Current Post-Baccalaureate Students

Michael graduated from the University of the Pacific with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. As an undergraduate, Michael was a part of the 3+3 pre-dental program but switched careers after graduating. Heavily influenced by Jordan Peterson and interested in mental health, Michael decided to pursue psychology. The following year, he worked as a Behavior Interventionist and took classes at Santa Monica College and Cal State Dominguez Hills. He now interns for the Clinical team at FundaMental Health, a non-profit organization in the mental health space. Michael is working in Dr. Lukowski's Infants, Children, and Families (INCHES) lab as a post-bacc student, where he aims to further his understanding of developmental psychology. In his free time, Michael enjoys practicing yoga, calisthenics, and volleyball. He plans to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and balance both research and private practice.

Isabella graduated with honors from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she was accepted into the prestigious Ronald E. McNair Scholars program, where she discovered her deep passion for research. Isabella worked as a research assistant in Dr. Kaylie Carbine's Cognitive Health Neuroscience EEG/ERP lab, conducting studies on neurophysiological comparisons of monetary and food-related reward salience in the brain. In addition to her research, Isabella was involved in the AmeriCorps Jumpstart program, teaching preschoolers and contributing to the community of Compton, California. As a post-bacc student, she will be joining Dr. Fowler's Neurobiology of Addiction lab, where her research will focus on defining the epigenetic and neurobiological mechanisms mediating gene expression in the habenula-IPN circuitry and its downstream targets. After completing the post-bacc program, Isabella plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology. 

Isabel graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.A. in Psychology in 2024. While at Cal Poly, she was involved with two different psychology labs, conducting research with Dr. Fuqua and Dr. Jellyman. With Dr. Fuqua, she worked as a team lead to implement a university-funded assessment of artificial intelligence and virtual reality labs with students and faculty. With Dr. Jellyman, she worked with a group on the resilience project, which examined adverse childhood experiences among freshman and transfer students at Cal Poly Pomona. Through these labs, she presented at several conferences including the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium, and the Cal Poly Pomona Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities conference; she also contributed to a presentation given at the Western Psychological Association conference. Since graduation, she has held a full-time position in Human Resources with Western Digital, where she works remotely. Isabel’s interests include focusing on anxiety and depression among the adolescent population, and during her time in the post-bacc program, she has been working with Dr. Fortier in the Center for Stress and Health. Eventually, she would love to earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology and have her own practice.

Jocelyn graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. in Psychology in March 2024. During her time as an undergrad, she worked as a Human Resource Coordinator for SI-Bone, a medical company in Santa Clara, California, and she worked as a Behavioral Technician (BT) during her senior year. It was during her time as a BT that she longed for more research opportunities after providing therapy to children with autism, which pushed her to apply to the UCI Psychological Science post-bacc program. Due to Jocelyn's upbringing in a Mexican household with little to no regard for the severity and importance of mental health issues and resources, she has decided to work in labs that represent her passion for her community. Jocelyn is excited to be working in Dr. Schueller's Supporting Peer Interactions to Expand Access (SUPERA) Lab, which focuses on investigating digital cognitive-behavioral intervention in primary care clinics for limited English-proficiency Latinx patients who are struggling with anxiety and/or depression. In addition to Dr. Schueller's lab, Jocelyn has also joined Dr. Borelli's Health, Relationships, and Interventions (THRIVE) Lab, where she is working on the El Corazon de la Comunidad Study (which focuses on reducing cardiometabolic disease risk among community service providers who work in Hispanic/Latinx communities). Moving forward, Jocelyn hopes to obtain a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in clinical psychology and eventually open her private practice. 

Anna completed her B.A. in Fine Arts with an emphasis on Photography and minors in Art History and Sociology from Hofstra University in Long Island, NY.  While attending university, she worked as a Resident Assistant, where she learned to identify and provide support and resources for students in distress. There, she was trained in counseling, conflict mediation, crisis response, and suicide prevention and intervention. Her experiences as a Resident Assistant cultivated a passion for mental health. After graduation, Anna explored careers in fine arts, fashion, photography, and marketing before ultimately pursuing her dream of clinical psychology. Before enrolling in the post-baccalaureate program at UCI, she completed coursework in Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, Research Methods in Psychology, Introduction to Physiological Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. As a post-baccalaureate student, she is working with Dr. Michelle Fortier at the UCI Center on Stress & Health, which is dedicated to understanding and improving the patient experience in healthcare. At the UCI Center on Stress & Health, she will be devoting her time to Dr. Fortier's "Transition of Care" project. Her research interests center on the effects of chronic illness and chronic pain in young adulthood, which she aims to pursue while earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  

Blen Asres earned her B.S. in Public Health Science from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) in May of 2022. While attending UMD, she worked as a research coordinator for Project G.R.A.C.E., where she learned about the effects of adverse childhood experiences on heterosexual relationships. After graduation, she chose to spend some time exploring a career in health policy by interning with both a consulting firm and a non-profit. Through these experiences, she realized a career in health policy wasn’t for her. Upon reflection on her experience with Project G.R.A.C.E and her clinical experience working as a vision therapist, she decided to pursue a career in clinical psychology. As a post-bacc student, she is currently working in Dr. Alyson Zalta’s Trauma and Resilience Lab while taking courses such as Clinical Psychology, Research Design, Attachment Relationships, Applied Statistics, Social Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology.  In addition, she presented a poster at the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program conference at UC Irvine and attended the 2024 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies in Boston, and she was awarded an $800 scholarship from the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education (which will help pay for the cost of her Fall 2024 courses).  In June 2024, Blen accepted a full-time research assistant job at the Medical University of South Carolina (to work on their ABCD study) - she moved to South Carolina at the end of Spring 2024, and she will complete her final course in the post-bacc program by taking an online Lifespan Developmental Psychology course.

Michelle graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2023 with a B.A. in Linguistics and Psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a research assistant in Dr. Knowlton's Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, where she worked on projects examining the effects of early life stress on habitual behavior. Her research interest lies in the correlation between cognitive flexibility and bilingualism. Currently, Michelle is working as a research assistant at the Bilingualism, Mind, and Brain Lab under the guidance of Dr. Kroll, where she can deepen her understanding of cognitive processes within multilingual contexts. Michelle hopes to pursue a PhD in cognitive psychology or psycholinguistics after completing the post-bacc program.

Sarah graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychological Science and in Art. During her time at UCI, she held research assistantships in Dr. Jessica Borelli’s Health, Relationships, & Interventions (THRIVE) Lab and Dr. Zoe Klemfuss’ Child Narratives Lab. In her final year, she completed an internship with the Child Abuse Services Team (CAST). After graduating, she worked as a Youth Mental Health Specialist at Waymakers, solidifying her career path in adolescent clinical psychology. Sarah is currently working in Dr. Uma Rao’s Biobehavioral Research on Adolescent Development (BRoAD) Lab.  Her research interests include adolescence, childhood adverse experiences, internalizing disorders, trauma, and psychosis. Outside of the post-bacc program, she also serves as a Museum Educator at the Orange County Museum of Art.

John earned his B.A. in economics and B.S. in psychology from Loyola University Chicago. After Loyola, John moved to the University of South Carolina, where he received his M.Ed. in higher education and student affairs. After completing his master’s degree at the University of South Carolina, John moved back to Chicago, where he worked as an academic advisor (and later, as an enrollment manager) while completing his M.S. in statistics at Loyola University Chicago. After earning his master’s degree from Loyola, John moved back to the west coast, working as a data scientist in academia. He is currently working in Dr. Jaeggi’s Working Memory and Plasticity Lab, and his research interests include learning, knowledge transfer, and technology’s impact on brain chemistry (especially as it relates to depression and anxiety).

Zahara graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in March 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology. During her time at UC Santa Cruz, she was a research assistant in Dr. Rahal’s Health Equity in Youth (HEY) Lab, where she worked on several studies surrounding impactful experiences on development such as substance use, stress, positive relationships, and socioeconomic status in adolescent populations. Her main role within the lab included working with heart rate variability data using the program CardioSuite, as well as training other research assistants in the program to help them get their certifications. As a post-bacc student, she has joined Dr. Borelli’s Health, Relationships, and Interventions (THRIVE) Lab, which aligns with her research interests in both clinical and developmental psychology. She is particularly interested in emotional regulation, the impact of relationships, and how interventions can be used as protective factors against psychopathological disorders. She aspires to earn a PhD in child clinical psychology and have a career in both a research and clinical setting.

Annie graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Clinical Psychology. As an undergraduate, she was a research assistant in Dr. Glenn’s Youth Risk and Resilience Lab and worked on projects investigating suicide and self-injurious behaviors in adolescent populations. She also briefly volunteered at Mt. Hope Family Center, helping to plan activities for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These experiences sparked her interest for pursuing psychological research, particularly within clinical contexts. Currently, Annie is working in Dr. Kuhlman’s Teen Resilience Lab as a post-bacc student, where she aims to further her understanding of the intersections between physical and psychological health, as well as to develop her interests in youth mental health at large. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Dana graduated with a BA in Psychology & Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine in 2017. Throughout her time there, she completed a field study internship at Women Helping Women and conducted a qualitative research study regarding racial profiling in retail settings. She then received her MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology at the University of East London (England) while working in Human Resources for Louis Vuitton, where she implemented a successful positive psychology wellness program for staff. Dana conducted a mixed methods research study regarding the effects of gratitude meditation during the Covid-19 pandemic for her master's thesis. As a post-bacc student, she is working as a research assistant in Dr. Tabibnia Rauch's TAB lab, researching the effects of awe, with the goal of applying for PhD programs in positive psychology. 

Audrey earned her B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences with minors in Applied Psychology and Asian American Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. During her undergraduate studies, she served as an Executive Research Assistant in the Vision and Image Understanding Lab with Dr. Miguel Eckstein, where she trained fellow research assistants, coded data results, and conducting prescreening for projects. She also contributed to the Cultural Psychology Lab with Dr. Heejung Kim; she completed her senior thesis in this lab, which earned her distinction in the major. Audrey’s thesis involved a cross-cultural study exploring height and weight preferences in the U.S. and China. In addition to her research, she worked as a peer mentor, guiding first- and second-year students in their transition to university life and supporting their career aspirations in psychology. Outside of her academics, she volunteered in the Psychology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Undergraduate Committee at UC Santa Barbara to foster a climate that promotes DEI among the psychology department, attract a diverse and representative undergraduate student body to pre-majors, and provide a channel of information and communication for DEI issues.  Alongside her academic pursuits, Audrey gained professional experience as a part-time administrative assistant at a home healthcare company in the San Bernardino area. As a post-bacc student, Audrey is working in Dr. Sng’s Evolution, Culture, and Stereotyping Lab and in Dr. Zinger’s Anxiety & Word Use Meta-Analysis Lab. Her research interests focus on moral judgments, the cultural mechanisms perpetuating racial and economic inequality, and how environmental factors shape perceptions of ethnicity, education, values, social class, and attitudes. She aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Social Psychology, with the long-term goal of promoting diversity within the field.

Jocelyne graduated from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology, a B.A. in Spanish Literature, and a minor in Dance. During her time at UCR, she worked as a research assistant in Dr. Kate Sweeny’s Life Events Lab, where her interest in research grew. In this position, she was able to assist Dr. Sweeny and graduate students with research projects and presentations surrounding the topics of flow, uncertainty, and well-being. After graduation, Jocelyne worked as a Behavioral Interventionist, providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to children on the autism spectrum. As a post-bacc student, she is working in Dr. Alyson Zalta’s Trauma and Resilience Lab and taking courses such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cultural Psychology. Jocelyne’s research interests consist of the effects trauma has on immigrant and Latino communities as well as treatments and interventions useful for these populations. After completing the post-bacc program, Jocelyne hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. 

Alyssa graduated from UC Irvine in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychological Science, having transferred from Long Beach City College. During her time at Long Beach, she volunteered with at-promise youth through Long Beach BLAST, participated in the psychology club, and worked with children in the foster care system as part of a summer camp program. At UC Irvine, Alyssa took part in the field study program, gaining hands-on experience in an ABA therapy office. Her field study research culminated in a literature review that explored ways to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism. Currently, as a post-bacc student, she is gaining valuable research experience in Dr. Cauffman’s Development, Disorder, and Delinquency (3D) Lab. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and conduct research within the forensic population.

Abby graduated cum laude from UC San Diego (UCSD) in March 2024 with a B.S. in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. During her time at UCSD, she worked as a research assistant in the Cognitive Development Lab with Dr. Gedeon Deák and in the Greene Lab with Dr. Deanna Greene. In the Cognitive Development Lab, she assisted with the Auditory Development Project (now known as the Learning to Identify Acoustic Events Project), studying how people across ages identify complex auditory events. While in the Greene Lab, she worked with the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study dataset to study trans-diagnostic features apparent across mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorder. As a post-bacc student, Abby is working with Dr. Yassa’s Translational Neuroscience Lab while completing her coursework. Her research interests lie in clinical psychopathology, specifically how mental disorders affect youth across middle childhood to early adulthood. Outside of UCI, Abby works for a local family theater company and helps produce musicals involving both children and adults. After completing the post-bacc program, she hopes to secure a paid position in the psychology or cognitive science field and aims to earn a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology or Cognitive Neuroscience.

Brooke graduated from Harvard University in 2023, where she earned her A.B. in Neuroscience with a Secondary in Economics. During her time at Harvard, she volunteered with Boys and Girls Club of Boston Water Polo Clinics and helped students as a Neuroscience Academic Advisor. Along with her volunteering she was a research intern at FOUNT, and also interned at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Orange County Heart Institute as a student intern. After Harvard, Brooke returned to Southern California where she received her Master’s degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of California, Irvine in 2024. As part of the program, she worked with Dr. Suh and Omni Glasses where glasses are 3-D printed and given to children on service missions in an effort to make eyesight and eye care more accessible. Now, as a post-bacc student, Brooke has joined Dr. Fortier’s palliative care project in oncology focused research at CHOC which aligns with her interest in pediatrics and oncology. In the future, she hopes to pursue medical school and become a pediatric oncologist.

Narumi completed a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Melbourne in 2010 in Australia. Upon her entrance, she received the University of Melbourne New Generation Undergraduate Award/Scholarship, awarded based on high school academic excellence. Then, she completed a fourth-year undergraduate Psychology Honours program at the Australian National University in 2012 with First Class Honours. Her Honours research with Associate Professor Boris Bizumic investigated the connections between national identities and inter-intragroup behaviors, and her thesis was later published in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology. After graduation, she returned to and worked in Japan for a decade as a business consultant and manager for a company that is one of the world's leading providers of audit, consulting, and risk services. During this time, she specialized in supporting companies to thrive in a crisis, until a life event re-ignited her passion for psychological research. In the post-bacc program, she is involved in Dr. Oliver Sng’s Evolution, Culture, and Stereotyping (EVOCS) lab, investigating how various ecological circumstances shape people’s psychology. Her focal research interest lies in exploring ecologies and experiences that shape a solid self and social identities and how those identities feed into building people’s purpose and meaning in life. She aspires to pursue her research career through psychology Ph.D. programs. She has also been a volunteer, mentoring adolescents facing challenges.

Tamara graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in May 2024, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Business Administration. During her academic journey, she conducted an independent study investigating the relationship between physical discipline and anxiety symptoms in adulthood. Additionally, she interned with Dr. Marcelo Wood at the University of California, Irvine, where she researched long-term memory and drug-seeking behaviors in mice.  In her senior year, Tamara served as a research assistant in the J.U.S.T. Lab at Xavier, focusing on suspension rates in hyper-segregated schools and working to mitigate the effects of systemic oppression in Louisiana through evidence-based intervention strategies. She also volunteered at St. Michael’s, a grade school for special needs children, through a program called Pair Care. Her commitment to the field of psychology was further enhanced by her research experience and her role as a preschool teacher.  As a post-bacc student, Tamara joined The Schuck Child Development Lab and The Craig School, where she is continuing her exploration of family dynamics, interventions, and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Outside of UCI, Tamara is working part-time as a Behavioral Technician at Coyne and Associates.  Following the completion of the post-bacc program, she aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Elise graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Medical Humanities. As an undergraduate, she was involved in various research labs, including the Treatment and Etiology of Depression in Youth Lab and the Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth at McLean Hospital, as well as the Mind Perception Lab at Boston College. As she developed her research interests, she developed a passion for legal and forensic psychology.  While studying abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, she designed and ran a between-subjects study on mock juror perceptions of victims of intimate partner violence. For her senior honors thesis, she conducted a study on social desirability and establishing moral credentialing with mock jurors about Black defendants; she hopes to present the results of this study (as a poster presentation) at a professional conference in the near future. At UCI, Elise has joined Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman's Development, Disorder, and Delinquency (3D) Lab, where she is assisting with the lab's research on adolescent development and juvenile justice. Elise intends to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology following the post-bacc program.

Daria graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2023 with a B.A. in English, where she worked in Dr. Alison Gopnik’s Cognitive Development & Learning Lab and conducted a study examining how children determine what characteristics make a difference in how an agent is treated and perceived (i.e. race and gender) through a puppet show. For the majority of her working and academic career, she has worked with children of all ages, ranging from two-year-olds to high schoolers. She spent a summer working as a teaching fellow with the educational non-profit Breakthrough Silicon Valley, where she taught literature and dance classes. She has also worked with non-verbal autistic children and assisted them in learning how to use alternative forms of communication (such as AAC devices), acclimate to classroom settings, and engage with their peers. Daria’s research interests lie in the purpose of imaginative play across cultures, and she is looking to pursue a graduate degree in either clinical or developmental psychology.  As a post-bacc student, Daria has been working as a research assistant in Dr. Klemfuss’ Child Narratives Lab and taking courses such as Cognition & Learning in an Educational Setting and Statistical Analysis.  In August 2024, Daria accepted a full-time, paid Research Assistant in the Center for Translational Neuroscience at the University of Oregon, and she relocate to Oregon for this position in September 2024. She is currently deciding whether she will continue the post-bacc program by taking online courses at UCI or whether she will take a leave of absence to fully focus on her new job.

Sophie graduated from Boston University (BU) in 2024 with a B.A. in Neuroscience and minors in Physics and Deaf Studies. During her summers, she worked in Dr. Zeineh’s lab at Stanford, focusing on hippocampal segmentation in ex-vivo Alzheimer’s brain samples. At BU, Sophie was a research assistant in Dr. Denison’s lab, where she designed and conducted experiments on temporal visual attention. Currently, she is part of Dr. Reich’s lab in UC Irvine’s School of Education, studying child development in academic settings. In addition to her work at UCI, Sophie serves as a behavioral interventionist at an applied behavioral analysis company, working with children and young adults with autism. Her research interests include child development, education, and language acquisition.

In 2023, Arcadia graduated from Pepperdine University as valedictorian with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Throughout her time at Pepperdine, she worked as a research assistant for Dr. Krumrei-Mancuso, developing a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an online intellectual humility intervention for individuals experiencing interpersonal spiritual or religious conflicts. After graduating a semester early, Arcadia secured a full-time position as a Program Assistant at Beachside Teen Treatment Center in Malibu, California, where she gained invaluable clinical experience working with adolescents in an inpatient setting. Concurrently, she continued to hone her research skills alongside Dr. Krumrei-Mancuso, advancing from research assistant to a paid position as study manager, with a recent promotion to lab manager. Additionally, Arcadia has volunteered her time to empirical endeavors at Archipel Research and Consulting, an Indigenous and women-owned non-profit committed to providing equitable access to educational, health, and cultural resources for First Nation youth in Canada. In August 2024, Arcadia received a grant to present the aforementioned intellectual humility study in a symposium at the 2024 American Psychological Association conference in Seattle, Washington. In the post-bacc program, Arcadia is working in Dr. Cauffman’s Development, Disorder, and Delinquency Lab, where she will be conducting research in the sub-area that she intends to dedicate her life to. Arcadia has an undeniable passion for aiding juveniles through periods of legal contact, for she views this as a critical point for us to ask ourselves: on how many occasions have we failed them before they failed us once? After completing the post-bacc program at UCI, Arcadia will obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and subsequently become a professor, researcher, and clinician who will focus on combating the iatrogenic effects of the juvenile justice system.

Gahl graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Secondary English Education and Creative Writing and Literature. As an undergraduate, Gahl was interested in psychology and creative writing, working part-time as both a research assistant at the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute and as a literary arts program coordinator for the Neutral Zone (Ann Arbor’s Teen Center). After graduating, he merged these interests, entering into Concordia University’s master’s-level teaching fellowship in Spoken Word Education, which utilized spoken word poetry and socio-emotional learning in school-wide intervention programs to connect at-risk youth with counseling and social services. After the program’s conclusion, Gahl continued to be involved in mental health research and care, first as a volunteer with Dr. Russell Kabir’s Self-Efficacy and Learning Behavior Laboratory and as a crisis lifeline volunteer with the Tokyo English Lifeline, and later with Dr. Jim Abelson in his research on stress biomarkers and the HPA axis. As a post-bacc student, he has joined Dr. Zalta’s Trauma and Resilience Lab. His research interests include mental health risk and resilience, adverse life experiences, narrative construction and editing, and mixed methods research. After completing the program, Gahl plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Ursula graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a B.A. in English & American Literature in May 2000. While there, she volunteered as a counselor and co-director for Room 13 (Harvard’s on-campus peer counseling group), co-led the Four Directions Summer Research Program at the Harvard Medical School for a summer, and facilitated a cervical cancer prevention program for native women in the local community. Ursula was also very involved with the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP), where she served as head dancer and volunteer coordinator for the Annual Harvard Powwow. After she graduated, she worked in non-profit fundraising and development for nearly a decade before transitioning into digital marketing, which enabled her to have the flexibility she wanted to start building a family. Today, Ursula and her husband, David, are proud parents to 10, 12, and 14-year-old children. As her children age, she is eager to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She is interested in researching the impact of intergenerational historical trauma and adverse life experiences on mental health among American Indians, cultural resilience, and the application of Indigenized therapeutic interventions. While in the post-baccalaureate program, she will be working as a research assistant in Dr. Jessica Borelli’s Health, Relationships, and Interventions (THRIVE) Lab while taking courses in research design, social psychology, clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, statistical analysis in social ecology, and applied statistics.

Teagan graduated from UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences and minors in Applied Psychology and Professional Writing. She graduated with honors and earned the distinguished graduation senior award for her contributions to UCSB’s Psi Chi Chapter and campus community. During her time at UCSB, Teagan’s research interests circulated around cognitive development and autobiographical storytelling across the lifespan. She was a research assistant, honors student, and lab manager in the Thinking About Life Experiences (TALE) Lab for the majority of her time at UCSB. Her honors thesis explored a particular change in autobiographical storytelling (story aside expression) that occurs with age and the potential cognitive and social factors influencing the age-related increase. She presented parts of this project as posters at the 2024 Western Psychological Association conference in San Francisco and at the 2024 Gerontological Society of America conference in Seattle. As an undergraduate, she also volunteered and interned with the Center for Aging and Longevity Studies (CALS), where she organized a speaker series concerning aging in America and met with researchers across disciplines and the country. As a post-bacc student, Teagan is working in Dr. Susan Charles’s Emotion Research Lab developing an independent project using the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) dataset. She hopes to develop a deeper understanding of successful aging from a health psychology perspective before applying to PhD programs in Human Development and Cognitive Aging. 

Rae graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Counseling from California State University Sacramento in May 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she interned as a Peer Counselor at Sac State's Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS). For this role, she trained in basic counseling and crisis intervention skills to support peers in virtual sessions. After completing the internship, she was hired as a Lead Peer Counselor, focusing on marketing, producing wellness content, and recruiting. While working for SHCS, she was accepted into the Student Affairs Leaders of Tomorrow program to learn wellness program development and assessment, bridging her interests in mental well-being and policy. As a post-bacc student, Rae will work in Dr. Pressman's Stress, Emotion, and Physical Health (STEP) Lab and complete courses such as Advanced Research Methods and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She hopes to gain insight from the post-bacc program on choosing and preparing for graduate programs in Clinical Psychology.

Danielle (she/her) graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology. During her undergraduate years, she worked in two labs - in Dr. Chavira’s CALMA lab (where she helped explore the mental health needs and acculturative stress of underserved groups) and in Dr. Bath's Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) lab (where she examined substance use profiles and treatment needs of judicially-involved CSE youth). After graduating, she spent her first postgraduate year working as an administrative assistant for the Los Angeles Department of Health Services on a project that helped mitigate COVID-19 amongst people experiencing homelessness. In this role, she learned how to collaborate with stakeholders in local government and in the community, analyze public health data, and understand client needs, and she helped lead over 20 Moderna and Pfizer vaccine presentations at shelters and interim housing sites in the South Los Angeles community. Upon the conclusion of this project, Danielle continued to work a few roles in the clinical industry (e.g., behavioral technician for youth with autism, crisis counselor for the teen suicide prevention hotline) to explore her clinical interests.  For the past two years, Danielle has been working as a research assistant at WestEd, where she  conducts qualitative research at the intersection of education and juvenile justice. During her time in the post-bacc program, she has been working in Dr. Schiffman's Leading Exploration and Analysis in the Psychosis Spectrum (LEAPS) lab, and she has been taking courses in Psychosis and Applied Statistics.  In June 2024, she was awarded an $800 scholarship from the UCI Division of Continuing Education (which will help pay for one of her Fall 2024 courses).  She plans to apply to PhD programs in clinical and counseling psychology in Fall 2024.

Veronica graduated magna cum laude and earned her B.A. degree in Psychology from Cal Poly Pomona in May 2024. During her undergraduate studies, she was widely involved in many activities both on and off campus. Veronica worked as a research assistant for the Psychology of Connection Lab (PSoCOLab) her junior year, in which she focused on researching the impact that ADHD and trauma history had on Latinx and African American college students’ attachment styles and academics. She then became a research consultant for the PSoCOLab her senior year, in which she provided research consultation to newly onboarded lab students. During this time, she joined the McNair Scholars Program, in which she conducted her own research project that focused on how people’s family of origin effects their views of mental health stigmas and help-seeking behaviors in Latinx college students. This resulted in her presenting her research at a variety of conferences, such as the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, and the Western Psychological Association (WPA) Conference, to name a few. Veronica was also a part of different organizations and clubs, such as being both a chapter and international member for Psi Chi, being a WPA student member, and being an American Psychological Association student member. During her senior year, she spent her time volunteering for Psyches of Color (POC), a non-profit organization that focuses on providing mental health support to Black and Latinx adolescents in order to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and to advocate for overall healing. At POC, she was both a mental health facilitator and the youth lead chair for the Mentoring POC Program. Veronica aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and hopes to work with those from underrepresented and marginalized communities. She hopes to provide mental health awareness to the BIPOC community and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the community.

Namrata graduated summa cum laude from University of California, Los Angeles in June 2024 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Global Health. Motivated by a desire to understand community-based disparities in mental health experiences, she worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Anna Lau's Culture and Relationships/Ethnicity in Youth Mental Health (CARE) Lab. With the CARE Lab, Namrata developed a poster and oral presentation about therapist adherence to trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy when implemented in a community mental health setting. She additionally spent one year as an undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Janet Tomiyama's Diet, Stigma, and Health (DiSH) Lab, which resulted in an oral presentation about resource utilization and mental health outcomes in lower socioeconomic status individuals. After graduating, Namrata pursued a role as a Clinical Care Coordinator for Amae Health, a mental health outpatient clinic for severe mental illness, where she currently works part-time. These experiences, in tandem with her undergraduate involvement in mental health advocacy work, have profoundly fueled her passion for mental health equity. As a post-bacc student, Namrata remains dedicated to psychological research focused on addressing the diverse mental health needs of communities of color. She is working as a Research Coordinator for the My Social Life Study in Dr. Belinda Campos' Culture, Relationships, & Health Lab and as a Research Assistant in Dr. Steven Schueller's Connected Learning Lab. After completing this program, Namrata aims to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to develop research and facilitate culturally responsive mental health care for marginalized communities.

Alex graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. He intended on going to medical school after graduating, but during his senior year, he was inspired by some of his classes that featured lessons on health psychology (and by his own experience in therapy) to pursue a career in clinical psychology. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Alex worked as a medical assistant for two years in an outpatient endocrinology clinic, and his passion for psychology grew as he saw strong connections between mental and physical health in so many of his patients. He is incredibly excited to be working in Dr. Kuhlman's Teen Resilience Lab, and he looks forward to learning more about clinical and health psychology. After completing the post-bacc program, he plans to attain a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Ashley graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine in June of 2024 with a B.A. in Psychological Science. In her final year of undergrad, she took Dr. Borelli’s Attachment Relationships course and was so interested in Dr. Borelli’s research and clinical work that she decided to apply for her Health, Relationships, and Intervention (THRIVE) lab. Becoming a research assistant for one of the studies in the THRIVE lab made Ashley realize that research was the right path for her, and she applied for the post-bacc program at UCI in order to take more robust coursework and obtain mentorship in preparing her for psychology Ph.D. program applications. As a post-bacc student, Ashley is continuing her work as a volunteer for two different studies within the THRIVE lab — one as a research assistant and one as a study coordinator. She is planning to take courses that pertain to her research interest in gender socialization (such as Human Sexuality) in addition to courses that prepare her for independent research projects (such as Advanced Research Methods and Applied Statistics). Her goal following the post-bacc program is to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology or sociology.

Sami graduated from the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University with a B.S. in Computer Science in the Spring of 2024. During his time there, he worked as a Teaching Assistant for the Introduction to Python class offered by his university. Helping students with their coursework and especially their mental health inspired Sami to switch fields, pursuing a career in psychology. Sami spent his last semester studying abroad at Korea University in Seoul, where he was given the opportunity to take classes in Child Abnormal Psychology and Biological Psychology. He is working in Dr. Kuhlman’s Teen Resilience Lab, where he looks forward to gaining experience in research and learning about the interaction between psychological well-being and physical health in youth. After the post-bacc program, Sami plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology.

Angie graduated magna cum laude from UC Irvine in 2024 with a B.A. in Psychological Science and in Criminology, Law, and Society. After taking a clinical psychology course, she decided to further pursue her interest in clinical psychology by taking related courses such as Developmental Psychopathology and Personality Disorders. Additionally, Angie worked as a Peer Academic Advisor within the School of Social Ecology assisting undergraduate students, and she held a Learning Assistant position for Professor Golob’s Hate Crimes course. During her third year, she had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester at Yonsei University in South Korea. This allowed Angie to strengthen her global perspective and cultural competency by completing classes in history, sociology, human behavior, and language within the context of Korean culture. Currently, as a post-bacc student, Angie will continue taking classes focused on clinical psychology, and she will be working with Dr. Elizabeth Martin in the Behaviors, Emotions, and Affective Neuroscience (BEAN) lab, which studies emotions and social functioning among individuals on the psychosis spectrum. One of her goals for the program is to decide whether a Master's, PhD, or PsyD program in clinical psychology is the best fit for her career goals.

Charlie graduated in 2023 from the University of Lynchburg with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. During his time at the university, Charlie’s interest in the brain was largely driven by his minor in neuroscience - but in his senior year, he enrolled in a Neuropsychology course and discovered a passion for the field of psychology as well. As a member of the orchestra and wind symphony, Charlie combined his love for music with his love for science, research, and the brain, conducting an independent research project titled “Exploring the Use of EEG-Based Machine Learning to Predict Music-Related Brain Activity” to fulfill his senior thesis requirement for his honors college curriculum. During his time in the post-bacc program, Charlie has been working in Dr. Piff's Morality, Emotion, and Social Hierarchy (MESH) lab and completing courses such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Statistical Analysis in Social Ecology, Biological Psychology, and Social Psychology.  He also completed a field study internship at LD Neuropsychological Testing in Winter 2024. Most recently (in May 2024), Charlie was admitted to the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (accelerated master's program) in the Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology Track at the University of Oregon. He will begin this program in June 2024, and he will finish up our post-bacc program (by taking an asynchronous online course) in the Winter or Spring of 2025.

Soraya graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) with a B.A. in Psychological Science. During her undergraduate studies at UCI, she worked in Dr. Elizabeth Martin’s Behaviors, Emotions, and Affective Neuroscience (BEAN) Lab as a research assistant and lab manager. She was awarded the Research Experience Fellowship through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and took a leading role in the proposal of the undergraduate group research project. Additionally, Soraya served as a research assistant in Dr. Zinger’s Anxiety & Word Use Meta-Analysis lab. Currently, as a post-bacc student, Soraya is continuing her role as a lab manager and research assistant in the BEAN Lab. Soraya is also working at Dr. Hoyt’s Behavioral Medicine Research Lab as a research assistant. Upon completion of the post-bacc program, she aspires to attend graduate school for clinical psychology.

Lydia graduated with honors from Chapman University in May 2022, majoring in Psychology. For her senior thesis, she conducted an independent research study on trauma and its effects on adult personality, which resulted in an oral presentation at the 2022 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University. During her senior year, she began working in Dr. Sabrina Schuck’s Child Development Lab, where she examined Animal Assisted Interventions with therapy dogs for children with ADHD. In this lab, she started as a Research Assistant and was later hired as a Junior Specialist. After graduation, she continued her work in Dr. Schuck’s lab, leading to both an oral and poster presentation at the 2023 International Society for Anthrozoology conference in Edinburgh, Scotland and a poster presentation at the 2024 International Society for Anthrozoology conference at Hartpury University in Gloucestershire, UK. Since May 2022, Lydia has been working as a Behavioral Specialist at The Craig School, where she collects and analyzes data to inform therapeutic goals, maintains a structured classroom to support executive functioning, and observes in-vivo counseling by skilled therapists. This role has allowed her to address students’ emotional needs and implement a daily social skills curriculum, further fueling her passion for both clinical and research environments. She is particularly drawn to the intricate interplay between genetics, the neuroendocrine system, and neuronal complexities in the context of childhood adversity. Her experiences have inspired her to put research into practice and continue exploring avenues that lead to positive outcomes for children and families. As a post-bacc student, she is working as a Research Assistant in Dr. Alyson Zalta’s Trauma and Resilience Lab. After completing this program, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Susan earned her B.A. in Communication from Northwest University, where she interned with the U.S. State Department in Paris, supporting diplomatic efforts for francophone Africa. Her interest in behavioral influence led her to a career in advertising as a strategist and designer before transitioning into social psychology research. During her first quarter in the post-bacc program, she worked in Dr. Pete Ditto’s Hot Cognition Lab, studying political bias. Having returned from maternity leave, she is now assisting with research on the long-term effects of awe on wellness and social connectedness in Dr. Golnaz Tabibnia’s lab and taking classes such as Research Design and the Science & Practice of Compassion. Though still considering whether to apply to Ph.D. or terminal master's programs in applied psychology, Susan's ultimate goal is to contribute meaningfully to improving intergroup relations, a passion informed by her diverse upbringing in West Africa and global professional experience. Outside academia, she enjoys balancing life with her toddler, along with her passions for art, culture, and minimalist design. You might find her at stand-up comedy shows, exploring independent films, or deepening her understanding of Buddhist practice.

Undram graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2019 with a B.S. in Management Science. Following graduation, she spent four years as the Head of Marketing for an art-tech startup in New York City. In 2021, after eight years of living and working in the U.S., she returned to Mongolia and experienced profound reverse cultural shock. This led her to seek therapy, which sparked a deep appreciation for the field of clinical psychology. Motivated by her transformative experience, she resigned from her marketing role to focus on mental health initiatives in Mongolia. She became involved in psychology-related projects, including working as a research assistant for a habit-tracking app, working as a mental health teaching assistant at a local non-profit, and founding a free mental health resource hub to improve public access to information and support. During her time in the program, she is working in Dr. Zalta's Trauma and Resilience Lab and taking courses in Research Design and Clinical Psychology; outside of UCI, she is working part-time as a Crisis Counselor for the 988 Lifeline and as an ABA Technician.  Her long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in clinical/counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, or social work, with the aim of providing psychotherapy to Mongolians living abroad.

Aura graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a B.S. in Clinical Psychology. While there, she worked at the Salud-Tech Study, examining how memory, aging, and health differences affect the Hispanic/Latinx community. As a post-bacc student, Aura is working in Dr. Klemfuss' Child Narratives Lab, which focuses on how social context and individual differences influence children's reports about past events. Her research interests lie in both forensic psychology and neuropsychology. After completing the post-bacc program, she hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in either Neuropsychology or Forensic Psychology.

Jasmine graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychological Science and. in Criminology, Law, and Society. During her undergraduate studies, Jasmine joined the Latinx Student Psychological Association, immersing herself in the Latinx experience of higher education and mental health. She was also part of the Peer Educator Program at the Counseling Center, where she not only expanded her knowledge on student mental health topics but also had the opportunity to educate her peers by curating and presenting psychoeducational workshops. After graduation, Jasmine worked as a Research Assistant and then Research Coordinator at Health & Inclusivity, a company dedicated to helping organizations analyze and implement DEI initiatives. Additionally, she was a Scheduling Assistant at Camden Center, a mental health and addiction treatment center that offers patients personalized care through interdisciplinary treatment. Through these roles, Jasmine has learned about the importance of mental health and has developed a strong commitment to fostering inclusive environments that prioritize well-being and equitable access to care. During her time in the post-bacc program, Jasmine has been working in Professor Schiffman’s Psychosis Risk, Evaluation, Early Intervention, and Treatment (PREVENT) Lab, contributing to research focused on the early identification of clinical high-risk individuals for psychosis, with the goal of improving detection methods and developing interventions to prevent the onset of psychotic disorders.

Teresa graduated cum laude from California Baptist University in December 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology, a concentration in Forensic Psychology, and a minor in Criminal Justice.  After graduation, she joined the Second Chance Unit at the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office, a pilot program dedicated to assisting individuals with resentencing and supporting them via individual reentry plans and an extensive reentry support network to help meet their needs upon release from incarceration and to reduce recidivism.  Her research interests include adolescent development and criminogenic factors, sentence disparities and inequities within the criminal justice system, the efficacy of diversion programs, recidivism reduction, and reintegration support.  She is currently in Dr. Cauffman’s Development, Disorder, and Delinquency (3D) Lab, and she is taking courses such as Advanced Research Methods and Eyewitness Testimony.  In addition, in April 2024, Teresa and her research group presented a poster at the Western Psychological Association (WPA) conference in San Francisco, for which they received the Steven Ungerleider Research Award from WPA.  Outside of UCI, she volunteers for the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office as a record expungement volunteer, assisting individuals with clearing criminal records and connecting them with community resources.  After completion of the post-bacc program, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology and continue exploring research that integrates psychology and law. 

Angelica is a first generation Latina graduate from the University of California, Irvine. She earned her B.A. in Psychology in June of 2024. During her time as an undergrad, she took courses in Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Personality Theory, Human Memory, Psychology of Violence, and Developmental Psychology. She is currently involved in Dr. Martin’s Behaviors, Emotions, and Affective Neuroscience (BEAN) lab (which conducts studies centered on the psychosis spectrum) and in Dr. Schueller’s Support from Peers to Expand Access (SUPERA) study (which focuses on using the platform SilverCloud to help members of the Latino community with depression and/or anxiety). Some of her main goals for this program is to gain more lab work experience in her area of focus and to present a poster at the Western Psychological Association or the Association for Psychological Science conference in May 2025. She is interested in pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology and hopes to be part of more research projects in the future. 

Kivin earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal State Fullerton in 2023.  He has internship/externship experience within data analytics and consulting for companies such as Deloitte, Credera, HP Tech, Toyota Solutions, and Cal State Fullerton. During his time in the post-bacc program, Kivin is working as a research assistant in Dr. Campos’ Culture, Relationships, & Health Lab, and his hobbies include watching and playing all kinds of sports.  His goal is to earn a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and to work with companies in work transformation, organizational change management, human capital, or analytics. 

As a writer, Autumn was engaged in the world of psychology years before pursuing the path academically. Her bachelor’s degree in journalism and minor in women’s studies from the University of Oregon led her to develop a body of work focusing on women’s relationships with appearance. Her book, Face Value: The Hidden Ways Beauty Shapes Women’s Lives (Simon & Schuster, 2016), has a strong psychological bent, as evidenced by Psychology Today’s invitation to become a featured blogger. She hopes that her time in the post-bacc program will help her expand her lens to include stress, trauma and intergenerational trauma, attachment, and other areas that will support her understanding as she (most likely) follows a clinical path. She is working in Dr. Silver’s Stress and Coping Lab.

Mojiba graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychological Science and a minor in Biological Sciences. During her time at the university, she pursued a pre-med track, completing all the prerequisite courses for medical school. However, it was toward the end of her senior year that she discovered her true passion for clinical psychology through her upper division courses. The topics she studied resonated deeply with her, and she found herself applying these insights to her own life.  During her senior year, she interned as a Behavior Therapist at an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) agency. This experience has fueled her growth, leading to her promotion as a Behavior Program Assistant in 2023 and then as a Supervisor in Training in 2024. Through these roles, she has developed strong clinical skills and has been able to make a positive impact on clients and their families. This experience has further deepened her passion for the field of clinical psychology. As a post-bacc student, Mojiba will be working as a research assistant in Dr. Lukowski’s Infants, Children, and Families (INCHES) lab and taking courses such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Science & Practice of Compassion. Upon completion of the post-bacc program, Mojiba aims to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. She is eager to deepen her understanding of psychological practices and contribute to the field through research and clinical work. Her ultimate goal is to help individuals navigate their mental health challenges and foster resilience in their lives.

Desta graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2023 with a B.S in Psychology and a minor in the Administration of Justice. Throughout her undergraduate career, she volunteered as a research assistant in the Personality Processes and Outcomes lab at Pitt, interned with a Licensed Forensic Psychologist, took psychology-related courses abroad, and worked in the Global Experiences (Study Abroad) Office on campus. She left Pittsburgh after completing her undergraduate degree and achieved a Human Resources internship in Paris. Desta then moved back to her hometown of Philadelphia, where she became an ABA Behavioral Health Technician. In this role, she developed a passion for clinical work and had the opportunity to work one on one with children diagnosed with Autism in school and home settings. Desta moved to California to become a post-bacc student at UCI, where she is working as a research assistant in Dr. Cauffman’s Development, Disorder, and Delinquency (3D) Lab. While working in this lab, Desta hopes to gain research experience related to juvenile mindsets and resiliency in youth and at-risk populations. After completion of the post-bacc program, Desta intends to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical or developmental psychology.