People

Our Team

• Kamilah Legette, PhD, Lab Director

  Kamilah Legette, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver.

  Legette’s research concerns intersecting sources of racial bias within educational systems and their impact on children’s academic and social development. The goal of this work is to uncover processes contributing to racial disparities in school that will inform effective interventions, school policy changes, and teacher preparation programs that will optimize healthy development and achievement in youth.

• Olivia Goldstein, Lab Manager

  Olivia Goldstein is graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Oberlin College, where she majored in psychology and minored in statistical modeling and gender, sexuality and feminist studies. Goldstein was the first student from the Oberlin Psychology Department nominated for and awarded the Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate award for students in STEM.

  Goldstein is interested in ways that racial bias, identity formation, and examinations of place impact early childhood development, academic achievement and social outcomes. Currently, she is exploring these interests as a Joint Lab Coordinator for the RISE Lab and the Biology, Environments, and Mood Studies (BEAMS) Lab, directed by Erika Manczak.

  After her post-bacc, Goldstein hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in developmental psychology or human development and family studies. Outside the lab, she enjoys hot yoga, reading, grabbing dinner with friends and watching an exorbitant amount of New Girl.

• Research Assistants

  De’Ja Broyles, Research Assistant

  De’Ja Broyles is an Arkansas native and a first-year graduate student working towards her master’s degree in sport and performance psychology within the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She is interested in adolescent and early-childhood development and how racial disparities impact mental health, specifically high functioning depression and suicidal ideation. Prior to this program, she completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Oklahoma State University. Outside of school, De’Ja enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants with friends around Colorado.  

  Brandon Cohen, Research Assistant

  Brandon Cohen (he/him/his) is a native Coloradan who studies psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Denver, and expects to graduate in 2024. He is interested in exploring the ways that gender and race influence social perception and bias. He is also passionate about learning the clinical applications of these biases in the context of psychological treatment. In his free time, Brandon enjoys being outdoors in nature, hiking, or working on auto mechanics.  His goals after graduating include attending graduate school and pursuing further education in the field of psychology. 

  Emma Finch, Research Assistant

  Emma Finch is from Asheville, North Carolina, and is a third-year pre-health and psychology student with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience and minors in chemistry and biology at the University of Denver. She is interested in early child and adolescent development and how biases and demographic factors compound disparities in mental health, access to health care and education. Outside of school, Emma enjoys making art, specifically ceramics, as well as spending time with friends and being in nature. 

  Caitlin Krinsky, Research Assistant

  Caitlin Krinsky studies communication, real estate and critical race and ethnic studies at the University of Denver. She is interested in urban planning, real estate, teaching, urban studies and sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs in Washington Park or checking out the newest Thai restaurants in the Denver area.

  Yanxin Luo, Research Assistant

  Yanxin Luo is a first-year graduate student working towards his master's degree at the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education. He aims to focus on curriculum design in the higher education system to enhance students’ academic experience. Prior to this program, he completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. He is currently working at the University of Denver’s Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness as an event operations associate. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and cooking.

  Rachel Taylor, Research Assistant

  Rachel Taylor (she/her/hers) is a student in the Graduate School of Social Work here at the University of Denver. While currently living in Denver, Colorado, she is originally from the state of Iowa, where she worked as a paraeducator while in community college. Her primary interests lie in curriculum development, implementation and evaluation; disparities that correlate with student identity (i.e., race, SES, gender, sexual orientation and geographic location); child development; and overall student achievement. She has a passion for helping to raise an empowered and healthy next generation. In her free time, Rachel likes to craft and bicycle; she also dabbles in photography and will take any opportunity to travel somewhere new. After completing her MSW, Rachel hopes to continue to better the lives of students and adolescents.