HDFS faculty are interested in how contexts outside the family affect individual development, exploring both proximal contexts that individuals experience directly and distal contexts that affect individuals indirectly. In some instances, contexts are closely tied to the physical settings in which individuals spend their time, such as schools, neighborhoods or workplaces, while in other cases contexts are not defined by a particular physical space but instead are manifested in social trends and opportunities or societal stratification, including socioeconomic resources, the media, family or social policy.
Maria Arredondo
- Assistant Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Arrendondo will not be reviewing doctoral applications for admission in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Aprile Benner
- Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Benner is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.
Mateo Farina
- Assistant Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Farina 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.
Jeffrey J. Lockman
- Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Accepting new Ph.D.students to start in Fall 2026.
Application deadline is Dec 1, 2025.
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.
Elizabeth Muñoz
- Associate Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Muñoz is not accepting new Ph.D. students.
Lisa Neff
- Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Neff is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.
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.
Hannah Williamson
- Associate Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Williamson is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.