Research Assistants

EMOTION, HEALTH, AND PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY LAB AT YALE

Catalina Cortes

Catalina is a sophomore at Yale University from Houston, Texas majoring in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience. She is interested in physiological manifestations of emotions and the integration of psychology and the law. She hopes to attend law school in the future and utilize psychological principles on emotional regulation to enhance the legal system. She is eager to learn more about the ways in which the mind and body simultaneously affect behavior. In her free time, Catalina loves watching movies with her friends, reading Jane Austen books, and trying new foods.

Gabriella Pollack

Gabby is a junior at Yale University majoring in Sociology, with research interests in the structural factors that perpetuate healthcare inequality and in solutions that address root causes rather than temporary fixes (such as investing in communities of color and creating a universal healthcare system). Outside the lab, she is the co-founder of the Yale Student Collective for Abolition, Resistance, a group that critically engages with carceral systems and promotes non-punitive, community-based responses to harm grounded in care, accountability, and abolitionist principles. Gabby is also a proud Puerto Rican and serves as the events coordinator for Yale’s Puerto Rican student association, Despierta Boricua—so be sure to pull up to the Latine functions!

 

Crawford Arnow

Ethan Chang

Hi, I'm Ethan and I'm a first-year from Columbia, Maryland, studying psychology. I am super passionate about mental health and research in the field is deeply meaningful to me. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, singing, making videos for my YouTube channel, and hanging out with my friends.

 

Jonathan Calderon Romero

Jonathan is a sophomore at Yale from New Haven, intending to major in Psychology. He is interested in Social Psychology, particularly how psychological factors manifest themselves in underrepresented communities. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing squash, trying new restaurants, and thrifting! (If you need any help finding local thrifting spots, I got you!)

Maiyisha Ulysse

Maiyisha is a first-year student at Yale University from Jersey City, New Jersey. She plans on double-majoring in Neuroscience and History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health. She loves working out, being in nature, painting, and horror movies.

 

Zach Fayed

Zach is a first-year at Yale University from Bethesda, Maryland. He is majoring in Psychology, with certificates in Education Studies and Human Rights. He is interested in developmental and social psychology, especially how emotion and well-being influence learning and the educational experience. Outside of the lab, Zach is on the Yale Club Swim team, is a Matriculate at Yale College Advising Fellow, and is a first-year liaison of the executive board of Yale Community Health Educators.

Carissa Alcaraz

My name is Carissa, a first year in Trumbull. I'm excited to be a part of the EHPLab as a prospective neuroscience major who is passionate about the human mind! Specifically, I am interested in human emotion. It is fascinating that an experience so subjective and abstract has a concrete biological basis.

 

Ashley Espinal

Hi! My name is Ashley Espinal, and I’m a sophomore in Silliman College at Yale majoring in Psychology (Neuroscience track) and Political Science. I’m a proud Dominican from the Bronx, New York, and I’m especially interested in the intersection of law, psychopathology, and social justice. Outside of class, I love binge-watching movies, traveling (especially to the Dominican Republic), thrifting, reading psychological thrillers and true crime, and exploring New Haven.

Nick Advani

My name is Nick Advani, and I am from Arlington, Massachusetts. In May 2026, I completed my BA in Psychology at Connecticut College. During my time at Connecticut College, I conducted research on memorization and implicit bias. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, skiing, and hiking.

 

Jimjames Kapend-Kabwit

I’m a student from Meriden, Connecticut, studying Biology and Psychology on the Behavioral Neuroscience track. I’m interested in neuropsychology, particularly in the relationship between brain injury, identity, and health equity. I’m also interested in how culture shapes health and well-being. I enjoy wellness, all music genres, art, and creative expression.

Zack Goodin

Hello! I'm from Tolland, CT, and I'm an undergraduate senior majoring in Exercise Science. I'm a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, so I love bringing out the best in our bodies, and I'm here at the EHPL to do the same for our minds. When I'm not exploring esoteric philosophy or training in the gym, you can find me outside watching the birds.

 

Keelin Wolter

I am a recent BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate from Anglia Ruskin University. My research interests lie in psychobiology, particularly understanding how physiological and biological mechanisms of stress influence and relate to behavior. A fun fact about me is that I am an avid hiker and climber!

Sarina Sanghvi

My name is Sarina and I am a sophomore in Davenport College from Redwood City, California. I am a Cognitive Science major and I am interested in social psychology, specifically how social environments and interpersonal factors affect cognition, decision-making, and emotion. For fun I love to go on runs, go to the beach, bake, and spend time with friends and family.

 

Jacqueline Heitmann

Jackie is a statistical analyst at the Human Relations Area Files at Yale University where she assists with data manipulation and quantitative analysis on several projects examining how environmental factors shape culture. She graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2024 with a B.S. in Statistics and a minor in Computer Science. She is very interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology to study the factors that promote resilience among youth facing developmental and learning challenges as well as how clinical interventions can better support positive developmental and mental-health outcomes.

Samarah Saggers

Originally from Michigan, Samarah is a junior at Yale majoring in Cognitive Science. She's fascinated by the power of the human mind and is excited to explore the mind-body connection through the Emotion, Health, and Psychophysiology lab. She is also fascinated by taste-testing different teas, solving riddles, and comedy movies (she is very open to recommendations!).

 

Jasmine Biju

Hi! My name is Jasmine, and I'm a freshman in Murray on the pre-medical track. In addition to my interest in the biopsychosocial model of health, I enjoy authoring children’s books that elevate underrepresented pediatric conditions, pursuing healthcare policy work with the New Jersey State Senate, and managing a makeup formulation line designed for vitiligo-affected patients. In my free time, you can find me reading Jane Austen, playing chess, or indulging in (probably too many) sweet treats.

Samantha Fan

Hi! I’m a sophomore at Yale studying Political Science and Psychology, originally from Palo Alto, California. I’m interested in how psychological factors like stress and emotions shape human behavior, as well as how they influence political attitudes and voting decisions. Outside of class, I enjoy getting involved in campus activities and exploring all the restaurants New Haven has to offer!

 

Kendall Reed

I am from Newtown, CT, and I am a recent graduate from Bates College with a B.A. in Psychology. I hope to become a clinical psychologist in the future and am passionate about research regarding addiction, trauma, and mental illness. I am also interested in forensic psychology and the stigma that comes with being affected by the legal system. In my free time I like to golf, hike, and I am an avid reader.