Developing Minds Lab
University of Kentucky
FACULTY
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MATTHEW KIM, PhD
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
Faculty Website | Google Scholar | OSF Page
Matt has been a member of the UK Psychology faculty since 2020. His research examines the nature and development of executive functions and motivation in early childhood through adolescence—with a special focus on school transitions—and how these cognitive processes relate to the student success of diverse learners.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing chess (poorly), watching University of Michigan sports (Go Blue!) and Formula 1 auto racing, and eating thin-crust New York style pizza. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two children.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
KRISTEN BUFORD
DOCTORAL STUDENT
Kristen Buford is a Developmental Psychology Ph.D. student. She hopes to make a profound impact on children, families, and society by transforming education through marrying educational concepts, developmental psychology, and neuroscience. She desires to develop and provide transformative learning methods and tools that will impact students and their educators. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, nature, and quality time with people.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
CHELLAM ANTONY
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Chellam Antony is a psychology major, and she is a part of the Psychology Scholars Program. She hopes to get her Ph.D and be involved with developmental therapy or family counseling. On campus, Chellam is involved with Greek life, Leadership Developmental Program, and Junior Panhellenic.
CLAIRE BRAUN
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Claire Braun is a psychology major in the Psychology Scholars program. She loves working with kids and is very interested in researching how our minds develop. After she graduates she is going to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
TABETHA HURST
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Tabetha Hurst is a Social Work major in her junior year working towards obtaining her LCSW. She enjoys working with children and wants to further her knowledge in child development. Tabetha is currently part of the Citizen Foster Care Review Board (CFCRB) here in Fayette County. After graduating she wants to pursue a clinical career with adolescents.
JULIA TODD
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Julia Todd is a sophomore psychology major in the Psychology Scholars program and the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky. She has a passion for working with school-aged children and intends to focus in child psychology for her future career. She loves listening to music, reading a good book, and hanging out with her friends.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
KAREN MATSUI
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Karen Matsui is a Junior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and is currently working on her Capstone Project. She has an interest in psychology and through doing research with this lab, hopes to learn more about what internal and external factors motivate students to learn, and how research is conducted in general.