People

Our team of faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students develop research that generates novel understanding about intergenerational pathways of risk and resilience in diverse families. Read more about our current team, our collaborators and our lab alumni.

Our Team

• Faculty Director, Angela J. Narayan, PhD, LP
  

  Angela J. Narayan, Ph.D., L.P. 

  Angela Narayan, PhD, LP, is an Associate Professor in the Clinical Child Psychology PhD Program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver (DU). She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She received her PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota and completed a predoctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry and Child Trauma Research Program at UCSF. Dr. Narayan directs a program of research that examines how childhood adversity and positive childhood experiences have enduring effects on development across adolescence, adulthood and parenthood. She is particularly interested in understanding intergenerational pathways of adversity, psychopathology, and resilience in populations with diverse backgrounds. She has authored or co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. She is on the editorial board of three peer-reviewed journals, Development and Psychopathology, Child Abuse & Neglect, and Adversity and Resilience Science.

  Dr. Narayan is currently the PI of three large studies. One study is a multi-wave prospective study of over 250 low-income Denver families that began during pregnancy and includes both gestational and non-gestational caregivers. This study assesses the lifespan and intergenerational pathways of childhood experiences and relationships into parenthood and the next generation, as well as the role of multi-system resilience in protecting against the intergenerational transmission of trauma and psychopathology from parents to children. Within this study, Dr. Narayan and her team have followed families through three- and 12-months postpartum (all completed), and they are currently conducting follow-up waves during the children's last year of preschool and kindergarten school year. This study has five waves of prospective data on pregnant individuals and non-gestational caregivers (60% of whom identify as non-White) spanning from pregnancy through their children's early childhood period (birth to age 5). 

  The second study is a large survey-based study that assessed the associations between childhood experiences and relationships and young adulthood mental health and high-risk behaviors in 1,750 U.S. young adults, including before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study has a wealth of data, including the expanded 20-item Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) scale, multidimensional data on childhood adversity, attachment relationships, and school experiences; and emotions, health, and behavior in young adults aged 19-35 years.

  The third study is a multigenerational study of mothers and grandmothers that aims to understand patterns of resilience across generations in adult women and their own mothers. A main focus of this project is to understand how mothers’ and grandmothers’ positive childhood experiences (PCEs) serve as protective factors against childhood adversity and stressful life events to promote adulthood health and wellbeing. The vast majority of individuals everywhere have experienced some adversity or stress during their upbringing. A wealth of research over the past 30 years has documented that higher levels of childhood adversity relate to elevated odds of adulthood mental health problems, higher rates of chronic disease, and even earlier mortality. However, very little research focuses on the positive side of the story: that people’s PCEs often offset the effects of their childhood adversity and promote better health and wellbeing across the lifespan and over generations. 

  Awards: Dr. Narayan has received numerous trainee and early career research awards, including from the UCSF Department of Psychiatry, APA Division 56 (Trauma Psychology), APA Division 37 (Child and Family Policy, Maltreatment Section), ZERO TO THREE, and APA Division 53 (the Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology).  

  Expert Witness Testimony: Dr. Narayan serves as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases for topics involving childhood maltreatment (e.g., abuse and neglect), domestic and community violence, and the developmental effects of trauma exposure on youth and adults.

  Media: Dr. Narayan is a monthly contributor to the Denver9 (NBC) News, where she speaks about parenting, child development, and mental health. Her work has been featured in national and local media outlets, including the Washington Post, NBC’s Today.com, USA Today, the LA Guardian, the Denver Gazette, Denver7 News, the Colorado Sun, and the Conversation.

  Clinical Expertise: Dr. Narayan is a licensed clinical psychologist in Colorado and a clinical supervisor in the Center for Child and Family Psychology (CCFP) in the DU Department of Psychology. Her evidence-based treatment expertise is in trauma-informed therapies (e.g., Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and relationship-based and parent-focused treatments (e.g., Parent Management Training, Interpersonal Psychotherapy). 

  Trainings and Workshops: Dr. Narayan frequently gives presentations and workshops to many local and national groups and organizations, including academic researchers, as well as community health providers, early childhood educators, and other audiences (e.g., reporters and journalists, child welfare supervisors, home visitors, law enforcement personnel, juvenile justice officials, etc.). Workshop content often includes concrete strategies to assess and understand the effects of childhood trauma, and training to use the Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) scales and other resilience-based instruments and interviews directly in community agencies serving traumatized and underserved parents, children, and families. Please email Angela.Narayan@du.edu if you or your organization is interested in a workshop. 

• Graduate Students

  Anna Hinojosa, Graduate Student

  

  Anna Hinojosa, BA, is a first-year clinical child psychology doctoral student in the PROTECT Lab. She earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in French at Arizona State University in 2023. At ASU, she worked as a research assistant studying early child cognitive development and adolescent peer and romantic relationships. After graduation, she worked as a Clinical Research Assistant at Brown University Health where she coordinated the development and testing of a digital sexual health program designed to strengthen adolescent emotion regulation and decision-making. She also supported studies on adolescent dating violence prevention and early biomarkers of substance use risk. She has worked with children ages four to 16 years and their caregivers.

  Anna is interested in studying how parents’ own early childhood experiences shaped their relationships with their caregivers and in turn, influence the emotional environment that they then create for their children. She is particularly interested in how relational centeredness within diverse family structures influences developmental pathways of risk and resilience. 

  In her free time, Anna loves to paint, read, binge-watch shows, and explore new coffee shops!

  Arianna Lane, Graduate Student

  

  Arianna Lane, BA, is a fifth-year clinical child psychology doctoral student in the PROTECT Lab. She completed her BA in Psychology at the University of Southern California in 2018. Following graduation, she spent three years coordinating research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. There, she studied associations between trauma and mental health in children with critical illness, as well as dissemination of digital interventions to improve pediatric mental health outcomes. She also served as a volunteer crisis counselor at the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center.

  Arianna is interested in processes of risk and resilience underlying pathways between early experiences (ACEs, BCEs) to mental health outcomes in individuals and couples. In her free time, she loves getting to explore all that Colorado has to offer.

  

  Trudy Mickel, Graduate Student

  Trudy is a third-year PhD student in the PROTECT Lab. She completed her BA in Psychology with distinction at the University of Denver in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she was involved in the Doom Lab investigating developmental pathways to cardiometabolic risk in adulthood. With Dr. Jenalee Doom, she completed a senior thesis exploring if youth sports participation influences smoking behavior, dietary quality, and physical activity patterns in adulthood using the Adolescent to Adult Health Study (Add Health). At DU, she was also a research assistant on the Care Project with Dr. Doom and Dr. Elysia Davis where she coded mother-child interactions to assess maternal sensory signals. She worked with young kids on a variety of tasks assessing executive functioning, mother-child interaction, and emotional eating. The broader aim was to understand if prenatal intervention designed to reduce maternal depressive symptoms led to better child cardiovascular health. 

  Trudy's current research interests as she begins her doctoral studies in the Clinical Child Psychology program include exploring Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) as a pathway to resilience, with a particular interest in the role of childhood sports environments. In her spare time, she loves adventuring with her dog and friends, running around Wash Park, and cheering on her three brothers at their athletic events.

  

  Sophie Srivastava, Graduate Student

  Sophie Srivastava, BA, is a first-year clinical child psychology doctoral student in the PROTECT lab. She completed her BA in Psychology with a minor in Nutrition at Chapman University in 2022, and played on the university’s volleyball team. After graduating, she spent three years working as a research coordinator for the Pediatric Experiences in Development Study. In this role, she coordinated a longitudinal study following mother-child dyads enrolled during pregnancy to examine the effects of prenatal influences and unpredictability in childhood on development. Sophie worked with kids ages six to 10 in that lab, where she conducted behavioral/cognitive assessments, assisted with MRIs, and assessed child suicidal thoughts and behaviors. 

  Sophie is interested in studying how early childhood experiences and family factors contribute to resilience for child internalizing disorders. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, doing crochet, and watching movies!

• Undergraduate Students

  Katie Lamberton, Undergraduate Student

  

  Katie Lamberton is a fourth-year student at the University of Denver, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with minors in Mathematics and Leadership Studies. During her second year, she earned a Data-Informed Decisions Micro-Credential, focusing on the effectiveness of a parenting curriculum through the Parent Project in collaboration with the non-profit organization, One More Moment. Recently, Katie completed a summer internship at Colorado Children’s Hospital in Aurora, where she investigated the association between adolescents’ experiences of trauma and adversity reported during primary health care visits and elevated depression scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). As Katie begins DU’s Distinction Program, her current research interests focus on intergenerational cycles of abuse, parenting styles, and resilience. In her free time, Katie enjoys skiing at Breckenridge and exploring Colorado.

   

  

  Sophie Trojanowski, Undergraduate Student

  Sophie Trojanowski is a first-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Cognitive Neuroscience concentration and a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. Sophie is also an E-STEM and Honors Scholar at the University of Denver. Sophie spent twelve years as a classical ballet dancer, during which time she trained in ballet pedagogy and body-safe dance instruction. In 2023, she had the opportunity to assist in the founding of a new dance school in Colorado focused on inclusivity, body-positivity, and serving people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to provide a safe, accessible community space for enrichment. She is passionate about cultivating healthy extracurricular environments for underprivileged youth to promote positive mental health outcomes. Sophie is especially interested in the impacts of adoption and divorce on mental health outcomes and relational dynamics across generations. In her free time, Sophie loves puzzles of all kinds, reading books about history, and exploring Colorado. 

  

  Sutasanie Suwannakorn, Undergraduate Student

  Sutasanie Suwannakorn is a first-year undergraduate at the University of Denver studying Psychology and Socio-Legal Studies with minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies. She is also a 2025 Boettcher Scholar. Before college, Sutasanie spearheaded partnerships with underserved elementary schools in the Jefferson County district, developing mentorship-based support systems for children exposed to poverty, gang violence, and instability in the home. She also worked as an intern for Jeffco READS, where she supported children in developing foundational literacy skills. In the future, Sutasanie aims to work as a therapist serving underserved and vulnerable populations internationally, like women and children impacted by sex trafficking. She is particularly interested in fostering equitable systems of support for long-term mental health resilience, with a focus on intimate partner violence prevention and interpersonal dynamics. In her free time, Sutasanie enjoys practicing jiu-jitsu, learning to play hockey, and reading.

• Alumni

  PROTECT Lab Graduate Alums:

  • Vicky Atzl, PhD '22, University of Denver. Postdoctoral Fellow, TRANSFORM Research Center / Mount Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. Current Position: Licensed Psychologist (LP) and Assistant Director of HEAL (Healing through Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), University of Rochester Medical Center.
  • Carly Girnun, PsyD '24, University of Denver: Current Position: Clinical Psychology Predoctoral Intern, Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department, Early Head Start, Miami, FL.
  • Jacqueline Jacobs, PsyD '24, University of Denver. Clinical Psychology Predoctoral Intern, Right Start for Infant Mental Health at WellPower, Denver, CO. Postdoctoral Fellow, Irving Harris Program in Child Development and Infant Mental Health, University of Colorado, Denver, CO. 
  • Jill Merrick, PhD '23, University of Denver. Postdoctoral Fellow, Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL. 
  • Laura River, PhD '23, University of Denver. Postdoctoral Fellow, Irving Harris Program in Child Development and Infant Mental Health, University of Colorado, Denver, CO. Current Position: Visiting Assistant Professor, DU Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) and Licensed Psychologist (LP) at Integrated Behavioral Health.
  • Rebecca Spear, PsyD '22, University of Denver. Postdoctoral Fellow, Birch Psychology, Denver, CO. Current Position: Licensed Psychologist (LP) at Birch Psychology.
  • Cassie Svelnys, PhD '25, University of Denver. Postdoctoral Fellow, Irving Harris Program in Child Development and Infant Mental Health, University of Colorado, Denver, CO. 

  PROTECT Lab Undergraduate Alums:

  • Lily Anderson, BA, '22, University of Denver. Graduate program: Masters of Social Work, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver.
  • Miriam Castillo, BA '19, University of Denver. Post-bac position: ABA therapist, Firefly Autism, Denver, CO.
  • Emma Cole, BA '20, University of Denver. Post-bac program: Postbac Premed Program, Columbia University.
  • Gavin Hood, BA '25, University of Denver, Post-bac position at Children's Hospital Colorado.
  • Nina Lillehei, BA '19, University of Denver. Post-bac position: Research assistant in the Neurodevelopmental Research Program, Department of Psychology, University of Denver. Graduate program: Master of social work program, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver.
  • Maddy Ober, BA '18, University of Denver. Post-bac position: Eating disorder Technician, the Emily Program, Minneapolis, MN. Graduate program: Clinical Psychology PsyD program, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver.
  • Katherine (Kat) Papa, BA, '22, University of Denver, Graduate program: Masters in Counseling, Regis University.
  • Maria Rodriguez, BA '19, University of Denver. Post-bac position: Professional research assistant, Autoimmune Screening for Kids (ASK) Research Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
  • Maddie Schmidt, BA '18, University of Denver. Post-bac position: Clinical research coordinator, UCLA Depression Grand Challenge. Graduate program: Clinical Psychology PhD program, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University.