Lab Director/PI
Val Wongsomboon, Ph.D.
Dr. Wongsomboon is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Florida State University. Before joining FSU, she completed her Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Florida and postdoctoral fellowships at Northwestern and Yale Universities. She is also affiliated with the Kinsey Institute for research in sex and relationships at Indiana University Bloomington and is currently serving as a board member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS).
Dr. Wongsomboon’s research is highly interdisciplinary and examines how stigma, social contexts, and evolving forms of relationship development influence health & well-being. She uses a range of quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g., cross-sectional, longitudinal, experimental, natural language processing) to study how psychosocial factors, family/peer processes, and relationship choices/statuses influence health outcomes. Her work also explores relationship formation and maintenance across diverse settings, particularly in contemporary and digital contexts, among vulnerable or underrepresented populations facing health disparities.
Current Lab Members
Graduate Students
Sam Yu
I am a first-year doctoral student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Florida State University. I completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees at The Ohio State University. My research focuses on emerging adulthood, intimate relationship development, sexual communication, and the social and cultural factors that influence relational decision-making and relationship formation. I am also committed to expanding access to mental health care for underrepresented and underserved populations.
Outside of academics, I have a background as a tennis instructor of seven years and enjoy staying active through hiking, fitness, and playing sports. I also enjoy exploring new food scenes and traveling to new cities and countries.
Serenity Colson
I am a first-year doctoral student in Marriage and Family Therapy. My research interests center around adolescence and early adulthood, attachment, the influence of the family of origin and broader systemic and cultural factors, sexual and relationship-based decision making, intimate relationships in the digital age, as well as more therapy-specific topics like therapeutic interventions and outcomes. Outside of academia, I love to spend time with my favorite people and my pets, drink lots of iced coffee, send my friends TikToks, and read a good book.
Eva Schillinger
I am a first-year master’s student in the Human Development and Family Sciences Program at Florida State University. My research interests focus on sexual and gender minority populations, particularly how sexual orientation and gender identity shapes intimate relationships and friendships. I aim to expand existing literature to better reflect diverse populations and to understand the complex sociocultural factors that shape queer identities, relationships, and families. Through my research, I hope to contribute to the well-being and visibility of LGBTQ+ communities. Outside of research, I enjoy caring for my houseplants, making flower arrangements, and hosting dinner parties.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Oliva Bixby
I am a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences and Psychology. Outside of the lab I am a Row Leader for the Marching Chiefs, and I am a part of the Human Development and Family Sciences club and the Child Psychology club. Aside from school I love being active through taking spin classes and running, I also enjoy reading, and love going to the beach!
Mark Ondash
My name is Mark Ondash, I am a Clinical Professions major at Florida State University in my third year. I have a vested research interest in gastroenterology and sexual health. I usually spend my time working out, playing games, and hanging out with my friends both off and online. I have a lovely boyfriend whom I plan to attend Medical School with. I'm trying to get back into streaming games, and would like to have a career centered around improving quality of life for patients of differing diseases and from different walks of life.
Ava Pysczynski
I am a second-year student at FSU majoring in Psychology and planning to double major in Human Development and Family Sciences. My academic interests are understanding how early life experiences and relationships impact development and behavior. Outside of academics, I love taking long walks, concerts, and the outdoors.
Grace Wilkins
I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Chemistry. As a pre-med student with strong interests in adolescent and emergency medicine, I am particularly interested in understanding and addressing mental health in underserved populations and expanding access to compassionate, patient-centered care. I am involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta, the Mobility Clinic at TMH, and The Kearney Center, and I also work as a tutor on campus. In my free time, I enjoy running, cooking, and spending time outdoors with friends!
Interested in joining our team?
See Join the Lab for information about undergraduate RA opportunities.