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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Deb Tolman (she/her) is a Professor of Women and Gender Studies at Hunter College and Critical Social Psychology at the Graduate Center of CUNY. Dr. Tolman has been doing qualitative research on gender and adolescent sexuality for over twenty years.
Bridget Woods
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Bridget Woods (she/they) is a doctoral candidate in Critical Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center, as well as an adjunct lecturer in the Gender Studies Program at CUNY John Jay. Their research centers on queer and “queering” spirituality, analyzing intersections of spiritual practices and the queer/the erotic.
Kanishka Awasthi
INTERN
Kanishka Awasthi (they/them), is a Resident-Alien, Pride Policy Fellow 2025, Thomas Hunter Honors Program Scholar, Poet and the founder of the book-club/artist collective Chai Coffee Lit. They have been the recipient of the Mellon Public Humanities and Social Justice research grant and The Audre Lorde Prize. Over the period of their academic journey, they’ve been driven to find ways to make ways and spread the insights that they gain, through their academics and creative practice, to the community. They aim to come up with a deeper understanding of people’s experiences, shared troubles and joys.
Ifreet Hossain
INTERN
Ifreet Hossain (she/they) is a recent graduate from Hunter College with a BA in psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology and a minor in Arabic language. They have previous research experience in child and maternal psychology and neuroscience. They are passionate about dismantling colonial beliefs and ideals in femininity and sexuality, and understanding sexuality development from childhood to adulthood.
Vaness Plasencia
INTERN
Vaness Plasencia (they/them) is a recent CUNY Hunter College graduate with a BA in Psychology. Deeply engaged in Women’s & Gender Studies, focused on gender, sexuality, and interpersonal psychology. Experienced in research and passionate about advocacy, community outreach, and policy development in reproductive rights and sexual health.
Amalia Sadjoeri
INTERN
Salma Soriano
INTERN
Salma Soriano (she/her) is a recent graduate of CUNY Hunter College where she received her BA in Social Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Her research interests include feminist theory, reproductive health rights, and how gendered stereotypes shape women’s experiences across multiple institutions.
Alumni Team Members
Steph Anderson, PhD
Kim Belmonte, MA
Christin Bowman, PhD
Jennifer Chmielewski, PhD
Brian Davis, PhD
Anthony Freeman, PhD
Laura Hooberman, MA
Hunter Kincaid, PhD
Kim Nguyen, MA
Marisa Ragonese, MA
Patrick Sweeney, MA
Alumni Interns
Tasnia Ahmed
Hannah Bernhardt, BA
Elise Bragard, MA
Denise Dilone
Karen Duarte
Jessica Lin, MA
Caroline Hannon, BA
Ashley Marzulla
Cynthia Morales
Maria Owen
Marc Ella Roy
Bianca Valle