at Arizona State University. His interests include relationship science, clinical psychology, bias and stereotyping, and research focused on minoritized populations. He joined the @HEART Lab to gain research experience in an area that aligns closely with his academic and professional interests.

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    Galilea Rivero

    Galilea is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Kinesiology at Arizona State University. Her research interests center on sports-related experiences, family and peer influences, and how these dynamics shape adolescent development. She joined the @HEART Lab to gain hands-on research experience and expand her professional network.

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    Jaager Howell

    Jaager is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Applied Psychological Sciences at Arizona State University. His research interests include interpersonal dynamics, gender-based violence, mental health care delivery, and cross-cultural perspectives on relationships. He joined the @HEART Lab to explore how researchers conceptualize and study healthy relationships.

  • Jade Li

    Jade is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Global Studies at Arizona State University. Her research interests focus on how romantic relationships and social media shape identity, self-worth, and relationship dynamics across adolescence. She joined the @HEART Lab to contribute to research aimed at developing effective solutions for building healthy relationships in digital contexts.

  • Jagger Proctor

    Jagger is a senior majoring in Psychology at Arizona State University. His research interests center on digital interactions and their effects on relationships and mental health. He joined the @HEART Lab after developing a strong interest in relationship-focused research through studies such as CIELO and TIES.

  • Jose Pena Galvez

    Jose is a post-baccalaureate Research Assistant in the @HEART Lab and a recent graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Psychology and a certificate in Law and Human Behavior. His research interests focus on at-risk adolescents, peer influence, and prevention strategies that promote emotional well-being and resilience. He is currently preparing to apply to clinical psychology PhD programs.

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    Kathy Gusenkov, M.S., LMFT

    Kathy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a working professional Research Assistant in the @HEART Lab. Her research interests focus on the neurobiology of intimate relationships, relational trauma, and immigrant and first-generation family systems. She joined the @HEART Lab to gain research experience while preparing to pursue a PhD.

  • Kiko Gonzales

    Kiko is a senior majoring in Data Science at Arizona State University. His research interests include developmental psychology and how environmental factors shape adolescent development and relationships. He joined the @HEART Lab to better understand relational processes and contribute to research that supports positive youth outcomes.

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    Noah Hatton

    Noah is a senior majoring in Psychology and Family & Human Development at Arizona State University. His research interests focus on adolescent mental health, parenting, communication, and healthy relationships. He joined the @HEART Lab to contribute to research on an under-studied but critical developmental period.

  • Prescilla Pascua

    Prescilla is a junior majoring in Psychology at Arizona State University. Her research interests focus on artificial intelligence and how emerging technologies influence adolescents’ approaches to relational conflict and help-seeking. She joined the @HEART Lab to strengthen her research skills and contribute to ongoing studies on technology and relationships.

  • Raghav Datta

    Raghav is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience at Arizona State University. His research interests focus on how romantic and interpersonal relationships shape identity and development over time. He joined the @HEART Lab to build research experience while exploring a future career in psychology and therapy.

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    Samuel Green

    Sam is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology at Arizona State University. His research interests examine how mental health challenges intersect with adolescent and family relationships. He joined the @HEART Lab to contribute to research on how young people navigate relationships alongside psychological stressors.

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    Tanya Lopez

    Tanya is a senior majoring in Forensic Psychology with a certificate in Law and Human Behavior at Arizona State University. Her research interests include social media use among adolescents and its influence on behavior and relationships. She joined the @HEART Lab to explore research as a potential long-term career path.

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    Taylor Jones

    Taylor is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. Her research interests include how socioeconomic factors and early environments shape relationship development across the lifespan. She joined the @HEART Lab to deepen her understanding of psychological research and its real-world applications.

  • Whitney Christy

    Whitney is a junior majoring in Psychology at Arizona State University. Her research interests include how family upbringing, attachment styles, and social media influence adolescent and adult romantic relationships, including experiences of dating violence. At the @HEART Lab, she is developing research skills while contributing to studies at the intersection of relationships and emerging technologies.