Meet the Team
Director
Dr. Savannah Girod
Dr. Savannah A. Girod is the director of the PEDs lab and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Stevenson University (where she also played D3 ice hockey!) Dr. Girod received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2023 under the mentorship of Dr. Esther Leerkes. During this time, she also completed a NICHD T32 Predoctoral Fellowship at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute under the mentorship of Drs. Esther Leerkes and Bharathi Zvara. After receiving her Ph.D., she completed a NICHD T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Child Maltreatment Science at The Pennsylvania State University under the mentorship of Drs. Erika Lunkenheimer and Hannah Schreier.
As a developmentalist, Dr. Girod’s program of research is centered around understanding the individual and dyadic biopsychosocial factors spanning pregnancy and infancy that influence parent-child interactions, parents’ and children’s health outcomes, and children’s social emotional development. Overall, her research aims to inform the etiology of developmental psychopathology and to elucidate malleable targets for prevention and intervention efforts.
In her free time, Dr. Girod enjoys traveling to see her friends and family and spending time with her husband and their 3 fur babies, Nala, Tank, and Lola. You will most likely find her reading books, trying new recipes, or watching sports.
Graduate Students
Emily Swinney
Emily Swinney is a graduate research assistant in the PEDs Lab. She is currently a doctoral student in the Human Development and Family Sciences Program at Texas Tech University. She received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 2023 and her master’s degree at Texas Tech in 2025, both of which are in Human Development and Family Sciences.
Emily’s research interests focus on community engaged research and Hispanic family dynamics. She is especially interested in how Hispanic parents and adolescents talk about and treat mental health within the family context and how this impacts parenting and adolescent outcomes. She loves working directly with the Lubbock community.
In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, bothering her cats, or going on hikes with friends. You will often find her painting ceramics at Clay Café or reading a new book.
Jenniel Yaa Adubea Asare
My name is Jenniel Yaa Adubea Asare, and I am originally from Ghana in West Africa. I am currently a PhD student in Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University, where I am a recipient of the Helen DeVitt Jones College of Health and Human Sciences Fellowship and serve as a Research Assistant in the PEDs Lab. My academic journey began at the University of Ghana, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a focus on Family and Child Studies, followed by a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Life from Western Michigan University.
My experiences growing up in Ghana and working with children and families have shaped my interest in understanding how children respond to adversity and what helps them develop resilience. My research interests include early childhood development, resilience, caregiver-child relationships, co-regulation, social-emotional development, and family well-being. I am particularly interested in understanding the factors that help children and families thrive and translating research into practical programs, interventions, and policies that address real community needs.
Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking and trying new meals, traveling and experiencing different cultures, singing, listening to music, spending time with children and loved ones, and volunteering in my community. I value opportunities to learn from people, explore new perspectives, and contribute to the communities around me.
My long-term aspiration is to become a researcher, educator, and advocate who connects research, lived experiences, community needs, and policy. I hope to contribute to meaningful initiatives that strengthen children, families, and communities while creating opportunities for young people to have a genuine voice in shaping the future.
Lab Manager
Jeanie Yu
Jeanie Yu is the Lab Manager for the PEDs Lab. She graduated from Colby College in 2025 with a B.A in Psychology with a minor in Environmental Studies. Her research interests include early childhood adversity, developmental psychopathology, and intergenerational transmission, especially within marginalized communities. She hopes to contribute to research that identifies both risk and protective factors to help mitigate the development of psychopathology during early childhood. In her free time, Jeanie enjoys dancing to new music, hiking on dirt trails, and cooking Korean cuisine!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Abigail McCarroll
Abigail McCarroll is an undergraduate research assistant for the PEDs Lab. She is expected to graduate from Texas Tech University in May of 2027 with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences. At Tech, she is a member of the Honors College, a member of the Alpha Phi Gamma Iota chapter, and a certified phlebotomist. After graduation, she plans to pursue PA school in hopes of working in pediatric orthopedics. Her research interests include child development, effects of stress on development and health, and the educational background of pediatric healthcare workers. In her free time, she enjoys working out, volunteering with the Child Life Department at UMC, and trying new recipes for cooking and baking.
Emmalyne Roys
Emmalyne Roys is an undergraduate student at Texas Tech University. She graduated with her Associates of Science from Clarendon College in 2025. She now studies at Texas Tech, majoring in Interdisciplinary of Human Sciences, focused on pre-med. She is also on a fast-track PCT and Phlebotomy extension program with Covenant's Hospital. She hopes to get a job as a phlebotomist or a NICU PCT here in Lubbock. Emma plans to attend medical school at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and eventually become a NICU and Pediatric doctor. Emma's focuses in the lab are on behavioral analysis of parents and infants, predictions of parenting styles, studying children's socioemotional development, and collecting and comparing data. In her free time Emma likes to listen to music with her friends and family, bake sweet treats for her loved ones, work at her hometown flower shop, and be out in nature.
Cylee Karabell
Cylee Karabell is an undergraduate research assistant at Texas Tech University pursuing a B.S. in Human Sciences with a concentration in Human Development and Family Sciences on a pre-med track. She plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics, with a particular interest in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Her research interests include developmental psychology, early childhood development, and understanding how young children learn, grow, and interact with the world around them. In her free time, Cylee enjoys hiking, spending time with family and friends, swimming, watching new movies, and gardening.
Maraya Smith
Maraya Smith is an undergraduate researcher and GRRITT fellow in the PEDs lab. This is her first ever research project and she is beyond thrilled to be working with this team and for this cause. She is a Nutrition major here at Texas Tech University’s college of Family Health and Sciences with a pre medicine concentration. Her goal is to one day be a doctor and help underserved communities. In her free time, she volunteers, feeds into her love of Broadway musicals, Yoga, Pilates, and trying new foods!
Courtney Sweet
Courtney Sweet is an undergraduate research assistant in the PEDs Lab at Texas Tech University and is expected to graduate in May 2027 with a bachelor's degree in Human Sciences and minors in Biology and Chemistry. Outside of the lab, Courtney is actively involved in leadership and service. She serves as a mentor at Bayless Elementary School, an Honors College Ambassador, a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), President Advisor for the UMC Foundation’s Miracle Pennies program, and President of the Miracle Pennies organization. She is also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and has participated in several medical mission trips. Courtney plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in women’s health. Her research interests include early childhood development, maternal health, and the biological and physiological changes that occur throughout pregnancy. She is passionate about combining research and patient care to improve outcomes for women and children. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time with her golden retriever, Beau, competing in half-marathons and marathons, and being with friends and family.
Trinity Chavez
My name is Trinity Chavez, and I am an undergraduate research assistant in the Parenting and Early Development (PEDs) Lab at Texas Tech University. I am pursuing a B.S. in Health and Human Sciences with concentrations in Biobehavioral Health and Wellness, Biology, and Human Sciences, along with a minor in Chemistry. I am also a member of the Honors College and am on the pre-medicine track. After graduation, I plan to take a gap year to prepare for the MCAT and pursue a master’s degree in Molecular Pathology before applying to medical school. Ultimately, I hope to become a physician who combines clinical practice with research and patient-centered care.
My research interests include women’s health, reproductive health and infertility, psychology, and the biopsychosocial factors that influence individual and family well-being. I am especially interested in how biological, psychological, and relational factors interact to shape health outcomes. My academic and clinical experiences have strengthened my interest in medicine, research, and understanding health from awhole-person perspective.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, attending spin classes, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with my cat, Freya
Tatum Reeves
Tatum Reeves is a junior Biology major on the pre-med track at Texas Tech University with a minor in Public Health. She is passionate about philanthropy, serving others, and mental health advocacy, and she enjoys finding ways to make a meaningful impact in her community. Tatum regularly shadows physicians, which has strengthened her interest in medicine and patient care. Her future interests include women’s health, internal medicine, endocrinology, preventive medicine, and clinical research. She hopes to attend medical school and become a compassionate physician who combines service, research, and patient-centered care. Outside of academics, Tatum enjoys Hotworx, spending time with friends and family, and staying involved in leadership and service.