Psychology Undergraduate Researchers in Action
Just another day in Dr. Vicky Lai's Cognitive Neuroscience of Language of Laboratory.
Undergraduate researchers in the Department of Psychology are making meaningful contributions across a wide range of research areas. From stress physiology and memory processes to health outcomes and cultural psychology, students are presenting their work at regional and national conferences. Undergraduate researchers from the Department of Psychology are earning prestigious awards and pursuing graduate education. These accomplishments reflect the department's research and the many forms of support that help students succeed. Faculty mentors such as Dr.'s Arne Ekstrom, Rina Fox, Daniel Sullivan, and postdoctoral mentors like Dr. Sabina Srokova guide students through the research process and provide day-to-day training, support, and encouragement. Students benefit from multi-level mentoring scholar development programs such as the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, while research labs like Dr. Vicky Lai's Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Laboratory (CNoL) or Dr. Huggins Cognition, Affect, and Traumatic Stress (CATS) lab create opportunities to apply skills in meaningful, practical ways. It is clear that the Department of Psychology recognizes that impactful undergraduate research is built through collaboration. By connecting students with mentors, research communities, and support programs, the department fosters an environment where students can make influential scholarly contributions while building the skills necessary for future success. Click the photos below to learn more!
Senior undergraduate Gabriella Mangano presented her research on cortisol stress responses across menstrual cycle phases at the Society of Biological Psychiatry meeting in New York City after receiving the Department of Psychology’s Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award. Mangano is a member of the Cognition, Affect, and Traumatic Stress (CATS) Lab directed by Dr. Ashley Huggins in the Department of Psychology.
Karlee Dakin, an honors undergraduate student in Psychological Science, conducted innovative research on memory and spatial exploration this semester under faculty and postdoctoral mentorship.
Working closely with Dr. Arne Ekstrom and postdoctoral mentor Dr. Sabina Srokova, Karlee Dakin helped develop a new experimental paradigm and eye-tracking setup to study memory processes. Their findings suggest that patterns of eye movements during spatial exploration that mirror earlier experiences are associated with improved memory performance.
Supervised by Dr. Rina Fox, Audrey Krefting (BS, '28) presented their poster at the 2026 Southwestern Primary Care Research and Innovation Summit hosted by El Rio Health.
Undergraduates Hunter Denby (BA '26) and Kiera Hunter (BA '26), presented posters at the 2026 Southwestern Primary Care Research and Innovation Summit hosted by El Rio Health.
Just another day in Dr. Vicky Lai's Cognitive Neuroscience of Language of Laboratory.
Undergraduate researchers placing electrodes in Dr. Vicky Lai's Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Laboratory.
Leelu Cervantes is a graduating senior who has worked for two years in the Sullivan Cultural-Existential Psychology lab. A McNair Scholar, Leelu was instrumental in the completion of groundbreaking research on how Native American identity is socially constructed by non-Native people across the United States. She recently presented this work at the major conference in our field (Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Chicago 2026; pictured). Also a talented visual artist, in Fall ’26 Leelu will be beginning the PhD Program in Community Psychology at DePaul University!