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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Emilia Berkes
Graduate Student
Emilia Berkes is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She also obtained her B.S. in Psychology from ASU in Fall 2023. Her research interests lie at the intersection of positive psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. More specifically, she is interested in the development of intervention programs that promote resilience and greater well-being in parents and their children.
Graduate Student
Emilia Berkes is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She also obtained her B.S. in Psychology from ASU in Fall 2023. Her research interests lie at the intersection of positive psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. More specifically, she is interested in the development of intervention programs that promote resilience and greater well-being in parents and their children.
Marlene Carrasco Lechuga
Graduate Student
Marlene Carrasco Lechuga is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from ASU in 2024. Her research interests include social psychology and close relationships. Beyond research, she enjoys drawing, reading, and listening to music.
Graduate Student
Marlene Carrasco Lechuga is a M.S. Psychology student at Arizona State University. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from ASU in 2024. Her research interests include social psychology and close relationships. Beyond research, she enjoys drawing, reading, and listening to music.
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.
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.
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.
Lilli Kish
Undergraduate 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.
Undergraduate 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.
Carol Lucero
Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Carol Lucero is a first generation college graduate who recently earned her B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University. Driven by her unique background and a passion for interpersonal dynamics, she is planning to obtain her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her research interests focus on the intersection of developmental and positive psychology. Outside of her academic pursuits, Carol is dedicated to community service, world travel, and exploring her creativity through arts and crafts.
Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Carol Lucero is a first generation college graduate who recently earned her B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University. Driven by her unique background and a passion for interpersonal dynamics, she is planning to obtain her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her research interests focus on the intersection of developmental and positive psychology. Outside of her academic pursuits, Carol is dedicated to community service, world travel, and exploring her creativity through arts and crafts.
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.
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.
Spring 2026 Lab Photo
Spring 2026 - Lab Mini-Golf
Marlene Carrasco Lechuga at SPSP 2026
Emilia Berkes at SPSP 2026
SPSP 2026
Spring 2025 end of year celebration at Chicken 'n Pickle!
Celebratory lab lunch at SPSP 2025
Haruka Oshika presenting her research at SPSP 2025
Kayla Stevenson and Maliyah Donaldson presenting their research at SPSP 2025
Fall 2025 Lab Photo
Lab Alumni
Abigail Adams, ASU '25, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Karissa Beesley, ASU '24, Graduate Research Assistant
Alexandra Black, Postdoctoral Scholar
Jocelyn Carlos-Romero, ASU '25, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maliyah Donaldson, ASU '24, Graduate Research Assistant
Nisar Majeed, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Zainab Nazir, ASU '25, Graduate Research Assistant
Haruka Oshika, ASU '25, MS Psychology
Kayla Stevenson, ASU '25, MS Psychology
Jenny Varajas, ASU '25, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tina Vuong, ASU '24, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Karissa Beesley, ASU '24, Graduate Research Assistant
Alexandra Black, Postdoctoral Scholar
Jocelyn Carlos-Romero, ASU '25, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maliyah Donaldson, ASU '24, Graduate Research Assistant
Nisar Majeed, Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant
Zainab Nazir, ASU '25, Graduate Research Assistant
Haruka Oshika, ASU '25, MS Psychology
Kayla Stevenson, ASU '25, MS Psychology
Jenny Varajas, ASU '25, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tina Vuong, ASU '24, Undergraduate Research Assistant