Our team.

What do our researchers do?

We are a group of queer, trans, and allied researchers who share the mission of improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ people through research.

​We conduct research that centers and uplifts diverse queer and trans experiences. We partner with community members and organizations to collect survey, interview, and other data that helps us understand what protects or harms LGBTQ+ people. ​

Our Team.

Dr. Eric K. Layland, PhD
Assistant Professor, Lab Director

Dr. Layland (he/they) is an expert in LGBTQ+ mental health and substance use disparities, adolescent development and family relationships, and quantitative methods for intersectional LGBTQ+ research. He received his PhD from Penn State University in Human Development and Family Studies.

August Wei, BS
​​Graduate Researcher

August (he/him) is a PhD graduate student in Human Development & Family Sciences and contributes to the Queer Joy and LGBTQ Socialization Projects. He is interested in social and parasocial processes that facilitate gender identity development and parental acceptance of LGBTQ children. 

Meagan Lambert
Lead Research Assistant & Project Coordinator

Meagan (she/her) is a Fashion & Merchandising Major and joined the lab in March 2023. She is the lead research assistant for the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project and assistant project coordinator.

Victoria Figgs, MSW
Graduate Researcher

Vicki (she/her) is a PhD graduate student in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is part of the interview field research team for the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project. 

Jayden Lesko, BS
​​Lead Research Assistant, Winter Fellow

Jayden (she/they) is recent graduate of the UD Human Services major. They are on the interview team for the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project. She was the Lead Research Assistant for the Queer Joy Project.

Daniel Sweeney, BS
Graduate Researcher

Dan (he/him) is a Communication graduate student. He is part of the interview field research team for the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project. 

Natalie Maurer
Research Assistant, DE-INBRE Fellow

Natalie Maurer (she/her) is a Human Services major and joined the lab in Febriary 2025 for a 350 hour internship. She is a research assistant for the Queer Joy Project, LGBTQ+ Socialization Project, and systemtic review of LGBTQ youth strengths. 

Lauren Fogle
Research Assistant, DE-INBRE Fellow

Lauren Fogle (she/her) is a psychology major and joined the lab in May 2024. She is a research assistant on the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project and a systematic review of LGBTQ youth strengths. ​

Kel Marquez
Research Assistant

Kel Marquez (she/her) is a Communication and a Women and Gender Studies major and joined the lab in September 2024. She is a research assistant on the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project.

Kenzie Myer, MA
Graduate Researcher

Kenzie (she/her) is a Communication graduate student. She is part of the interview field research team for the LGBTQ+ Socialization Project. 

Lux Barton, MA
Graduate Researcher

Lux (they/them) is a Education graduate student and research team member in the Queer Development Lab.

Abigail Cohen
Research Assistant

Abigail (she/her) is a Human Services major and joined the lab in February 2025. She is a research assistant on the Queer Joy Project. 

Amalia Castillo
Research Assistant, McNair Scholar

Amalia (she/her) is a Sociology and Psychology double-major and joined the lab in February 2025. She is part of the LGBTQ+ Youth Empowerment systematic review team.

Lab alumni.

Michael Shields, BS
​2023-2024 Research Assistant, DE-INBRE Fellow

Kanmani Duraikkannan
2023-2024 Research Assistant

Charlotte Walder
2024 Research Assistant

Yves Allen
2024 DE-INBRE Fellow

Jo Griffin
2023-2024 Research Assistant, DE-INBRE Fellow

Looking for research experience? Join the lab!

Undergraduate students: University of Delaware students interested in gaining research experience, can express interest through a brief online form. Students may join through independent study, work study, internship placements, Winter and Summer fellows programs, by volunteering, or other placements. 
​
​Prospective Graduate students: Looking for mentored research in LGBTQ+ health, development, or family research? Learn more about University of Delaware graduate programs in Human Development & Family Sciences and Education & Social Policy. Applications are typically due December 1.
As a queer woman, being a research assistant for the lab allows me to feel as though I am making a positive impact on a community that deserves—at the very least—effective research. Personally, working in the lab has helped me realize that it is possible to help people through my work which is my ultimate goal.
Meagan, Research Assistant