Lab Manager & Honors Thesis Students

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Email: derek.simon@ufl.edu

Derek Simon | Lab Manager
Hi everyone! I joined the lab as a second-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. I am now entering my third year and I am also the new lab manager for the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab! I grew up in Delray Beach and Jupiter, Florida and identify with the pronouns he/him. My dream is to achieve my Ph.D. and to eventually become a professor of psychology. My research interests reside in Social and Personality Psychology, and I am currently passionate about exploring the many factors that influence our specific emotions and behaviors across different contexts. Aside from my studies, I love reading, listening to music, spending time with friends, and enjoying everything that life has to offer.
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Email: erikadavis@ufl.edu

Erika Davis | Senior Honors Thesis
Hi everyone! I'm a fourth-year psychology major and zoology minor here at UF. My educational interests include both social and developmental psychology, as well as animal behavior. In the future I hope to go to pursue a graduate degree in one of those areas! I'm excited to be a part of this lab and get the opportunity to explore research in a hands on, professional setting. I hope to gain a better understanding of social psychology and get a better grasp on research as a whole! Outside of school, I enjoy crocheting, reading, and going on hikes around Gainesville to see our local wildlife. My research study is on meaning forecasting, and my graduate advisor is Joshua Perlin.​

Email: carleylustig@ufl.edu

Carley Lustig | Senior Honors Thesis
I am a fourth-year general psychology student at UF! I hope to go to dental school but have always been interested in the brain and how it creates our interpretation of the world. Social psychology is of particular interest to me especially with our current generation being heavily involved in social media. I hope that when working in the dental field a solid background in psychology will help me to better understand and treat patients! I was born and raised outside of Philadelphia and hope to continue my studies somewhere in the northeast after graduating from UF. I enjoy music, comedy, and meditation/mindfulness. My pronouns are she/her/hers. My research study is on existential indifference and its link to positive psychological outcomes, and my graduate advisor is Anaïs Ortiz.
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Email: mcgilverykaren@ufl.edu

Karen McGilvery | Senior Honors Thesis
Hello! I am a fourth-year Family, Youth, and Community Sciences and General Psychology first-generation student from a multicultural background. I love learning about how different aspects of identity can impact our quality of life and wellbeing. Naturally, I also love everything related to psychology as it helps us understand ourselves and others. I am immensely grateful to be a part of this lab and really delve into social psychology as the research we do can be used to improve many lives. I aim to further my studies with a graduate degree related to counseling. My research study examines helping behaviors, perceived distress, perceived motivation, and perceived competence. Also, my graduate advisor is Elisha LePine.

Email: michellerincones@ufl.edu

​Michelle Rincones-Rodriguez | Senior Honors Thesis
I am a fourth-year psychology student at the University of Florida, having previously earned an associate degree in psychology as a dual enrollment student. I am thrilled to be entering my senior year as a research assistant for the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab, as well as a thesis student. I am interested in areas such as social cognition, well-being, time, and organizational behavior. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, music, and reading! I am going to announce my research topic later this month, and my graduate advisor is Yijun Lin.

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Email: kwestmoreland@ufl.edu

Kendra Westmoreland
I am a 4th year Psychology and English double major at UF. I go by the pronouns she/her, and I grew up in Tampa, FL. This is my third and final year working with Dr. Westgate and her team. I love the field of Social Psychology as I am fascinated by the phenomena that shapes the way humans interact with each other. I am currently working on my Senior Honors Thesis as I graduate next May. After getting my bachelor’s, I intend to participate in an MSW program and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Outside of academia, I enjoy creative writing, dance, and spending time outdoors. My research topic will be announced soon, and my advisor is Dr. Erin Westgate.
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Current Research Assistants

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Email: aallion@ufl.edu

Alanna Allion
Hi! I'm a first-generation student and a second year General Psychology major. I'm also hoping to double major in Criminology. In the future, I want to pursue a PsyD and hopefully become a therapist or legal psychologist. I joined the lab because Social Psychology is fascinating, and I wanted to learn more about it and the research process. In my spare time, I enjoy crocheting, reading, and listening to music.

Email: sabrinabarella@ufl.edu

Sabrina Barella
​Hi! I am in my third year of my undergraduate degree majoring in General Psychology and minoring in Theater at the University of Florida. I was born in Puerto Rico and raised by the beaches in Melbourne, Florida. My goal is to attend graduate school to earn my master's degree and potentially my doctorate! I love learning about human behaviors and the thought processes behind them, and this lab is a great opportunity to integrate what I learn in the classroom into real studies. Aside from psychology, my passions include theater, hanging out with friends, watching movies, and occasionally hitting the gym. I am so blessed and excited to be a part of this amazing team of researchers!

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Email: sadia.barua@ufl.edu

Sadia Barua
I am a sophomore studying Psychology and Anthropology that combine my interest in research, mental health, and social justice. I’ve called Florida home ever since moving from Bangladesh in 2016. In the future, I hope to work globally to research, treat and raise awareness about Mental Health issues. The topics, projects and responsibilities of this lab are comparable to my interests and am very excited to be a part of the lab. Some of my research interests include acculturation, perfectionism, mindfulness, impulsiveness, personality disorders, cultural psychology, emotional learning and intelligence. I am also an AWARE ambassador at the Counseling and Wellness Center. In my free time I like to spend time with family and friends.
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Email: brownrachel@ufl.edu

Rachel Brown
Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Brown, and I am a third year Psychology major with a specialization in Behavioral Analysis. I am originally from New Jersey but have lived in Florida for three years now. My pronouns are she/her. Some topics which I am passionate about include group behavior, creativity, media, happiness, and boredom. I am very excited to be working with so many diverse individuals and discover new things about the world. In my free time, I like to go on walks, hangout with my friends, and try new coffee places. 

Email: sdhulashia@ufl.edu

Shyam Dhulashia
Hi everyone! My name is Shyam, and I am an undergraduate psychology major graduating next fall. One of my greatest passions is understanding consciousness and how our unique perceptions influence how we experience and view the world, as well as the factors that lead to the development of our personalities. I am also very interested in studying how we can alter our perceptions and senses of self to enhance moods and improve our daily lives, as well as the sustainability of future generations on a societal scale. Following graduation, I plan on pursuing a career in psychiatry and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. I am elated to work in this lab because I'll be able to further my career goals and skills while discovering new truths about the mind! Besides nerding out about psychology, I love hanging out with friends, exploring nature on hikes, working out, drawing, writing, and listening to music.
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Email: brynn.foster@ufl.edu

Brynn Foster
​Hello, everyone! My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am entering my third year here at UF. I am majoring in general psychology and am also pursuing a minor in sociology. I have held a passion for psychology for a while and even received my associate degree with an emphasis in psychology. Social psychology and behavior analysis are especially intriguing to me. I hope to eventually acquire a PhD, possibly in industrial/organizational psychology, so that I can continue to use psychological principles to better human lives. I am excited to work in this lab so that I can gain valuable research experience and expand my knowledge. I grew up in South Florida near West Palm. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach and going out with friends.

Email: jomelys.gonzalez@ufl.edu

Jomelys Gonzalez
Hi! My name is Jomelys Gonzalez (she/they), and I am currently a second-year psychology major and sociology minor. I am excited to start working in this lab and learn from everyone. I am personally interested in how sociological frameworks affect one's psychological well-being. I hope to attend graduate school for Counseling Psychology, become a counselor, and later down the road, be a professor. Outside of academics, I enjoy making bread, creative endeavors, and watching YouTube. 

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Email: simahabach@ufl.edu

Sima Habach​
Hello everyone! I'm Sima, a third-year psychology student in the behavioral and cognitive neuroscience specialization. I was born in Syria, but I grew up in Florida and spent many years of my life volunteering with elementary children in enrichment and the arts. I have a passion for helping underprivileged children and I hope to earn a Ph.D. to work in child psychology. I am very excited to gain a deeper understanding of social psychology through my role in this lab, and I am eager to apply the skills I learn towards making a positive change for kids in the future! Besides working in research, I enjoy baking, painting, and meeting new people.

Email: zoehilcoff@ufl.edu

Zoe Hilcoff
Hi everyone! I am a second-year undergraduate student studying Psychology with an emphasis on Behavioral Analysis. I am from Jupiter, Florida and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am intrigued by several aspects of psychology and the brain and therefore hope that with this research experience I will gain a better understanding of what I wish to pursue in my future. I plan to go to graduate school to continue my studies in Behavioral Analysis, possibly focusing on clinical psychology. In my free time I love to read, go to the beach, spend time with friends, and bake or cook!

Email: mariannahorton@ufl.edu

Marianna Horton
My name is Marianna and I’m a sophomore at the University of Florida. I’m double majoring in Psychology and Criminology, and am interested in pursuing clinical psychology on a graduate level. I hope to eventually earn a doctorate in the field and continue research in psychology and its relationship with emotional regulation, the law, and mental well-being. I have always been particularly interested by how emotion plays a role in our personal and social cognition, and how it overall drives the quality of our lives. In the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab, I am most interested in projects relating to implicit biases and how these bleed into social groups on a larger scale. In my free time I enjoy running, playing guitar, and volunteering at the child’s center here in Gainesville. I’m incredibly grateful to be joining this team as a research assistant and am looking forward to my time here learning, growing, and contributing.

Email: jjauregui@ufl.edu

Jay Jauregui 
​She/Her/Hers
Hi! I am a third-year psychology student, hailing from Miami, on the pre-dental track and pursuing an English minor at UF. I am thrilled to be part of the lab and take my education from textbook to practice by helping produce scientific knowledge as part of a research team. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to enhance my understanding of human behavior and cognition through experimental methods and the unique ways it can be applied to psychological research. My awareness of psychology has greatly influenced how I perceive the world and treat others; I intend to continue to use the skills I have and will acquire in my professional career when providing care for patients from all walks of life. Besides academics, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, and being a pet mom.  

Email: othojohnson@ufl.edu

Garrett Johnson
Hi! My name is Garrett (he/him/his) and I was born and raised here in Gainesville, FL. I am a second year Psychology and Women's Studies major and am also minoring in Statistics. I am excited to start gaining research experience through the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab, as well as expand my understanding of social psychology. I am very interested in LGBTQ+ mental health and psychology—particularly the social effects of identifying as LGBTQ+ in today's society. After undergrad, I hope to get my Masters in Women's Studies and then go on to get my PhD in counseling psychology. Currently, I want to be a therapist and a professor to both engage with new ideas in academia while still helping people navigate and improve their mental health. Outside of school, I love to read fiction, exercise, cook yummy food, and travel. 
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Email: tlai1@ufl.edu

Tram Lai
Hi everyone, my name is Tram and I am currently a research assistant at the College of Nursing and College of Dentistry. I graduated with a B.S in Psychology and B.A in Criminology. I have been in the lab since 2019. I completed my senior thesis on the topic of reading (classics vs. contemporary novels) and affective forecasting with Erin and Anais, in which we will be conducting follow-up studies in the upcoming semesters. My goal is to obtain a Ph.D in Social Psychology with a focus in juveniles' rehabilitation. I enjoy fashion, music, needle felting, reading, and collecting trinkets.

Email: ledyg@ufl.edu

Greysun Ledy
Hi all! My name is Greysun and I am a third year Behavioral Cognitive Neuroscience major with a minor in Classical Studies. I identify as a white, cisgender, woman and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am very interested in mental health, the biological basis of brain functions, intrinsic motivation, and human consciousness. I am passionate about positively impacting others and after graduate school, I hope to obtain a career in counseling psychology or industrial organizational psychology to further this commitment of mine. I have always loved psychology because I feel that it helps me better understand others which in turn causes me to end up learning even more about myself. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors in the sun; reading fantasy and fiction books; traveling to new places; and spending time with those I love.  

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Email: max.leibowitz@ufl.edu

Max Leibowitz
Hello! My name is Max Leibowitz and I am a first-year Psychology major with a specialization in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. I am a white, straight male who uses he/him/his pronouns. My main research interests involve analyzing the behaviors of individuals under special circumstances. I am excited to be a research assistant in the Florida Social Cognition & Emotion Lab and be able to further my understanding of the reasoning behind specific behaviors. In life, my main goal is to help others and make the world a better place. By doing so, I plan on going on the psychiatry path and helping improve the mental health of those suffering. My hobbies include working out, hanging out with friends, and playing sports.

Email: sarah.marsicek@ufl.edu

​Sarah Marsicek
Hi everyone! I am a third-year psychology student at the University of Florida with a specialization in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in Family Youth and Community Sciences. My pronouns are she/her and I am originally from Mount Dora, Florida. I am passionate about understanding how social influences affect childhood and adolescent mental health and well-being. My ultimate goal is to continue through graduate school, receive my Ph.D. and become a licensed psychologist with a specification in youth. I am honored and excited to be a part of the Social Cognition and Emotion Lab and have the opportunity to explore the different aspects of these fields that are being studied. Outside of the lab and coursework, I enjoy journaling, calligraphy, and exploring new coffee shops with my friends!

Email: heathermcgeachy@ufl.edu

Heather McGeachy
My name is Heather McGeachy, and I am a third-year Psychology major and African American studies minor. I am originally from Tampa, Florida and will never miss a Tampa Bay Lightning game. Post-grad, I hope to attend Law School or earn a master's degree in Public Policy when I graduate. I am very excited to be a part of this research team and look forward to becoming a more achieved researcher and a better team player! I love to read, find new coffee shops, and garden in my free time. 

Email: amedina1@ufl.edu

Abigail Medina
Hi everyone, I'm Abby (she/her)! I am a third-year Psychology student with a specialization in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in Health Disparities in Society. My research interests include social and cognitive psychology, as well as pharmacology. I am always excited to deepen the foundation I have built from my classes, as well as explore new challenges and ideas in the lab! I am passionate about patient advocacy and the importance of mitigating the systemic pressures that influence the social determinants of health for disadvantaged populations. I hope to become a psychiatrist who takes a holistic approach in medicine while being cognizant of patients' intersectional identities. My other interests include making art, reading, writing, film analysis, and cooking with friends. 

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Email: ashleynelson1@ufl.edu

Ashley Nelson
Hello! My name is Ashley and I am a first-year student at UF majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. I am originally from Chicago, IL but I have been living in Tampa, FL for several years now. I am still somewhat undecided about my future career goals, but I love psychology and am hoping that this opportunity might help me get a better idea of what I would like to do in the future. Outside of school, I love reading, swimming, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. I am beyond excited to work in the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab and learn more about psychology research!
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Email: laurenormachea@ufl.edu

​Lo Ormachea
Hey everyone! My name is Lo Ormachea. I am a non-binary, queer spirit soul pursuing a bachelor's in general psychology. Helping others, especially other recovering addicts, studying religion and spirituality, playing and composing music (I play piano, harmonium, mridanga, kartals, marimba, vibraphone and xylophone), learning about psychology and making art (oil painting, hand-poke tattoos, ink and pastels) are some of my main interests. I am excited to be a research assistant studying narrative identity and religion. In the future I hope to go on to graduate school and pursue a career in psychology focusing on addiction, trauma, recovery and creative therapy.

Email: l.siddique@ufl.edu

Lamia Siddique
Hello! My name is Lamia Siddique, and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Psychology. I really love exploring and learning about the human mind and their actions, which is why I love psychology as well as subjects such as anthropology and women's studies and am so excited to join this lab and learn more! In my free time I love dancing, hanging out with my friends and listening to all types of music. I am a Bengali from South Florida, and I am the oldest of a younger brother and sister. My pronouns are she/her. 

Email: ella.singer@ufl.edu

Ella Singer
Hello everyone! My name is Ella Singer, and I am a sophomore at the University of Florida. I am double majoring in Psychology on the Behavioral Analysis track and Criminology. I am originally from Coral Springs, Florida, and I am aiming to pursue a career in the field of Forensic Psychology one day. My hope is to attend graduate school and one day receive my Ph.D. I am super eager to be a part of this lab and begin expanding my knowledge in both research and this field of study as a whole. I am very passionate about Psychology, specifically Social Psychology. During my free time, I enjoy reading, running, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. 

Email: hannastockel@ufl.edu

Hanna Stockel
Hey! My name is Hanna Stockel and I'm currently a sophomore. I was born and raised in Weston, FL and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am majoring in psychology; however, I am not directly sure what I want to do in the future. I have an interest in both forensic and industrial/organizational psychology, but I am still exploring all kinds of fields and am super excited to be able to do this through this lab. Outside of school I love to go to the beach, hang out with friends, and work out. 

Email: katherine.terry@ufl.edu

Katherine Terry
Hello! My name is Katherine Terry from Winter Park, FL. I am a third-year majoring in Psychology and Criminology. My pronouns are she/her/hers. My educational interests focus on Legal Psychology, specifically why criminals commit crime and how juries make decisions. I would love to further my education with graduate school and possibly get my Ph.D. in my career become a Trial Consultant, assisting a legal team from a psychology perspective. Bringing knowledge of psychology to the courtroom can further progress the criminal justice system. Outside of research, my interests include painting, reading, and being a plant mom.

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Email: justinetorres@ufl.edu

Justine Torres
Hi everyone! My name is Justine, and I am a second-year Health Science major and Anthropology minor on the pre-med track. I am from Orlando, Florida, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. Because I hope to one day practice medicine and help amplify vulnerable communities, I hope to attain both my MD and MPH in the future. In the meantime, I am incredibly excited to be working in the lab, as I strongly believe in the intersection between STEM and the humanities and have always been interested in the social sciences. Besides research, I am also a tutor for UF’s writing studio, and outside of my extracurriculars, I enjoy reading, writing, and cooking.

Email: marie.vazquez@ufl.edu

Marie Vazquez
​Hi! I am a third-year student studying Psychology and Women’s Studies. I am from Homestead, Florida and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am interested in learning more about the complexities of the human mind and the human experience. I hope to further my education here at the University of Florida and achieve my Ph.D. I aspire to be involved in research in my professional career, mainly focusing on mental health issues involving women and the LGBTQ+ community. I am grateful to be a part of this lab, which has given me an opportunity to explore research hands-on. I am excited to build, learn, and create new skills in the lab that I can take with me in my future endeavors in graduate school and my professional career. Outside of academics, I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, watching sports, and traveling.
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Email: vvemugunta@ufl.edu

Vivek Vemugunta
I am a second-year Biology major also pursuing a minor in nutritional sciences. I am from Jacksonville, FL and my pronouns are he/him/his. I am really excited to get started with this research because I want to learn about why people act the way that they do, and their reasoning behind it. I hope to broaden my skills in research, and learn more about psychology in general. My career goals are to go into medical schools, and possibly become a psychiatrist if I like it. Outside of research, I love playing sports, exercising, and listening to music!

Email: jasonyi@ufl.edu

Jason Yi
Greetings! My name is Jason Yi, and I am a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida. I am majoring in psychology and pursuing a minor in Business Administration. I’m from Land O Lakes, Florida, but I also lived in Wesley Chapel, Florida. My pronouns are he/him/his. I plan to pursue a Ph.D or a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology and hope to become an I/O psychologist in the future. My hobbies are history, philosophy, running, biking, and gaming. I am proud to be a part of this amazing team!

Email: zhoushenyu@ufl.edu

John Zhou
Hi! My name is John Zhou and I am a freshman in Psychology here at UF. My current interests in research psychology are psychological happiness, group behavior, and boredom. I am thrilled to be a part of this Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab and wish to grasp more professional experience in researching. As for now, I am not certain of my future plans, exploring still different possibilities. Outside of academics, I love soccer, video games, and movies.  

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Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab
Fall 2019