Nishtha PathakGraduate Studentshe/her/hers

I’m a PhD student in Human Development & Family Studies, working under the guidance of Professor Larissa Duncan. My research centers on the earliest years of life and on what helps young children grow up feeling secure, capable, and cared for. I’m especially interested in designing and evaluating interventions that support children’s well-being from the start.

At the heart of my work is self-compassion, particularly mindfulness, common humanity, self-regulation, and self-kindness. I’m curious about how these skills can take root early, whether through everyday interactions between parents and children, in classrooms, or through curricula designed around how young children learn and develop.

My path to this work began in India, where I earned my BS (Hons.) in community science from G. B. Pant University, specializing in extension education and communication management. There, I worked at the community level with a focus on underprivileged children and women’s development. This experience taught me how much meaningful change can begin with the people and communities closest to us.

I went on to complete my MS in human development and family studies, with a minor in social sciences and humanities. My master’s research explored how psychological well-being, life attitudes (optimistic and pessimistic outlooks on life), and spiritual beliefs intersect among young adults in higher education.

Selected Publications

Pathak, N., & Mishra, R. (2025). Timelines of Change: How Life Events and Timing Shape Human Behavioral Adaptation. International Journal of Applied Social Science, 12(9–10), 766–774.

Pathak, N., & Mishra, R. (2025). Self-Compassion as a Buffer for Digital Toxicity. STAPS Journal, 11(7), 274–302.

Pathak, N., & Mishra, R. (2025). Sleep Microenvironments and Organizational Microcultures. International Journal of Applied Social Science, 12(7–8), 692–704.

Pandey, A., & Pathak, N. (2025). Multi-dimensional Impact of Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) Programme: Path for Viksit Bharat @2047. STAPS Journal, 11(7), 1007–1022.

Awards and Recognition

• Leola Culver Graduate Fellowship in Early Childhood Development