HDFS research places attention on many aspects of diversity and culture, including the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals’ environments, differences in how diverse groups of individuals shape and are shaped by these environments and variations in these processes across diverse geographic regions, both nationally and internationally.

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.

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.

Jeffrey Lockman
- Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Ecology
Dr. Lockman is reviewing applications for doctoral students for academic year 26-27.

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.

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.