“I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. HDFS has done a great job and supports every student possible,” Konjufca says, “If it wasn’t for HDFS, I probably wouldn’t know where I want to go in life, but now it’s amazing to have that idea of ‘Yeah, this is exactly it.’”

Konjufca wants to be a child life specialist who helps children and their families navigate illness, disability or hospitalization. In the fall of 2024, with the support of human development and family science faculty (particularly undergraduate director and professor of practice ), Konjufca launched the ���ϲ����� chapter of the nonprofit , which facilitates play sessions, called Here to Play, at children’s hospitals nationwide.

“Their whole motto is that play heals and so we come in and do crafts with the kids and foster a lot of play,” Konjufca says. “The play sessions help normalize life during a hospital stay for children, which can often be an unfamiliar experience.”

Human Development and Family Science majors Jonida Konjufca (left) and Kate Harrington are charter members of the ���ϲ����� chapter of the nationwide non-profit Project Sunshine.

The University chapter of Project Sunshine partners with and arranges for students like Konjufca to visit the hospital for play sessions with patients. Activities include painting, coloring, using stickers and making “slime” out of shaving cream. The space at Golisano is filled with playroom items such as books, dollhouses, a piano and video games to help children feel at home during their hospital stays.

Konjufca says her experience with Project Sunshine and Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital has been fulfilling.

“One of my first events I was solo and was just starting it and I had a mom tell me her son hasn’t come out of his room in a really long time,” Konjufca says. “And so, she said, ‘I’m happy to see him do crafts. Even if it’s just for 30 minutes, he’s getting out and doing something.’ She was very appreciative.”

Here to Play sessions occur every month for a two-hour block. All University students, regardless of major, are welcome to join Project Sunshine.

“It’s a really fun thing to do, even if you’re not on the child life specialist route,” Konjufca says. “It gives you diverse experiences and it’s a rewarding feeling. You get to come do crafts with kids. Every time I leave, I’ve had so much fun.”

For those interested in joining the Project Sunshine chapter on campus, please contact Konjufca at ���ϲ�����u@projectsunshine.org for more information. You can also apply to volunteer with Project Sunshine through our .

The ���ϲ����� contingent at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in November included Marjorie Cantor Professor of Aging Studies Merril Silverstein (second from left) and Human Development and Family Science doctoral students, from left to right, Xiaoyu Fu, Bo Jian and Ying Xu.

In mid-November, as part of the for the human dynamics programs in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, ���ϲ����� announced that Falk’s departments of (MFT) and (HDFS) would merge and become one department within ���ϲ�����’s starting July 1, 2025.

Within one week, the synergies between the two departments became apparent at the prestigious (NCFR) from Nov. 20-23 in Bellevue, Washington.

Eman Tadros

At the NCFR, MFT Assistant Professor was honored with both the Olson Grant and Advancing Family Science Emerging Mentor/Teacher Award. In addition, several HDFS faculty and doctoral students presented their research, including Marjorie Cantor Professor of Aging Studies , who was a keynote speaker.

“Dr. Tadros’ involvement with NCFR highlights the interconnection between the HDFS and MFT departments,” says MFT chair and Professor of Practice . “NCFR and many other professional organizations support both departments’ focus on expanding scholarship on human systems and development, and relational wellbeing.

“Our mutual emphasis on families and systems sets the stage for increased scholarship and service for individuals and systems in our community and around the world,” Watson adds.

The , which is available to NCFR members who contribute to the discipline of family science by bridging research, theory and practice, was previously awarded to Silverstein and former HDFS doctoral student , who is now an assistant professor at Texas Tech University.

“Dr. Hwang and Dr. Silverstein gave a keynote talk on their work with the award focusing on the impact of digital communication in maintaining intergenerational relationships during the pandemic,” says HDFS chair and Associate Professor . “Dr. Tadros will similarly present her work as a keynote next year. Through their important work, these faculty represent the shared values of research in the two departments, which will soon join and continue to do high-level research on family processes that has significant implications for the wellbeing of families.”

Watson says Tadros will use the Olson Grant to fund her scholarship on racially and ethnically minoritized individuals’ online dating behaviors. The highlights “Dr. Tadros’ exemplary mentorship, particularly in providing research opportunities for underrepresented students,” Watson says.

In addition to the NCFR, HDFS faculty and doctoral students recently presented at another prominent national conference: the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Nov. 13-16 in Seattle, Washington. At both the NCFR and GSA events, HDFS faculty and doctoral students presented on a wide array of topics related to important questions of well-being for families and older adults (the complete list of HDFS presenters is below).

Human Development and Family Science doctoral student Bo Jian with her poster presentation at the National Council on Family Relations 2024 Annual Conference.

“The presentations at the GSA included original research on dementia care, mortality patterns, mental health and intergenerational relationships in older adults,” Mulvaney says. “Much of the research was focused on examining key processes of aging and relationships across diverse contexts, including Mexican, Puerto Rican and Chinese communities. As a whole, the presentations represented cutting-edge research that adds to the scientific literature that highlight the experiences of diverse older adults.”

At the NCFR, Mulvaney says, the presentations focused on key features of family relationships and developmental processes, including biased-based harassment of adolescents, child maltreatment, intergenerational relationships and the impact of poverty on children’s self-regulation.

“All of the research utilized high-level and cutting-edge methodologies to inform our understanding of these critical family processes,” Mulvaney says.

Visit the for a complete list of the HDFS presenters at the GSA and NCFR conferences and the research they shared.