Graduate Students
Jacqueline Fidellow
Jacqueline is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. She graduated from SMU in 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience, Statistical Science, and Philosophy. Jacqueline worked for a year as a psychometrist before returning to SMU to pursue her graduate degree. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing with dogs, driving, making very specific playlists on Spotify, and spending time with friends.
Ziyue (Ziy) Zhao
Ziy is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at SMU. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Psychology in 2022 and received her M.S. in Human Development from the University of Pennsylvania in 2024. Her research interest focuses on the interplay between parents’ relationships, parent–child interactions, and overall family emotional dynamics, and how these factors influence family functioning, psychological well-being, and children's development. Outside of work, she likes cooking, walking around the city, exploring restaurants, and swimming.
Research Assistants
Ananya Anupindi
Ananya is a sophomore at SMU with majors in Accounting and Psychology. She has been part of the Family Health and Development lab since January 2025 and is an AY25-26 Hamilton Scholar. A fun fact about her is that she is a big fan of "The Walking Dead" video games!
Elle Caldon
Elle is a junior at Southern Methodist University, double-majoring in Psychology and Health and Society. She joined the Family Health and Development Lab during the Fall 2025 semester. She serves as the program assistant for the Mustang Scholars Program, Co-Editor-in-Chief of the University Honors Program’s student publication, and works in the Scholars Den. She appreciates traveling and studied abroad at the University of Oxford after her first year at SMU. In summer 2025, she traveled back to the UK as the program assistant for SMU-in-Oxford. When not studying, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, listening to music, playing tennis, and crocheting. Long-term, Elle aspires to get her PhD in clinical psychology to understand and provide therapy for individuals with different mental disorders.
Abigail Martinez
Abby is a sophomore at SMU studying Finance and Psychology. She joined the lab in September 2025 and is excited to gain research experience and contribute to ongoing projects. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, and going to concerts.
Seerat Naeem
Seerat is a junior at SMU, majoring in Biology and Health & Society with a minor in Psychology. She is on the Pre-Physican Assistant track and hopes to work in family medicine. Seerat is from from Euless, TX but her family is originally from Pakistan. Fun fact: Seerat speaks three languages: Urdu, Punjabi, and English!
Wisdom Ojo
Wisdom is a sophomore student with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Neuroscience. Wisdom joined the Family Health & Development Lab in January 2025. Her hobbies include playing sports, spending time with friends, and playing guitar.
Mythili Reddibathini
Mythili is a sophomore at SMU majoring in Finance and Health & Society, and an AY25-26 Hamilton Scholar. This is her second semester in the Family Health & Development Lab. In her free time, Mythili enjoys road trips, spending time with friends and family, and reading.
Lab Alumni
Connor McAlpin
Connor graduated from SMU in 2024, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. Connor joined the Family Health & Development Lab in 2022. His hobbies include reading, hiking, and hunting.
Maha Bilal
Nina Castaneda
Ainsley Johnson
Jordan Judson
Rachel Marchand
Ruthie Miller
Sophia Shapiro