Dr. Jane Mendle
Jane Mendle is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia and completed her clinical internship at the Payne Whitney Clinic of New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Mendle specializes in adolescent psychology, particularly how different aspects of puberty relate to psychological well-being. She is the recipient of the Young Investigator Award from the Society of Research on Adolescence, the Thompson Award from the Behavior Genetics Association, the New Investigator Award from the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, and was named a “Rising Star” by the Association for Psychological Science. Her research has been profiled in numerous media outlets, including the BBC, The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Newsweek. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of New York.
Graduate Students
Kathleen McCormick is a PhD candidate in Human Development focused on reproductive transitions through the lifespan. Her research is particularly focused on observing how psychological, biological, and hormonal changes occur across the menstrual cycle and throughout puberty and menopause. Kathleen graduated from Cornell in 2016. She then worked in the Women’s Hormones and Aging Research Program from 2016-2018, and served as project manager in the Youth, Emotion, Development and Intervention Lab at UIUC from 2018-2020. Kathleen enjoys running and cheering on the Boston Celtics and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in her free time.
Sophie Belfield is a 3rd year PhD student in Human Development, studying gender and menstrual pain. Sophie received her B.S. in 2016 at The University of Sheffield and went on to receive her M.S. in Global Mental Health, where she completed her thesis, “A protocol to explore how a gender transformative intervention impacts common mental health disorders”. She then worked for Girl Effect and Plan International UK in the area of monitoring, evaluation, and research. Before arriving at Cornell Sophie worked in Kampala, Uganda from 2021-2023 as a project manager for WoMena Uganda.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Katja Jackson, Class of 2026. Katja is a senior in the College of Human Ecology studying Human Biology, Health, and Society and minoring in Human Development. She is on the pre-medical track and is interested in biology, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. She aspires to become a research-physician. Katja’s research interests include developmental and adult psychopathology, and identifying risk and resilience pathways in adolescence for adulthood conditions. On campus, Katja is a member of the varsity track team and enjoys exploring Ithaca’s nature through running.
Kiran Kadakia, Class of 2026. Kiran is a senior studying psychology in the College of Arts & Sciences. He is interested in psychopathology, self-efficacy, and counseling psychology and hopes to pursue graduate studies and eventually become a clinical psychologist to make a positive impact in the mental health world. Kiran also researches social psychology in the Judgment and Belief Lab at Cornell under Randy Lee and Tom Gilovich, working on projects revolving around prosociality and gratitude. Beyond the lab, Kiran is a fervent running enthusiast, reader, and member of the EARS peer mentoring program on campus.
Mack Dishmon, Class of 2027. Mack is a junior in the College of Human Ecology studying Human Development. Their research interests include neurodiversity, particularly autism and ADHD, and adolescent psychopathology, and they are seeking to become a clinical psychologist after graduation. On campus, they are a member of the Purpose and Identity Processes Lab, a BCTR Scholar, and the business manager for the Chordials a cappella. They also have a very cute horse named Murph!
Thomas Lee, Class of 2027. Thomas is a junior in the College of Human Ecology majoring in Human Development. He is interested in helping adolescents develop their self-regulation skills to better manage stress and other internalizing symptoms associated with puberty. Outside of the lab, he is involved with the PRYDE scholars program, a proud EARS (Empathy, Assistance, & Referral Service) staff member, AIR (Alpha Iota Gamma pre-health fraternity) brother, Big Red Buddies volunteer, and advocate of outdoor mindfulness in the Nature Rx club. In his free time, Thomas loves hiking, running, and nature photography.
Lili Sprague, Class of 2027. Lili is a junior studying Human Development and pursuing a minor in Design and Environmental Analysis. She is interested in better understanding the role of psychopathology in substance use disorders and researching the therapeutic modalities used to treat affected populations. On campus, you may find her playing Ultimate Frisbee with the Wild Roses, training seeing-eye puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, or lifeguarding at the Cornell Fitness Centers. Lili enjoys skiing, making playlists, and journaling in her free time. She aims to pursue a career in clinical psychology.
Isabela Gonzalez, Class of 2027. Isabela is a junior majoring in Human Development with a focus on developmental psychopathology, particularly in how puberty and the interplay of social environments and biological changes during adolescence shape mental health risks. As a PRYDE Program Scholar working under Dr. Jane Mendle, she aims to translate research into interventions that foster emotional regulation and positive identity formation in youth, with applications in schools and community programs. Originally from Colombia and raised in Miami, Isabela plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work or counseling to advance her work in adolescent mental health. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga and teaching community classes back home as a certified instructor.
Karis Cho, Class of 2027. Karis is a junior studying Human Development in the College of Human Ecology. Karis’ research interests include adolescent and adult psychopathology, particularly on the environmental and biological factors that can lead to their development and outcomes for those with psychopathology in society. She is also interested in depression and co-rumination, along with the spread of misinformation about mental disorders in the public health sector. Outside of the lab, she is involved with Cornell’s chapter of Psi Chi (International Honor Society of Psychology), EARS (Empathy, Assistance & Referral Service), CMM (Cornell Minds Matter), and enjoys dancing as part of LOKO, a dance team at Cornell. She hopes to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology to make an impact on the field of mental health.