LAB MEMBERS
DR. ERIN KAUFMAN
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University of Utah
Dr. Kaufman received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah in 2018, specializing in the department's Clinical Child and Family Track. She completed her clinical internship and post-doctoral training years at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Kaufman is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Utah and adjunct faculty in the department of psychology at the University of Utah and the University of Western Ontario.
Dr. Kaufman's research focuses on identifying and treating factors that contribute to self-inflicted injury (SII), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and suicide. She uses the developmental psychopathology framework to conceptualize and study these problems among youth and their families. Dr. Kaufman incorporates biological, self- and informant-report, behavioral, and ecological momentary assessment methods into her research designs.
JIN PRUNUSKE, B.S.
Study Coordinator
Jin received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Oregon, where she completed her honors thesis examining the moderating role of positive maternal involvement on the relationship between maternal emotion dysregulation and preschoolers’ internalizing and externalizing problems. Jin's research interests include exploring environmental factors that may contribute to the development of psychopathology, examining intergenerational transmission of mental health challenges, understanding features of Borderline Personality Disorder, and analyzing the efficacy of prevention and intervention efforts for mental health disorders. Jin’s commitment to exploring factors that may contribute to the development of psychopathology motivates her to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of contributing to both research and clinical practice.
TAEGAN SCOTT
Research Assistant
Taegan is a third year student at the University of Utah working towards an Honors Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Modern Dance. Her research interests include understanding psychophysiological symptoms and their impact on wellbeing. She is particularly interested in working with vulnerable populations and minority groups with hopes of contributing to research which improves their day to day lives. With her dance background and minor, she hopes to examine the ties between movement and intense emotional states. Taegan intends to continue school after completing her Bachelors degree by completing a graduate degree with the goal of a career in movement or psychotherapy.
AIDAN PETERSON
Research Assistant
Aidan is in his 4th year of an Honors Psychology B.S. on a pre-medical track at the University of Utah. His research interests center on understanding how developmental and relational pathways across adolescence shape the use and persistence of maladaptive coping mechanisms. More specifically, Aidan is interested in how changes in attachment styles and identity development in the context of adverse childhood experiences can influence coping trajectories in response to challenges with emotions, stress, and identity. He is pursuing medical school with the goal of a career in child and adolescent psychiatry.
SARAH MACCO
Research Assistant
Sarah is in her last year of undergraduate schooling and is working towards a B.S. in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in legal studies and is on a pre-law track. She is interested in the foundational research that creates governmental policies surrounding mental health, specifically bipolar disorder, depression, and suicide in children and young adults. Sarah hopes to use this research to better understand how these diagnoses are addressed within the legal system and bridge the gaps between research, law, and public policy.
MANNAT BHATIA
Research Assistant
Mannat is currently a second-year student studying Psychology and Financial Planning. Through her studies, she has developed a strong interest in the psychological factors that shape individual well-being. Joining the MAPPED Lab, she looks forward to gaining direct research experience working with underserved populations impacted by heavily stigmatized mental illnesses. Coming from a cultural background that overlooks mental illnesses, Mannat hopes to provide deeper understanding and awareness, to her community, regarding topics including but not limited to emotional regulation, exposure therapy, and applied behavioral analysis.
BELMA HRKOVIC
Research Assistant
Belma Hrkovic is a sophomore at the University of Utah working towards her bachelor's of science in psychology and criminology and a minor in educational psychology. She is very interested in child psychology and development and is fascinated with applying psychological theories to childhood. She hopes to continue researching how events and stressors in childhood can affect behavior in adulthood and how interventions in early childhood can influence mental functioning in adulthood.
PAST LAB MEMBERS
Jenny Nguyen
Clarissa Marston
Jennifer Lee
Jesus Loya-Rodriguez
Brianna Meddaoui
Aileen Duong
Salem Hull
Vanit Shah
Carmon Wong
Petr Horgos
Jason Chung
Le Li
Biancca Iddiols
Cici Guo
Kelly Chiu
Abitha Suthakaran
Catherine Taian-Jiao Li
Sarah Smith
Matt Heaks
Veronica Kim
Carly Biderman
Ragini Singh
Alvira Khurram
Fatima Zahra
Soha Khorsand
EMMA NELSON
Research Assistant
Emma is a senior at the University of Utah and is working on her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. Her research interests include understanding emotion regulation of young adults, emerging coping strategies in teens and youth, and advocacy for mental health. Specifically, she hopes to find new interventions or refining current treatments for anxiety disorders and other mental health problems, especially as new generations experience novel stressors . Emma hopes to pursue a career in therapy, specifically working with young adults in the future.
