About the Lab 

The Parent-Child Interaction Lab at the University of Houston uses mixed-methods study designs to evaluate child eating, parenting feeding behaviors and parenting in general. The lab is directed by Leslie Frankel, an associate professor in the human development and family sciences program in the College of Education. Former research assistants have pursued graduate studies in fields such as social work, counseling, nursing and medicine. Many have also embarked on careers in the “helping professions” or academia.

Principal Investigator
	Leslie Frankel, Ph.D. Lab Director and Associate Professor lafrankel@uh.edu Download CV Leslie Frankel is an associate professor in the human development and family sciences program. She began her research as an undergraduate and is passionate about student opportunities. A Certified Family Life Educator, Frankel focuses on parent-child relationships and early child development. Her recent research examines children’s self-regulation, especially in eating, and the role of parents. She also studies how stress and other factors affect parent-child interactions.
Lab Members
	Lamiah Kashif Undergraduate Student Lamiah Kashif is pursuing a B.S. in public health with a minor in biology. She is passionate about enhancing her knowledge on how different parenting styles impact child development. By expanding insight into the psychological and physiological impacts of these styles, Kashif aims to prepare for a career in medicine. Her ultimate goal is to become a physician, where she can apply her knowledge and research experience to improve child health and parent-child relationships.
	Saif Loya Undergraduate Student  Saif Loya is pursuing a B.S. in psychology with a minor in biology. He believes early intervention in mental health can transform lives. His research focuses on psychology, stress response, and child development, particularly how environmental factors like food and parental influence shape emotional resilience. Aspiring to be a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Loya is passionate about equitable access to mental health resources in Houston’s underserved communities.
	Ankitha Lavi Undergraduate Student Ankitha Lavi is an undergraduate working toward a B.S. in honors biomedical science with a minor in medicine and society. She is highly interested in stress-related disorders and how anxiety influences children’s food aversions. With a passion for psychology and physiology, Lavi seeks to explore the connection between eating behavior and mental health, particularly in children.