People

Lab Director

I am a social psychologist and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Barnard College. Broadly, I study interpersonal processes and social relationships. I am interested in understanding how people think, feel, and behave when they interact with others, as well as how people's experiences and behaviors are influenced by their interaction partners. I study these processes at different stages of relationships and within different relational contexts. In addition, my work investigates how people's experiences and behaviors change over time within individual interactions and across repeated interactions with the same partner. My current research focuses on three areas: understanding physiological synchrony, examining responses to stress within social relationships, and investigating how people form new relationships, particularly across differences in social status. In addition, my work focuses on advancing methodological and analytic approaches for studying interpersonal processes. I joined Barnard in 2019, after earning my PhD from New York University (2018) and my BA from Bates College (2010).

Contact: [email protected]

Google Scholar | CV

Project Director

I am a rising senior 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.

Project Director

I am a rising junior at Barnard College, majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Philosophy. I plan to specialize in social cognition and am interested in learning more about how human behavior is shaped by interactions with others as much as by one’s own experiences. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing tennis, trying new recipes, and listening to music.

Project Director

I am a rising junior at Barnard College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Science/Public Policy. I am really interested in the connection between clinical and social psychology, specifically how race, gender, and culture can affect mental health treatment and outcomes. In the future, I plan to pursue a PhD and practice as a clinical psychologist, focusing on underserved populations. In my free time, I like to sing, try new restaurants, and take walks around the city.

Research Assistant

I am a rising junior 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.