LAB ASSOCIATES AND ALUMNI
Michelle Del Rio received her degree in psychology and creative writing. She was the Secretary of Psi Chi National Honor Society, and Vice President of Tau Sigma national society. Michelle’s research interests include the effects of immigration, acculturation, and discrimination on ethnic minority populations’ adjustment. She is also interested in providing culturally aware assessments and treatment options for Spanish speakers and ethnic minorities. Michelle is a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Lauren Sanders received a degree in Psychology, with minors in Economics and Advertising. She joined the ADADT in August of 2017 and her research interests include understanding the coping methods and mental health of people of different ethnicity and how it can be related to stressors in the workplace. Lauren has completed a masters of arts degree in the Applied Psychology program at the University of Southern California, and works as an industrial organizational practitioner.
Lucia Quezada received her degree in psychology, with minors in Chinese and photography. She was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. She joined the ADAPT in the summer of 2017 and her research interests include mood disorders and anxiety among ethnic minorities. Lucia completed a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the Teachers College at Columbia University, and is a student in the University of Georgia Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program since Fall 2021.
Susie Kim is a graduating senior majoring in Applied Physiology and Health Management, and minoring in Psychology and Cultural Anthropology. She was a recipient of the Hamilton Scholarship under the Hamilton Scholars Program. She was a research assistant in ADAPT in January 2017 through summer 2018. Her research interests include examining the relations between police-related discrimination and mental health outcomes. Susie is currently a student in the doctor of physical therapy program at UT Southwestern.
Banan Rama received her B.S in psychology and minored in biology. Her research interests includes studying the effects of intergenerational conflict and parental styles in immigrant and minority families, with a focus on childhood development. Banan joined the ADAPT lab in August 2018 after she graduated from University of Texas, Arlington. Banan has been involved in various local nonprofit organizations. Banan is currently a Ph.D. student in the behavioral science program at the University of North Texas.
Peiwen (Tian) Zhu is a graduate from Emory University studying business administration and visual arts. Tian joined the ADAPT over the summer of 2019 and is interested in researching how one’s cultural upbringing might affect their coping styles and mental health outcomes. She hopes to stay involved in research for the remainder of her undergraduate time and possibly beyond that as well.
Kathryn Curtis is an alumnus in Psychology, Biology, and Health & Society. She joined the ADAPT in January of 2017 and received the Hamilton Scholars award in support of her research on risk factors pertaining to alcohol use and eating pathology. Katy is the recipient of the Douglas D. and Ferne Center Family Scholarship in 2018-2019, and an inductee in the Robert Hyer Honors Society at SMU. Katy is a medical student at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School.
Niki Adams is an alumna with a B.S degree in psychology and a minor in Chinese. She joined the ADAPT research team in January 2019 and completed a psychology distinction project under Dr. Lui’s mentorship. Niki has an interest in human diversity and how this affects society and people in general. Niki will join the Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Pacific University in Fall 2021.
Shalanda Berkley received her B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Biological Sciences. She joined the ADAPT lab in Spring of 2017. She was a recipient of the Hamilton Scholarship and the Award for Outstanding Research by an Undergraduate in Psychology. Her research interests include university students’ alcohol usage along with its risk factors, specifically among ethnic minorities. Shalanda is a medical student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine.
Savannah Krantz received her B.A. in Psychology with departmental honors from the University of Texas at Austin. She was a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, and now volunteers as an advocate for Dallas CASA. Savannah joined the ADAPT lab in August of 2019. Her research interests include understanding the triggers and intervention methods for adolescent depression across diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. Savannah will be a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at UT Southwestern starting Fall 2022.
Olivia Garcia received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with minors in Biology and Neuroscience from SMU in 2019. While at SMU, Olivia worked as a research assistant in the Anxiety and Depression Research Center. She joined the ADAPT in March of 2020. Her current research interests include how culture affects social behaviors and ethnic health disparities. Olivia will begin her master’s in clinical mental health counseling program at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis in Fall 2021.
Savannah Pham was a graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Asian American Studies from Stanford University. Savannah received a master’s degree in psychology and resides in Dallas, TX.
Kenzie Stonebarger is an alumnus majoring in Health and Society, Psychology, and Religion. She joined the ADAPT in August of 2019. Kenzie volunteers on campus as a Student Wellness Champion, with a distinction in Substance Abuse. She is excited to pursue graduate school in the hopes of becoming a criminal psychologist. Her interests include leaving an impact on those that she interacts with and identifying behavior patterns in people in hopes of preventing further crimes.
Kish Parikh is a junior studying Psychology and Creative Computing. He joined the ADAPT in the summer of 2020. Kish has worked as a research assistant with SMU Student Affairs, studying how students conceptualize their identity and belongingness on campus. His interests include understanding how people perceive and navigate the human experience, factors that contribute to well-being, and the role spirituality plays in identity formation. He aspires to pursue a career in UX Design, integrating research, people, and computer skills to address people’s needs.
Shefali Katedia is a recent graduate from SMU and joined ADAPT in June 2020. She is a Biology major with minors in Neuroscience and Sociology and plans to go to medical school after graduation. She hopes to become a Pediatrician or Dermatologist in the future. Shefali volunteers at Medical City Dallas and with Reading Partners of North Texas. Her research interests include learning about various mental illnesses and how to help people based on that information.
Abigail Torbatian is a graduate from SMU and joined ADAPT in May 2021. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. Her interests include researching acculturative stress, cultural fears, and antisemitism. Abigail will apply to graduate programs this fall and plans to become a professor and researcher.
Krystelle Sunga is a recent graduate and joined ADAPT in August 2021. She majored in Psychology at Dedman College of Humanities and Science at SMU. She has strong interests in both forensic and clinical psychology and plans to pursue a Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D) degree after obtaining her bachelors in psychology.
Jesse Cheng is a Sophomore at SMU and joined ADAPT in January of 2022. He is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Business. He has interests in studying healthcare disparities, and immigrant mental health and its generational impact. Jesse plans on becoming a physician and attending medical school after graduation.
Westley Giadolor joined ADAPT in Spring 2020. He graduated from SMU majoring in Psychology and a minor in computer science. He is a student in the Masters in Organizational Psychology. Westley has a strong interest in mental health affecting the workplace and how decision making can be made better by taking into account cognitive and behavioral tendencies of individuals.
Paige Goodman is a post-baccalaureate psychology student and joined ADAPT in April of 2021. Her interests include at-risk children and adolescents and using technology to improve access to mental health treatment. She plans to pursue graduate school in clinical, counseling, or school psychology.
Saima Alwani is a junior at SMU and joined ADAPT in August 2021. She is double majoring in Health and Society and Film Media Arts. She has a strong interest in serving medically underserved communities, which was inspired by volunteering in Dallas Agape Clinic. Saima will apply to medical school this fall and plans to become a pediatric physician in the future.
Joann Yang joined ADAPT in May 2021. She is a recent graduate from SMU majoring in Psychology and Business Management with a minor in Biological Sciences. She was a Psychology Distinction student under Dr. Lui’s mentorship. Her interests include understanding ethnoracial differences and disparities in the field of psychology, as well as biological associations to psychological behaviors. Joann plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology or organizational psychology.