Study Coordinators

 

Doris Chi

just completed her first-year as an MPH student in Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health. She graduated magna cum laude from Smith College in 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Applied Statistics. Her research interests involve the impact of stigma on people's mental health, specifically people who hold multiple marginalized identities and the LGBTQ+ community. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Social/Health Psychology.

 

Gelber Lemus

Gelber Lemus has a BA in Psychology, with a strong interest in neuropsychology and social psychology. His thesis focused on advancing the study of marijuana by specifically exploring the potential benefits and risks through the lens Hebbian theory, such as neuroplasticity. Outside of academics, Gelber has a background in varsity/professional soccer and enjoys learning random facts about animals and human anatomy.

Hope Quinones

Hope has a B.A. in Psychology, and is interested in health psychology and mental health care. Her research interests focus the effects of diverse therapeutic modalities on physiology and psychological wellbeing. In her free time, Hope enjoys watching documentaries and spending time doing anything outdoors.

 

Selina Bilal

is a senior at UC Berkeley double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science, with minors in Music and Developmental Psychology. She is an active researcher at both the Relationships and Social Cognition Lab and the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab. In addition to her academic work, Selina serves as a researcher for the Science of Happiness Podcast, a proctor with the Disabled Students’ Program, and the President of Psi Chi at Berkeley. Driven by a passion for creating meaningful change, Selina is currently developing an awe-based intervention for Berkeley students. Her initiative, The Awe Paradigm, explores the transformative power of awe on holistic wellbeing and personal growth. The project centers around a comprehensive study of the “eight wonders of awe,” using immersive experiences and structured reflection to provide students with practical tools to incorporate awe into their everyday lives. Through this work, Selina aims to cultivate a deeper sense of presence, purpose, and conscious living among participants.

Ziyu Song

is a recent M.A. graduate in I/O Psychology from UNH. She is interested in how emotions and transformative experiences interact to shape the ways individuals engage with themselves, others, and the world around them, ultimately contributing to their unique paths. Outside of research, Ziyu is a hamster lover and philosophy enthusiast.

 

Summer Interns

Alex Breazeale

is a rising senior at Rice University pursuing a B.A. in Psychology, with strong interest in clinical and developmental psychology, and a language certificate in Japanese. Alex is interested in researching how developmental differences between queer and heterosexual youth lead to different clinical outcomes. Inspired by his own queer journey, he hopes to better understand how we can support queer youth from an earlier age through a clinical/therapeutic perspective to improve health outcomes. Outside of academics, Alex spends his time on the club volleyball team, working at the campus coffee shop, and enjoys photography, fashion, and traveling.

Andrew Wade

is pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with double minors in Entrepreneurship and Leadership Studies at Hampton University. His future goals include applying to a Ph.D. program in social or developmental psychology and becoming a developmental psychologist for minority teens who suffer from mental health issues. His research focuses on how the interaction between stress, decision-making, and emotional regulation and how jt impacts the mental health of minority adolescents. He is particularly interested in examining how social stigmas associated with gender norms and gender expression shape the heterogeneity within Black masculinity. Out side of academics, Andrew loves to uplift his adventurous spirit by hiking, camping, cooking, exercising and swimming

 

Caroline Cohen

is from Dallas, Texas, and is a rising senior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Child Studies with a minor in Human and Organizational Development. She is passionate about child development, education, and psychology. Her academic interests center on how early childhood experiences shape emotional and cognitive development. Outside of academics, she enjoys yoga, hiking, spending time with her friends and family, and all things travel.

Grace Beecher

is a recent graduate of East Tennessee State University, where she received her B.S. in Psychology. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in the near future. Her research interests include Black mental health stigma, the impact of studying abroad, and racial and ethnic identity development among students of color at predominantly white institutions. Outside of academia, Grace hopes to continue traveling the world and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

 

Grace Gasaway

recently graduated from Mercer University with her B.S. in Psychology, a major in Spanish, and a minor in chemistry. She is interested in cognitive and developmental psychology, aging, and the effects of stress on the brain and body. In her free time, she enjoys long walks outside, reading thrillers, and cooking.

Hayden Puttlitz

is a rising junior at the University of Arizona, majoring in Psychological Sciences and minoring in Spanish. Her research interests include child psychopathology and health psychology. She is particularly passionate about exploring the causes and interventions of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, as well as physiological responses to stress and mental health disorders. After completing her undergraduate degree, Hayden plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time in nature.

 

Lauren Attanasio

is a rising junior at New York University pursuing a B.A in Psychology with minors in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies and Public Policy. She is passionate about social psychology as well as implementing access to mental health care for minorities. Her research interests include the effects of multi-generational trauma on development and mental health stigmatization. In the future Laura hopes to pursue a Masters in Psychology. In her free time she loves to go to concerts and festivals as well as trying new restaurants.

Luke Stanton

is a rising senior at Rutgers University–New Brunswick majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science. His research interests involve the biological, cognitive, and social influences on emotion regulation and their relationship to stress and psychopathology. In the fall, he plans to apply to Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology.

 

Madison Gesualdo

is a rising senior at Kean University. She is majoring in Forensic Psychology and minoring in Criminal Justice. Her research interests include the psychophysiological impact of traumatic experiences on victims and witnesses, as well as the relationship between stress levels and maladaptive behavior. Outside of her studies, Madison plays on her university soccer team and is President of the Psychology Organization. She enjoys running, reading, and writing in her free time. In the future, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and work in a forensic setting.

My “Amy” Nguyen

is pursuing a BA in Psychology, with a concentration in Statistics and Education Studies at Grinnell College. She is interested in health psychology and learning more about the mind-body connection, especially when accounting for cultural and social factors. Additionally, Amy is on the varsity women's golf team, is always down to explore new places, and enjoys cooking meals with friends.

 

Nahaniya Fowler

is a rising senior at Fort Lewis College, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on developmental, social, and abnormal psychology. Her research interests focus on trauma's physical and mental effects on adolescent development and how emotions, trauma, and stress may alter or disrupt self perception, creation of an individual’s external world and mind/body integration. She plans to continue her education by obtaining her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of academic pursuits she enjoys reading, listening to music, and practicing taekwondo.

Neena Dzur

is a rising senior at Columbia University, majoring in Psychology and English. She is interested in the intersection of social psychology and health. At Columbia, she has worked as a Research Assistant in labs focused on shared reality theory, neural synchrony, and emotional regulation in newly formed friend dyads. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology.

 

Ngoc Huyen “Abi” Nguyen

is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a Nexus in Educational Policy and Practice. Her research interests lie in developmental psychology, with a focus on children from marginalized communities. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. and conduct research that advocates for educational practices supporting children with learning disabilities and those from challenging family environments.

Nhat Quan

is a rising junior at Denison University majoring in Psychology and Global Health. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, he is particularly interested in developmental and health psychology - particularly how early life experiences and cultural factors shape long-term well-being. Nhat is also passionate about improving mental health awareness and access to care in Vietnam. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling or Clinical Psychology.

 

Noah Katzer

is pursuing a BA in Psychology and Political Science at Franklin & Marshall College, with a strong interest in clinical and sports psychology. His current research focuses on the effects of parental influence on athletes’ motivations to play sports. Outside of academics, Noah is the captain of his college’s varsity squash team and enjoys playing chess.

Sara “Imani” Mola

is a senior undergraduate student at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in political science. Her research interests are around Social, multicultural and cognitive psychology a well as potential applications in government and mental health treatment. Post graduation, she will pursue a PHD in social psychology.

 

Sean Morfin

is a recent graduate of St. Bonaventure University where he earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. His primary research interests revolve around the risk taking and decision making that lead to violence, as well as their overlap with psychopathology. In the future, Sean has aspirations of pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology to combine research and clinical practice. He was a member of St. Bonaventure's Division 1 Men's Soccer team, and in his free time, he loves to play chess and cook.