Olivia E. Atherton, Ph.D. | Lab Director

Olivia Atherton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California Riverside. Her research program investigates how personality develops across the lifespan and how life contexts (e.g., family, neighborhood, culture) shape that development. She also examines how personality and life contexts influence important health outcomes like exercise, dementia risk, and longevity. She has a particular interest in personality traits related to self-regulation, or the tendency to control behavior in support of long-term goals. To answer her research questions, she uses large-scale longitudinal studies spanning multiple developmental periods (i.e., childhood through old age) and generations (i.e., family studies). In addition, her research program involves meta-science research on methods, practices, diversity, and inclusion in psychological science. She is committed to working with populations historically underrepresented in psychological science, including Latine, low income, and rural communities. She helps manage the California Families Project (CFP), an ongoing, 18-year longitudinal study of Mexican-origin families. In her free time, Olivia enjoys exploring the beaches, mountains, and deserts of Southern California, going to hiit, cycle, barre, and yoga classes, and trying to keep her plants alive.

Priscilla Whang | Ph.D. Student

Priscilla Whang is a second-year doctoral student in the Social/Personality Psychology Program at the University of California Riverside. At the broadest level, her research interests lie in the intersection of personality traits, motivation, health behaviors/outcomes, and major life transitions. At the time of this bio, she is investigating: (1) motivational underpinnings of health-promoting behaviors, and (2) personality development in youths before/after leaving their parental home. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new coffee shops (and attempting to copy latte recipes at home), spending time with her cat Mouse, and indulging in reality TV and true crime/conspiracy documentaries.

Cinthya Navarro-Garcia | Ph.D. Student

Cinthya Navarro is a first-year doctoral student in the Social/Personality Psychology Program at the University of California, Riverside. Broadly, her research centers on the intersection of Latine culture and health and well-being, with a strong commitment to addressing health disparities in marginalized communities. She is also interested in using community-based methods and partnering with underrepresented, socioculturally diverse populations to develop culturally grounded interventions that promote inclusion and have a real-world impact, improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Outside of research, she enjoys rewatching her favorite anime and rom-coms, hiking in search of waterfalls, and discovering new dessert spots.

Undergraduate McNair and Honors Scholars

Cassandra Garcia | McNair Scholar

Cassandra Garcia is a 4th year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology, and Education, Society and Human Development (ESHD), with an Anthropology minor. Her research interests include ethnic/racial socialization, identity development across multiracial and multicultural contexts, and exploring the interpersonal dynamics that affect student behavior. She is a McNair Scholar, currently working on her undergraduate thesis examining the formation of Mexican and American cultural identities through parental socialization practices. She plans to further her education in graduate school, with the end goal of becoming a professor, and community-engaged researcher! She balances her time as an RA for both the LIBRE and CCDL Labs, which have helped her cultivate her confidence and skills as a researcher. Outside academia, she is an avid pho and boba connoisseur, and loves to spend her time thrifting and journaling!

Emmy Meleika | Honors Scholar

Emmy Meleika is a fourth-year undergraduate Psychology student at UC Riverside. Her general research interests include the associations between creativity and individual differences; self-perceptions and their impact on mental health; and how art can influence well-being. As part of the UCR Honors program, she is working on an independent research project under the mentorship of Dr. Atherton. Her project investigates how neuroticism and narcissism can predict creativity in college students and self-perceived changes in artistic ability over time. Outside of school, Emmy is a photographer (hence her interest in researching art!)

Ariana Gonzales | Honors Scholar

Ariana is a fourth-year psychology student who is interested in social and personality psychology. She is currently investigating how high levels of the personality trait, sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), may impact romantic relationship satisfaction for her University Honors capstone project. Broadly, Ariana is interested in investigating what personality traits, behaviors, and beliefs can benefit relationship health and satisfaction. She plans to continue her education by attending graduate school to study social and personality psychology. Her career goals are to become an experimental psychologist and professor. She hopes to have her own experimental lab focused on strengthening romantic relationships. Ariana loves music and seeing bands she loves play live. Her favorite concert she has ever been to was Paramore!

Lead Undergraduate Research Assistants

David Bermudez

Geographical Linkage Team

Hi I’m David Bermudez, I am currently an undergraduate at the University of California, Riverside. My major is psychology with an education minor. Currently, my plan is to stay diverse in research topics but with a preference for child development, school psychology and personality. My goal is to become a researcher and professor at a university. Hobby-wise, I watch the NBA or sitcom reruns.

Shaivi Patel

Archival Data Team

Hi! I am a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience. I joined SRCH Lab in Fall 2024 because I wanted to explore how research can connect mental and physical health in meaningful ways. Over time, I’ve grown not only as a researcher but also as a team member, and I enjoy taking initiative and supporting others in a collaborative setting. Outside the lab, I love spending time with friends, cooking new recipes, and watching Formula 1. I’m excited to continue contributing to SRCH Lab and helping our team reach new goals!

Nova Villalpando Galvan

Community Research Team

Hello! I’m Nova Villalpando Galvan, a first generation third-year Psychology student and research assistant at SRCH Lab. My focuses in psychology are broad however, my main interests are social, development, and I/O. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, going to cafes, and sharing a meal with friends.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Gael Valadez

Geographical Linkage Team

Hi! I’m Gael Valadez and I am a third-year Psychology student at UCR. I am interested in social, developmental, and clinical psychology which I hope to branch into deeper as I continue my education. As for my research interests, they are focused on mainly marginalized groups (people of color and queer people) and how their lives can differ from a typical “norm.” In my free time, I am constantly watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with my friends.

Fernanda Guizar Contreras

Community Research Team

Hello my name is Fernanda, currently a fourth year undergraduate transfer student at UCR as a Psychology major with a minor in Law and Society. My interests in the field are more towards the social, and abnormal aspects but still searching and open to learn more. I joined the SRCH lab to keep my interest broad and dive a little into all fields as well learn more about mindfulness. My end goal is to be a Forensic Psychologist and continue working in expanding the psychology field in government facilities. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and cooking for my family.

Jaren Yip

Geographical Linkage Team

Hi! I’m Jaren, a third-year undergraduate Psychology student at UCR. I joined the SRCH lab in the Fall of 2025 in hopes of building strong connections and gaining practical experience within the psychological field. My research interests lie mainly in the social and personality branches, where I am broadly interested in attitudes to authority, personality development, and social cognition. In my free time, I am fond of gaming, listening to music, and simply chatting with friends.

Kanji Linares

Community Research Team

Hello everyone! My name is Kanji Linares and I am a third year psychology student at UCR participating as an RA at SRCH lab. I have a broad range of topics withing psychology that fascinate me but I/O psychology, personality, and positive psychology are of particular interest. Outside of academics my personal hobbies include boxing, bjj, gaming, hiking, and practicing Kanji’s.

Adamadia Pegadiotes

Archival Data Team

Hello! I’m Adamadia Pegadiotes, a fourth-year Psychology student with a strong interest in developing research skills. This year, I’m studying women’s health with the SRCH Lab. Outside of academics, I enjoy discovering new music, collecting CDs, hiking, and cooking, among other hobbies.

Arya Lamba

Geographical Linkage Team

Hello, my name is Arya Lamba and I am a fourth-year Psychology student at UCR. I love learning about all aspects of psychology, but am particularly interested in how personality influences health and wellbeing over time. Outside of academics, I enjoy listening to podcasts and interviews, watching sports with my family, listening to music, and gaming with friends.

Lab Alumni (and Current Affiliations)

Honors Thesis Students

Sarah Seyoum Belew (PhD Student, UT Austin)

Undergraduate RAs

Denise Guzman
Lily Alvarez
Laila Alaghbash
Catherine Serrato
Theo Andre