New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Niyantri Ravindran

Dr. Ravindran earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois in 2018 and competed a post-doctoral fellowship at Pennsylvania State University, working on a project examining the development of self-regulation dynamics in early childhood. Her research is informed by transactional models of development to highlight individual factors (e.g., parental regulation, child negativity) that contribute to parents' responses to young children's negative emotions in real-time, as well as how these parental responses promote or hinder children's developing ability to effectively manage negative emotions and stress. To address her research questions, she uses observational coding, physiological assessments (e.g., RSA, EDA), and surveys, and she applies intensive longitudinal methods such as multilevel modeling to examine within- and between-person processes in parents and children.

Q&A with Dr. Ravindran:

How did you become interested in the Human Development and Family Sciences field?

I was a Psychology major as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota. I had to take a certain number of upper-division courses outside my major, and I stumbled upon some interesting courses offered by the Department of Family Social Science. At the same time, I also started working in research labs at the Institute of Child Development. These experiences led me to discover the field of HDFS and realize that it was exactly what I wanted to do. I love being in an interdisciplinary field that is dedicated to studying and helping children and families.

What brought you to Texas Tech University and the Human Development and Family Sciences department?

I was very determined to find a faculty position in an HDFS department, especially since my doctoral degree was in HDFS. When I saw the ad for the position at Texas Tech, it seemed like a perfect fit! When I visited campus, I found the department to be supportive and welcoming and the faculty and graduate students to be very impressive. I also felt that my research aligned really well with the department. I am excited to be here and start my faculty career!

What is your research focus?

I look at how parents and young children respond to one another during emotionally challenging situations and the implications of these interactions for children's ability to effectively cope with negative emotions and stress. I use a multi-method approach by collecting survey, observational, and physiological data. An innovative aspect of my research is that I look at parent-child interaction across very brief timescales – literally seconds! It always amazes me how much actually happens in just a few seconds. By examining these moment-to-moment dynamics, we can better understand the building blocks of adaptive and maladaptive patterns of interaction.

What inspires you?

I am always inspired by intellectual discussions with colleagues and students. These conversations often challenge me to think outside the box and result in innovative ideas. I look forward to forming new collaborations here at Texas Tech University, which I am sure will lead to many interesting projects.

What advice would you provide for current and prospective students?

Graduate school can be really stressful, so it is important to take breaks, find a balance, and practice good self-care. At the same time, it can also be a wonderful opportunity to challenge yourself and learn new skills, both on the personal and professional front. So don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone!