People

Lab Director

I am an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Barnard College. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at NYU, where I also earned my PhD in psychology, with a major in social psychology and a minor in quantitative psychology. I received my BA in psychology, with a minor in dance, from Bates College. Broadly, I study interpersonal interactions. I examine questions regarding interpersonal communication and influence, as well as physiological correlates of these processes, by studying face-to-face social interactions. I capture psychological, behavioral, and physiological processes as they naturally unfold over time, and I develop and employ novel analytic techniques and new methods for physiological and behavioral measurement.

Contact: [email protected]

Research Assistant

I am a senior at Barnard college majoring in Psychology and pursuing a pre-med track. My main academic interests include clinical and social psychology, particularly how their intersection can inform different treatment outcomes. In the future, I hope to pursue either a Ph.D. or medical school and ultimately work with clinical pediatric populations. Aside from academics, I enjoy being in nature, cooking, spending time with friends, and taking dance classes.

Research Assistant

I am a senior at Barnard College, majoring in Psychology. I am drawn to psychology because of the discipline's intersectional nature; I am particularly interested in health psychology and learning more about the processes that underlie addiction. In the future, I hope to contribute to research into psychedelic-assisted therapy as well as explore the psychology of gender and sexuality. Outside of academics, I enjoy film photography, spending time in nature, cooking, and yoga.

Research Assistant

I am a junior at Barnard College majoring in Psychology and English. I am drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of clinical and social psychology, with a particular interest in learning more about social support, emotional disclosure and the therapeutic alliance as factors that influence treatment outcomes. I hope to contribute to cross-cultural research in psychology, exploring how diverse cultural contexts shape therapeutic techniques. Outside of academics, I enjoy creative writing, cooking, and exploring different neighborhoods in the city.

Research Assistant

Hello, my name is Eudora and I am a lab assistant for Dr. Kate Thorson’s social psychology lab. I am a rising sophomore and have greatly enjoyed my work with social psych as it provides an important lens on current social issues. I am a Human Rights and Religion major but hope to continue with work in the psychology field to continue enriching my experiences around social sciences as they relate to our modern and ever-changing world.

Research Assistant

I am a junior majoring in Psychology at Barnard College. My research interests lie at the intersection of clinical and social psychology. In particular, I am interested in how gender and cultural differences shape social interactions, as well as how biases and prejudices develop during adolescence. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in clinical psychology. In my free time, I enjoy reading, sketching, and taking long walks in Riverside Park.

Research Assistant

I am a sophomore at Barnard College majoring in Psychology and Human Rights and pursuing a pre-law track. I am interested in understanding how social dynamics, communication, and individual differences shape human behavior and decision-making. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in law or policy where I can apply psychology to promote social justice and equity. Outside of academics, I enjoy working out, trying new foods, and listening to all types of music.

PhD Student Affiliate

CJ Concepcion (she/her) is a first-year PhD student working with Dr. Niall Bolger. Before coming to Columbia, CJ received her BA in Psychology with a certificate in Technology Management from UC Santa Barbara in 2019. After graduation, she worked as a project director in Dr. Wendy Berry Mendes’ Emotion, Health, and Psychophysiology Lab. She is interested in the physiological mechanisms that underlie cross-group interactions and how we can mitigate potential socio-emotional and health consequences when such interactions are negative (i.e., experiencing discrimination). Outside of the lab, she enjoys trying new places to eat, traveling, and seeing live music.

PhD Student Affiliate

Claire Shimshock is a PhD student in the Social and Personality Psychology program at the University of Rochester. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Psychology (Clinical Science) from the University of Michigan. Her main research area is close relationships. Broadly, she seeks to understand various relationship dynamics and how they contribute to well-being. For example, she examines how emotions, emotion regulation, and individual differences impact couples’ interactions and satisfaction with their relationship.