Biography

O. Nere Ayu, Ph.D. is a full-time lecturer in the Psychology Department at Howard University. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Bowie State University and both the M.S. and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Howard University. Since then, she has served as an adjunct professor where she has taught numerous undergraduate courses in core areas including Cross Cultural Psychology, Health Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. In addition, she is one of the core faculty instructors for the large Introduction to Psychology courses, which allows her to interact with hundreds of students per semester from all majors across the university.

Dr. Ayu’s primary area of research involves examining psychosocially toxic environments, otherwise known as PTEs (poverty, violence, discrimination, trauma, etc.) and their impact on psychosocial factors among marginalized youth, particularly those in out of home care. Her culturally responsive approach to research extends to the classroom, where she connects lived experiences and theoretical concepts to offer acontemporary style toward teaching psychology. Students often comment on how her learning-focused instructional style assists them in enhancing their knowledge in areas beyond the classroom, shaping their approach to life after graduation.