Meet the Team!
Dr. Jillian Lee Wiggins
Director
Email: jillian.wiggins@sdsu.edu
Phone: (619) 594-2188
Research Interests: We study brain activation patterns involved in typical and impaired socio-emotional development (for example, social interaction with other people, reading people’s emotions, and reacting to people’s facial expressions). In particular, we are interested in understanding factors (e.g., genetics, social, family) that affect brain function in children and adolescents without disorders, in addition to youth with autism, depression, anxiety, and irritability symptoms. To accomplish this, we use functional MRI, functional connectivity, and genetic, behavioral, and neuropsychological tools. Dr. Wiggins is happy to talk with any interested students about these research topics.
Doctoral Students
Qiongru Yu
Doctoral Student
Email: qyu5775@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am working towards my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in the SDSU/UCSD joint doctoral program with a focus on neuropsychology. I am planning to pursue a career in independent research in academic settings in the future.
Research Interests: I am interested in studying the neural correlates of child psychopathology using a combination of neuroimaging, genetics, and behavioral approach. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the neural underpinning of anxiety and mood disorders comorbidity in children and incorporating the research findings to develop an effective and precise treatment for children with distinct symptom profiles.
Johanna Walker
Doctoral Student
Email: jcwalker@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am working towards my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in the SDSU/UCSD joint doctoral program with a focus on experimental psychopathology. I am planning to pursue a career in independent research in a multidisciplinary academic setting in the future.
Research Interests: I am interested in the neural correlates of cognitive biases and emotion dysregulation that influence the development and maintenance of psychopathology in youth. Specifically, I am interested in using multimodal assessments (e.g., neural, physiological, cognitive, socio-emotional) to examine how these mechanisms explain the manifestations of issues, such as changes in attention, memory, and information processing, that contribute to the experience of internalizing disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Ruiyu Yang
Doctoral Student
Email: ryang7428@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently a first-year doctoral student working toward my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program with a focus on experimental psychopathology. My career goal is to conduct independent research in the field of translational and affective neuroscience.
Research Interests: I am interested in examining the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and affective disorders with a combination of behavioral and neuroimaging tools. In particular, I look into the dynamic interactions among neurobiological processes, social and cultural conditions, and environmental factors and how these interactions manifest along the developmental trajectories in children and adolescents.
Master’s Students
Yifan Yuan
Master’s Student
Email: yyuan1083@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology at SDSU. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a career as a clinical scientist with the long-term goal of enhancing young people’s mental health.
Research Interests: I am interested in understanding how impaired social-emotional functioning leads to psychopathology in children and adolescents. I am excited about using brain imaging methods to understand the early development of mental illness and to inform efficient treatment plans.
Alexa Duran
Master’s Student
Email: aduran6298@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology at SDSU. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology after graduation to ultimately become a clinical scientist focused on leveraging neurodevelopment to inform better mental health treatments for adolescents.
Research Interests: I am interested in using brain imaging methods to understand the mechanisms of emotional functioning that contribute to the onset and progression of mental disorders in adolescents. I am excited to examine longitudinal differences in emotional functioning to uncover how we can use this knowledge to inform future interventions.
Munira Binte Hasan
Master’s Student
Email: mhasan9499@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: As a first-year master’s student at San Diego State University, my career goal is to become a clinical scientist specializing in youth mental health. I aim to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. My ultimate objective is to conduct innovative research that advances our understanding of youth mental health issues and contributes to the development of more effective interventions and treatments. I hope to play a significant role in improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents.
Research Interests: I am interested in understanding the mechanisms of emotion regulation in children and adolescents, particularly as they relate to the development of internalizing disorders. I want to explore how different patterns of emotion regulation contribute to healthy development and mental health outcomes. I’m excited to use brain imaging methods like MRI and fMRI to investigate these processes. By studying emotion dysregulation in early childhood, especially in toddlers, I hope to uncover insights that can inform future interventions for improving mental health in young populations
Lab Staff
Brianna Hernandez
Project Coordinator/Lab Manager
Email: bhernandez3@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: With my M.A. in Developmental Psychology from San Francisco State University, I aim to continue my education at the doctoral level and will apply to clinical, counseling, and/or school psychology PhD programs in the future. In addition to becoming a licensed clinician and researcher, I also hope to apply my skills in the field of industry, specifically within statistical analyses.
Research Interests: During my master’s program, my thesis explored the links between self-worth, civic engagement, and the potential moderating effects of anti-immigrant discrimination among a sample of undocumented college students. Broadly, my interests encompass various forms of stress and resilience among marginalized groups, and I hope to continue this research in the future.
Erin Peterson
Project Coordinator
Email: eopeterson@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: Already having earned my B.S. in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I hope to one day pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and be a professor and researcher, and have my practice working with children with ASD and other developmental conditions.
Research Interests: I am interested in the socio-emotional development of children with neuro-developmental conditions and the neural underpinnings of how they process and express emotions and socialize with others. I hope to better understand these neural processes using fMRI to improve diagnosis and treatment for these individuals.
Stephanie Kaiser
Project Coordinator
Email: spkaiser@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: After receiving a B.A. in Psychobiology from the University of Virginia, I continued my interest in psychology research at Harvard University, doing MRI neuroimaging research. Long term, I hope to pursue either a Master’s in Clinical Counseling or a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology so that I can use my knowledge and interest in neuroscience to contribute to and improve the field of mental healthcare.
Research Interests: I am particularly interested in the biological mechanisms that are involved in the experience and regulation of emotion. I hope to learn more about connections between the brain and body in order to identify targets for treatments that improve behavioral outcomes. I am excited to join the TEND Lab to learn more about how affective and cognitive systems develop!
Grace Kathman
Project Coordinator
Email: gkathman@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: Having earned my B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University, I plan to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work as a professor and researcher. I hope to play a significant role in understanding how we can improve mental health across the lifespan.
Research Interests: My research interests include developmental psychopathology, cognitive neuroscience, and social psychology. I am particularly interested in exploring how intersectionality influences developmental processes and mental health outcomes.
Sophie Krivonosov
Project Programmer
Email: skrivonosov@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Following my undergraduate studies, I plan on getting my master’s degree and start working as a software engineer. Alongside my work, I intend to continue doing research in the field of neuroscience.
Research Interests: I’m fascinated by the way the brain works and understanding how it processes emotion. I want to learn about the connection between computer science and neuroscience, further diving into the exploration of solutions and technological advancements that help us understand cognitive function.
Research Assistants
Sabrena Tuy
Research Assistant
Email: stuy2746@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: Having received a BA in Psychology, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Neuropsychology. I would like to open a private practice as a Clinical Neuropsychologist where I can provide individual and group therapeutic services and also conduct psychological and neuropsychological assessments. I am interested in continuing research related to Autism and Neuropsychology to see if there are ways to improve treatments specific to individuals and their diagnoses.
Research Interests: I am interested in researching the anatomical differences in functioning, social, and empathy influences in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through the research I produce, I would like to be able to better develop or specify treatment options for neuroatypical and neurotypical individuals based on their brain functioning.
Krupali Patel
Computational Neuroscience Research Assistant
Email: krpatel@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: After earning an undergraduate degree in Psychology, I accepted a position working at the San Diego VA as a study coordinator for clinical research involving PTSD in veterans. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology to combine evidence-based and experimental treatment for those experiencing early life trauma and brain injury.
Research Interests: My research interests focus on exploring the benefits of combining experimental treatments for trauma with existing evidence-based methods for children suffering from the effects of early life adversity, incorporating machine learning into diagnostic tools.
Genevieve Thunberg
Research Assistant
Email: gthunberg5443@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently working towards my BA in psychology and plan to gain my Ph.D. in Neuropsychology. With that degree, I aim to start research on Alzheimer’s and Dementia to hopefully make it easier for patients that are diagnosed and their loved ones left to take care of them.
Research Interests: I am drawn to the connection between neuroscience and psychology. I want to see how the brain physically works and how that’s linked to things such as behavior, personality, mental disorders, and TBIs. I am also interested in how illness changes the brain over time and the connection between mental illness and physical illness.
Isabella Montgomery
Research Assistant
Email: imontgomery1552@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and double majoring in Business Management. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Neuropsychology. Ultimately, I hope to open my own practice and provide clinical care by conducting neuropsychological evaluations.
Research Interests: My research interests include understanding how differences in neurochemistry correlate with personality, behavior, and mental disorders. I’m also very interested in investigating the risk factors associated with addiction, as well as how substance abuse and misuse lead to neurobiological changes. I’d like to better understand how drug use affects brain chemistry and the potential implications for mental health in individuals with a history of addiction.
Isabelle Magee
Research Assistant
Email: imagee2991@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently working towards my Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in counseling and social change. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and look forward to continuing working alongside those who are passionate about helping improve the lives of others.
Research Interests: My research interests center around topics of mental health. I am interested in treatments of psychopathology, such as mood and personality disorders, and the role anxiety plays in said disorders. I seek to look at the biological and psychological treatments and would like to have a better understanding of both, as combined efforts are important in pinpointing more effective treatments for individuals’ specific needs.
Ashley Calbert
Research Assistant
Email: acalbert0873@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in leadership. I hope to attend graduate school to attain a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I also hope to be a source of accessibility and a resource for the Deaf community concerning therapy and mental health, as I have two deaf parents and am fluent in ASL.
Research Interests: My research interests lie in mental health and neuroscience. I am fascinated with how the brain works and the ways in which that connects to mental health issues, and how treatments can be developed through this.
Madelin Gredvig
Research Assistant
Email: mgredvig2350@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am working towards my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After graduating, I hope to continue my education and gain a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology. Ultimately, I want to help better our understanding of brain injuries and disorders and how we can improve the lives of those with them.
Research Interests: I am interested in how the brain forms our existence and lives through personality, temperament, and experiences. I am especially interested in researching how different disorders or injuries can impact these qualities and the brain.
Kayla Ta
Research Assistant
Email: kta8175@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: With my B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University, I later plan to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. My goal is to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in child psychology.
Research Interests: My focus is on how effectively evidence-based interventions will enhance emotional well-being in children and families impacted by psychological and developmental challenges. More specifically, I am interested in learning how we can utilize neuroscientific tools to deepen our understanding of children’s cognitive processing and emotional regulation.
Katie Gray
Research Assistant
Email: kgray4729@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience and a minor in counseling and social change. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to attain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. My goal is to become a licensed clinical psychologist and eventually have my own private practice.
Research Interests: I am mainly interested in the brain as it relates to mental health. I am particularly interested in how disorders such as depression and anxiety can impact the developing minds of children and adolescents. I hope to gain knowledge and understanding of ways in which more effective treatments for these disorders can be developed.
Natalie Raviv
Research Assistant
Email: nraviv7436@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently pursing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Speech Pathology. Ultimately, I hope to work as speech-language pathologist for children and help others.
Research Interests: My research interests include mental health and speech pathology. I am interested in the functioning, communication, and development of people, and how disorders impact these things.
Nicole Spiller
Research Assistant
Email: nspiller7044@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I’m currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience. After graduating, I am planning on pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. My goal is to work in a hospital setting for a while before potentially transitioning to private practice.
Research Interests: I am interested in the intersection of neuroscience and behavior, particularly in understanding the mechanisms of the brain and their influence on behavior. My passion lies in uncovering insights that could pave the way for more effective treatments and interventions for behavioral and neurological disorders.
Victoria Medina
Research Assistant
Email: vmedina3462@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently working toward my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. After graduating, I plan to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in developmental psychology. I want to become a professor and direct a developmental psychology research lab.
Research Interests: I am interested in developmental psychopathology and developing treatments for ASD and anxiety disorders. I am fascinated by the interaction between developmental psychology and brain development, and how this relates to personality development and social functioning. I want to investigate the cognitive and neural interactions of emotion regulation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and ADHD.
Hannah Serrano
Research Assistant
Email: mserrano0501@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: Currently, I’m working towards my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and I hope to further my education and work toward a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. My ultimate goal to eventually conduct research concerning children’s behavior.
Research Interests: As mentioned above, I am interested in the behavior of children and adolescents. My interest is especially piqued with the way that individual parenting styles can affect the externalized and internalized behavior of the child.
Trinity Rivera
Research Assistant
Email: trivera1364@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am working towards my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in history. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Criminology as I am very passionate about the field. With this, I hope to work in the Federal Bureau of Investigation to add a new perspective to the field.
Research Interests: My research interests are heavily based on psychopathology and developmental psychopathology to understand how it results in crime and criminal recidivism. My main focus lies in the stigma surrounding mental health, specifically schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, and bipolar disorder, in the criminal justice system and how it plays a role in the day-to-day lives of people throughout development.
Caitlin Jensen
Research Assistant
Email: cjensen2690@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I’m in my final year of undergrad at San Diego State, getting ready to graduate in the spring with my B.A. in Psychology and minors in Child Development and Counseling and Social Change. I hope to go on and earn my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and work with adolescents and young adults in treating anxiety and depression.
Research Interests: My primary interest is how the treatment of our bodies, especially what we eat, affects our mental health in regards to anxiety and depression. I find the gut-brain connection to be fascinating and am curious to see how symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders are correlated to this connection. I want to gain more knowledge on this relationship and how diet can affect functioning of the brain.
Marissa Gutierrez Delgado
Research Assistant
Email: mgutierrezdelg7230@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After graduating, I hope to attend graduate school and pursue a Master’s degree in either School Psychology or School Counseling. My goal is to become a school psychologist and help students find their best self and the educational pathway for them.
Research Interests: My research interest are emotions and how they may influence behavior. Because working with children is a passion of mine, being able to understand how their feelings and emotions may influence their perception of others and their behavior is a topic in which I would love to learn more about.
Ella Leeb
Research Assistant
Email: eeb2373@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience and a minor in Women’s Studies. After graduating, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Ph.D. in either social or clinical neuroscience. My ultimate goal is to conduct research on how the brain mediates social processes and contribute to the understanding of the neural mechanisms behind mental disorders.
Research Interests: I am interested in how brain functioning interacts with social behaviors, such as empathy, relationships, prejudice, and social isolation. I am captivated by the neuroscience of mental disorders and its link to interpersonal relationships, and hope to contribute to the understanding of how to effectively treat these conditions.
Joshua Syres
Research Assistant
Email: jsyres3667@sdsu.edu
Career Goals: I am currently in my final year of pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience. After graduating, I plan to gain further research experience before applying to Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs focused on Neuropsychology. My goal is to become a licensed Neuropsychologist working in clinical settings, particularly in a hospital or private practice.
Research Interests: I am deeply interested in how neuroscience intersects with our perception of life and influences our everyday activities. The brain’s functioning in relation to neurological, neurodegenerative, and psychological disorders—such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Schizophrenia—is especially fascinating to me. Additionally, I am curious how lifestyle choices, like meditation and diet, can transform the brain.