Member Spotlight: Tessa Kaufman, Ph.D.

Who or what inspirers you and why (and/or who/what inspired you to go into your chosen field of study)? 

I am convinced that we as researchers can make the difference by providing evidence for explicit, but also hidden, persistent disparities for sexually and gender diverse youth. In my work I am to do so by studying these disparities, as well as solutions, and continuously presenting them to the public audience and policy makers. 

Is there a mentor or mentors who have been instrumental to your career and, if so, who and how? 

Dr. Laura Baams (SOGIE Caucus chair) has provided me with opportunities to do research in this field from the moment I started my research master internship 10 years ago, and has never stopped being an inspiring mentor and, by now, close colleague and friend. In addition, I admire Paul Poteat's work on GSAs, because I love the focus on interventions and how they work. 

What advice would you give to a Graduate student beginning their Ph.D. studies in Developmental Science or related? 

Stay curious. Don't follow the flock, but stick to your own ideas, even if the road to answering the research questions that you find interesting seems long. 

What is your best SRCD memory? 

All my SRCD memories are about the moments that I finally met my international colleagues live, and that I could have inspiring conversations during network sessions or drinks with people who are interested in the same "niche" topic. It really made me much more connected with the SOGIE community.