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 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 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 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 junior at Barnard College majoring in Psychology and pursuing a pre-med track. I am interested in understanding how social dynamics, communication, and individual differences shape human behavior. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in medicine, specifically with chronic pain patients. Outside of school, I love long walks, trying new Italian restaurants, and going to concerts. 

Research Assistant

I am a junior at Barnard College majoring in Psychology on a Pre-Med track. I am interested in developmental psychology and psychopharmacology, and am particularly intrigued by the field of nutritional psychiatry! In the future, I hope to pursue a career in psychiatry. In my free time, I love to experiment in the kitchen and explore cool spots around the city.

Research Assistant

I am a sophomore at Barnard College majoring in cognitive science and minoring in economics. I am interested in how experiences can affect individual behavior, and how these changes interact with the developmental process. Outside of my classes, I like going for long walks, passing around a soccer ball, and discovering new restaurants.

Research Assistant

I am a senior majoring in psychology at Barnard College. I am particularly interested in how people understand and relate to one another, and how social experiences shape mental health. In the future, I plan to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants with friends and watching a good TV show.

Research Assistant

I am a senior at Barnard College majoring in Psychology and minoring in History. I am interested in understanding how social and cultural environments shape the experience and expression of psychological symptoms, specifically in relation to gender, sexuality, and cultural norms. After graduating, I hope to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and work in both research and clinical practice. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring the city, thrifting, and walking dogs.

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.