Our Team

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Thao Ha, Ph.D.

Director and Principal Investigator

Dr. Ha is a developmental psychologist and director of the @HEART Lab (Healthy Experiences Across Relationships and Transitions Lab). Her research explores how emerging technologies (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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Olivia Maras, M.A.

Graduate Student

Olivia is a fourth year Developmental Psychology PhD student at ASU, and is from  Nebraska. She received 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 the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In the @Heart Lab, Olivia is interested in studying peer, romantic, and familial relationships, and how these relationships influence healthy development, socio-emotional functioning, and risk-taking behaviors. She is additionally interested in how adolescent relationships influence long term adjustment and future relationship habits, as well as dating violence prevention.

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Jennifer Figueroa, M.A.

Graduate Student

Jen is a second year developmental psychology PhD student at ASU. She received both her BA and MA in Psychological Science from California State University San Marcos. In the HEART Lab, Jen is interested in examining predictors and consequences of close relationships (familial, peer, and romantic) with a focus on promoting high-quality relationships during adolescence and young adulthood. In addition, she is also interested in how one’s cultural identity, experiences, and values impact the formation and maintenance of close relationships, particularly among Hispanic and Latinx populations.

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Natalie Gross

Lab Manager

Natalie graduated Summa Cum Laude in June 2024 from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a certificate of Law and Human Behavior. Natalie began as a Research Assistant in 2023. She was the Project Coordinator on our Daily TIES Study, and the third wave of our TIES Study. Natalie is interested in exploring how digital environments and online content exposure influence adolescent development, risk, and relationship outcomes, and is exploring 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.

Research Assistants

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    Bre`ona Stevens

    Bre`ona is deeply interested in studying the relationship between symptoms of psychopathological disorders and romantic relationships, particularly in adolescents. This passion led her to join a lab at ASU that aligns with her research goals—it's also the first lab she encountered as an incoming freshman.

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    Brooke Gallogly

    Brooke joined the HEART Lab to deepen her understanding of relationships and the complex dynamics that arise when technology intersects with human connection. Her research interests cover a range of topics, from family dynamics to the impact of social media on individual health and interpersonal relationships. Brooke lived in Argentina for half a year and graduated Summa Cum Laude, receiving the Moeur Award and being inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society during her junior year.

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    Echo Lim

    Echo is a senior studying psychological sciences and Family & Human Development at ASU. They joined the HEART lab to gain research experience working with adolescents populations. Their research interests ERS messaging between parent-child dyads and problematic social media usage in adolescents and young adults. Echo plans on publishing a research paper, graduating with double bachelors, and working at a behavioral health clinic. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, reading, and exploring community spaces.

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    Galilea Rivero

    Galilea is a senior studying Psychology with a minor in Kinesiology. She joined the @HEART Lab to gain more hands-on research experience and network with students who share similar career interests. She in interested in cultural identity and athletic performance, community and family support in sports, and injury recovery. Galilea’s favorite hobby is building Legos!

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    Jaager Howell

    Jaager is a Barrett senior studying Psychology and Counseling at ASU. He joined the HEART lab to further his research literacy and to learn about sexual violence. While new to psychology research, he’s interested in interpersonal dynamics, emotional intelligence, language, and philosophy of science. Jaager plans to pursue a Master’s program in therapy. If you ask him to do a kip-up, he’ll be happy to do one for you.

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    Kathy Gusenkov, M.S., LMFT

    Kathy joined the HEART Lab to develop ethical and responsible research skills. Her goal is to strengthen her ability to conduct research that amplifies the voices of overlooked populations in psychology. She also plans to pursue further graduate education to advance this goal. Kathy is passionate about relationships/attachment, first-generation children and families, and neurobiological impacts of intimate partnerships.

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    Katya Romero

    Katya joined the HEART Lab because she is passionate about working with adolescents and believes it's crucial to understand the ways they think and feel. She is also interested in how relationships evolve over time and what factors influence adolescent relationships. Katya's research interests include studying the effects of environmental racism on Hispanic adolescents in Phoenix. She has a natural talent for learning languages and is fluent in Spanish, took French for four years in high school, knows elementary Russian, and can read Hangul (Korean alphabet) as well as some Hiragana and Katakana (Japanese).

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    Maggie Auza

    Maggie is in the HEART Lab because she wanted to be part of a community with shared psychological interests and collaborate on meaningful research. She has a broad range of research interests, including exploring the divorce culture in America, the effects of social media on adolescent relationships, and how parental separation impacts adolescent dating behaviors. Last summer, Maggie lived and backpacked alone in Hawaii! Also, she is a member of the ASU women's club volleyball team and works as a student employee at ASU.

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    Noah Hatton

    Noah is a dedicated researcher with a strong passion for improving adolescent relationships, especially those between teens and their parents. His research interests focus on Nonviolent Communication and Marriage and Family Therapy. Driven by his commitment to adolescent well-being, Noah joined the HEART Lab, where he can explore these topics further. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys performing improv with TBA, an ASU improv/comedy team. Noah is also the recipient of the prestigious Butterfield Scholarship for 2024-2025 through the School of Social Sciences and Family Dynamics.

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    Samuel Green

    Sam is focused on understanding how adolescents and young adults form and maintain relationships, with the goal of making these relationships healthier and more positive. His research interests center on the impact of psychological disorders on interpersonal relationships.

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    Sally Tan

    Sally is an honors psychology student at ASU. She joined the HEART Lab to develop a deeper understanding of research and investigate the intersection of relationships and technology. She is passionate about researching ways to help people of all ages make healthier decisions online and with technology. Sally is a proud first-generation college student, and is a recipient of the Dorrance scholarship!

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    Sarah Lass

    Sarah is an alumni from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology. She joined the @HEART Lab because she wanted to gain experience and deepen her knowledge on relationships formed during adolescence and early adulthood. She wants to understand how relationship experiences influence emotional well-being which can provide valuable insights into both individual and relational health. Sarah is also an EEG technician and has a black cat named Jasper!

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    Tanya Lopez

    Tanya is a Senior studying Forensic Psychology with a certificate in Law and Human Behavior at ASU. She joined the @HEART Lab to learn more and be involved in research. She is interested in social media and the effects on adolescents, specifically how it can impact future relationships. She is also interested in research on eye witnesses. Tanya is a first generation American and college student, and has played the violin for almost 10 years!

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    Taylor Jones

    Taylor joined the HEART Lab to expand her knowledge of the research side of psychology. After noticing that many people she knew were research assistants and realizing she didn’t know much about research, she decided to explore her options. Upon discovering that the HEART Lab aligned with her research interests, she applied and was thrilled to have the opportunity to become a research assistant. Taylor’s research interests focus on childhood relationships, their influence on criminal involvement in adulthood, and how early relationships impact divorce rates later in life.

  • Alec Donahoo

    Alec is a research assistant in the HEART Lab. He is interested in researching psychological disorders, focusing on their treatment and assessment, as well as examining how these disorders impact interpersonal relationships

  • Kelsey Bui

    Kelsey joined the HEART Lab as a third-year student at ASU to gain more experience with research, especially in a field that aligns with her interests. She is particularly fascinated by attachment styles and how they relate to romantic relationships.