Head of UConn K.I.D.S

Dr. Rhiannon Smith is the Head of UConn K.I.D.S. Dr. Smith studies friendships and other peer relationships in childhood and adolescence. She is interested in the role that these relationships play in youths’ social and emotional adjustment, including depression and anxiety. Dr. Smith’s research investigates the development of social cognition and empathy in friendships. She also is interested in diversity in peer relations, including cross-race/ethnicity friendships and the peer group experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth.

Child Research Recruitment Coordinator

Renu Cabot is the Child Research Recruitment Coordinator for UConn K.I.D.S. She is a UConn alumnus and graduated with her Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies and earned her Masters in Public Administration at UConn School of Public Policy. You can meet her at the various community events and fairs in Connecticut when you visit our UConn K.I.D.S booth.

Our Research Assistants

Cooper Armogida is our Spring 2026  UConn KIDS Lead Research Assistant. He is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school to become a school psychologist. His ultimate goal is to earn a PhD in Psychology and eventually become a psychology professor.

Afrah Rafi is a Spring 2026 UConn KIDS research assistant. She is a senior majoring in Physiology & Neurobiology and Molecular & Cellular Biology with a minor in Neuroscience. After graduation, she plans on applying to and attending medical school.

Grace Hoey is a Spring 2026 research assistant for UConn KIDS. She is a sophomore majoring in Human Development & Family Sciences and is in the Early Childhood Specializations program. She also works at the Child Development Labs. After graduation, she plans to attend occupational therapy school.