People

Our Team

• Staff

  Chen Su, BS – Lab Manager

  Chen is the lab manager for the Neurodevelopmental Research Program at the University of Denver. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from University of Washington, Seattle. She worked as a therapist for autistic children before joining the Care Project. She’s interested in utilizing longitudinal and novel statistical methods to study the interplay between mental health and physical health. She’s heading off to graduate school in Fall 2024! ​In her free time, Chen enjoys cooking, weightlifting, and thrifting for everything vintage. 

   

  Erin Todd, BS – Project Coordinator 

  Erin Todd is a project coordinator for the NRP lab at the University of Denver. She got her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and recently moved to Denver. For the next few years, she plans to explore the world of developmental psychology and eventually wants to apply to PhD programs in clinical psychology to further her knowledge in her research areas of interest: developmental psychopathology and treatment resistant anxiety in youth and beyond. In her free time, Erin enjoys rock climbing, exploring Colorado, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Joey. 

   

  Romi Dazzio, MA – Research Assistant

  Romi is a research assistant for the NRP lab at the University of Denver. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. She is interested in investigating the influence of maternal mental health on child development, and plans to seek further study in this area in the future. Outside of the lab, you can find Romi exploring Colorado’s hiking trails, doing yoga, or hunting down the best food spots in the city.

   

  Ali Argo, BA – Research Assistant

  Ali is a research assistant for the NRP lab at the University of Denver. She received her Bachelor's degree in Communications from UCLA and is now pursuing an MA in International Disaster Psychology here at the University of Denver. In the future, Ali plans to peruse a PsyD in Clinical Psychology to become a clinician while remaining a lifelong learner and researcher. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga, watching live music, cooking, reading and spending time with the people in her life.

• Postdoctoral Fellows and MomCare Providers

  LillyBelle Deer

  LillyBelle Deer, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Denver. She is from Honolulu, Hawai’i and completed her PhD in developmental psychology at the University of California, Davis. Deer has experience working with children from infancy through adolescence. Outside of her work, she enjoys hiking, exploring Colorado and playing with her dogs.

   

  Emily Melnick

  Emily Melnick is a postdoctoral fellow with the Care Project. She completed her M.P.H. in Public Health Nutrition at The Colorado School of Public Health and her Ph.D. in Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver. Emily has experience working with young children in childcare settings to improve dietary and physical activity behaviors, and conducting research focused on maternal and child health. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her family and completing crossword puzzles.

   

• Developmental Graduate Students

  Özlü Aran

  Özlü Aran, MS, is a fifth-year developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of Denver. Before joining the Care Project, she completed studies in her home country, Turkey. She has been working with mothers and babies in a research context for 5+ years and enjoys the cultural diversity her work provides her. You may meet her if you have an in-person infant visit at DU. In her free time, Aran enjoys exploring Colorado, trying new food, making travel plans and watching independent movies.

  Melissa Nevarez Brewster

  Melissa Nevarez Brewster, BA, is a fourth-year developmental psychology graduate student at the University of Denver. She completed her BA at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is interested in learning more about prenatal maternal and infant sleep patterns, as well as the potential effects of prenatal depression on infant health and neurodevelopment. When she is not in the lab, Nevarez Brewster enjoys baking, hiking, paddle boarding, rock climbing and cuddling her puppy, Ender.

  Kenia Rivera, MA

  Kenia Rivera, MA, is a fifth-year developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of Denver. She received her BA in psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Her research interest focuses on how stress and early adversities influence mental and physical health through the lifespan. She is particularly interested in examining the biological and behavioral pathways of how stress influences health and development. When she is not in the lab, Kenia enjoys readings, drawing, and taking dance lessons.

• Clinical Graduate Students

  Ella-Marie Hennessey

  Ella Hennessey is a third-year clinical psychology graduate student at the University of Denver. She earned her master's degree in counseling psychology from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She is particularly interested in anxiety, stress and infant cognitive development. In her free time, Ella enjoys pretending she is on the Great British Baking Show, listening to BTS, watching tennis, and exploring Denver.