The “Happy Tech” Team

CURRENT MEMBERS

KIBUM MOON

Kibum Moon is a Ph.D. student at Georgetown University working with Dr. Kostadin Kushlev. He is interested in investigating the effects of digital technology on well-being and developing interventions to improve digital well-being. He has a double major in Psychology and Science Technology Studies (STS) for his bachelor's degree, and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Korea University. He also has experience as a data scientist working on projects to promote college students' well-being through machine learning and deep learning algorithms. He aims to integrate data science techniques into psychological research to enhance capabilities.

Grace Falgoust

Grace is a Ph.D. student at Georgetown University. Her research is driven by a desire to understand what factors encourage people to use technology in ways that positively impact their well-being. She also explores how these insights can shape laws and regulations around digital use, with a particular interest in the intersection of educational policies and technology to enhance adolescent well-being. Before joining Georgetown, Falgoust honed her research skills as a research assistant at the RAND Corporation. She also spent a year with the nonprofit Impact America and managed the DIGITAL Laboratory at Clemson University, which investigates team dynamics in high-stress situations.

alannis jaquez

Alannis is a PhD student at Georgetown University. She graduated from Columbia University in 2025, where she studied political science, educational studies, and psychology. Much of Alannis’s academic and community work has focused on addressing structural inequalities in housing, education, health, and urban environments, with subjective well-being serving as a common thread throughout these interests. After graduating in 2025, Alannis worked in Switzerland as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. During that time she also volunteered at the University of Lausanne in the Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences where she investigated trends in youth mental well-being in the digital age.

Alejandro jaco

Alejandro joined the lab in January 2024 as the Research Project Manager for a National Institute of Mental Health grant studying the causal effects of exposure to social media on adolescent mental health. Alejandro holds a B.S. in Cognitive Science from Yale University, where he worked with several psychology and neuroscience labs, including the Chang Lab. His research interests focus on understanding the correlates of social variables on cognition, decision-making, and development.

Justin kahn

Justin is the Lab Manager and joined the team in August 2025. He earned his B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy from Tufts University and developed his research skills at Massachusetts General Hospital in a lab focused on mindfulness meditation. Before coming to Georgetown, Justin also gained experience working in the legal field. He is interested in how modern technology influences mental health and can be used to either support or detract from well-being.

Tessa van der Willigen

Tessa is a visiting researcher who joined the lab in late 2021. Following a career in international economics, she studied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently developing a theoretical model of autonomy intended to bridge the literatures on self-determination, self-control, and well-being. This work is intended to lay the basis for analyzing the varied ways in which technology impacts personal autonomy and thereby well-being.

Maya taylor

Maya is a senior from Pennsylvania double majoring in Computer Science and psychology at Georgetown University. She joined the Happy Tech lab in September 2024 as a research assistant and is interested in exploring why individuals commit cybercrimes and how this can inform better prevention strategies. Outside of the lab, she volunteers with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, rock climbs, and explores DC with her friends and dog.

Mimi Lee

Mimi is a senior at Georgetown studying Psychology and Technology, Ethics, and Society (TES). She is fascinated by the influence of digital technology on our happiness and overall wellbeing and feels these topics are especially relevant in our hyper-digital age. Mimi joined the Happy Tech lab in Summer 2024 as a research assistant and is thrilled to advance their meaningful work. 

adia nygaard

Adia Nygaard is a Georgetown undergraduate student from Minnesota majoring in Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She joined Dr. Kushlev’s Happy Tech Lab as a Research Assistant in Spring 2026 and is interested in the connection between digital devices and social media’s impact on mental health and overall wellbeing.

gabriella lipari

Gabriella is a sophomore from Cedar Grove, New Jersey, majoring in Biochemistry. She joined the Happy Tech Lab as a research assistant in January of 2026 and is interested in mental health, social media, and how adolescents are impacted by changing technologies. Outside of the lab, Gabriella loves to cook, spend time with friends and family, read, travel, and drive.

Isabel Liu

Isabel is a senior at Georgetown University studying Computer Science, Ethics, and Society with minors in Philosophy and Journalism. She joined the Happy Tech Lab in Spring 2026 as a research assistant. Her research interests span human-computer interaction, responsible AI, and disinformation. In her free time, Isabel likes playing in bands and rock climbing.

kate valante

Kate is a senior from Connecticut double majoring in Psychology and Economics at Georgetown University. She joined Dr. Kushlev’s Happy Tech Lab as a research assistant in Spring 2026. She is interested in how digital connectivity influences well-being in an increasingly technology-driven world. Outside of the lab, Kate enjoys playing volleyball, baking, and reading.

Beatrice Wilson

Beatrice is a senior at Georgetown studying Biology of Global Health and Spanish. She joined the Happy Tech Lab in Spring 2026 as a research assistant. She is particularly interested in how digital technology shapes the ways we interact, communicate, and build connections with one another. Outside of the lab, Beatrice enjoys dancing, reading, and traveling.

lori pierre

Lori is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychology. As someone who is passionate about mental health and well-being, joining this lab allows her to better understand how rapid technological change is shaping developmental outcomes across different subgroups, especially adolescents. Outside of academics, Lori enjoys traveling, reading, dancing, and engaging in deep conversations with friends.

Lauren chase

Lauren is an undergraduate student at Cornell University, majoring in Psychology. She joined the lab as a research assistant in Summer 2026 and is interested in the emerging field of cyber-psychology. She hopes that her work at the lab will make technology safer for her younger cousins. In her free time, she is a coxswain on her university’s team and enjoys reading and crafting.

aaron wireman

Aaron is a junior from Winfield, West Virginia, double-majoring in Psychology and Justice and Peace Studies with a minor in History. He joined the Happy Tech Lab in Fall 2026 and is passionate about understanding the influences technology and digital media have on adolescents’ mental well-being, interpersonal relationships, and structural and community outcomes. Aaron’s interests center specifically on individuals who reside in rural areas, particularly within the Appalachian region. In his free time, he enjoys running, traveling, trying new experiences, and reading.

PAST MEMBERS