HDFS faculty are interested in all facets of adolescents’ and young adults’ development, and they pay particular attention to how environmental settings shape young people’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth.
Aprile Benner
- Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Benner is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.
Karen Fingerman
- Professor
- Research Director, Center on Aging and Population Sciences
- Director, Texas Aging and Longevity Consortium
- Sonia Wolf Wilson Regents Administrative Professorship, Holder
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
I am currently accepting graduate students for fall 2026. But I am no longer studying intergenerational relationships.
My research currently looks at daily experiences in late life. We are conducting a study of caregivers for Lewy Body Dementia.
I am happy to talk with students who are interested in my current research.
Dr. Fingerman is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.
Elizabeth Gershoff
- Professor
- Amy Johnson McLaughlin Centennial Professorship in Home Economics
- Associate Dean of Funding and Policy, The Graduate School
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
I am not currently accepting graduate students.
Deborah Jacobvitz
- Professor
- Phyllis L. Richards Endowed Professor in Child Development
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Su Yeong Kim
- Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
Dr. Kim is reviewing applications for new Ph.D. students to start in Fall 2028. Application will open in August 2027, and deadline is December 1, 2027.
Elma Lorenzo-Blanco
- Associate Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Seeking undergraduate student research assistants for course credit or on a volunteer basis. See profile for more details.
Dr. Lorenzo-Blanco is not admitting a graduate student for the 2026/2027 admissions cycle. Applications are due on Dec 1st.
Nicole Perry
- Assistant Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Perry is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.
Gabriela Livas
- Professor
- Department Chair
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Fatima Varner
- Associate Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
I am not recruiting graduate students for Fall 2026.