HDFS faculty seek to understand how individuals’ relationships and social experiences are associated with their health and well-being. Researchers examine a variety of physiological processes including salivary hormones, genetic predispositions and daily symptoms associated with people’s behaviors, emotions and experiences. Faculty also investigate how experiences and interactions with important others in individuals’ lives impact mental health and risky health behaviors.
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.
Sae Hwang Han
- Associate Professor
- Human Development & Family Sciences
Accepting doctoral students to start in Fall 2026 (application deadline is Dec. 1).
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.
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