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Lab Manager & Honors Thesis Students
Marianna Horton | Lab Manager
Hello! My name is Marianna and I am a rising senior at the University of Florida, where I am taking over as lab manager. I have been in the lab since the beginning of my sophomore year and am so excited to continue. I am double majoring in Psychology and Criminology, minoring in Statistics, and am interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I am interested in the intersection between social and clinical psychology, such as how social media and relationships impact body image and eating disorders. My topics of interest in the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab have included psychological richness, meaningful experiences, and gratitude. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.
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Current Research Assistants

Alanna Allion
Hi! I'm a first-generation student and a fourth-year Psychology and Criminology double major. In the future, I want to pursue a PhD in Legal Psychology. I'm passionate about finding where the legal system goes wrong and how to correct mistakes like wrongful convictions. Within the lab, I enjoy research surrounding religion and boredom. Social Psychology is interesting because of how findings from this type of research can be applied to everyday life. In my spare time, I enjoy crocheting, watching TV, and listening to pop music.
Alexa Baal
Hello! I'm Alexa Baal, a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in psychology and statistics. I was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida where I acquired a passion for math and the mind. With a strong interest in research, I am happy to be a research assistant with the lab. I am especially interested in the relationship between cognition and morality. I believe understanding is the key to solving problems, and research is the key to both understanding and finding working solutions. I look forward to continue assisting and producing research for the lab!
Sadia Barua
Hey everyone! I am a junior 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. Some of my research interests include acculturation, maladaptive coping with trauma, multicultural mental health and efficacy of mental health interventions. 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, gardening and exercising. I hope to attend graduate school in Counseling Psychology. 
Micaela Chavez-Tafur
Hello everyone! My name is Micaela (she/her) and I’m a third-year Psychology major and Dance minor. I’m a Peruvian first-gen student, and I’ve lived in Florida my whole life. I’m passionate about human behaviors and their relation to individual thought processes. Emotions drive many of our decisions, and I feel that it’s important to dive deeper in order to understand how they affect our everyday lives. I joined this lab because it will help integrate my interest in social psychology into real-life scenarios. In the future, I hope to pursue further schooling to broaden my knowledge and experience in the field. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, dancing, and hanging out with friends. I am so excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait to see what’s in store!

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Anastasia Cheplyansky
​Hello there! My name is Anastasia, and I am extremely excited to start my position as a research assistant! I am a psychology major at UF’s online program while also a full-time professional ballerina at Atlanta Ballet. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to follow both of my passions— ballet and psychology. I would love to go deeper into my studies in graduate school, specializing either in cognitive, industrial organizational, social, or sports psychology someday. I want to understand what impacts life satisfaction and what brings meaning into a fulfilling life. I hope to someday use my knowledge and research experience to help make the world a better place. When I am not studying or rehearsing, I love to read books, cook, go on hikes, and explore new places with family members and friends. 
Sophie Chin
Hello! My name is Sophie Chin and I am a Psychology major in my second year of undergrad. I am of Asian and Hispanic descent. I am passionate about learning how to help others heal and express their emotions in a safe environment, especially those that have come from harsh conditions/backgrounds. I am interested in learning how people’s childhood has shaped them into the person they are today. I believe that one of my main missions in life is to be able to assist others who do not always feel like they can, or should, have the access to resources to heal and process. The Wells collective provides me with the opportunity to do so. My goal is to become a counseling psychologist and work abroad with people who may not have access to counseling/therapy. I hope to help them realize that everyone deserves a chance to grow and have the knowledge to live a happier and healthier life. In my free time I enjoy swimming, reading,  crochet, and listen to music.
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Jackie Davis
Hello! My name is Jackie Davis, and I am a rising senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Religion with an Ethics in Society certificate. I was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, and I am considering pursuing a career in either law or counseling. I am excited to be a research assistant and to expand my knowledge in new ways as I engage with research. I love my friends and family, the ocean, reading, traveling, baking, cats, and living life to the fullest.
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.
Janellys Fraga
Hi everyone! My name is Janellys Fraga, and I am a second year Psychology major. Currently, I am doing pre-med psychology as I do want to become a child's psychiatrist in the near future. Psychology and mental health have been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I would love to continue my studies through it. I joined this lab in order to learn more about social psychology as that branch of psychology particularly intrigues me. I am very excited to work in this lab and apply the skills that I learn into the future! Moreover, in my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, baking, watching movies, and going shopping. 
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. 
Virginia Leebrick
Hi! My name is Virginia Leebrick, and I’m a senior majoring in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. I was born and raised in Panama City, Florida, and I am planning to work in Christian ministry after I graduate. I’m excited to combine my interest in social science with my interest in religion as a research assistant! In my free time, I love to read, spend time with friends, and kayak out on Lake Wauburg. 
Madelyn Marinacci
​Hello! My name is Madelyn Marinacci and my pronouns are she/her. I am a second-year psychology major with a minor in sociology. I am interested in how our perceptions and behavior affect the world around us. I am incredibly passionate about forensic psychology. I grew up watching a lot of Criminal Minds episodes and I want to apply my passion to the real world. I plan to further my education by pursuing a Ph.D. degree and becoming a forensic psychologist.  In my free time, I like to listen to music, work out, and crochet! I am excited to have this amazing opportunity and can't wait to learn more about our psychological world!
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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Luna Parra
Hi everyone, my name is Luna Parra! I am currently a junior at the University of Florida pursuing a BS in Psychology. I am of Colombian descent, and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Psychology has been a passion of mine ever since I was a little kid. The way the mind holds so many mysteries and leads to people thinking and acting in certain ways has always fascinated me. Mental health has unfortunately been stigmatized in the Hispanic community, so I want to be able to do my part in helping young kids feel comfortable about discussing their feelings by becoming a child psychologist one day. I want to be able to be someone that children can rely on and look to for guidance. I joined this lab to gain valuable skills when it comes to researching the behavior and minds of other people. This knowledge will be valuable in my journey to becoming a child psychologist. In my spare time, I love to crochet, read books, watch scary movies, hang out with friends, and draw in my sketchbook. I am excited to be a part of this lab and I hope to become useful to the team!
Asha Patel
Hi! My name is Asha, I am a senior at UF, and I use she/they pronouns. I grew up in Palm Beach, FL, and I am a sociology and psychology dual major. I am so excited to be a part of Dr. Westgate’s lab, because I want to one day pursue a position as a professor and researcher in social psychology. Outside of school, I spend a lot of time exploring Gainesville’s beautiful nature parks, inventing sub-par culinary creations, and doodling all over every paper I’m given. I am truly proud to be a part of the Social Cognition and Emotion Lab!
Hannah Sater
Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Sater and I am a third year psychology major. I was born and raised in Coral Springs, Fl and my pronouns are she/her. My goal after undergrad is to go to graduate school and complete a masters, and possibly a doctorate. I am very excited to be working in such a great lab and to learn skills that will help me help others. In my free time I enjoy crochet and reading.
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. 
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. 
Sheina-Ruth Skuy-Marcan
Hi! My name is Sheina-Ruth Skuy-Marcan and I am a sophomore majoring in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. I was born in South Africa and moved to Aventura, Florida at the age of ten. A fun fact about me is that I come from a family of psychologists with my grandfather being a developmental psychology professor and my mother working with children. It is truly fascinating to analyze what individuals and society as a whole consider to be a fulfilling life specifically within each age group. While some express that having a long-term purpose is what adds meaning into their life, others believe that it is individual experiences that enhance their lives. Through this lab, my knowledge and intellectual curiosity on such topics will only increase and the thought of this occurring already creates such a strong sense of excitement.  In the future, I plan to either attend medical school or graduate school to conduct research. I love to bake, read, explore the world, and work with kids in my free time, basically anything that sparks my creativity. I am so appreciative to be a part of this lab and I cannot wait to delve into the research!
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Grace Smith
Hi everyone! My name is Grace and I am a third-year majoring in Psychology and Criminology and am minoring in Sociology of Social Justice and Policy. I am interested in pursuing a PhD in Social Psychology or Forensic Psychology and working hands-on in research or for a nonprofit. I joined this lab to study human behaviors and emotional processes and gain research experience. I plan to apply these studies to tackle real-world topics. In my free time, I like to write music and poetry, and lift weights. I am also an AWARE ambassador for the Counseling and Wellness Center where I raise awareness for mental health issues and network for the CWC!
Jessica Sossie
My name is Jess Sossie and I’m a psychology and math student in my third year of undergrad. I grew up in a rural Oregon town and remain a loyal fan of the Portland Thorns FC. I intend to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology and provide psychotherapy to couples and families. My research interests include the relationship between social comparison and self-esteem, how media influences our perceptions of ourselves, and how we can make our lives feel more meaningful. Outside academics, I volunteer at the Alachua County Crisis Center as a crisis hotline counselor. For fun, I like to read, jog, scrapbook, and try out new recipes. 
Hanna Stockel
Hey! My name is Hanna Stockel and I'm currently a Senior majoring in psychology and minoring in disabilities in society on the pre-law track. I am interested in the combination of psychology and the law, focusing on criminal and mental health cases. However, I am still exploring all kinds of fields and am super excited to be able to do this through this lab. I was raised in Weston, Florida so naturally on my free time I love to go to the beach and pool , hang out with friends, and work out.
Justine Torres
​Hi everyone! My name is Justine, and I am a third-year Health Science major. I am from Orlando, Florida, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. In the future, I hope to practice medicine, but I also strongly believe in the intersection between STEM and the humanities, as well as the importance of integrating public health principles in clinical practice. As such, I have a vested interest in the social sciences and am excited to be returning to the lab for my second year. Outside of research, I enjoy reading, writing, and trying out new recipes.
Molly Wagner
Hello! I am a third-year Psychology student with a Chinese minor here at UF. The reason why I am interested in the field of Psychology is because I believe I can best help people as a therapist, helping individuals navigate through the toughest obstacles in life. I am excited to better understand human cognition and correlating behaviors through the studies I will be helping with. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, jewelry-making, cooking and hanging out with friends. 

Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab
Fall 2019
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