Eva Lefkowitz

Eva Lefkowitz is a Professor and Department Head of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at the University of Connecticut (UConn), leading the department since 2016. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from UCLA and previously served as a professor and program leader at Penn State University for 18 years. Her research focuses on sexual health across the lifespan, examining how individual, relational, and institutional factors (e.g., religion) influence sexual behavior and well-being. Notable projects include studying LGBTQ+ college students' experiences during the pandemic and the role of family relationships in identity expression. She has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Eva’s leadership extends to national roles in organizations like the Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) and editorial boards for journals such as Developmental Psychology. She received the 2008 Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award for her contributions. At UConn, she teaches large undergraduate courses on life-span development and graduate seminars on professional development. Her work emphasizes mentoring, with students actively shaping research directions. Beyond academia, she enjoys cooking, barre class, and family life with her husband (also a UConn professor) and teenage twins.

Eva’s funding includes grants from NIH institutes (NICHD, NIAAA) and the WT Grant Foundation. Her research bridges developmental psychology and family science, addressing contemporary issues like pandemic impacts on marginalized groups and the interplay between religiosity and sexual health.