Sara Berzenski
POSITION: Assistant Professor
DEPARTMENT: Psychology
EMAIL: sara.berzenski@csun.edu
PHONE: (818) 677-2814
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU? I can provide guidance about graduate programs in developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and social work. I can also advise on other questions related to research in developmental psychology and the development of child psychopathology, child maltreatment, and the child welfare system.
ABOUT: I received my PhD in developmental psychology from UC Riverside in 2013, with a focus on developmental psychopathology. Prior to that, I worked on research related to child maltreatment and prenatal drug exposure. I have collected survey and observational data from parents, children, and teachers as part of this work. Through my research I have had experience working in direct cooperation with the child protective services systems in California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois since 2003. My research currently focuses on child maltreatment and the ways in which it influences how children come to understand, perceive, express, and regulate emotions.
Emily E. Russell
POSITION: Assistant Professor
DEPARTMENT:Department of Child and Adolescent Development
EMAIL: emily.thom@csun.edu
PHONE: 818-677-6824
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU? I can provide guidance about careers in research in early language and cognitive development and developmental psychology as well as careers in education (ECE and higher levels), social work, counseling, and other related fields.
ABOUT:In my research, I investigate the factors that influence children’s word learning and vocabulary development. Recently, my work has focused on the differences in word-learning behavior between children who are learning one language and children who are learning multiple languages. I was a teaching assistant in a preschool classroom during my undergraduate training. Additionally, I worked closely with various preschools and home child care centers while conducting research during my graduate training. I truly enjoy mentoring students as they decide “what’s next” after graduating from CSUN. My former students have gone on to teaching positions at various levels, as well as graduate programs in developmental psychology, occupational therapy, social work, and more.