Courtney Medina, B.A.

Courtney (she/her) is a third-year developmental psychology PhD student in the TAYA Lab at the University of Pittsburgh. She is co-mentored by Dr. Andrea Medrano. She was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in 2025.

Courtney graduated with highest honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021, where she double majored in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies and minored in Latinx Studies. Following her graduation, she worked as a research project coordinator in UNC’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience under Drs. Eva Telzer and Kristen Lindquist.

Courtney’s research examines how sexual and romantic experiences shape adolescent development and mental health, with particular attention to the role of sociocultural factors (e.g., body image, gender role beliefs) as potential risk and protective factors. She is especially interested in understanding the developmental impacts of sexual victimization and objectification. During her time at Pitt, Courtney aims to integrate intersectional feminist and youth-centered methods to promote holistic well-being for marginalized adolescents.