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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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: alexabaal@ufl.edu

Alexa Baal
Hello! I'm Alexa Baal, a third-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 and hope to get a deeper understanding of it with my coming years of research. I believe understanding is the key to solving problems, and research is the key to both understanding and finding working solutions. That aside, I enjoy learning, playing video games, and watching shows and movies with friends. I look forward to my time ahead with the lab!

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!

Email: sadia.barua@ufl.edu

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. 

Email: chesneybrown@ufl.edu

Chesney Brown
Hi everyone! My name is Chesney, and I am a fourth year psychology major. I use the pronouns she/her. I am from Fort White, FL, which is only about 45 minutes from campus. I’m not completely sure of what I want to do after I graduate, but grad school is a great interest of mine. Several of my research interests are conformity, transformative experiences, and aggression. I am very excited to work in this lab so I can further improve my research skills, and continue to learn more about the social behaviors of others! Outside of school, I enjoy playing the drums, spending time at our local rivers and springs, and volunteering with my non-profit.

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: m.chaveztafur@ufl.edu

Micaela Chavez-Tafur
Hello everyone! My name is Micaela (she/her) and I’m a second-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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Email: acheplyansky@ufl.edu

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. 

Email: schin2@ufl.edu

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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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: janellysfraga@ufl.edu

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. 

Email: gabriellegivers@ufl.edu

Gabrielle Givers
Hi all! My name is Gabrielle Givers and I am a general psychology major in my fourth year of undergrad. I completed my first two years of undergrad at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, playing collegiate softball and then transferred to UF Fall of 2022. I am thrilled to be joining the team as a research assistant for the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab. I am passionate about psychology, specifically, studying behavior and cognition and how the two integrate. Following undergrad, I hope to go to graduate school and complete my master’s and possibly my doctorates. Social Cognitive and Emotional psychology is fascinating to me and I am eager to further my research knowledge through the lab. Outside of academics, I enjoy working out, trying new things, traveling, spending quality time with friends, and being active in clubs.

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: camille.ianno@ufl.edu

Camille Ianno
Hello everyone! My name is Camille Ianno, and I am a current 4th year Biology major with a pre-Professional emphasis on the pre-medical track. I am a Florida native, and I have wanted to be a Florida gator my whole life. I have always loved psychology and some of my interests in this field include creativity, boredom, and how behaviors can influence emotions. I love being involved on campus and I am a volunteer at Peaceful Paths in Gainesville. Some of my other interests outside of academics include dance, listening to indie music, reading, and taking care of my plants. 

Email: jjauregui@ufl.edu

Jay Jauregui 
​She/Her/Hers
Hi! I am a senior Psychology student, hailing from Miami, on the pre-dental track and pursuing an English/Chemistry 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. This year I will begin work on my own research exploring gender bias in student's evaluations of professors and I hope that my findings will help increase awareness and provide interventions to this widespread issue. In my professional career, I intend to continue to use the skills I have acquired in my studies of Psychology 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. 

Email: f.joseph@ufl.edu

​Frances Joseph
Hi, my name is Frances Joseph! I am a 4th-year Psychology major with minors in Deaf and Hearing Sciences and Sociology. I am from Boynton Beach, FL, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. My future goals are to earn my Ph.D. and then go on to become a Forensic Psychologist. I am excited to be a part of this lab; I cannot wait to expand and build upon what I have learned in undergrad. Outside class, I enjoy reading, drawing, listening to music, spending time with friends, and hiking.

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: marinaccimadelyn@ufl.edu

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!

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!

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: luna.parra@ufl.edu

Luna Parra
Hi everyone, my name is Luna Parra! I am currently a sophomore 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!

Email: asha.patel@ufl.edu

Asha Patel
Hi! My name is Asha, I am a junior 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!

Email: hannah.sater@ufl.edu

Hannah Sater
Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Sater and I am a second 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, dancing, and reading

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: j.sossie@ufl.edu

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. 

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 third-year Health Science major and Deaf and Hearing Sciences minor. 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 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.

Email: valuta.michael@ufl.edu

Michael Valuta​
Hello, I am a second-year majoring in General Psychology at the University of Florida. I was raised in Florida by parents that immigrated from Romania. I currently aspire to attain a graduate degree and become a clinical psychologist. My passion for understanding the human brain and the reasoning behind peoples’ actions drew me into Dr. Westgate’s research. I am extremely grateful to be part of her lab and this amazing team! Outside of school, I love to rock climb, read, cook, and play the guitar.  

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: ivillegaslombeyda@ufl.edu

Isabella Villegas-Lombeyda
Hola everyone! I am a Pre-Medicine sophomore majoring in Behavioral Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology with a minor in Health Disparities. My dream is to obtain an MD/PhD to become a psychiatrist and conduct research while also working to improve the lives of patients. I am beyond grateful and excited to be a part of this lab because I have always been passionate about the psychology behind religion. Anyone that knows me knows that I love to watch documentaries on the subject and learn from different cultures on their beliefs and how that translates to who they are. A little bit about me is that I'm from Tampa, Florida and am Ecuadorian and Costa Rican. When I'm not in the library or in class you can always catch me in ballet class, reading a book, or spending time with my friends and family!

Email: wagner.molly@ufl.edu

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. 

Email: jasonyi@ufl.edu

Jason Yi
Greetings! My name is Jason Yi, and I am a third-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 they/them/theirs or he/him/his. I plan to pursue a Ph.D or a Master’s degree and hope to become a therapist or 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