HANNAH RAILA, PH.D.
EMOTION, COGNITION, & PSYCHOPATHOLOGY LAB
I have a lab for undergraduate researchers excited to explore topics in emotion, cognition, and psychopathology. I will most likely next be accepting undergraduate applications to begin in the lab in Spring 2023; I recommend contacting me in late February to early March 2023 if you're interested. I encourage members of historically underrepesented groups to apply. Note that I ask for a commitment of at least 8 hours/week, for at least three quarters, in the lab. If you're interested in applying, please email me (hraila@ucsc.edu) your CV, transcript (from UCSC and/or another college if you transferred), a writing sample (e.g., a final paper from a class), and a brief cover letter explaining why you're interested. If it seems like a good fit, I will contact you for an interview.
Why should you work in a research lab? If you've considered a career in psychology research (e.g., pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology), then being a research assistant in an undergraduate lab is a great way to get experience. Learn valuable skills (e.g., considering study design decisions, conducting literature reviews, analyzing data, presenting posters) that will both prepare you for independent investigation in a research career, as well as help you learn if you like doing research in the first place. Come be part of the "behind the scenes" of the kinds of studies that you've read about in your courses!
LAB MEMBERS
Ashley Leon
Ashley graduated from UCSC in 2020 with a degree in Intensive Psychology. Her research interests include studying how marginalized students are thinking of their experiences in education and why their experience might differ (emotionally, cognitively, and/or socially) due to unique intersections of their identity. In addition to her work in the ECP Lab, she works as a research assistant for the firm Rockman et al and as a counselor/case manager with the non-profit Haven of Hope. In her free time, Ashley loves to explore new areas of the world, journal, and chat with new or old friends.
Rhea Modi
Rhea is a fourth-year cognitive science and psychology double major. Her research interests cover a wide breadth of topics, from studying ethics and morality in university students to studying the psychological and physiological impacts of trauma. Alongside the ECP Lab, she currently works at the Stanford Psychophysiology Lab, where she studies the long term implications of childhood maltreatment. In her free time, Rhea loves to experiment with new recipes and play with her dog, Jango!
Morgan Yates
Morgan is a third-year psychology major interested in an array of research topics pertaining to emotion, cognition, and psychopathology. She is particularly passionate about exploring the therapeutic benefits of human-animal interaction. Morgan is excited to begin researching this niche topic in her undergraduate studies and plans to continue this research into graduate school. Outside of academics she loves volunteering at her local animal shelter, painting, and spending time outdoors with her dog Dr. Snooze Wagner.
Annabel Bouwer
Annabel is a third-year cognitive science major. She is interested in researching cognitive-based interventions for mood disorders, especially attention bias training or interventions that target emotion malleability beliefs. Originally from San Jose, she now lives in Santa Cruz with her pet ball python, and enjoys spending time hiking or running in the redwood forests around campus.
