Student Mentorship

Current Research Students

Chloe Hand

Hi! My name is Chloe Hand and I am a junior psychology major with a behavioral neuroscience concentration and a minor in management. During my time at Fairfield, I have been able to explore many psychology courses and have been specifically interested in the subfield of social psychology. In the future, I hope to obtain my masters degree in I/O Psychology, which would allow me to combine my love of working with people and social psychology in the office environment. In my free time, I love to go to the beach, read, and spend time with my friends on campus.

Angie Gonzalez

Hi! My name is Angie Gonzalez and I am a junior psychology major on the pre-medical track. While at Fairfield University, I have enjoyed many psychology courses, leading to my interests in personality psychology, child development, and behavioral neuroscience. My future plans consist of becoming a psychiatrist, to which I would work either with children or within the athletic field. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, watching sports, traveling, and going to concerts.

Ellie Ruel

Hi! My name is Ellie Ruel and I am a junior at Fairfield University majoring in Psychology and Studio Art. My time at Fairfield has enabled me to explore my interests in both developmental and social psychology, which has helped me discover my specific interests in studying human relationships, empathy, and morality. In the future, I hope to further my education in social psychology and potentially pursue a teaching career. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, going to concerts, and spending time with my friends and family!

Katie Ourfalian

Hi! My name is Katie Ourfalian and I am a senior psychology major with a minor in health studies on the Pre-PA track! While at Fairfield University I enjoyed many psychology classes and have found particular interest in child and human development, neuropsychology, and social psychology.I am currently a medical scribe/medical assistant with future plans to be a physician assistant specializing in primary care or pediatrics. In my free time I love spending time with my friends and family, trying out new local coffee shops, going to country concerts and going to the beach!

Katie Ourfalian

Lea Theophilos

Hi! My name is Lea Theophilos and I am a senior psychology major and marketing minor. After taking many psychology classes at Fairfield, my favorite topics to learn about have been social, personality, and clinical psychology. In the future, I hope to continue to gain more experience in both my major and minor through internships. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, spending time with my friends and family, traveling, and listening to music!"

Lea Thophilos

Lab Events

Carolyn Bahya presenting her thesis project on awareness of implicit attitudes at the 2025 Association for Psychological Science Conference in Washington, DC.

The 2024-2025 lab presenting their work at the 2025 Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Angie Gonzalez presenting her thesis project on empathy and burnout at the 2025 Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Fiona Carter, Hailey Johnston, and Genuine Skill Salcedo presenting their work on empathy and burnout at the 2023 Fairfield Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Megan Paterson presenting her work on implicit attitudes toward the mentally ill at the 2022 Fairfield Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Logan Mascia, Kelly-Ann McAlice, and Gabi Digioia (not pictured) presenting their work on awareness of implicit bias at the 2022 Fairfield Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Erin Curtis & Ema Taglic presenting their work examining whether cognitive reappraisal is more beneficial for individuals low vs. high in socioeconomic status at the 2022 Eastern Psychological Association Conference in New York City

Maddie Bombard, Ryan Morgenstern, and Ellie Ruel presenting their work on implicit attitudes at the 2025 Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Megan Paterson & Michelle Randall presenting their work on awareness of implicit bias at the 2022 Fairfield Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Mary Cassidy presenting her work on empathy and burnout in nurses at the 2022 Fairfield Sigma Xi Scientific Research Symposium

Taylor Lewis and Dr. Andreychik presenting their work on empathy and burnout at the 2022 Association for Psychological Science Conference in Chicago

Lab Alumni

Fall 2025: Angie Gonzalez, Chloe Hand, Katie Ourfalian, Ellie Ruel, Lea Theophilos
Spring 2025: Maddie Bombard, Angie Gonzalez, Ryan Morgenstern, Alessa Mitchell, Meghan Panzer, Ellie Ruel,
Fall 2024: Carolyn Bayha, Bridget Clark, Maggie Hayes, Bobby Schattle
Spring 2024: Carolyn Bayha, Katherine Dobbie, Samantha Fuchs, Avery Zaimes
Fall 2023: Cecilia Hall, Rory Keating, Grace Perez, Caroline Sweeny
Spring 2023: Fiona Carter, Hailey Johnston, Genuine Skill Salcedo, Meghan Panzer, Abby Ross
Fall 2022: Bridget Colon, Francesca Klein, Alessandra Mele
Spring 2022: Gabriela DiGioia, Logan Mascia, Kelly-Ann McAlice
Fall 2021: Mary Cassidy, Taylor Lewis, Megan Paterson, Michelle Randall
Spring 2021: Erin Curtis, Ema Taglic
Fall 2020: Mary Curry, Kayla Yaverski