Research Assistants

**Hope Quinones**

Hope graduated from Carleton University with a BA in Psychology. Her research interests include neuropsychology, positive psychology, and health psychology, specifically how wellness/mindfulness practices can improve brain health. In her free time she enjoys creating art and participating in markets, yoga, and window shopping.

**Zoe Alarcon**

Zoe is a senior at Amherst College from South Florida. She is a double major in psychology and philosophy. Her primary area of interest is mental health, and she is especially interested in the intersections of mental and physical phenomena, such as how cultural mental constructs and environmental circumstances influence each other on individual and societal levels. In her free time, you can find her journaling, weight-lifting, or reading.

**Semira Mohamed**

Semira is a senior at Yale majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Human Rights Studies. She's interested in the intersection of the social and clinical areas, including how evolving social interaction in our modernizing world through media consumption impact wellbeing at a societal level. Aside from her studies, Semira enjoys watching TV, eating ice cream, and baking.

**Naomi Okunrobo**

Naomi is a junior from The Bronx, New York. She is in Trumbull College majoring in psychology. She is interested in clinical and social psychology, and is passionate about food insecurity and social justice. Outside of the classroom, Naomi is part of Steppin' Out (Yale's first and only step team!), is co-president of BPHY (Black Pre-Health Students at Yale), and is a tutor for YETI (Yale Education Tutoring Initiative). Naomi will be attending the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as part of the FlexMed program after college.

Emily Hettinger

Emily isa sophomore in Pierson College, originally from Torrance, California (just outside of LA). Emily is studying cognitive science and is passionate about prison abolition and other social justice work. She love dogs (especially her chihuahua mix, Callie), running, and oatly soft serve.

**Vanessa Anaya**

Vanessa is a second year at Yale and she is majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Spanish. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology one day in hopes of practicing and conducting her own research. She is originally from Esparto, CA which is a small town in NorCal.

**Calley Lewis**

Calley is a senior at the University of New Haven studying psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. She also has minors in criminal justice and sociology. Her research interests include criminal psychopathology, psychopathy, femicide, and mental health assessments. She is originally from Kentucky, and in her free time you can find her cuddling with her cats or on a hike.

**Ziyu Song**

Ziyu is a graduate student in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at UNH. She has a strong interest in the interrelationships between emotion and physical health, as well as sleep, creativity, and transformational experiences. She hopes to work with like-minded individuals in the future to achieve academic aspirations and contribute to a greater degree of fairness starting from shaping or reshaping people's cognition. Additionally, she is a hamster lover and a philosophy enthusiast. Her interest in academia arises from its ability to influence the core and nature of "things" to a greater extent.

**Sage Sarrazin**

Sage is a research assistant for the Emotion, Health, and Psychophysiology Lab at Yale University as well as a junior studying Forensic Psychology at the University of New Haven. She is originally from Agawam, Massachusetts, and enjoys exercise, dancing, music, and hiking. She also has an interest in neuropsychology and clinical psychology. At New Haven, she is a part of the university dance team, along with the job titles of Member Service Attendant and Club Sport Supervisor at the Beckerman Charger Recreation Center.

**Phoebe Yeh**

Phoebe is a sophomore in Ezra Stiles college majoring in Cognitive Science. Her research interests include interpersonal relationships: how and why do we form relationships that we do, and how do these interactions impact us? Outside of the lab, she is involved with yearbook, coaches swimming, and loves to bake. She hopes to get a cat one day.

**Devin Davila**

Devin is a junior at the University of New Haven. Her hometown is in Saddle Brook, NJ. She is a Psychology major with a concentration in Community and Society. Devin loves to go for runs, play video games, and she especially loves cats! She is interested in studying social justice advocacy, cultural psychology, and mental health. She is currently enrolled in her school's dual degree program, going for a M.A in Community Psychology.

**Rosanna Gao**

Rosanna is a junior at Yale College majoring in Cognitive Science with a primary area of interest in Behavioral Economics, especially in how cognitive biases and decision-making processes influence financial behavior. She is particularly fascinated by how people’s perceptions of risk and reward shape their economic choices. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, staying active, and cooking new recipes.

Sanaa Carrimgee

Sanaa is a sophomore in Pauli Murray college majoring in Cognitive Science. Her research interests include how emotions are linked to morality and decision making, and she is focusing on Morality and Law through her major. Outside of the lab, she is involved with running the Nourish Project, is involved with the Yale Women's Leadership Initiative, and enjoys spending time exploring Yale's Campus!

**Lena Jones**

As a senior at Yale University, Lena Jones is building her career in public health evaluation. For her senior thesis in Cognitive Science, Lena is assessing whether psychophysiological indicators of conflict/lack of reconciliation could inform new evaluatory frameworks. Her professional experience includes roles with the Yale School of Public Health’s Community Alliance for Research & Engagement (CARE), the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, and the California Department of Justice.

**Gelber Lemus**

Gelber Lemus Jr. is pursuing a BA in Psychology, with a strong interest in neuropsychology and social psychology. His research focuses on advancing the study of neuroplasticity, exploring the potential benefits and risks of various substances, and integrating neuroplasticity concepts into artificial intelligence. Outside of academics, Gelber has a background in varsity soccer and enjoys learning random facts about animals and human anatomy.

**Marina Ruelas**

Marina is a sophomore at Yale University from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is majoring in Psychology and pursuing a certificate in Education Studies. Marina is interested in clinical psychology, particularly how emotional processes impact mental health and well-being. Outside of the lab, she works as a language tutor, is a member of Ballet Folklórico at Yale, and enjoys spending time baking.

**Maya George**

Maya is a junior at Yale majoring in neuroscience and on the pre-med track. She is originally from Westchester, New York. She is interested in neuropsychology and is passionate about social justice in the medical system and healthcare equity. Outside of academics, she dances with the Modern Dance Collective, volunteers at the Haven Free Clinic, and mentors with the Yale Neuroscience Education Undergraduate Research Organization.

Nick Boettcher

Nicholas is a Junior at Yale University majoring in cognitive science. In addition to his interests in developmental psychology and social processing, Nicholas is pursuing a masters in Double Bass Performance at Yale School of Music. Outside of the lab (and the practice room), Nicholas enjoys cooking, eating, and dreads cleaning.