People
Faculty
Dr. Kathleen N. Bergman is a Research Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the director of the research site in Fort Wayne, IN, and project director for FSL studies operating out of research sites in South Bend and Fort Wayne. Her research interests are anchored in the developmental psychopathology perspective and focus on understanding and intervening in the processes associated with normal and abnormal development during childhood and adolescence, particularly in the context of interparental and family conflict.
Project Staff
Chase Fortier is from Tallahassee, Florida. He received a Bachelor’s of Social Science in Sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in May of 2019. During his undergraduate, he began conducting his research on topics of evolutionary and social psychology. In his free time, he enjoys learning languages, cooking, Western horseback riding, and rodeo. He intends to continue his studies at the graduate level in psychology by pursuing a Ph.D. after working for the SPARC Project.
Lelia (Lily) Harig is a Chicago native who recently made the move to Fort Wayne. She graduated from Notre Dame in 2016 with a B.A. in Psychology. The oldest of five children, one of whom has cerebral palsy, Lelia is excited to gain experience and help make a difference working at the center.
Mgontsa (Mika) Kamvazaana is a native of Berrien Springs, Michigan. He attended Andrews University for both his BA degree in Psychology and MA degree in Educational Psychology. Mgontsa is highly involved in his community’s mental health; working as a skills trainer for those with developmental disabilities and mental health issues. Some of his goals for the future include getting a PhD in psychology or neuroscience and conducting research that will benefit those aforementioned communities. He is excited to work at the center and learn how to better educate and help those in need. In his free time, he likes to read, watch anime, and play videogames.
Research Assistants
Megan Hanes is originally from Shelby Township, Michigan but lived in Cincinnati, Ohio the past six years. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Xavier University and worked at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital as a Mental Health Specialist for children with developmental disabilities for two years after receiving her bachelor’s degree. She now lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana while pursuing a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Huntington University. After receiving her degree, Megan plans to work with children who have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Since she loves working with children, Megan was particularly drawn to the research at the Notre Dame Center in Fort Wayne. Her favorite part about being a research intern is always learning new things and being able to see the progress that the kids make between visits. In her free time, Megan enjoys playing tennis, baking, going to amusement parks, and spending time with her family, boyfriend, and friends.
Megan Palmer attends Saint Mary’s College in South Bend. She graduated from Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne where she ran track and cross country. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in psychology, which led her to the Notre Dame Families and Babies Study as she wished to get more experience in the field she was interested in. Megan loves working at the center and seeing the progression of the children in their young lives and the great difference just a few months can make. In her free time she enjoys going for runs, getting coffee and food with friends, and watching Netflix.