Student Affiliates

1st year, Experimental Psychology master's program 

I have a background in psychology and neuroscience from my undergraduate programs, with a greater interest in psychology, specifically social psychology. My current areas of interest are in mental well-being, specifically stress and the reappraisal of stress. I have a focused interest in college freshman living on-campus - due to my experience working with university housing - and forms of stress they experience alongside coping skills they are equipped with to handle this stress.  I would like to further explore different coping mechanisms people utilize to reduce forms of stress and look into the application of effective coping mechanisms in populations that have historically high levels of stress. 

1st year, Experimental Psychology master's program 

Broadly, my research in stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination investigates the social psychological contexts and interpersonal differences that affect or predict the likelihood for one to make stereotypical assumptions or elicit bias towards individuals or groups with marginalized identities (e.g., racial, gender, or sexual minorities). Currently, my work investigates the role of top-down influences on perceptual categorizations that may predict biased responding. Specifically, my work examines the interpersonal consequences of adopting different motivational or psychological mindsets (such as a belief in the malleability of prejudice) and how they may impact the tendency to make social category differences within early processing of Black and White faces using EEG. 

2nd year, Experimental Psychology master's program

My background lies in the area of Developmental and Applied Cognitive Psychology. My research interests include memory, misinformation, hindsight bias and inattentional blindness. Currently, I am investigating perceived racial motivations of inattentional blindness for Black Americans. I am searching for ways to support Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Through the Center for Cross Cultural Research (CCCR) I hope to learn more about meaningful ways to better represent BIPOC participants and researchers in academia and disseminate knowledge to the general public.

2nd year, Experimental Psychology master's program

I am passionate about the psychology of healthcare disparities, particularly for women. My research at Western focuses on the outcomes of pregnant women in the US, especially those disregarded due to race, primary language, or income. I'm also interested in developing evidence-based interventions and policies to improve the lives of isolated parents in our community.

1st year Experimental Psychology Masters Program 

My current research interests lie in the intersection of empathy within social psychology, specifically within the subdomains of cultural and positive psychology. I plan to use my thesis to investigate empathy’s contribution to prosocial behaviors and well-being across different cultures. I am also interested in studying white supremacy, racism, and how progressive policies and laws can impact countries’ overall well-being at a federal level. I currently work with Dr. Christie Scollon in the Culture and Well-Being Lab. 

2nd year, Experimental Psychology master's program 

Hello! My research centers on finding treatment, intervention, and management strategies for people living with functional gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., IBS). Specifically, through targeting the intersection between symptoms, stress, and cognitive reappraisal. I am an alumna of Western, have a background in various areas of psychology, as well as UX research, and have a deep love for culture and anthropology! 

Undergraduate Student; Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Concentration; ESJ Minor

Hi! I am a fourth-year Fairhaven student, focused on culturally sustaining education and liberatory knowledge. I am primarily interested in the ways that schooling practices and policies shape/are shaped by systems of power, and how these processes impact youth experiences. My areas of educational focus are critical pedagogies and embodied epistemologies. I am passionate about radical imagination and transformation in the field of youth services and education.

Undergraduate, Psychology major

My current area of interest is in relationship psychology and what goes into making relationships work. I am particularly interested in attachment and minority stress, and how these factors impact conflict resolution. I am curious as to what the major issues in relationships are and how they shift over time, especially in such a rapidly changing world. Relationships to other people are so influential when it comes to mental health so finding out how to improve them is important to me.

Undergraduate, Sociology and Psychology Major

I am a senior majoring in Sociology and Psychology. In my studies, I gravitate toward social problems that create inequalities and work to understand social and systemic action as a tool for change. Through CCCR I have been involved in qualitative research on how parents and children discuss race and wealth inequality. I am a Peer Mentor through the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center and an officer for the Food Insecurity Network (FIN). This year, I am committed to expanding community engagement in the Psychology department and raising awareness about student food insecurity. 

Undergraduate, Psychology Major, Law, Diversity, and Justice Minor

I am currently working towards meeting the prerequisites for law school. I am interested in Clinical Psychology and working with children who are impacted by our legal system. I have a big emphasis on marginalized groups and joined the CCCR to gain knowledge and research to better help those who have been harmed within our legal system. 

Undergraduate, Psychology Major 

I am interested in researching mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, early life trauma, as well as eating disorders. In specific, I would like to research the roots of these issues, how they can affect our personal and social development, and how one can work towards recovery. With trauma specifically, I would like to research how people interpret these events and how the memories of such events can become distorted or even blocked out from our memory. In the future, I am hoping to become a mental health therapist with specialization in these topics. 

My areas of interest are social and cultural cognition and identity development. I love learning about how our interactions with others influence the way we act and perceive the world around us. I have an interest in user experience design and research as well! I joined the CCCR to learn more about research practices and to involve myself further within the communities I am a part of. As an undergraduate psychology student, I'm currently working with Dr. Ira Hyman in his Applied Cognition Lab. Additionally, I am a part of the CCCR's media committee, working with Dr. Anna Ciao on broadening the Center's outreach and engagement across campus via social media.

Undergraduate, Psychology major. Minors: interdisciplinary studies and Spanish

I'm interested in the fields of social, positive and health psychology. Especially the ideas of security, need fulfillment and community as ways to foster personal wellbeing. I'm interested in understanding the perspectives of different cultures and especially the impacts of individualism vs. collectivism.

Malia-Isabel Berbano (she/her) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Western Washington University. As she approaches graduation, Malia envisions a career in education to create a student-centered environment challenging injustice within curriculums. She is a student research assistant for Dr. Anna Ciao, involved in continuing the development and implementation of the Shuksan Body Justice Project. She is passionate about contributing to the betterment of future generations in even the smallest of ways and looks forward to learning more about how to support students of all cultures through joining the Center for Cross-Cultural Research. 

Undergraduate, Psychology Major, Statistics and Creative Writing Minors

My research interests include the complex relationship between harmful coping mechanisms and suicidal ideation, the developmental differences between cultures, and how the behavioral and cognitive functions of children are affected by various parenting factors. I have a particular fondness for how support groups aid in overcoming trauma.

Undergraduate, Psychology Major, Creative Writing Minor 

I am interested in exploring the influence culture has on mental illness in individuals. I believe more knowledge is needed for those that want to help others with their mental health within the psychology field. I specifically want to work with the Hispanic community. I grew up biracial, my mother is Caucasian, my father is Mexican. Growing up between the two cultures, I found that my difficulties were not understood or taken seriously by family, or professionals I was seeking help from. Within my communities, I have seen that some of the older generations are becoming more accepting of mental health issues. I want to be there to help them as they open their mind more and seek assistance. The need is great. I would also like to incorporate my creative writing minor into my work. Writing has been its own therapy for me. I feel that being able to write out how I feel about my trauma, cultural influences and even imposter syndrome has been immensely helpful. 

Hello! I am Sophia Randell, a psychology student with a passion for cross-cultural and developmental psychology. My academic journey is driven by an interest in understanding the intersectionality of cultural influences on human development. I aspire to use knowledge as a future therapist, focusing on the well-being of black, indigenous, and youth of color. Through my studies, I hope to contribute meaningfully to the field, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for the next generation.

Undergraduate, Psychology Major, Business Administration Minor

I am interested in investigating cognitive differences between different cultural and minority populations. What differences exist between cultures in storing emotional memories, and how does that relate to our relationships with other people? I am particularly interested in exploring this question in underrepresented populations, mainly the Latinx community.