MEET OUR TEAM

Gard Lab members Spring 2024!

bottom row: Giselle Maya, Jalan Walker, & Jason Clarke; 2nd row: Isabella Gonzalez, Dr. Gard, Hyung (Gloria) Kim; 3rd row: Saron Melaku, Joelle Fuchs, Deena Shariq; top row: Prutha Patel, Sophia Shaw, Xime Juarez Diaz, Stephanie Aybar Bueno

Dr. Gard (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Developmental Psychology, Faculty Affiliate in the Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroscience (NACS), and Director of the Growth And Resilience across Development (GARD) Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. She completed her educational training at UCLA and the University of Michigan.  She is an interdisciplinary scientist with training in affective neuroscience, developmental psychology, clinical science, and survey methodology. Together with her students and collaborators, she studies how environmental resources shape behavioral, cognitive, and brain development across the lifespan. A major feature of her work is to increase diversity in neurobiological research by including historically under-represented groups in research design and implementation. 

Email: arigard@umd.edu 

Campus Phone: 301-405-3281

Campus Office: 3123G Biology-Psychology Building

CV: PDF

Gloria (Hyung Cho) Kim is a 6th year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science doctoral program (NACS) at the University of Maryland. She received her dual B.S. in Physiology & Neurobiology and Food Science (plus a minor in Italian Language and Culture!) at the University of Maryland in 2019. Her main research focus is to understand how experiences of socioeconomic instability can shape anxiety and depression outcomes, both in behavior and brain function. She serves as a chair in her program’s Neuroscience Outreach Committee, where she collaborates with on- and off-campus student leaders to organize events to share science and resources about pathways to higher education in STEM fields. In her free time, she loves to take care of the excessive number of plants (80+) in her home!

Email: hkim1230@terpmail.umd.edu 

Deena (she/hers) is a third year Neuroscience and Cognitive Science PhD student. After receiving her B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology, she conducted fMRI research as a full-time research assistant in the Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory and the Laboratory of Cognition and Emotion. As a graduate student in the Growth and Resilience Across Development (GARD) Lab, her research focuses on identifying environmental factors that promote resilience in the socioemotional and cognitive development of socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Deena’s research additionally aims to characterize how adverse experiences promote adaptation in the neural circuits underlying socioemotional and cognitive processes. To answer these questions, she employs interdisciplinary methods including geospatial analysis, functional neuroimaging, and community-based participatory research. She is the co-chair of the NACS Outreach Committee, co-founder of the BSOS BIPOC Collective, and lead mentor for the Next-Gen Psychology Scholars Program. Deena ultimately aims to conduct policy-oriented research that promotes equity in historically marginalized communities.

Email: dshariq@umd.edu 

Joelle Fuchs (she/hers) is a second year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program. In 2018, she received her B.A. in Biological Sciences from NC State University with a concentration in Social and Biological Determinants of Mental Health. She spent two years working for the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research and Brain Health Program exploring clinic-based interventions to improve mental and cognitive impairments in adults living with HIV. Joelle is interested in exploring the interplay between marginalization and biobehavioral mechanisms that drive cognitive burden, psychopathology, and health disparities in underserved populations. She endeavors to leverage community-based research methods to strengthen clinical-community relationships and interventions to care. In her free time, Joelle enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, and exploring Baltimore!

Email: jfuchs15@umd.edu 

Sophia Shaw (she/her) is our lab manager and a first-year MPS student in the Clinical Psychological Sciences program. In 2023, she received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. During her time at Maryland, she was the Clinic Coordinator for the Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic Research and Lab, Vice-President of Communication for Psi Chi – Psychology Honors Program, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, and the First-Year Innovation & Research Experience. She also spent time in Resident Life, Aquatics, and the Division of Information Technology. Sophia is interested in patient provider relationships, treatment effectiveness, and access to mental health-related resources. In her free time, she enjoys binge watching cartoons, and playing piano.

Xime (she/her) is a current MPS Student in the Clinical Psychological Sciences program at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the Project Coordinator for the Representation and Research Ethics (RARE) project at UMD. Xime recently graduated from Stevenson University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is interested in working with individuals with criminal/anti-social behavior, behavioral etiology, and behavioral interventions for prevention. In her free time she likes to read and play the guitar.

Jason is a undergraduate research assistant in the GARD lab at the University of Maryland College Park. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology on the pre-medical track. Jason is interested in studying how various mental illnesses can be treated and prevented in order to improve the overall quality of life for individuals facing challenges with their mental health. In his free time, Jason enjoys singing and spending time with his friends & family 

Jalan is a third year Psychology student at the University of Maryland. She enjoys Counseling and Clinical Psychology and plans to become a licensed therapist after graduate school. She wants to provide therapy to underrepresented groups and help minorities with getting the help they deserve. In her free time, Jalan loves to take long walks with her friends and try new restaurants in DC

Giselle Maya (she/hers) is an undergraduate third-year student at the University of Maryland seeking her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She’s interested in pursuing graduate school for Clinical Psychology or Neuroscience. Regardless of which field she goes into she hopes to work with underrepresented populations, especially immigrant individuals. Outside of class and lab, Giselle loves to read, spend time with loved ones, and explore new places.

Prutha (she/her) is an undergraduate research assistant in the GARD lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. She  is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology: Physiology and Neurobiology on the pre-medical track. Prutha is interested in studying mental illnesses, more specifically in relation to child development. She is also interested in women’s health. In her free time, Prutha enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family.

Saron Melaku (she/hers) is a second year student in the Neuroscience major on the pre-med track. She aims to pursue a medical career as a practicing neurologist specializing in epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of academic pursuits, Saron enjoys reading poetry, baking/cooking, and spending time with family.

Stephanie is currently a junior at the University of Maryland who is pursuing a BA in psychology. She is interested in becoming a licensed clinical social worker and enrolling in a social work master’s program after graduation. She has a passion for improving the lives of people from all demographics and hopes to change the lives of many people in a positive way. In her free time, Stephanie likes to find different ways to progress toward her goals and to watch TV with loved ones.

Isabella Gonzalez (she/her) is currently a second year student at The University of Maryland. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She is also interested in going to grad school and pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology. She hopes to one day work with children and adolescents who struggle with mental illnesses as well as trauma, specifically within underrepresented communities. During her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, shopping, and going to the beach.

Antonella Almendariz (she/her) is currently a third year student at The University of Maryland seeking a Bachelor of Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She is interested in pursuing graduate school for Counseling Psychology in hopes to work with underrepresented populations who struggle with mental illnesses. During her free time, she enjoys attending concerts, traveling and hanging out with friends and family. 

Alex (they/them) is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. They are currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences: Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor in Health, Humanities, and Medicine. After graduation, Alex plans to go to medical school and hopes to be in the field of reconstructive medicine, aiding in the process of rehabilitation and empowerment. In their free time, Alex enjoys hiking, cooking, and listening to music.

Jordan Rudin is currently a first year student at The University of Maryland. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology and intends to minor in Neuroscience and in General Business. As a part of the College Park Scholars Civic Engagement for Social Good program, Jordan spends much of her time focused on community service and engagement. She also loves studying cognition, especially from a developmental perspective.

Fanita Tyrell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and a Faculty Affiliate of the Department of African American Studies at the University of Maryland at College Park. She is also the Director of the Resilient Adaptation across Culture and Context (RACC) Lab. Her research program focuses on elucidating processes of risk and resilience among adversity-exposed, ethnic-racial minority, and immigrant populations with a strong interest in understanding how cultural identities and experiences strengthen pathways to typical and atypical patterns of development and adaptation.

Collin Mueller is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he is also a faculty associate of the Maryland Population Research Center and holds a courtesy faculty appointment in Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health. Mueller’s program of research is conceptually grounded in life course perspectives, Critical Race Theory, and cumulative advantage/disadvantage approaches. His current research focuses on addressing organizational and institutional mechanisms that shape gendered racial/ethnic inequalities in health across the life course. He teaches courses on aging and human development, population health and health disparities, social inequality, and research methods

Lab Alumni

Project Coordinators and Data Managers:

Taylor Wilds – University of Texas at Austin, Developmental Psychology PhD program

Sriparna Sen – University of Pittsburgh, Developmental/Clinical Psychology PhD program

Post-Baccalaurate Research Assistants:

Emily Yang – Research Coordinator, University of Richmond

Luna Warren – exploring the world! 

Andy Hindendach – Research Coordinator, Children’s National Hospital 

Undergraduate Research Assistants:

Kurt Lawrence

Joyce Okoye- Summer Research Initiative Scholar

Angelica Cristina Vega – Summer Research Initiative Scholar

Roxanna Bhaktiari

Sarah Liu

Heidi Keckler

Yasmeen Nasir

My job as a mentor is to guide students to think critically about developmental processes and help them achieve their professional goals. But we are also people – with unique hopes, challenges, and identities. I am committed to creating an atmosphere that fosters both professional and personal growth, and I will support you in any way I can as you navigate your academic journey.

If you are interested in joining the GARD Lab as an undergraduate research assistant, please fill out this application form. If you are a prospective graduate student or postdoc, please send me an email at arigard@umd.edu to indicate some of your research and professional interests. Students interested in affective brain development, neighborhood social processes and the built environment, population science, and community-based participatory research will be good fits for the GARD Lab. Dr. Gard will  be reviewing applications for PhD students this cycle (to start Fall 2025) in the Developmental and Clinical Psychology PhD programs and the Neuroscience And Cognitive Science program at the University of Maryland, College Park.