The “Happy Tech” Team
CURRENT MEMBERS
Carli Ochs
Dr. Carli Ochs is a Post-doctoral researcher who joined the team in September 2023. Her research focuses on how technology, particularly smartphones, affects individual users as well as,more widely, social interactions and society. Dr. Ochs was awarded funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation to continue her research after completing her Ph.D. at the University of Fribourg. With this funding, she is conducting research in collaboration with Dr. Kostadin Kushlev on how smartphone use and type of use across different social contexts affect smartphone users’ well-being.
Grace Falgoust
Grace is a Ph.D. student at Georgetown University. Her research is driven by a desire to understand what factors encourage people to use technology in ways that positively impact their well-being. She also explores how these insights can shape laws and regulations around digital use, with a particular interest in the intersection of educational policies and technology to enhance adolescent well-being. Before joining Georgetown, Falgoust honed her research skills as a research assistant at the RAND Corporation. She also spent a year with the nonprofit Impact America and managed the DIGITAL Laboratory at Clemson University, which investigates team dynamics in high-stress situations.
Tessa van der Willigen
Tessa is a visiting researcher who joined the lab in late 2021. Following a career in international economics, she studied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently developing a theoretical model of autonomy intended to bridge the literatures on self-determination, self-control, and well-being. This work is intended to lay the basis for analyzing the varied ways in which technology impacts personal autonomy and thereby well-being.
KIBUM MOON
Kibum Moon is a Ph.D. student at Georgetown University working with Dr. Kostadin Kushlev. He is interested in investigating the effects of digital technology on well-being and developing interventions to improve digital well-being. He has a double major in Psychology and Science Technology Studies (STS) for his bachelor's degree, and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Korea University. He also has experience as a data scientist working on projects to promote college students' well-being through machine learning and deep learning algorithms. He aims to integrate data science techniques into psychological research to enhance capabilities.
Alejandro jaco
Alejandro joined the lab in January 2024 as the Research Project Manager for a National Institute of Mental Health grant studying the causal effects of exposure to social media on adolescent mental health. He is also serving as the interim Lab Manager. Alejandro holds a B.S. in Cognitive Science from Yale University, where he worked with several psychology and neuroscience labs, including the Chang Lab. His research interests focus on understanding the correlates of social variables on cognition, decision-making, and development.
Dexter king
Dexter graduated from Georgetown University in 2024 with a major in Psychology and minors in Business Studies and Film & Media Studies. He joined the lab as a research assistant in May 2022 and is returning in Fall 2024 as the Lab Manager. Dexter studies how developing technology mediums interact with well-being, with a specific interest in developing interventions targeted at decreasing negative effects. In his free time, Dexter enjoys traveling and recording music — he is from Indianapolis, Indiana.
MAUREEN HARRIS
Maureen joined the lab as a research associate in January 2022 and is studying the effectiveness of mental health applications to treat anxiety and depression. She is particularly interested in the intersection of educational practices and technology to increase subjective well being in late-age adults. In addition to working in the lab, Maureen works as an educational consultant specializing in neurodiverse populations.
Alexandra Gardner
Alexandra is a Junior at Georgetown University from London, UK, majoring in Psychology and Theology. She joined Dr Kushlev’s Happy Tech Lab as a research assistant in February 2024 and is interested in the ways our hyper-connected lifestyle attenuates or exacerbates certain adaptive emotions and impacts social skills. In her free time, Alejandra is involved in several music groups and design teams on campus.
Solene Darioli
Solene currently lives in Fribourg, Switzerland, and is obtaining a Master's Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology. She joined Dr. Kushlev's Happy Tech Lab as a research assistant in Spring 2024. As a psychology student, she is very interested in how technology can be used for therapeutic purposes and she would love to add this element to her future clinical practice.
Mimi Lee
Mimi is a rising sophomore at Georgetown studying Psychology and Technology, Ethics, and Society (TES). She is fascinated by the influence of digital technology on our happiness and overall wellbeing and feels these topics are especially relevant in our hyper-digital age. Mimi joined the Happy Tech lab in Summer 2024 as a research assistant and is thrilled to advance their meaningful work.
Maya taylor
Maya is a sophomore from Pennsylvania double majoring computer science and psychology at Georgetown University. She joined the Happy Tech lab in September 2024 as a Research Assistant, and is interested in exploring why individuals commit cybercrimes and how this can inform better prevention strategies. Outside of the lab, she volunteers with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, rock climbs, and explores DC with her friends and dog.
Alexandra Lailer
Alex is a sophomore from Wisconsin majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Spanish and Cognitive Science at Georgetown University. She joined Dr. Kushlev’s Happy Tech Lab as a research assistant in Spring 2024 and is interested in studying the effects social media on adolescent development and mental well-being. Outside of the lab, Alex spends her time dancing, running, and with her family and friends.
sarah fritz
Sarah is a sophomore from Los Angeles, California majoring in Psychology and with a minor in Medical Humanities, Society, and Culture. She joined the lab as a Research Assistant in Spring 2024. She is excited to investigate the effect of digital technology on health and psychological well being, as she plans to pursue a career in healthcare.
Nicole Puapattanakajorn
Nicole is a junior from Bangkok, Thailand majoring at Psychology and double minoring in English and Disability Studies at Georgetown University. She joined the Happy Tech lab as a research assistant in May 2024 and is interested in exploring the changing impact of mental health content in the ever changing social media landscape. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crochet and trying out new recipes for baked goods.
MEghan Guberman
Meghan just graduated from Haverford College with a major in psychology and a minor in child and family studies. She joined the lab as a summer research assistant in June 2024 and is interested in exploring the effects of social media use on adolescent mental health. In addition to working in the lab, Meghan works as a rehabilitation counselor.
Alicia owens
Alicia is a junior from Massachusetts majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Film & Media Studies and English. She joined the lab as a Research Assistant in Fall 2024 and is interested in exploring how interactive media use impacts social interactions and community, as well as how the production of film and other media can motivate social progress.