The Team

Tiffany Yip, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Tiffany Yip, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Fordham University. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Cornell University, earned her MA and PhD in Psychology at NYU, and completed a NIMH and NSF-funded postdoctoral fellowship in the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan. Her research on ethnic identity, discrimination, and sleep among minority adolescents and young adults has been published in American Psychologist, Child Development, Developmental Psychology, and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Dr. Yip currently serves as an Associate Editor for Child Development and the Asian American Journal of Psychology. Dr. Yip is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Division 7 (Developmental Psychology) and Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race) and her research has been funded by NICHD, NIMHD, NIMH, and NSF.

Maddie Bradley, B.A.

Lab Manager/Project Director

Maddie Bradley received her B.A. in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Gender & Women's Studies from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant in Dr. Helen MacDonald's Lab at Emmanuel College and at the Developmental Risk and Cultural Resilience Lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She presented her senior honors thesis on the implications of holding a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention with college students online. Her research interests include emotional and intellectual development across the lifespan with a focus on resilience and intersectionality. She plans to pursue her Ph.D. in  Developmental Psychology or Human Development.

Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, Ph.D.

NIH Diversity Supplement Recipient (R01MD015715)

Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She received her undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Psychology and Sociology, earned her MA from New York University (NYU) in Human Development and Social Intervention, and her PhD from Stanford University in Developmental and Psychological Sciences.
Her research seeks to develop a nuanced understanding of what it means to "belong" and how this sense of belonging impacts life outcomes such as academic performance and mental health. Together with her research team, she focuses on exploring these concepts among culturally diverse populations, and examining how sense of belonging is associated with various social identities (gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc.). Her research is published in American Psychologist, Emerging Adulthood, and Teachers College Record and has been funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and National Institute of Minority Health Disparities (NIMHD).

Zhenqiang Zhao, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Zhenqiang Zhao is a postdoctoral fellow in the Psychology Department at Fordham University. He received his doctoral degree in Family Studies and Human Development at University of Arizona. His research broadly focuses on the positive development of sexual orientation and gender diversity among youth. He is particularly interested in 1) sexual orientation and gender identity disclosure and concealment procedures in diverse social contexts (e.g., family, school), and 2) intersectionality of multiple minority identities (e.g., race/ethnicity) as well as its impact on sexual and gender minority youth’s developmental adjustment.

Jinjin Yan, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jinjin Yan received her doctoral degree in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests broadly center on understanding ethnic minority families’ positive adaptation through the lens of culture. In one line of research, she investigates how acculturation and enculturation experiences influence positive psychosocial adjustment among ethnic minority families. Her second research line is to identify risk factors (e.g., cultural stressors and parental stressors) and resilience factors (e.g., heritage cultural values and orientation) in ethnic minority youth’s positive adaptation.

Kyle Lorenzo, M.A.

Graduate Research Assistant

Kyle Lorenzo is currently a 4th-year graduate student in the Applied Developmental Psychology program at Fordham University. He received his BAs in Psychology and Biological Sciences with minors in Cognitive Sciences and International Studies at North Carolina State University. Kyle’s research interests include interdisciplinary approaches to exploring health disparities and identity development among racial/ethnic minority youth.

Shadane Johnson, M.A.

Graduate Research Assistant

Shadane Johnson is currently a 3rd-year graduate student in the Applied Development program. She received her BA in Psychology at Penn State. Her research interests include exploring how context and sociocultural factors impact identity and adjustment in minority youth.

Jiwoon Bae, M.A.

Graduate Research Assistant

Jiwoon Bae is a 3rd-year doctoral student in the Applied Developmental Psychology program. He received his B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests include exploring individual, social, and broader ecological factors to promote resilience among ethnic-racial minority youth to flourish in under-resourced environments. Specifically, he is interested in how contextual and sociocultural factors affect ethnic-racial minority youth’s response to adversity. He hopes that his program of research will ultimately help ethnic-racial minority youth to identify optimal coping methods while accounting for contextual (e.g., social and organizational environments) and sociocultural factors (e.g., ethnic-racial identity, Asian values) in dealing with negative mental health outcomes.

Jiawei (Ada) Wu

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jiawei (Ada) Wu is a senior at Fordham University Rose Hill campus majoring in Psychology. She is interested in studying clinical psychology and hopes to gain further education in psychology. Ada is especially interested in mental health problems and related physical conditions among minority groups in society. She hopes to learn more about the research process and gain a better understanding of health concerns in minorities. Ada hopes to receive a Ph.D. in psychology and become a professor to educate future generations about the importance of mental well-being in the future.

Tenzing Choeying

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Tenzing Choeying is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. Tenzing is interested in anxiety, CBT, depression, and Mindfulness Interventions. After graduation, Tenzing plans to  receive her Masters in Clinical Psychology and a PHD in Clinical Psychology. She hopes to become a professor of Psychology and educate the future youth. She also hopes to have a private practice where she conducts counseling as a Psychologist. She is passionate about the education of Tibetan Youth in Exile and the preservation of the Tibetan culture. During her free time, Tenzing enjoys baking, reading, jamming to music, doing skincare, and being with friends and family. 

Manaal Ahmed

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Manaal Ahmed is a senior at Fordham Rose Hill pursing a Psychology major and a chemistry minor on the Pre-Health track. In her involvement with YDDC, she hopes to help bring greater awareness to the Fordham community of the experiences and mental health of minority youth. After graduation, Manaal plans on attending medical school to later specialize in immunology/allergy. Outside of the lab, she writes poetry and loves spending time with her family and friends. 

Cassandre Cyriaque

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Cassandre Cyriaque is a visiting sophomore from Wellesley College pursuing a double major in Political Science and Psychology. She is excited to join the YDDC lab this summer. Cassandre is interested in studying racial bias and its effects on people of color.

Laura Rodriguez

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Laura Rodriguez is a fifth-year student at Fordham College Rose Hill pursuing a double major in psychology and philosophy. She works at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Rose Hill and serves as head mentor for the Mentoring Latinas program at Rose Hill. As a member of the Engaged Leaders Fellowship in the CCEL office, Laura is also conducting social justice research on the effects of intrinsic motivation on Bronx literacy rates. Laura is interested in Applied Developmental Psychology and aspires to mitigate inequities in mental health care for people from underserved backgrounds.

Anna Rubio Rodriguez

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anna Rubio Rodriguez is a senior at Fordham Lincoln Center pursuing a B.S. in psychology and a B.A. in English. She is very excited to join the YDCC lab, and her further research interests include marital dynamics with an emphasis on Latinx communities. After graduation, Anna plans to pursue a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Enru (Gia) Wang

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Gia Wang is a senior at Fordham University Lincoln Center double majoring in Psychology and Visual Art. She is very excited to join the YDDC lab this year, and her research interests are family trauma counseling and EMDR. She hopes to pursue a PsyD or a PhD in clinical psychology after graduating from Fordham. In her free time, she enjoys working out at the gym or surfing with her friends. 

Gabriela Lucero

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Gabriela Lucero is a Junior at Fordham University's Rose Hill campus, pursuing a B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology on the Pre-Med track. Her academic focus lies in exploring the intricate biological systems related to sleep. Specifically, Gabriela is keen on investigating how sleep patterns among college students impact their physical and mental well-being. Her engagement extends to participating in our Biomarkers program. She has honed her skills in examining blood pathogens through hands-on experience at our Dry Blood Spotting (DBS) station, where she adeptly collects blood samples. Beyond her academic pursuits, she aims to attend Dental school and specialize as a Pediatric Dentist. In her leisure time, Gabriela enjoys spending quality moments with her canine companions, following the New York Knicks, and maintaining an active lifestyle by going to the gym.

Iida Linkka

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Iida Linkka is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in history on the Pre-Health track. In her involvement with YDDC, she hopes to be an advocate for minorities who experience disparities in mental health treatment. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school. Outside of the lab, she is president of Psychology Club and works as an EMT with Fordham’s EMS.

Douglas Gelman

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Douglas Gelman is a third-year student at Fordham College at Rose Hill pursuing a BS in Psychology with a minor in Bioethics. His research interests broadly include quantitative psychology, psychometrics, and research ethics. He hopes to pursue an MPH or MS in quantitative psychology or epidemiology, applying these interests in mitigating broader-scale psychological healthcare and research disparities.

Cameron Huber

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Cameron Huber is a senior at Fordham College Rose Hill pursuing a Biology major and English minor on the Pre-Medicine track. She is excited to join YDDC, and hopes to further emphasize the ethnic identity development among minority youth and young adults. As a person who is interested in the healthcare field, she finds it important to tackle and investigate these public health issues. After graduation, Cameron plans on attending medical school to later specialize in orthopedic surgery. Outside of the lab, she frequently reads, writes, and likes to workout.

Liza Rogers

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Liza Rogers is a junior at Fordham University Rose Hill Campus majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Spanish and Art History. She is looking forward to her time within YDDC to gain further knowledge of health disparities in minority populations, and more specifically mental health disparities within youth and adolescents. She is interested in getting her graduate degree in Sports/Mental Performance Psychology after her time at Fordham, and pursuing a career in Sports Psychology, and receiving a CMPC license. Outside of her time in the lab, she is on Eboard for Psych club at Fordham, loves working out, reading, playing volleyball, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Saniya Jasani

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Saniya Jasani is a sophomore at Fordham University Lincoln Center studying Psychology on the Pre-Health track. She is very excited to join the YDDC lab, and her research interests are in health disparities and mental health treatments among minority populations. She is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and promoting access to quality healthcare for all individuals. After graduation, Saniya plans to apply to medical school.

Yamelis Valarezo

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Yamelis Valarezo is a junior at Fordham Lincoln Center pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Latin American and Latino Studies. She is excited to join the YDDC lab and further broaden her experience in the field of psychology. She hopes to pursue a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology and focus on mental health disparities amongst Latinx communities as well as other BIPOC groups.

Emma Eitmann

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Emma Eitmann is a sophomore at Fordham University Rose Hill campus majoring psychology. Emma is passionate about psychopathology, the social emotional development of children and adolescents, emotional regulation, as well as the general development of minority groups. After graduation, Emma is planning on perusing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Ayya Omar

Advisory Board Member

Ayya Omar is an undergraduate sophomore at Fordham College at Rose Hill, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business Administration and Arabic. Ayya is interested in Developmental, Clinical, and Counseling Psychology. She serves on the Community Advisory Board as an advisor for the Fordham University Sleep Study (FUSS). She is also the treasurer of the Psychology Club and secretary of the Arabic Club.

Araly Langomas

Advisory Board Member

Araly Langomas (she/they) is a senior at the Gabelli School of business, majoring in Marketing, minoring in Economics. She is a 3rd-year Resident Assistant, the President of Spoon University, a Community Board Advisor for the Fordham University Sleep Study, and an intern at a public relations agency.

Audrey Gomez

Advisory Board Member

Audrey Gomez (she/they) is a sophomore at Fordham College at Lincoln Center, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. Audrey plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She is a FUSS advisory board member and research assistant in Dr. Karen Siedlecki’s Memory & Aging Lab.

Tanjila Rahman

Advisory Board Member

Tanjila Rahman (she/her) is a sophomore at Fordham University at Rose Hill who majors in Biology on the Pre-Med track. Tanjila takes part in the FUSS Advisory Board. Tanjila's goal is to pursue her goal of becoming a Physician Assistant with interests in Psychology and Emergency Medicine.