LAB MEMBERS.

Director

Rodica Damian, PhD
Associate Professor

My research program is dedicated to understanding the precursors of career success and well-being, as well as the underlying developmental mechanisms. I have an integrative approach, looking at individual differences, life experiences, and social contexts, and I employ diverse methodologies and statistical techniques. Broad research questions include:

• Which personality and social factors contribute to career success, creativity, and well-being across the lifespan?
• How do diversifying experiences impact people's personalities and life success?
• How can people overcome adversity (e.g., dangerous jobs, natural disasters, trauma) and thrive in their careers and personal lives?
• Which factors promote a healthy development across the lifespan?

Google Scholar Profile

Graduate Students at the University of Houston

​Andreea Sutu, MS

Prior to starting my PhD at UH, I received my BA in Psychology in Spain, and my MS in Social and Health Psychology in The Netherlands, where I did research on self-control and procrastination. My current research goal is to better understand the personality mechanisms that underlie creativity and humor, as well as the link between adversity, well-being, and relationship functioning. I am currently looking at the development of life goals and its downstream impact on occupational creativity.

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​Surizaday Serrano, MA

My research focuses on understanding how people may overcome adversity, depending on individual differences and social context factors. I investigate major life outcomes (particularly achievement, health, and well-being). Currently, I am working on a longitudinal study looking at the developmental impact of Hurricane Harvey (a major hurricane that took place in Houston in 2017). 
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Tingshu Liu

My research is aimed at understanding the nature and the development of creativity, and investigating the effect of individual differences and other precedents on creativity. Currently, I’m working on two projects. The first one examines how gender stereotypes and fixed gender roles influence creativity; in the second project, is a longitudinal study of development during the COVID19 pandemic. 
 

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Undergraduate Research Assistants

​Sam Wasmuth (Lab Manager)
Meghna Chhugani
Jordyn Babla
Micheal Garza
Karina Lopez
Angus Niziol
​Maria Jaramillo
Alexa Brososky
Cassandra Phetmisy
Carl Cederholm
Sarah Kraft
Graciela Lopez

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