People - SOCIAL CONNECTION & POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY LAB

Katherine Nelson-Coffey, Ph.D

Lab Director

Katherine Nelson-Coffey is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University. She earned her bachelor's of science in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington in 2008 and her Ph.D. in 2015 from the University of California, Riverside, where she studied personality and social psychology with Sonja Lyubomirsky. She is passionate about using psychological science to improve the lives of parents and families. She also loves spending time with her family, reading, running, hiking and spending time outdoors, and traveling.

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Maddie Rumsey
Graduate Student
Maddie Rumsey is an M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She earned her B.S. in Family and Human Development from ASU in 2025. Her research interests include developmental psychology as well as parental well-being. In the future, she hopes to continue her academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of research, she enjoys cross-stitching and playing with her dog.

Darby Tarrant
Graduate Student
Darby Tarrant is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She completed her BA Psychology Honours degree and nursing diploma in Canada. With six years of experience as a psychiatric nurse, she has developed a strong passion for research focused on women diagnosed with ADHD. Her primary interest lies in exploring positive coping strategies to support the management of ADHD symptoms.

Frida Escamilla-Espana

Graduate Student

Frida Escamilla-Espana is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She graduated with her B.S. in Psychology from ASU in 2026. Throughout her studies, she has developed an interest in developmental psychology, with a focus on parent-child interactions and understanding family well-being. After earning her masters, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Beyond her work in academics, she enjoys reading, sewing and crocheting, and traveling to new places.

Emily Hawkinson

Graduate Student

Emily Hawkinson (she/her) is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from ASU in 2023 and graduated from the Barrett Honors College. She worked as a junior psychometrist for three years and developed an interest in dementia. Her research interests include caregiver well-being and positive psychology interventions. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, playing video games, and playing the contrabass flute.

Lilli Kish

Graduate Research Assistant

Lilli Kish is a B.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University with an academic interest in positive psychology and clinical psychology. Her research interests include trauma, psychological resilience, and factors that influence mental health outcomes across the lifespan. Lilli plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her animals.

Iunia Sora
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Iunia is a senior Psychology B.A. student at ASU, currently enrolled in the accelerated M.S. program in Positive Psychology. Her main research interests include developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and family systems. Specifically, she is interested in the impact of early stages of development and the use of technology on adulthood. Beyond psychology and research, she enjoys backpacking and drawing.