Piper Brown My name is Piper Brown, and I am from Parker, Colorado. I am a Junior at Butler University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Data Science. I am part of several clubs/ organizations on campus, but I am most proud of my involvement on Butler SGA's Mental Health and Well-Being Board. I also enjoy exploring Indianapolis and doing service in the community. After Butler, I plan to attend graduate school to expand my research skills and study either social or industrial/organizational psychology. And I am excited to begin this journey through undergraduate research.
Alexandria Archer My name is Alexandria Archer, and I am from Mount Carmel, Illinois. I am a junior at Butler University majoring in Criminology and Psychology. On campus, I am a part of the American Sign Language club and Butler University Dance Marathon. This summer I will be studying abroad in London for a couple weeks in hopes to gain new experiences. After graduating from Butler, I plan on attending graduate school to study forensic psychology and to one day work within the criminal justice system.
Emma Magee My name is Emma Magee, and I am from Columbus, Ohio. I am a sophomore at Butler University, majoring in psychology and minoring in history. I am also in the honors program here at Butler. Additionally, I am member of Delta Gamma sorority, a student orientation guide, and a part of the club lacrosse team. After Butler, I plan to attend graduate school to study clinical psychology with the eventual goal of being a licensed professional counselor or school counselor!
Albert Martinez My name is Albert Martinez and I’m from Chicago, Illinois. I’m a junior at Butler University and I am majoring in Psychology with minors in Philosophy and Marketing. After graduation I plan on helping as many people as I can by becoming a therapist.
Hailee Park My name is Hailee Park, and I am from Franklin, IN. I am a sophomore at Butler University studying Sociology and Psychology with a specialization in social work. On campus, I am a member of Delta Gamma, Alpha Phi Omega, and Butler University Dance Marathon. After Butler, I plan to go to graduate school to study social work or clinical psychology and eventually become a licensed therapist.
Alayna Barton My name is Alayna Barton, and I am from Frankfort, Indiana. I am a sophomore psychology student at Butler University! I am currently involved in a couple of small organizations/clubs on campus, as well as Greek life, but I hope to become more involved throughout my time at Butler. I aspire to one day become a clinical psychologist and work towards breaking the stigma that still surrounds mental health and illness. I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of Dr. O'Dea's lab, and I am so excited about this opportunity!
Kristin Budziak My name is Kristin Budziak, and I am from Commerce, Michigan. I am a sophomore at Butler University, and I am majoring in Psychology and Political Science with a German minor. On campus, I am a member in the EcoReps and LGBTQ+ Alliance clubs. I am also a goalkeeper on the club soccer team. After graduation, I plan to obtain a law degree, and while I'm not yet entirely sure what I'd like to do with the degree, a career as a civil lawyer is among my top choices.
Sydney Lewis My name is Sydney Lewis and I am from Holland, MI. I am a senior at Butler University majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. I am also a part of Dr. Jennifer Berry’s research lab testing the effects of alcohol and caffeine on mice. I spend my summers teaching sailing and my winters skiing and snowboarding. After graduation in the spring, I am planning on taking a gap year before beginning medical school the following fall in pursuit of my MD.
Keira Salt My name is Keira Salt, and I am from Glen Ellyn Illinois. I am a sophomore at Butler University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I am part of the Honors program as well as the Butler University Dance Team here on campus. I also enjoy participating in other extra curriculars such as dance marathon and Greek life. After Butler, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work with children.
Norah Schloneger My name is Norah Schloneger, and I am from Goshen, Indiana. I am a sophomore at Butler University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in English. I am a part of the Honors program on campus and look forward to joining more clubs and organizations along with that. After Butler, I plan to go to graduate school and get my masters in counseling. As I learn more, I hope to gain the skill to bring comfort and security to those seeking it.
Past Students & Where They Are Now!
(Wasan) Rayyan Alfatafta My name is Rayyan A. and I am a junior at Skidmore College. I am Palestinian-Jordanian and grew up in Amman, Jordan. I am a Psychology major and have research interests related to the intersections of minority status such as race, gender, class, and disability with mental health. I am hoping to apply for a PhD program in Clinical Psychology and hope to work alongside fellow queer people of color coming from backgrounds of incarceration, sex work, and drug use to create accessible, healing spaces such as multi-lingual, low-cost, and holistic approaches to therapy and life coaching. -Rayyan is currently finishing his undergraduate degree at Skidmore College
Jordan Alvarez My name is Jordan Alvarez and I am a senior at Skidmore College. I am a Psychology major and have research interests related to racism, intergroup relations, stereotyping, and minority stigma and access to mental health care. I am currently graduating and headed to Auburn University in the Fall 2020 to pursue my PhD in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and hope to be a professor as well as a psychologist helping those who need it most. Wish me luck! - Jordan is currently pursuing his PhD at Auburn University
Sophia Anderson I’m a political science major with a psychology and environmental science double minor. Outside of the lab I am a member of the Crew team as well as one of the Student trustees on the Union College Board of Trustees as well as Student Forum. I am also a tour guide as well as a member of the sustainability committee on campus. My research in lab ASTRA is examining the possible reappropriation of the term racist and the potential consequences on the terms power. After graduation this spring, I am working with the green corps and will be working on 3-4 environmental campaigns all over the US over the course of the year.
Mitchell Ashton My name is Mitchell Ashton and I am from North Stonington, Connecticut. I am a Sophomore at Union College majoring in Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Political Science. On campus I am part of the Scholars program and Co-President of A More Equitable Union. After Union I plan to attend graduate school and enter into the nonprofit sector so that I can continue working towards my goal of bettering myself, my community, and the world.
Carson Barger My name is Carson Barger, and I had the opportunity to be a part of Dr. O’Dea’s lab my junior year at Kansas State University. While working with Conor, I was able to collect data, learn about ongoing research, and even propose and run a study that I thought of. I am now working for The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in a territory based out of St. Paul, MN as a Retail Development Specialist. In this role I help accounts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan grow their business with Goodyear and to act as a liaison between my customers and the company as well.
Olivia Brand My name is Olivia Brand, I am from Manchester, Vermont, and I am a sophomore at Union College. I plan on majoring in psychology with a minor in music. I plan to go on to get my PhD in clinical psychology as I want to help people and provide a service to those in need. I am very interested in research in the field of social psychology as I’ve always had a passion for studying human behavior and how people interact with one another. My research interests primarily include minority groups and discrimination among those groups. - Olivia is currently completing a senior thesis at Union College in Clinical Psychology
Angelica Castro Bueno My name is Angelica Castro Bueno and I am a first year Ph.D. student in the Counseling Psychology program at Iowa State University. My research interests focus on the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the Midwest and stigma related to mental-health help seeking. In particular, I am interested in how DACA recipients access mental health services and ways of reducing barriers to promote help-seeking. My ultimate goal is to work in a community mental health center providing bilingual services to adults, children, and family of undocumented status. - Angelica is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Iowa
Jonah Brenner My name is Jonah Brenner and I am a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in media and film studies. Broadly, I am interested in studying children's social development and gender as a social category. Specifically, I am interested in why gender stereotypes are so pervasive in adulthood and how children learn gender. I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in social and developmental psychology and maybe one day becoming a professor! -Jonah is currently working as a lab manager at UT Austin
Emilie-Anne Choi My name is Émilie-Anne Choi and I just transferred to Skidmore College from the University of Toronto (UofT) this past January as an incoming sophomore. I am planning on majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Intergroup Relations while continuing to explore Global Health studies (my previous major at UofT). Originally, I am French-Canadian/Korean and am from Denver, Colorado. This is my first experience in a research lab at Skidmore College and I will be focusing on the intersections of race relations and psychology (furthering Conor O'Dea's research). I am particularly interested in aspects of racial psychology and its inner workings on a global scale. -Emilie-Anne is currently completing her senior year at Skidmore College
Casey Davidson My name is Casey Davidson, and I am a first-year student at Union College from Chappaqua, New York. I am a declared psychology major and plan to pursue a double minor in sociology and philosophy. Outside of Professor O’Dea’s lab, on-campus, I am involved in the Women’s Union and plan to work as a supplemental instruction leader for psychology next term. Outside of school, this summer, I am working as a teacher’s assistant at World Cup preschool for their summer program. After graduating from Union, I aspire to become a therapist and intend on attending graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. I am looking forward to learning more through my experience working in professor O’Dea’s lab and being a part of this meaningful research.
Daniel Debonis I am a Senior neuroscience major from Rochester, NY. My post-college plan is to receive my Phd in Clinical Neuropsychology and my research interest in Professor O'Dea's lab is the role of masculine honor beliefs in body image satisfaction, specifically their effect on body checking procedures.
Emmy Deyst My name is Emily Deyst, and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I am a junior at Union College, and I am majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Classics and Spanish. On campus, I am part of A More Equitable Union where I serve on the e-board as treasurer. I also do club soccer. After Union, I plan to go to graduate school and eventually work for Human Resources so as to make a positive impact in the world and expand my horizons.
Housseynatou (Housseyna) Diallo My name is Housseynatou Diallo, and I’m from The Bronx, NY. I am a Psychology major with a double minor in Sociology and French. On campus, I am a part of the Bridges First-Gen program, I am a tour guide, I am also the Vice president of the Muslim Students Association and the Treasure of The African Students Association and I am also part of the Soccer club. After Union, I plan to continue my education in Clinical Psychology to become a Therapist as I would like to eventually use my degree to help bring awareness about mental health in my communities.
Jacob Diiorio My name is Jacob Diiorio, I am a junior here at Union college seeking a major in psychology with a minor in biology, along with being the captain of the men's rugby team. I'm originally from Pomfret, CT but have moved around quite a bit. After my time at Union, I plan to pursue a career in clinical psychology, beginning with graduate school. I believe that this research on masculine honor beliefs lines up perfectly with my personal interests along with the career path I wish to pursue.
Sharon Dubon Zelada My name is Sharon Dubon Zelada. I am from Los Angeles, California but I was born in Guatemala. I am a Junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. I am passionate about volunteering on campus when given the chance. I also really enjoy working with kids as I have worked with them since I was 12 in Los Angeles and I am now a STEP Tutor for my college. I am a First Generation Latina and I am really hoping to grow in all areas academically and as a person as well as making those who believe in me proud.
Clifford Elike My name is Clifford Elike. I am a senior at College Studying History and Anthropology. I have past research experience with refugees in Utica accessing the connection between refugees and Utica and why they first settle in Utica. And I look forward to strengthening my connection to society through this research. My career interests are in the business world and I would like to become an entrepreneur. I am a resident of NYC and I hail from Ghana. My interests are soccer, music, and other outdoor activities.
Fletcher Fineman After graduation I intend to pursue graduate school and receive either my MBA or LMFT. My time with the ASTRA lab was one of my greatest experiences at Union and I am fortunate to have crossed paths with so many brilliant students. I intend to pursue professional counseling, but I am not sure yet as to where I will end up. I am looking forward to staying in touch with all of my collogues that I am so grateful to have worked with.
Cristina Frias-Gil My name is Cristina Frias-Gil. I am a Sophomore at Union College with a major in Psychology and minor in Sociology. I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the US when I was six year old. Integrating myself into the US culture has allowed me to remain open minded about all issues regarding interracial interactions and human relationships. More recently, I’ve found Psychology to be one of the things I am most passionate about as well as learning about how the human ego operates. On my free time I like to hike, journal, and typically stay active both physically and mentally. I am excited to be joining this research lab to get a better understanding of how individuals in our world function together as a society or how we might not function as well together. Going forward, I would like to venture into cognitive or psychotherapeutic work.
Paola Garcia My name is Paola Garcia. I am a freshman at Union College majoring in Biochemistry and planning on double minoring in Psychology and Japanese. I grew up in New Rochelle, New York and I am a first generation college student. My research interests include differences in social class, immigrant populations, race, and minority stigma. After graduating, I hope to pursue medical school and focus on changing how the medical field is structured. Outside of academic interests my hobbies include fencing, traveling, painting, and watching anime. Professor O‘Dea’s research lab will be the first one I participate in and I am super excited to get started.
Valentina Garcia My name is Valentina Garcia. I am a senior at Union College with a major in Psychology and a double minor in Latin America studies and Political Science. I was born in Colombia and moved to the United States when I was three years old. I am a first generation college student which means I have had to navigate through the higher learning process on my own. Throughout my experience I have always considered Psychology a passion of mine where I could learn, help others, and grow within myself. My interests include clinical and social Psychology, as well as its therapeutic aspect. Professor O‘Dea’s research lab will be the first one I participate in and I’m extremely excited to be part of such important work. I hope I come out of this experience with a greater understanding of the research world so I can have better idea of what I would like to do after college.
Natalia Garcia Moreno My name is Natalia Garcia Moreno and I'm from Chile. I'm majoring in Psychology. I'm also a Seward Fellow with an organizing theme minor of Gender Studies and Psychology. My research will focus on: " The Thin Ideal, Lack of Training in Medical Professionals and their Effect in Eating Disorder Diagnoses". On-campus I'm the treasurer of AAUW (American Association of University Women) and the Public Relations chair of LASO (Latin American Student Organization). I'm also a peer mentor in the Body Project and a member of Kappa Delta PhiNas. After Union, I plan to get a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and be a therapist.
Gabriela Gavala My name is Gabby Gavala and I am from Sutton, Massachusetts. I am a third year student at Union College (Psychology major with a Statistics minor). On campus, I am the Vice President of Campus Life for Student Forum, as well as a member of the Track and Field team. Since high school, I have always wanted to study psychology and expand my understanding of how the brain and mind affect human behavior. Continuing after graduation into clinical psychology, I want to help people work toward their own personal goals as well as benefit my community in a positive way.
Dante Greco-Henderson My name is Dante Greco-Henderson and I am a sophomore at Skidmore College working in Conor O’Dea's social psychology laboratory. I am originally from Philadelphia but I now live in Cambridge Massachusetts just outside of Boston. I hope to be a declared psychology and computer science double major by the end of the year. I hope to go to graduate school and potentially pursue my PhD. My interests in psychology are currently social and developmental psychology, and my work this past semester with Conor has been a great step in pursuing these interests. Outside of academics I am on the varsity crew team here at Skidmore, and love to spend my time outdoors biking, climbing, and hiking. -Dante is currently finishing his undergraduate degree at Skidmore College
Raymond Greer I graduated from Kansas State in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology and a certificate in Nonviolence studies. I worked with Dr. O’Dea while he was a Graduate Student for Dr. Saucier examining racial slurs, and their perceived offensiveness. Currently, I am managing a satellite office for the Missouri Career Center located in St Ann Missouri. I utilize funding from Workforce Opportunities Investment Act (WIOA) to help individuals obtain gainful employment by paying for training. One of my biggest responsibilities is acting as a liaison for training provider, customers, and the county of St Louis. I also do the reporting for the Metropolitan Education and Training (MET) center, where I monitor the amount of “traffic” that the various programs that are housed here receive.
Timothy (Tim) Gresham I’m an Army veteran and I double majored in economics and psychology at K-State. You can take many classes that will forward your goals and fulfill your bachelor requirement. However, being blessed to be a participant in any research lab of the psychology department will expand your college experience exponentially. Doing research and having teachers show you how to do it is an experience like no other. I learned more in the lab then 95% of the classes I took.
Adenike Hickson My name is Adenike Hickson and I am a senior at Union College seeking to complete a Psychology and Chinese ID Major. I am originally from New York City, NY. On campus, I am the Vice President of the African Dance Club and Communication Chair for my Minerva House Council (Green House Best House!). This will be my first time working in Professor O'Dea's lab and I am also eager to work with him on a thesis project that I am quite excited about. I do not have much experience working in research labs and look forward to learning a lot.
Anushka Kaiwar My name is Anushka Kaiwar and I’m from Mumbai, India. I am a psychology major with a theatre minor. I have always believed my passion was/is people - understanding the brain, mind and relationships as a whole, and helping people to the best of my abilities. I am eager to broaden my horizons and expand my knowledge through this experience.
Teresa Kearn My name is Teresa Kearn. I graduated from Kansas State University with a B.A. in Psychology, Criminology, and Spanish. While there, I was a member of Conor’s and Dr. Don Saucier’s research lab. The knowledge I gained while working with Conor and my lab mates has proven invaluable in my continued studies and career. I went on to receive my Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology Research from Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona. I returned to Kansas and became a Spanish teacher and welcomed a baby boy. In a few short months, I will be earning my Masters in Education from Fort Hays State University. While one day I hope to continue with my research, the abilities and knowledge you gain in a research laboratory (especially Conor’s) will help you regardless of where life takes you! Teresa earned her Masters degree in Clinical and Health Psychology and is currently pursuing a Masters degree from Fort Hays State University
Anna Loginov My name is Anna Loginov and I am a junior majoring in psychology and double minoring in creative writing and honors forum at Skidmore College. I am originally from New Hampshire but will soon be moving to Boston. My research interests include gender, aggression, empathy, humor, education, music, and emotions. I enjoy looking at these topics from an interdisciplinary perspective examining influences from areas such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. I also have a particular interest in criminal and legal psychology. After graduating from Skidmore I plan to take a few years off to do research before hopefully pursuing my PhD. Outside of academics, my interests include music, knitting, hiking, and rock climbing. I am also very involved in Skidmore’s radio station, WSPN. -Anna is currently finishing her undergraduate degree at Skidmore College
Xiekaixin (Katharina) Lu My name is Xiekaixin (Katharina )Lu. I am currently a first year student at Skidmore College. I come from a beautiful historical city in China called Suzhou. Psychology, Media, Film, and Dance are the academic fields that I am interested in. I have psychological research interests related to the intergroup interactions among different races, genders, classes, social circles, etc. I hope to do further researches in the psychology field, and also learn coursework and skills in psychology and media-related areas. I plan to apply for graduate school in these two areas and hopefully have a future career in consulting psychology, public relations, or media productions. -Katharina is currently finishing her undergraduate degree at Skidmore College
Hallie Katzman My name is Hallie Katzman, and I am a sophomore at Union College. I play on Union’s Women’s Tennis Team and I am planning on double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. I grew up in Short Hills, New Jersey. I’ve been interested in psychology for as long as I can remember. My mom is a clinical psychologist so she really inspires me. When I got to college I realized that I also had a passion for sociology. My most important goal for my professional future is to choose a career where I can be of service and help people. At this point, I’m hoping to pursue a graduate degree after Union in either clinical or counseling psychology. -Hallie is currently completing her senior thesis at Union College in Clinical Psychology
Julia Lima My name is Julia, I am from Falmouth Massachusetts on Cape Cod, and I am a Neuroscience and Sociology major. I am currently doing research on transgender individuals and how masculine honor and masculine honor beliefs apply to them versus cisgender men. I am also interested in furthering this research and examining other aspects of masculine honor in transgender persons in the future. After Union I plan on going to graduate school on the West Coast and continuing to focus on sociology and research in some area of that field.
Rhys Moger My name is Rhys and I am a senior Political Science major with a double minor in French and History. Outside of Professor O'Dea's ASTRA lab, I am the Secretary of Union Pride and a member of Arts House. I aim to attend graduate school to study the effects of mass media/communication (specifically the Internet and social media) on political psychology and public opinion. - Rhys is currently in graduate school at the University of Minnesota for an academic MA in Mass Communication with a minor in Political Psychology.
Michelle Moina My name is Michelle Moina and I am a rising Junior at Union College. Although I was born and raised in New York City, I take great pride in my Ecuadorian heritage. I am currently following a degree in Psychology and Studio Fine Arts with a minor in Film Studies. With my degree in Psychology, Studio Fine Arts, and further education through a graduate program, I hope to follow a career in Art Therapy. My focus is to aid those who are in search or in need of a therapeutic outlet without the verbal communication that many are intimidated by; I would also like to assist those who are on the Autism spectrum with Art Therapy. - Michelle is currently completing her senior year at Union College
Jahnae Morgan My name is Jahnae Morgan, I am a senior at Union College majoring in Political Science and Biology as well as minoring in Africana Studies and Psychology. My research interests include race, class, and the impact of marginalization on the psyche of those impacted. My interest in joining this lab was sparked by research I’ve done on the potential of humor to act as a healing mechanism in the African-American community. This will be my first experience in a research lab. After graduating I hope to pursue further education in Public Health or Social Policy where I will focus on minimizing disparities in racial health outcomes. - Jahnae is currently a public health associate at the CDC
Mattie O'Boyle My name is Mattie O’Boyle and I graduated from Kansas State University in 2018 with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in English Literature. My research interests center on resource limitation and psychosocial well-being at both the global and local levels. Mattie's interests revolve around -Mattie received her masters degree from Seattle Pacific University and is currently pursuing teaching opportunities in high school and community college settings
Leslie Quijada My name is Leslie Quijada, and I’m from Houston, TX. I am a sophomore at Union College, double majoring in Psychology and Economics with a minor in Spanish. On campus, I am apart of the STEP program, Union Ambassadors, and the Bridges First-Gen program. After Union, I plan on continuing my education to become a clinical psychologist as I would like to eventually use my degree to help raise awareness about mental health in minority communities. Prof. O’Dea’s lab will be the first lab I am a part of, and I am very grateful and excited for this opportunity to learn more about the research process.
Rachel Raley I had the pleasure of working with Conor O’Dea as a Senior at Kansas State University in 2017. In the lab, I researched Social Vigilantism and emotional reactions to attitude challenges. I had the pleasure of working with Conor O’Dea as a Senior at Kansas State University in 2017. In the lab, I researched Social Vigilantism and Emotional Reactions to Attitudes when it came to Negative and Positive Affect mediating the relationship between SV and Resistance Strategies. The research I did on racial discrimination has also become extremely beneficial, especially while working in the field of Human Resources. As a Technical Recruiter, I interview candidates daily from all different backgrounds, and the need to be unbias is not only crucial to the company culture, but also to my role. Through the lab, I am able to understand the history behind racial discrimination as well as have the clarity to understand the situations in which it is most common. This knowledge is something that I am thankful to have gained, and also translated well to my career.
Jillian (Jill) Ramey My name is Jill Ramey and I am a senior psychology major with minors in sociology and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies. I am a peer leader for The Body Project, I volunteer for the Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center, and I am a senior intern for Union College admissions. In Professor O’Dea’s lab I am working on my senior thesis, which investigates the relationships between masculine honor and victim blaming in cases of sexual violence, with the manipulation of the gender of the victim. After Union I aspire to eventually be a therapist, and I am planning to pursue a PsyD to achieve this!
Samantha (Sam) Rapp My name is Samantha Rapp and I am a senior at Skidmore College majoring in Psychology. I am interested in gender stereotypes and the effect of backlash against gender deviant behavior on psychological well-being. My curiosity towards masculine honor beliefs stems from how beliefs about masculinity and honor can influence someone’s perceptions of others, especially in the case of violent action. I plan on pursuing a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology and establishing my own private psychology practice one day. Next year I am taking a year to gain more clinical experience before applying to research assistant positions to build my CV before graduate school.
Mitch Reinhart My name is Mitch Reinhart, I am from Sherborn, Massachusetts. I have always been interested in learning about human behavior and the mind. I am majoring in psychology with a minor in biology. My plan is to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology because I have always wanted to help people and I think that this gives me an opportunity to do so. When I have free time, you will catch me fly fishing, playing sports, and hanging out with friends.
John Renfroe My name is John Renfroe, and I am an undergraduate studying Psychology at Kansas State University. My main research focus is in Masculine Honor Beliefs, and I am currently working with Dr. O'Dea on a manuscript to publish examining perceptions of men and women who confront threats as a function of masculine honor beliefs. I will be graduating in December, and I plan to attend graduate school for Clinical Counseling to become a licensed therapist! -John is currently pursuing his Masters degree at Emporia State University
Molly Rusgrove My name is Molly Rusgrove and I’m from Newington, CT. I am a first year at Union College, majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Science, Medicine, and Technology in Culture. After Union, I plan to attend medical school. Conor’s research lab will be the first one I participate in and I can’t wait to see where it goes! I feel that studying social psychology and specific behaviors will allow me to grow as a person, ensuring compassion and inclusivity in my future endeavors. Outside of school, I am a barista at Starbucks, love to play Just Dance, and make custom cups with my Cricut vinyl machine
Fiona Shyne I am a current sophomore at Union College, double majoring in computer science and neuroscience. I was born and raised in the West Side of Saint Paul Minnesota. This will be the first research lab I participate in, but I have always been interested in human nature. Recently I have become interested in the ways we consciously and unconsciously treat people differently. My other interests include game development, reading, and long periods of silent compilations about the fabric of reality. I am looking forward to learning more about the research process.
Ryan Sidorski My name is Ryan Sidorski. I am a Junior at Union College double majoring in Neuroscience and Economics. I am on the Union College Men’s Ice Hockey team and a member of the SAAC organization. I am from Buffalo, New York. I caddie over the summer and have met many interesting people with very unique backgrounds which has piqued my interest in psychology. Working with Dr. O'Dea will be my first lab experience, but I am excited to get started. I like to have an open mind about people and ideas and will never judge someone for being themselves.
Sivagouzia Sivarajah I am a Biology and Psychology ID Major in the Leadership in Medicine program at Union College (Class of 2024). I joined Professor O'Dea's lab using virtual reality this term. Having the opportunity to observe the steps undertaken to make this study run was an amazing experience. Going forward I hope to learn more about the process of analyzing the data received from the study, writing the report and publishing. After graduating from Union I will be attending Albany Medical College, and my goal is to become a Trauma Surgeon.
Bayleigh Smith My name is Bayleigh Smith I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kansas State University in August 2019. During my time at Kansas State, I worked with Dr. Conor O’Dea and Dr. Don Saucier examining the perceptions and functions of racial slurs. Currently, I am continuing this line of research as I apply to further my education and research in graduate school. My additional research interests include prejudice, humor, and stereotypes. Working with Conor and Don have not only allowed me to pursue my research interests but also helped cultivate my academic, research, and professional skills. I hope to use these skills one day in my own classroom as a social psychology professor. I am headed to Loyola University to pursue my masters degree and hopefully PhD someday in Social Psychology! -Bayleigh is currently pursuing her Masters degree at Loyola University
Connor Smith I'm currently in grad school getting my MSW at KU. I'm also working at a community mental health center with Kansas City's urban core population. I'm also doing an internship at a domestic violence shelter doing crisis counseling and regular counseling. Working in the lab with you examining the psychological mechanisms behind bias and the social implications of it has helped me be more empathetic with clients that have experienced discrimination. I work with a diverse population and it had also helped me think about and challenge my own biases to better serve my clients. -Connor is currently pursuing his MSW at the University of Kansas
Haylee Snow My name is Haylee Snow and I am from Watertown, Connecticut. I am a Senior at Union College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Dance and Environmental Studies. On campus, I am a peer leader for The Body Project, an Orientation Advisor, and involved in Greek Life. After Union, I plan to pursue my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. My personal and professional aspiration is to make people feel understood and supported as a clinical psychologist.
Gabbie Stein I am a senior psychology major and sociology minor and a goalkeeper on the field hockey team. I am the President of Colleges Against Cancer- The Dutchmen Dip, Alumni Chair for Sigma Delta Tau, Field Hockey Representative for SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), and also a Peer Mentor for C.O.C.O.A. House. I am currently just a volunteer for Conor's lab. I was not able to fully commit this term because of all the stuff I do on campus. I am especially interested in studying slur reappropriation. After college, I will be teaching elementary school in NYC through Teach For America.
Apryl Tovar My name is Apryl Tovar, and I am a rising senior majoring in Psychology and Anthropology at Union College. I’m from Bakersfield, California in the central valley. I’m a first-generation college student and the first generation of my family to live in the United States. I’ve done research on social class and education in Fiji. I’ve also researched homeless populations and service providers as an anthropologist. My research interests include differences in social class, immigrant populations, homeless populations, and drug users. I hope to have my research support marginalized populations. I have an interest in working with social service providers in the future and look forward to using my education to give back to my community. Outside of research, I’m a head resident advisor and an employee at the Union community center. My interests include live music, making my own clothes, travel, and exploring the surrounding areas of Albany and Schenectady.
Marileisi Vizcaino Perez My name is Marileisi Vizcaino Perez. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. But, I now live in New York City. I am planning on majoring in Psychology and minoring in Law and Humanities. I plan to go to graduate school and become a Forensic Psychologist-- making an impact in the criminal justice system.
Tam Vu Chi Hello, my name is Vu Chi Tam and I’m an international student from Hanoi, Vietnam. I’m currently a Junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Visual Arts. I’m also the secretary of A More Equitable Union Club on campus. While volunteering at a Vietnamese psychiatric hospital over the summer, I experienced firsthand how horribly underfunded and underrepresented mental health is in developing countries. It is my goal to help others and fight against mental health stigma. If I could make any positive impact, then I’ll be content.
Alina Whiteside My name is Alina Whiteside, and I am a sophomore at Union College. I am a Psychology major with a minor in Statistics. I am also a Seward Fellow and my Seward Organizing Theme minor is The Development of Morality: the Effects of Childhood and Gender. I have done research in the Psychology department with Professor Weisse and Professor Stanhope, and am planning to continue with Professor O’Dea. Professor O’Dea is also my advisor for my Seward OT project and I am excited to conduct research with him for my project! Learning is my passion which is why I want to attend Grad School after Union and continue on the research route.
Jordan Whittier My name is Jordan Whittier and I am from Strafford, NH. I am a first year at Union College, majoring in psychology and minoring in philosophy. After Union, I plan on attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D in clinical neuropsychology. On campus I am part of the Women’s Crew team, an admission ambassador, and part of the club Good Eats.
Helen Wong My name is Helen Wong and I am currently a Junior at Union College. I am originally from San Francisco, California and I am pursuing a double major in psychology and economics. Although I am a psychology and economics double major, my interest lies more in psychology than economics. Within the subject of psychology, I am most interested in learning more about clinical and social psychology. I am eager to learn as much as I can about the impact of implicit biases on race and/or gender relations through research opportunities. Outside of academic interests, I love reality tv (especially 90 Day Fiancé), trying boba drinks around SF, amateurishly critiquing movies with my friends, and occasionally reading comics. My current interest outside of academic activities lies in the anime Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, courtesy of my bestest of friends back home.
Hayley Yun My name is Hayley Yun and I’m entering my second year at Skidmore College. I intend on declaring my major in Psychology by the end of this year and, in time, find my niche in the field of Cognition. My research with Conor O’Dea developing a scale to measure racism sensitivity will be my first lab experience. I’m particularly interested in how this sensitivity results in avoidance of interracial interactions. I’m Korean and I’m originally from the foothills of Boulder, Colorado where I hope to eventually pursue a PhD at CU. My hobbies include skiing, drawing, hiking and in the summer, exploring the backroads of rural Vermont!
Jaylee York My name is Jaylee York, and I worked with Conor for three years during my undergraduate career at Kansas State University. During this time, I explored my interests in Masculine Honor Beliefs through expressions of toughness, expressions and consequences of Social Vigilantism, and White privilege, but I find most pride in our work together on the development of the Recognition of Privilege in Feminism Scale. I have recently graduated with dual degrees in Psychology and Criminology, and have continued conducting research in Dr. Heather Bailey’s CNAP laboratory examining a knowledge-based intervention in older adults’ memory capabilities. Following this work, I plan to attend a Clinical PhD program focusing on community mental health within traditionally marginalized groups, psychometric scale development, and trauma-induced disorders. -Jaylee is currently pursuing her PhD at Seattle Pacific University
Zuola (Eric) Zhang My name is Eric Zhang and I am a first year student at Skidmore college. I am interested in social psychology, especially topics about intergroup relationship in online communication, and I am planning to explore my interests in the realm of personality and abnormal psychology in the future. I hope to be a declared Psychology and Economics double major next year. I also plan on pursuing a Ph.D in social and abnormal psychology and hope to work as a counseling psychologist one day. -Eric is currently finishing his undergraduate degree at Skidmore College