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.
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.
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.
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.
ELIZABETH KRONTHAL
Elizabeth is a senior at Georgetown University from Potomac, Maryland. She is majoring in Psychology and Anthropology, and minoring in Studio Art. She joined Dr. Kushlev’s Happy Tech Lab as a research assistant in January 2023, and is particularly interested in studying the effects of manipulated social media content on mental health. Elizabeth plans to pursue a graduate degree and career in psychology.
MADELINE LEE
Madeline is a junior from Seoul, South Korea. She is in Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service majoring in Global Business and minoring in Psychology. Madeline joined the lab as a research assistant in Fall 2022 after taking Dr. Kushlev's Social Psychology class. She is interested in the long-term effects of technology on individuals in this increasingly digital world. In her free time, Madeline likes dancing, traveling, and watching sports.
Alejandro jaco
Alejandro joined the lab in January 2024 as the Research Project Manager for a National Institute of Mental Health grant study on the causal effects of exposure to social media on adolescent mental health. Alejandro received a B.S. in Cognitive Science from Yale University, where he had the opportunity to work with multiple psychology and neuroscience labs, including the Chang Lab, where he developed an interest in the holistic correlates of social variables on cognition, decision-making, and development. Looking ahead, Alejandro plans to apply to psychology and neuroscience graduate programs in the coming year.
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.
Sutton Vaughn
Sutton is a senior from Pennsylvania majoring in Psychology at Georgetown University. She joined the lab as a Lab Manager in April 2023. Sutton is interested in the intersection between psychological research and how it informs ever-evolving public opinions and policy. She plans to attend a clinical psychology PhD program post-grad. In her free time, Sutton likes to travel, play sports, and spend time with her family.
Dexter King
Dexter is a senior from Indianapolis, Indiana majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business Studies and Film & Media Studies. He joined the lab as a research assistant in May 2022 and is interested in the psychological mechanisms behind our interactions with new technology mediums and the effect of social media on our well-being. In his free time, Dexter likes playing sports, traveling, and recording music.
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.
Kate loughran
Kate is a sophomore from New York majoring in Psychology at Georgetown University. She joined the lab as a Research Assistant in October 2023. Kate is interested in how psychology plays a role in our everyday lives, particularly in regards to technology. Kate is excited to do research for the lab and learn more about digital well-being. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
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.
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.