Leehyun Yoon, PhD

Dr. Leehyun Yoon is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology and the Center for Vital Longevity at UT Dallas. Her research field is developmental social affective neuroscience, and her research focuses on how people at different developmental stages and with different mental health conditions update self-views and maintain a positive (but not too positive) sense of self when faced with ups and downs in social and performance outcomes. More broadly, Dr. Yoon aims to understand how and why self-related processing, thought patterns, and social behaviors change across development and how such development is affected by common mental health problems such as depression. Dr. Yoon received doctoral training in social/affective and decision neuroscience at Korea University and postdoctoral training in developmental psychopathology and neuroscience at UC Davis to pursue her interdisciplinary research interest.

See Leehyun Yoon’s CV

Thomas Painter, BS

Thomas graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in psychology. As an undergraduate, he worked in the Aging Well Lab at the Center for Vital Longevity. Thomas is interested in studying aging across the lifespan as well as self-esteem. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys fishing and playing video games.

Dimple Wadhwa, MS

I graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and child learning & development in 2021 and received a master’s degree in medical sciences from Texas A&M University in 2023. Throughout my time at UTD, I was involved in Dr. Francesca Filbey’s Lab and Dr. Jiyoung Park’s Cultural and Affective Neuroscience Lab. I am interested in investigating the relationship between psychopathology and chronic illness from adolescence to adulthood and the role stress plays. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf, working out, reading, and baking!

Kathryn Ditzler

Kathryn is a third year biology student at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is also in the UTEACH program earning her teaching certificate. Her research interests include child development and psychology. After completing her degree she hopes to go on to medical school and become a pediatric surgeon. Kathryn enjoys activities such as painting, drawing, and hiking in her free time.

Haley Price

Haley received her associate of science from Collin College Wylie. She is now an undergraduate at UT Dallas studying psychology. She currently is an undergrad research assistant in the DSAN laboratory. Her research interests include cognitive changes due to external factors in daily life. After graduating, Haley wants to get her master’s in psychology. Outside of the lab, Haley enjoys reading and taking her dog for walks.  

Hamshitha Sasidhar

Hamshitha is currently a sophomore pursuing a BS in neuroscience on the pre-medical track at The University of Texas at Dallas. Previously, Hamshitha worked in the Baby Brain Lab under Dr. Meghan Swanson, studying caregiver communication and the correlation to infant brain and cognitive development. She is interested in studying social competence and social learning in adolescence coupled with the influence of mental disorders. In her free time, Hamshitha enjoys window shopping and watching new television shows and movies!