Development in School Contexts

Department of Psychology

Timothy W. Curby

Tim Curby

Dr. Curby is an associate professor of psychology and director of the applied developmental psychology program. Dr. Curby’s work focuses on examining the role teacher–student interactions have in promoting children's development, particularly in regards to children's social–emotional development. His work consistently applies advanced statistical models to school-based research. His PhD in Educational Psychology is from the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education.  Prior to that, Dr. Curby earned an MA in Teaching and a BS in Biology from the University of Michigan.

Curriculum Vitae

Interested in applying to graduate school?  Email Dr. Curby (tcurby@gmu.edu)




Emma (Gregory) Casey

Emma Gregory

Emma is a second-year doctoral student after having finished her MA in Applied Developmental Psychology at GMU. She received her BS in Nutrition Science from Penn State and is a Registered Dietitian. Prior to joining the program, Emma worked in food policy and science communications for five years in Washington D.C. Regarding research, she is interested in parent and teacher promotion of social and emotional learning in young children during mealtimes.

Vera Hawa

Vera Hawa

Vera is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Applied Developmental Psychology program. She received her BA in Psychology and Master’s degree in School Psychology from the University of Cyprus. After completing her school psychology internship, she moved to the USA. Prior entering graduate school she worked as a School Psychologist at a middle school in Northern Virginia. Her research is currently focused on social-emotional development within the school context and teacher-student interactions. Early experiences and children’s development, school readiness as well as parent practices and challenging behaviors, are also among her research interests.

Haoyu Lin

Haoyu Lin

Haoyu (how-yoo) is a third-year doctoral student, from Guangzhou, China. She received her bachelor’s from the University of South Dakota and her master’s from the University of Texas at Dallas, and for her gap year between the two degrees, she assisted labs at the University of Rochester. Haoyu had some diverse research experiences, ranging from preschooler language development with tablets to goals and motivation to authenticity in couple relationships. For her doctoral education, she would be exploring young children’s social emotional development, which also aligns with her professional goal of conducting toddler’s social emotional education.


Emily Olivon

Emily Olivon

Emily is a first-year Master’s student in the Applied Developmental Psychology program. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Virginia Tech and minored in
strategic communication as well as sociology. While at Virginia Tech, she worked as a research assistant in the CALMER lab, focusing on the betterment of children’s social, emotional, and academic development.

Sarah Schultheis

Sarah Schultheis


Sarah is a first-year master’s student in the ADP program working in Dr. Tim Curby’s Development in School Contexts lab. She graduated from Goucher College in 2023 with her B.A. in Psychology and minor in Equine Studies. Her current research interests include the effects of trauma on the developing brain and trauma informed parenting and teaching.