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: 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: pbeckey@ufl.edu

Paige Beckey
Hello everyone! My name is Paige and I’m a fourth-year undergrad majoring in Psychology.  I use they/them pronouns and identify as white, queer, and nonbinary. My research interests are narrative identity, religion/spirituality, close relationships, and situational experience. I’m particularly interested in how religion/spirituality and close relationships inform narrative identity and shape our feelings, as well as how these factors lead to positive versus negative outcomes. My goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in either Social or Developmental Psychology. I will be applying to doctoral programs this coming fall and am searching for potential mentors. In my free time I like to paint, read, embroider, and spend time with my friends.


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Email: nbelu@ufl.edu

Nicole Belu
Hi everyone! I’m Nicole, a third year general psychology major on a pre pharmacy track here at UF! I’m from Orlando, FL and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I’m very excited to be apart of the lab and am interested in learning how our mental health affect can influence our behavior. In my free time I love painting and drawing, as well as learning new recipes to cook/bake!

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Email: cblain@ufl.edu

Clair Blain
​Hi! My name is Claire Blain, and I am a fourth year Psychology major. I identify as a white, straight woman and I use she/her pronouns. I hope to become a therapist and plan on applying to graduate programs in Counseling Psychology. I enjoy exercising, drawing, and spending time with my cat in my free time.

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: averychard@ufl.edu

Avery Chard
Hello! I am a fourth year Psychology and Anthropology major with a certificate in Medical Anthropology. My goal is to attend a Clinical Ph.D. program with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology to one day conduct offender risk assessments as well as research on the effectiveness of the prison system. I’m so excited to be a part of this lab and lucky to be able to further my research experience in a field I’m so passionate about. I’m from Cape Coral, Florida and my pronouns are she/her/hers. In my free time I like to read, work out at Southwest Rec, sing with my group on campus, and hang out with my cats, Obi and Ani. 

Email: vchery@ufl.edu

Vanessa Chery
​Hey everyone!! I am a first generation and second year Psychology and Sociology major with a minor in Health Disparities. I’m Haitian American, born and raised in South Florida. I aspire to be a counseling psychologist after undergraduate school. I am so happy and grateful to be a part of the WELLS team. I hope that I can meet new people with different backgrounds who all have the same goal of doing research on important topics. I am most passionate about mental health, justice and better/quality of lives for minorities, and stopping discrimination. Something I truly believe in is that your mental health should be just as important as your physical health. From this program, I hope to gain a greater love for research while helping as much as I can. I love animals and when I get the chance, I like to pick up a good romance book. In my free time I listen to music, watch dramas, sitcoms, go to the beach, and hang out with friends.
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Email: lydiacolon@ufl.edu

Lydia Colon
I am an undergraduate psychology major pursuing a minor in theatre and a certificate in Dance in Medicine. I am excited to become a part of this lab to learn more about conducting research and to use this knowledge to help me as a future medical school student. Within this lab, I am interested to see how the results of studies unrelated to mental health can have applications that are useful in therapy or in the prevention of a psychological disorder. Though my career goal is to become a psychiatrist, I also enjoy the performing arts, fashion, and makeup in my spare time.

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Email: chloe.dill@ufl.edu

Chloe Dill
Hi! I am a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in psychology with specific interests in the social and cognitive frameworks of developmental psychology. In the future, I aspire to go to graduate school within a program that would prepare me to practice clinically and conduct research. I am fascinated by so many aspects of the brain and behavior so I hope to refine some of my interests through working in the lab and learn more about what I might intend to focus my studies on in the future. Apart from academics, I enjoy ballet, the beach, and traveling, I am also passionate about sustainability, social justice, and mental health. 

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Email: anabelgranger@ufl.edu

Anabel Granger
Hello all! I entered this lab as a second-year student, and I am now a third-year student pursuing a Psychology major and Women’s Studies minor at the University of Florida. I am originally from Mount Dora, Florida, and I identify with the pronouns She/Her/Hers. Psychology is a field that I am very passionate about, specifically looking at the psychology of women and adolescents. Social psychology is particularly interesting to study, and I am a firm believer that people are the best thing that can happen to us! My goal is to get a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, aiming to aid women and children in the development of skills to respond to their environment. In my free time I love to spend time outdoors, play with animals, and eat good food! It is an honor to be able to learn from Dr. Westgate and be a part of this lab. I look forward to the contributions this lab has to offer to the field of Social Psychology! 
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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: shea.harmon@ufl.edu

Shea Harmon
Hi everyone! My name is Shea and I am second year undergraduate student from Orlando, FL. I am a Psychology major on the Pre-Med track here at UF. I am also pursuing a degree in Pre-Professional Biology and a minor in Health Disparities in Society. In the future, I am hoping to attend medical school and would like to go into Pediatrics and/or Psychiatry. I am very excited to be a part of the lab and begin gaining research experience in the field of psychology. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing soccer, reading, going to the beach, drinking coffee, and exploring new places and activities in Gainesville!



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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: bhertzendorf@ufl.edu

Brandon Hertzendorf
I am an undergraduate behavioral and cognitive neuroscience major here at UF.  My interests in Psychology are Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology but are pretty broad to every niche of psychology. My main goal after my undergraduate degree is to get into a Ph.D. program and study Psycho-Oncology. I am a cancer survivor and would love to give back to show other cancer patients proper coping mechanisms to help them survive cancer. I am ecstatic about joining this lab as I can start building up my experiences in research and gaining knowledge in such an interesting field. Outside of the lab, I love going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and watching YouTube.

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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.  
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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: radhikamahendru@ufl.edu

Radhika Mahendru
I am currently a third year student majoring in Psychology on the Pre-Medical track at the University of Florida. I was born in Houston, TX but grew up in Orlando, FL and identify with the pronouns she/her/hers. I am excited to work in this lab because I am intrigued on how, when, and why social behaviors are affected based on our emotions in the moment. I hope to gain experience and knowledge in this lab which I can later apply to my future career as a psychiatrist. Outside of research, I enjoy going to concerts, watching movies, listening to podcasts/music, and trying out new places to eat!

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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: abigail.morales@ufl.edu

Abigail Morales
​I am a fourth year undergraduate Psychology major with a minor in communications. I hope to get my master's in industrial/organizational psychology. I am from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I'm excited to be a part of this lab and learn about the factors that affect out behaviors so I can apply it to a workplace context in the future. Outside of the lab I like to crochet, spend time with my friends, and I enjoy hammocking with a good book.

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: palmermadison@ufl.edu

Madison Palmer
I am a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in psychology and pursuing a minor in Spanish. I’m from St. Petersburg, Florida and I go by the pronouns she/her/hers. I’m excited to grow academically in this lab and gain more experience in social and cognitive psychology. I plan on pursuing a career in psychology in the future and I hope that my position in this lab will help guide me to the specific field of psychology that I would like to study in graduate school. I’m looking forward to working with peers and learning more about human behavior in this lab! Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, reading, writing, and spending time outdoors. ​

Email: jregino@ufl.edu

Jacob Regino
Hello! I am a fourth-year, pre-med student majoring in psychology with a focus in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. I was born and raised in a small town named Avon Park, Florida. There I have lived with my beautiful family of eight in which I am the oldest sibling to four boys and one girl. My main hobbies include working out at the gym, playing sports, reading, binge-watching, and cooking. I am a hardworking, self-driven individual and am thankful to work with the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab as a research assistant.

Email: irondao@ufl.edu

Isabella Rondao
Hi everyone! My name is Isabella and I am a second-year Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience psychology major on a pre-med track here at UF! I am passionate about mental health, specifically what might contribute to someone developing mental illness, and how to treat psychological disorders. I aspire to become a psychiatrist or doctor one day, and hopefully have a lasting impact on peoples’ lives. I am super excited to work in this lab and think I will learn a lot that might be applicable to my future career! Outside of research, I enjoy watching soccer, spending time with my friends and family, watching movies, and traveling! 
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Email: ssedwick@ufl.edu

Stephen Sedwick 
I’m a psychology and microbiology double major. I was born here in Gainesville when my parents attended UF, but I grew up in Jacksonville, FL. UF is a family school for me; I have six relatives and family members who all attended UF. Right now, I am deciding between pursuing a medical degree to become a neurologist or going to graduate school and obtaining an academic position. I am thrilled to be joining the lab because I will be able to further my education and interest in learning more about behavior and social interactions, while getting a preview into a career in academic research. Currently, I am a volunteer emergency medical responder with GEMRU, as a volunteer trained counselor I help cover the Alachua County Victim Services Helpline, and once a month I help with the social events at the Center for Independent Living. In my free time, I enjoy relaxing with friends, watching Netflix, listening to music, reading, and playing video games, board games, and card games. 
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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: laurensklet@ufl.edu

Lauren Sklet 
Hello everyone! I am a second-year psychology major with a specialization in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and I am from Tampa, Florida. As of now, I plan on adding a second major in marketing and getting involved in some behavioral marketing research, and I hope to attend graduate school in some area of psychology. Social psychology research has always been my main interest because it is so applicable to the real world. From everyday problems, such as procrastination and boredom, to big systemic issues, such as implicit biases toward minority groups, social psychology research can help to answer all types of questions. I am excited to gain some relevant and important research skills while helping to tackle some pressing research questions!

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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: ntejada@ufl.edu

Nelsa Tejada
​Hi! My name is Nelsa (she/her) and I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology on the BCN track and minoring in health science, sociology, and statistics. My current research interests are broad, but I’m interested in the impact of adverse childhood experiences and PTSD and studying discrimination/stigma. After graduating from UF, I’d love to work in a lab full time before pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of the lab, I love baking, reading, crocheting, and playing with my dogs and cats. 

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Email: katherine.terry@ufl.edu

Katherine Terry
Hello! My name is Katherine Terry and I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Criminology. My educational interests focus on Legal Psychology and why criminals commit crime. 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. I am super excited to join the lab this semester! My outside 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: lindsayuffer@ufl.edu

Lindsay Uffer
Hi! I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and Public Health. Following graduation, I am hoping to go to graduate school to pursue a combined degree in school and clinical psychology. I am very excited to join this lab to gain a better understanding of social psychology. Aside from school, I love to travel, go shopping, and spend time with my family and friends!

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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!

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Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab
Fall 2019