Positive Social Development Lab
at Virginia Tech
People
Principal Investigator
Dr. Zehra Gülseven is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. Dr. Gülseven received her B.S. in Psychology from Abant Ä°zzet Baysal University, in Turkey, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Missouri with an emphasis in Human Development and a collateral specialization in Statistics. Then, she completed her postdoctoral studies in the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine.
Her research primarily focuses on positive social development during childhood and adolescence. She is particularly interested in prosocial behavior and moral development with individual, parental, cultural, and contextual correlates in culturally diverse children and adolescents.
Graduate Research Assistant
Bengisu is a second-year PhD student who received her B.S. in psychology from Middle East Technical University in 2019. She also received her MSc degree in Developmental Psychology from the same institution in 2023. Her research interests include prosocial behaviors, parenting, culture, and emotion regulation. Outside of the lab, she enjoys listening to podcasts, watching sitcoms, practicing yoga, and reading.
Graduate Research Assistant
Kennedy is a second-year Ph.D. student in the PSD Lab. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023 with Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Exercise and Sports Science. She has been involved in developmental research at both UNC and Boston College. Her primary research interests explore culture, parenting practices, and youth prosocial behavior. In her free time, Kennedy likes to read, dance, crochet, and hang out with her dog, Goldie.
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Undergraduate Research Assistants
Sophia Cunningham
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sophia Cunningham is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Applied Brain and Behavior. She loves working with kids and hopes to be a forensic psychologist. In her free time, she loves to do Pilates, travel and draw! She has been with the PSD Lab since Fall 2024.
Leelie Kebede
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Leelie is a senior undergraduate research assistant. She has been with the PSD Lab since Fall 2024.
Brianna Leon
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Brianna is a senior majoring in Psychology with minors in Spanish and Leadership and Social Change. She is interested in childhood social development as it relates to both parenting as well as culture. In her free time, she loves to read, crochet, and check out cute spots around Blacksburg. She has been with the PSD Lab since Fall 2023.
Anna Martin
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Anna is a sophomore Clinical Neuroscience major with a minor in Disability Studies. She is interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field and is passionate about developmental science. Outside of the lab, she loves being outdoors and trying new restaurants. She has been with the PSD Lab since Fall 2024.
Emma McClellan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Emma is a senior majoring in Biology and Psychology, interested in early childhood development and postpartum health care. In her free time, she likes to read and go hiking. She has been with the PSD Lab since Summer 2024.
Jaya Powell
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jaya is a junior, and double majoring in psychology and HNFE (human, nutrition, food, and exercise). She is interested in researching/learning more about neuropsychology and social psychology. Outside of the lab, she loves to hike, play basketball, and make chocolate covered pretzels. She has been with the PSD Lab since Fall 2023.
Xi Zheng
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Xi is a junior psychology student at Virginia Tech. She likes to knowledge related to personality psychology, and animal behavior. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing video games, going on road trips with her friends. She has been with the PSD Lab since Fall 2023.
Lab Alumni
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Basem Huneidi - Spring 2024
Our Collaborators
Professor, School of Education
University of California, Irvine
Professor, Department of Psychology
Ozyegin University, Turkiye
Professor, School of Education
University of California, Irvine
Chancellor's Professor Emerita, School of Education
University of California, Irvine
Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
Pennsylvania State University, DuBois
Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
University of New Hampshire
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Northern Arizona University