Colorado State University

Dr. Emily Merz

(she/her)

Principal Investigator/ Lab Director

Emily Merz, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University. As a neuroscientist and licensed clinical psychologist, she directs the LEARN lab where she and her team study associations between socioeconomic inequality and the developing brain. She is particularly interested in the factors in children’s lives that promote resilience and effective strategies that reduce socioeconomic disparities in children’s health and development. Dr. Merz received her graduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh, completed her clinical internship at the University of California, San Diego, and completed postdoctoral training at Columbia University.  

Jordan Strack

(she/her)

Graduate Student

Jordan Strack is a third-year graduate student at Colorado State University. She is interested in studying the neurobiology of mental health, especially in high risk populations. She is particularly interested in the neural development of children experiencing chronic stress and how this may manifest as psychosis later in their lifetime. Jordan received her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from Baylor University.

Melissa Hansen

(she/her)

Graduate Student

Melissa Hansen is a second-year graduate student at Colorado State University. She is interested in studying the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the relationship between socioeconomic inequality and neurobiological and cognitive development in children. Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Baylor University and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Lydia Jacobs

(she/her)

Graduate Student

Lydia Jacobs is a first-year graduate student at Colorado State University. She is interested in studying the ways that experiences related to socioeconomic status affect brain development in children and adolescents. She is also interested in researching ways to alleviate socioeconomic disparities in development by looking at social factors from a neurobiological standpoint. Lydia received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Utah University.

Joselyn Cerrillo

(she/her)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Joselyn is a first-generation senior undergraduate student at Colorado State University. She is studying psychology with a concentration in mind, brain, and behavior. Joselyn is interested in factors that influence the neuropsychological and cognitive development of children, particularly those in underrepresented populations. Joselyn hopes to attend graduate school after completing her undergraduate studies.

Ella Hummels

(they/them)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Ella is an undergraduate sophomore at CSU studying Psychology. They are interested in the ways that social and cultural disadvantages impact neurobiological and cognitive development. Ella hopes to attend graduate school after completing their undergraduate studies.

Hailee Hurtado

(she/her)

Hailee graduated in 2022 from Colorado State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a certificate in ethics and society. Hailee is interested in studying how genetic and environmental factors influence neurodevelopment in children. Hailee plans to attend graduate school in genetic counseling in the near future.