Kristen Elmore
Dr. Kristen Elmore is the Associate Director of the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Community-Engaged Learning Coordinator in the Cornell College of Human Ecology, and Director of PRYDE. She completed her doctoral training in Social Psychology and Social Work at the University of Michigan. Kristen’s research examines the self, identity processes, and motivation in the domains of health and education. Much of her work studies how social contextual factors shape adolescents’ identity development.
CASEY ADRIAN
Casey Adrian is the Research Support Specialist and Community Outreach Coordinator in PRYDE. Casey co-leads the PRYDE Scholars Program, BCTR Scholars Program, and outreach activities with PRYDE’s community partners. His research centers on past and present examples of health activism and advocacy, as well as community-based, participatory approaches to sexual and behavioral health promotion. Casey received his Master of Social Work from Binghamton University. He is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of New York.
Alexa Maille
Alexa Maille serves as the NYS 4-H Youth Development Program Leader. Alexa supports 4-H leaders in weaving together the science and practice of positive youth development by creating opportunities for youth and adults to grow their sparks and strengths, to notice how they can contribute to the world through those sparks, and to grow reciprocal relationships and systems that cultivate environments where everyone thrives.
Lynandrea Mejia
Lynandrea Mejia is an Administrative Assistant in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR). She supports the Director of the BCTR, co-leads event planning and execution for the Center, and manages student finance matters in PRYDE. Lynandrea is dedicated to meeting the administrative needs of students, faculty, staff, and partners to allow them to do their meaningful work.
Anthony Burrow
Dr. Anthony Burrow is the Ferris Family Associate Professor of Life Course Studies in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research. He is also the Associate Dean of Outreach and Extension at Cornell Human Ecology and serves as the Provost’s Fellow for Public Engagement. Dr. Burrow directs the Purpose and Identity Processes Laboratory, which researches the correlation between a sense of purpose and youth development and resilience, and how racial identification influences one’s lens of viewing and adjusting to life experiences. Dr. Burrow served as the inaugural Director of PRYDE until 2025.
Senior PRYDE Scholars: Class of 2026
Jenna Cho
Jenna Cho is a junior studying Global and Public Health Sciences with a minor in Human Development. As a PRYDE scholar, she works with Dr. Nancy Wells to explore the effects of the natural environment on the psychological well-being of youth with profound autism. She is interested in examining the social determinants of under-represented communities to promote their overall well-being. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career with pediatric patients.
Jennifer Gerfen
Jennifer Gerfen is a junior majoring in Human Development and minoring in Creative Writing. She works with Dr. Izzo to improve residential childcare programs by assessing caregiver practices and relationship quality between youth and adults. After graduation, she hopes to specialize in pediatric neuropsychology and continue writing.
Jiayi Guo
Jiayi Guo is a junior majoring in Design and Environmental Analysis and minoring in Healthy Futures. As a PRYDE Scholar, she works with Dr. Loebach to research on how components of design and planning can support youth’s interest and foster their growth. Jiayi hopes to use design research to promote well-rounded education and pro-environmental behaviors. She hopes to connect and contribute to the community and pursue a career in academia.
Julian Iwasko
Julian Iwasko is a junior majoring in Human Development and pursuing minors in Anthropology and Inequality Studies. As a PRYDE scholar, he works with Dr. Adam Hoffman in the Promoting Resilience and Identities in Development (PRIDE) Lab, investigating the development of LGBTQ+ identity and its impact on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ adolescents. He is specifically interested in the intersections between gender identity, sexual orientation, and neurodiversity throughout adolescence. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in clinical psychology, hoping to improve the mental health of people of marginalized identities.
Hopper Kendregan
Hopper Kendregan is a junior studying Global & Public Health Sciences, with a minor in Infectious Diseases. She is excited to join Dr. Amanda Purington Drake in the ACT for Youth Center, aiding research activities to support positive youth development and adolescent sexual health across New York state. She is passionate about making health services, interventions, and education accessible for all people, especially those populations who may face stigma. After graduation, Hopper hopes to pursue further studies that will combine her passions for public health and clinical care.
Benjamin Loong
Benjamin Loong is a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society with minors in Gerontology and Human Development. As a PRYDE Scholar, he works alongside Dr. Gonzalez in the Life History Lab to investigate how developmental contexts influence neural mechanisms in adulthood. He is particularly interested in how sociocultural values within built environments shape adolescent development. After college, he aims to pursue a career in healthcare that addresses the unique developmental needs of youth populations.
Oore Ogunyinka
Oore Ogunyinka is a junior majoring in Human Development with minors in Information Science and Disability Studies. As a PRYDE Scholar, she works alongside Dr. Inniss-Thompson in the Black Girl Visions Collaborative Lab to investigate the knowledge and lived experiences of Black girls and femme- identified folks through centering their ways of knowing and holding space for them to be their full selves. She is particularly interested in developing effective tools that can foster safe spaces for neurodivergent Black girls within their classrooms and communities. After college, she aims to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Dhruti Raghuraman
Dhruti Raghuraman is a junior majoring in Human Development with a minor in Health Policy. As a PRYDE Scholar, she works alongside Dr. Anthony Burrow in the Purpose and Identity Process Lab, supporting research to better understand how a sense of purpose can promote well-being and positive health outcomes in adolescents. She is particularly interested in understanding how we can use health education tools to foster that sense of purpose in youth and how these factors affect our brain physiologically. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine, bringing her past experiences in public health and youth engagement down to the patient care level.
Junior PRYDE Scholars: Class of 2027
Isabela Gonzalez
Isabela Gonzalez is a junior studying Human Development who is interested in developmental psychopathology, particularly how social environments and biological changes in adolescence influence mental health. As a PRYDE Scholar, she works with Dr. Jane Mendle in the Adolescent Transitions Lab, which investigates how puberty and social contexts shape adolescent development and mental health. She aims to translate these insights into real-world applications in schools and community programs. Isabela plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work and counseling to develop interventions that foster mental health, empowerment, and purpose among adolescents. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and teaching community classes as a certified instructor.
MOLLY HEINZELMAN
Molly Heinzelman is a junior majoring in Human Development with a minor in health policy. As a PRYDE scholar, she works alongside Dr. Gary Evans, researching what children understand about climate change and their emotional reactions to it. She is particularly interested in exploring how various factors influence mental health and in developing strategies to mitigate their impact, enabling individuals to live more fulfilling lives. After graduation she hopes to go to graduate school to pursue a career as a psychologist.
Thomas Lee
Thomas Lee is a junior majoring in Human Development. He works with Dr. Jane Mendle in the Adolescent Transitions Lab, exploring how childhood events, the pubertal transition, and cultural expectations surrounding puberty influence youth development. Thomas is particularly interested in the role of caregivers in supporting adolescents' adjustment during this period. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in medicine and optimize interventions that promote resilience and self-efficacy.
Joanne Lin
Joanne Lin is a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health, & Society with a minor in Gerontology. She works alongside Dr. Marlen Gonzalez in the Life History Lab to explore the health outcomes and social outcomes influenced by broader developmental factors and contexts. After college, Joanne plans to attend medical school and pursue a specialty in either family medicine, OB/GYN, or pediatrics.
Hyun Lim
Hyun Lim is a junior majoring in Human Biology, Health, and Society and minoring in Human Development. As a PRYDE Scholar, Hyun is excited to join the ACT for Youth Center with Dr. Amanda Purington Drake, aiding in research to support youth with special healthcare needs and improve their engagement with education. Hyun is passionate about addressing healthcare disparities in youth academia and supporting the health of adolescents. After graduation, Hyun hopes to pursue a career in medicine built around meeting the needs of communities and improving scientific literature.
Faculty Mentors
PRYDE is lucky to partner with youth development researchers from across the College of Human Ecology.
Faculty mentors provide PRYDE Scholars with invaluable experiences in translational youth development research, research-practice partnerships, and professional development opportunities.