Dr. Alva Tang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at The University of Texas at Dallas, and the Principle Investigator of the Laboratory for Healthy Social-Emotional Development. Dr. Tang completed her BSc at the University of Toronto, PhD at McMaster University, and post-doctoral training at the University of Maryland. Dr. Tang’s ultimate goals are to (1) to promote long-term healthy development for children, by understanding the risk factors and developmental processes that can enhance our ability to implement prevention strategies; (2) train the next generation of young scientists with rigorous methods and theoretically grounded research programs. See Alva’s CV.

Research Assistant

Summer Moser graduated in 2025 from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is the Lab Manager and Research Assistant I in the lab.

PhD Students

Carole Leung is a second-year PhD student in the Cognition and Neuroscience program at UTD. She completed her MSc in Music, Mind and Brain at Goldsmiths, University of London. Carole is interested in how individual differences and life experiences during childhood and adolescence shape development and mental well-being over time. Additionally, she is interested in investigating the neural mechanisms underpinning these processes. In her free time, Carole likes to watch Netflix, play the piano, and go on walks in parks.

Taesun Kim is a first-year PhD student. She completed her MSc in Brain and Cognitive engineering from Korea University. Taesun is interested in understanding individual differences in youth’s social emotional development, including neural mechanisms, and other social environmental factors that promote growth. In her free time, Taesun enjoys spending time with friends, watching musicals, and hiking.

Master’s Students
Megan Russell is a first-year master’s student in the Psychology program. She received her B.S. in Psychology and minor in criminology from UTD in 2024. Megan is interested in peer influence and risky behaviors during adolescence. In her free time, Megan enjoys playing oboe, watching college basketball, and spending time with her cat, Pearl. 

Undergraduate Students
Ethan Taylor
Rebecca Beights
Lucie Nguyen
Vidhi Pujara
Tunesh Pallavalli

Interested undergraduate students please send your CV and unofficial transcript to alvatang@utdallas.edu