Meet The UConn KIDS Team

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 is currently pursuing 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

 

 

Kylie Robinshaw is a research assistant for UConn KIDS. She is a junior Psychological Sciences major and minors in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and Sociology. After she graduates, she plans on going to graduate
school to become a school psychologist.

 

Tulsi Patel is a Research Assistant at UConn KIDS. She is a senior Nursing major with a Biological Sciences minor. After graduation, she wants to move back home to New Jersey and work as a nurse for a couple of years before going back to school to pursue higher education.

 

Hsin-Yu Huang is a research assistant for UConn KIDS. She has worked with UConn KIDS since Winter ’22. She is a senior Psychology major and business fundamental minor. After graduation, she plans to work for a few years before continuing to pursue higher education.

Emma Dineen is a research assistant for UConn KIDS. She is a sophomore Psychological Sciences and Human Development and Family Sciences double major. After graduation, she plans on going to graduate school to further her education in child development.