Research Staff
Meet the Addiction, Health, and Adolescence Lab's research staff.
Student Researchers
Kiara Davis is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Communication (with a concentration in Culture & Society) and minoring in both Sociology and Africana Studies. As a senior, she is currently enrolled in an Honors thesis course, with her topic shedding light on the lack of representation for Black girls’ mental health in children’s media. She hopes to conduct research that supports her commitment to improving representation in the media, ensuring that the experiences and emotions of Black girls are acknowledged and uplifted. Her desire to leave a positive impact on underrepresented youth remains active, as she has also served as a facilitator for the Body Empowerment Project for three years, where she discusses crucial topics with West Philadelphian students, such as body positivity and works to educate them on unpacking media messages and strengthening self-esteem.
Bowie Gray is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Communication (concentrating in Audiences and Persuasion) and minoring in both Consumer Psychology and Journalistic Writing. Guided by a passion for journalism and plans to pursue it professionally, she has been deepening her focus on the value of conversation, connection, and social relationships throughout her sophomore year. Bowie has extended this interest to storytelling and a desire to highlight diverse perspectives, demonstrated through her work as a member of the TEDxUPenn General Board and Marketing Team. In this role, she seeks to amplify innovative voices that will best resonate with UPenn’s community. Joining the AHA! Lab, Bowie is excited about the opportunity to study curiosity and how it influences our ability to learn and understand from various media sources. Fascinated by today’s media landscape, she is eager to examine how new methods of consumption affect adolescents.