The Women of SSRI and Their Impact on Social Science at Duke
Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to recognize the achievements, leadership, and lasting impact of women across disciplines and generations. At the Duke Social Science Research Institute (SSRI), this month is both a celebration and a reminder: the strength of social and behavioral research depends on the expertise, creativity, and dedication of many women.
From principal investigators and research scientists to data analysts, project managers, postdoctoral fellows, and administrative leaders, women at SSRI are advancing scholarship that helps us better understand society’s most pressing challenges.
Whether directing large-scale surveys, guiding complex data security protocols, managing federally funded research centers, or conducting cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative analysis, women at SSRI ensure that Duke remains at the forefront of rigorous, policy-relevant research. Women at SSRI are leading and supporting projects that:
- Improve data quality and research infrastructure
- Expand access to secure and sensitive data
- Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
- Mentor the next generation of scholars
- Translate research into real-world impact
Women at SSRI play a central role in training and mentoring students, postdocs, and junior faculty. Through fellowship programs, methodological workshops, data training, and collaborative research projects, they help cultivate the next generation of social scientists. Their mentorship builds confidence, opportunity, and pathways into academic, public, and private-sector leadership.
SSRI Faculty
Keisha Bentley-Edwards
Keisha Bentley-Edwards is a nationally recognized scholar whose work examines the intersection of race, culture, and education. Her research explores how structural inequality shapes the experiences of Black children and families, advancing evidence-based strategies to promote educational equity and well-being.
Ann Brewster
Ann Brewster’s work centers on leadership, organizational effectiveness, and the systems that support high-performing institutions. Through research and strategic engagement, she helps strengthen the structures that enable innovation and collaboration across complex organizations.
Aria Chernik
Aria Chernik contributes methodological and data expertise that strengthens the rigor of social science research. Her work supports interdisciplinary teams in designing, managing, and analyzing complex datasets that inform high-impact scholarship.
Sunshine Hillygus
Sunshine Hillygus is a leading scholar of American politics and public opinion. Her research examines voting behavior, political campaigns, and electoral dynamics, helping to shape national conversations about democracy and civic engagement.
Adriane Fresh
Adriane Fresh studies American political institutions and public law, with a focus on judicial behavior and the Supreme Court. Her research sheds light on how courts shape policy and democratic governance.
Patricia Garrett-Peters
Patricia Garrett-Peters investigates the links between poverty, family processes, and child development. Her work informs policies and interventions designed to improve outcomes for children and families facing economic hardship.
Andrea Lane
Andrea Lane plays a critical role in strengthening research operations and infrastructure. Her leadership supports faculty and research teams in navigating complex projects, funding processes, and institutional partnerships.
Hedy Lee
Hedy Lee’s research focuses on inequality, health, and the consequences of criminal legal system involvement. She brings rigorous demographic and quantitative methods to questions about justice, well-being, and life course outcomes.
Giovanna Merli
Giovanna Merli is an internationally recognized demographer whose work examines population processes, social networks, and public health. Her research combines innovative methodology with global perspectives on social change.
Charmaine Royal
Charmaine Royal is a leader in genomics, race, and ethics. Her work addresses the social and ethical implications of genetic research, ensuring that scientific advances are grounded in equity, transparency, and community engagement.
Jana Schaich Borg
Jana Schaich Borg studies moral decision-making, altruism, and social behavior. Using interdisciplinary approaches that bridge neuroscience and behavioral science, her research deepens our understanding of how humans navigate ethical and social choices.
Jessica Sperling
Jessica Sperling’s scholarship explores how law and political institutions interact across national and international contexts. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of judicial politics and governance in comparative perspective.
Svetlana Ukraintseva
Svetlana Ukraintseva is a leading researcher in biodemography and aging. Her work investigates the biological and social determinants of longevity, contributing to global conversations about healthy aging and population change.
Patty Van Cappellen
Patty Van Cappellen studies the psychology of religion, spirituality, and well-being. Her research examines how beliefs and social connection shape human flourishing and prosocial behavior.
Anne Mitchell Whisnant
Anne Mitchell Whisnant is a public historian whose work connects academic research to public memory and civic life. Her scholarship highlights how history is interpreted, preserved, and used to inform contemporary policy and public understanding.
Zhongyuan “Annie” Yu
Zhongyuan “Annie” Yu brings advanced statistical and methodological expertise to interdisciplinary research collaborations. Her work strengthens analytic rigor and supports innovative approaches to complex social and behavioral data.
SSRI Researchers
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards advances interdisciplinary social science through innovative research and collaboration. As a postdoctoral scholar, she contributes fresh methodological insight and analytical rigor while helping to translate complex research into meaningful scholarly and policy conversations.
Diana Flores Peregrina
Diana Flores Peregrina’s work centers on inequality, identity, and social change. Through thoughtful and community-engaged research, she examines how structural forces shape lived experiences, bringing both scholarly depth and real-world relevance to SSRI’s research portfolio.
Delaney Knorr
Delaney Knorr brings strong quantitative expertise to the study of social and behavioral outcomes. Her research combines data-driven analysis with pressing policy questions, helping to generate evidence that informs decision-making and public understanding.
Esha Naidu
Esha Naidu’s scholarship explores political behavior and democratic institutions. Through rigorous empirical research, she contributes to our understanding of governance, representation, and the forces that shape civic participation.
Breanna Nguyen
Breanna Nguyen conducts interdisciplinary research that bridges theory and practice. Her work reflects a commitment to methodological precision and collaborative inquiry, strengthening SSRI’s capacity to address complex social challenges.
Lindsay Yingzhi Xu
Lindsay Yingzhi Xu applies advanced analytic and methodological tools to questions of social and behavioral importance. Her research enhances cross-disciplinary collaboration and supports evidence-based insights with both national and global implications.
Lorrie Schmid
Lorrie Schmid brings deep expertise in research design, project management, and data coordination to SSRI’s interdisciplinary initiatives. Her work ensures that complex studies are executed with precision, supporting faculty and research teams from proposal through publication.
Adrian Brown
Adrian Brown strengthens SSRI’s research portfolio through rigorous data analysis and collaborative problem-solving. With a focus on methodological excellence, he helps translate complex datasets into meaningful insights that inform scholarship and policy.
Bernardita Canals Cavagnaro
Bernardita Canals Cavagnaro contributes quantitative and analytic expertise across a range of social science projects. Her work supports high-impact research by ensuring accuracy, clarity, and methodological integrity at every stage of the research process.
Erin Haseley
Erin Haseley advances interdisciplinary research through careful study design and implementation. Her collaborative approach and analytical skillset help faculty teams navigate complex research questions with confidence and rigor.
Victoria (Vicki) Lee
Vicki Lee plays a vital role in coordinating research operations and managing multifaceted projects. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence help keep large-scale studies running smoothly and efficiently.
Marissa Personette
Marissa Personette supports SSRI’s research enterprise through strong data management and analytical capabilities. Her work enhances the quality and reliability of research outputs, contributing to impactful social and behavioral scholarship.
Doreet Preiss
Doreet Preiss brings methodological insight and collaborative leadership to SSRI’s research teams. Her contributions help ensure that studies are thoughtfully designed, ethically conducted, and positioned to make meaningful contributions to the field.
Staff Members
Sabrina Carr
Cassidy Crain
Michele McLean
Kathryn Moore
Courtney Orning
Affiliated Programs and Centers
Women across SSRI’s affiliated programs and centers are helping promote social science research by leading initiatives, facilitating collaborations, and providing essential support to faculty, students, and the broader research community. Their efforts expand the reach and impact of social science at Duke.