Congratulations to our graduating RAs!
Maya Kappor will always treasure office hours with Bailey and Harlow (the lab dog!) and the outdoor lab picnics. One of her favorite memories is egging the grad students after Fiesta during the summer. She hopes to pursue a career in professional writing, using research and storytelling to advocate for underserved and marginalized communities. In her free time, Maya enjoys dancing, writing, and practicing martial arts.
Raye Angela Mallari loved connecting with her fellow RAs during weekend testing and lab hours—and always enjoyed getting some Harlow time when the lab dog was around. She hopes to become a child psychologist, ideally in a school setting. In her free time, Raye enjoys pilates, thrifting, trying new coffee shops, and baking. Lately, she’s also been getting into scrapbooking!
Some of Emily Yau’s favorite memories include chatting with grad students and Qianqian during lab hours, bonding with fellow RAs during off-site testing, and grabbing food together after shifts. This year, she was thrilled to work on an honors thesis with Oya—a rewarding experience that taught her a lot about the research process, especially through conversations with parents during testing. Starting this summer, Emily will begin her MS in School Counseling at SDSU. She looks forward to continuing research and applying what she’s learned in developmental psychology. In her free time, Emily enjoys running, reading, and experimenting with new recipes to share with friends.
Kayla Dombrowski enjoyed weekend testing at the SB Zoo and MOXI, learning to code data from baby videos/looking time, and fun lab events--specifically the white elephant when Raye got a rotisserie chicken. After graduation, Kayla aspires to go to medical school to become a pediatrician and raise a family of her own one day. Kayla loves playing soccer, spending time with friends and family, and going to the beach.
Jasmine Concha loved meeting everyone in the lab and especially enjoyed working with kids—hearing their thoughts during studies was always a highlight, with many responses bringing unexpected fun and insight. She’s heading to UC Riverside to pursue a Master’s in Education and a Teaching Credential, with the goal of teaching high school Ethnic Studies. In the future, she’s also considering a PhD in School Psychology. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys photography, reading, and playing video games with her boyfriend and friends. She also loves spending time with her tuxedo cat, Socks, whenever she’s home—he’s a total cutie patootie!
Shawn Lee enjoyed testing children every weekend at the zoo and getting her first hands-on research experience through the lab. She’ll miss seeing both animals and kids regularly and has learned a lot about how children think and perceive the world. Having loved working with children her whole life, Shawn hopes to become a physician assistant in pediatrics or family medicine. In her free time, Shawn enjoys playing piano, swimming, and going to the gym.
Aurélie Verdiell loved working with children and being part of research that deepened her understanding of them. She’s grateful for the special memories made here and the chance to do research in exciting places like MOXI and the zoo. She looks forward to graduate school in counseling, hoping to become a child psychologist or mental health counselor. In her free time, Aurélie enjoys baking, trying new recipes, making ceramics, and spending time with friends.
Esther Blanco Hermoso is a fourth-year Psychology and Brain Sciences student from Spain, interested in language and cognitive development. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Her favorite lab experience was interacting with children and observing how quickly they learn, noticing differences across ages. This work reminded her how amazing children’s minds are—something she often forgets surrounded by young adults in college. Being a research assistant helped Esther discover her passion and sharpen her analytical skills. She plans to earn a master’s in Neuroscience and then a PhD, aiming for a career in Neuropsychology.
Sylvie Taylor’s favorite lab experience was Monday morning data sessions, where she entered weekend data into Excel. She enjoyed seeing patterns emerge and understanding how data collection connects to analysis. She’s grateful to have been involved in both sides and cherished getting to know her lab mates during those mornings. Sylvie plans to pursue a Master’s to become a Marriage and Family Therapist and may pursue a PhD later if she wants a more clinical focus. Meanwhile, she’ll explore different roles working with children, group homes, and hospitals to gain experience.
Eleuthera Wang loved going to the zoo every weekend for off-site testing. She’ll always remember the kindness of everyone she worked with—and their teamwork hauling that table up the hill! She hopes to practice clinical psychology and educate others, whether at a community college or a four-year university. As long as she’s making a positive impact, she’ll be happy. In her free time, Eleuthera enjoys lifting weights, taking her cat Ralphie on walks, cooking, and dabbling in knitting and guitar.
