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 2nd 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
Fiona Tracy, Class of 2025. Fiona is a senior in the College of Human Ecology majoring in Human Development and pursuing minors in Education and Inequality Studies. She is interested in researching neurodiversity and how it is impacted by puberty. On campus she is a part of the PRYDE scholars program, works with Upward Bound, and volunteers at local elementary schools through REACH. After graduation, Fiona plans to pursue a career focused on developing interventions to help improve the education system.
Maggie Walsh, Class of 2025. Maggie is a senior studying Chemistry and Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She joined the lab in Spring 2024, and is especially interested in the intersection of women’s health and psychopathology. In her free time, she loves to run and hike, read, make sweet treats, and spend plenty of time with her family, friends, and dogs.
Katja Jackson, Class of 2026. Katja is a junior 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 junior 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 sophomore 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 sophomore 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 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 Sophomore 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.