2026-2027 Impact Fellows Announced

The 2026-2027 Impact Fellows will work closely with the Children and Screens team to advance cutting-edge research, support public education initiatives, and inform policies that promote the health and well-being of young people. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our third cohort of Impact Fellows,” said Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development. “These six outstanding scholars will bring a vast range of expertise, skills, and perspectives to their work with the Institute, and are all united by a passion for creating a healthier future for children in a digital world. They will no doubt contribute greatly to the Institute’s efforts over the course of the year.”

Fellows will support the Institute’s core programs by helping plan and execute the Webby-nominated Ask the Experts webinar series, synthesizing and sharing relevant scientific literature, analyzing digital media-related policy and legislation, and developing accessible content to inform and engage the public.  

The 2026-2027 Impact Fellows were selected from a large and highly competitive pool of applicants. We look forward to the expertise, creativity, and fresh perspectives they will bring to the Institute’s work and mission.

The 2026-2027 Impact Fellows

Yesugen Baatartogtokh (PhD Student, College of Information and Computer Sciences) University of Massachusetts Amherst

Yesugen is an MS/PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the College of Information and Computer Sciences and a member of the Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research. Her research investigates how the needs of users and the practitioners who build platform safety tools can inform the technical and design requirements for social media spaces that are healthier and safer for children. Before this, she received her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Statistical and Data Sciences at Smith College, where she developed an interest in translating stakeholder needs into software requirements. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, running, and working with dough to make anything from dumplings to bread.

Marie-Andrée Binet (PhD Candidate, Health Sciences) Université de Sherbrooke in Canada

Marie-Andrée Binet holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently a PhD student in the Research in Health Sciences program at the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada. She is interested in how and why families with young children engage in various forms of screen use. Her work focuses on the influence of screen time, content, and context on developmental, emotional, and behavioral outcomes during early childhood—a sensitive developmental window for learning. When she is not working on digital media research, she enjoys playing and reading picture books with her 2-year-old son.

Lauryn Hoard (PhD Student, Clinical Psychology) The George Washington University

Lauryn R. Hoard received her BA in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health from Spelman College and her MA in Psychology from The George Washington University. She is currently a fourth year Clinical/Community Psychology Ph.D. student at The George Washington University. Her research examines the effects of online victimization on the mental health and cognitive functioning of racial and ethnic minority populations. Clinically, she works with emerging adults experiencing mood, trauma-related, and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Outside of her academic and clinical work, Lauryn enjoys reading, eating, and creating content.

Rosemary Odem (PhD Candidate, School Psychology) The University of South Carolina

Rosemary (Rosie) Odem received her BS in Child Development and Psychology from Texas Christian University and her MS in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. Presently, Rosie is a School Psychology PhD student at the University of South Carolina in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and the coordinator of the Positive Psychology Lab. Her research and clinical work focus on children and adolescent wellbeing and the interplay between student engagement and digital media use both at home and at school. As a New Orleans native, Rosie enjoys trips home, all things crafty and colorful, and going on long walks and talks with friends!

Maura White (PhD Student, Education Studies) University of California, San Diego

Maura White received her BA in Education Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and her MEd in Education Curriculum and Pedagogy from George Washington University. Presently, Maura is a PhD student in Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego and a Graduate Student Researcher in the Digital Learning Lab at UC Irvine. Her research examines how generative AI is reshaping the social and collaborative dimensions of learning in K-12 and higher education, with particular attention to learner agency and identity. Her work focuses on how learners and educators interpret and negotiate AI in instructional contexts across writing, human-AI interaction, and school policy. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Maura worked as a secondary English teacher in the DC-metro area. Originally from the Salinas Valley, Maura enjoys writing, reading, and spending time near the ocean with her partner and their dogs.

Emily Zhang (PhD Candidate, Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health) The George Washington University

Emily C. Zhang is a PhD candidate in Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health at The George Washington University. Her research is focused on the intersection of adolescent development, technology, and mental health. In particular, her dissertation examines the impacts of social media use on adolescent mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. She strives to translate her findings into evidence-based strategies that help youth navigate an increasingly digital world. Emily received her Master of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from The University of Texas at Austin. In her free time, Emily enjoys running, yoga, watching movies, exploring new cafes, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.