Lab Director
A. Nayena Blankson, Ph.D.
Dr. Blankson is a Professor of Psychology at Spelman College. Dr. Blankson graduate summa cum laude with a B.A. in psychology and minor in mathematical sciences from Loyola University Maryland. She earned her Ph.D. in quantitative psychology from the University of Southern California where she worked with the late Dr. John L. Horn, as well as Dr. Rand Wilcox. Dr. Blankson served for two years as a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the Family Research Center at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro before coming to Spelman. Her substantive research interests include the organization and development of cognitive abilities as it relates to personality, parenting, and schooling. Her quantitative interests include measurement invariance and structural equation modeling.
Dr. Blankson is a Professor of Psychology at Spelman College. Dr. Blankson graduate summa cum laude with a B.A. in psychology and minor in mathematical sciences from Loyola University Maryland. She earned her Ph.D. in quantitative psychology from the University of Southern California where she worked with the late Dr. John L. Horn, as well as Dr. Rand Wilcox. Dr. Blankson served for two years as a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the Family Research Center at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro before coming to Spelman. Her substantive research interests include the organization and development of cognitive abilities as it relates to personality, parenting, and schooling. Her quantitative interests include measurement invariance and structural equation modeling.
Project Manager
Yemimah King, Ph.D.
Dr. King is a Postdoc and Project Manager for the C.A.T. Lab at Spelman College. Dr. King earned her B.A. in Psychology at Georgia State University (GSU) and earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. She will be joining the department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at GSU as a tenure track professor in the Fall 2023. Her research interests include how the following factors support children's early language and math development: parent-child interactions, learning environments, and educational activity engagement. Dr. King enjoys dancing, roller skating, listening to podcasts, and traveling with family and friends.
Dr. King is a Postdoc and Project Manager for the C.A.T. Lab at Spelman College. Dr. King earned her B.A. in Psychology at Georgia State University (GSU) and earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. She will be joining the department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at GSU as a tenure track professor in the Fall 2023. Her research interests include how the following factors support children's early language and math development: parent-child interactions, learning environments, and educational activity engagement. Dr. King enjoys dancing, roller skating, listening to podcasts, and traveling with family and friends.
Current Research Assistants
Ahniah Charles is a graduating senior Psychology major with a concentration in mental health from Houston, Texas. She is interested in the connection the impact of emotional support and family household structure on child academic success. Upon graduating from Spelman, she plans to obtain her PhD in Human Development and Family Studies. Her hobbies include reading books, spending time with family, and traveling the world.
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Amirah Mckinley is a rising junior Psychology major from Evanston Illinois by way of Indianapolis Indiana. I am interested in Neuropsychology and looking at the relationship between brain and behavior. I have a specific interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Upon graduating Spelman, I would like to obtain a PhD in Neuropsychology and become a Pediatric Neuropsychologist or a Forensic Neuropsychologist. In my free time, I enjoy painting, reading, spending time in nature and with family.
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Traci Turpin is a sophomore Psychology major from Richmond, Virginia. I am interested in integrating the separation between psychiatric service animals and the assistance that they could offer people with mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I plan on attending medical school in order to earn an MD degree, once I graduate from Spelman College, with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist. Some of my favorite hobbies include spending time with family, going shopping, and travelling.
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Kentra Greene is a junior Psychology major from Somerville Massachusetts. My career goals are to one day work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Forensic Neuropsychologist, and in my free time I enjoy naps and documentaries.
Chloe Allen is a junior psychology major from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is interested in child and developmental psychology and aspires to research how adverse life experiences and family relationships affect the cognitive and emotional development in children from underrepresented groups. After graduating from Spelman College, she plans to obtain her masters and PhD in either developmental or child psychology and use her degrees to implement policies and programs that will meet the unique needs of children of color. She hopes to become a licensed psychologist as well. Some hobbies she enjoys are dancing, watching films, working out, and spending time with family and friends.
Zoe Azille is a psychology major with a concentration in mental health and a dance minor on the pedagogy track from West Orange, New Jersey. I am interested in child psychology and development psychology because my career plan is to be a school psychologist. My main goal with that job is to be a resource that kids can use when they can’t go to therapy or have no one to talk to. After graduation I plan to get either my master's or Ed.S. in school psychology depending on which school I go to. Plus, while I’m back in school I plan on being a dance teacher. Some hobbies I enjoy are reading, listening to music, and stargazing.