Lab Manager

Whitney completed her B.A. in Psychology at UC Berkeley and her M.A. in Psychological Research at California State University, Long Beach. Whitney has a vested passion for using research to tackle health disparities and systemic oppression. Previously, Whitney conducted research on the relationship between empathy and stress. Through this line of research, Whitney explored interventions for fostering empathy in high-stress work environments, where systemic oppression is common. In the PRRISM Lab, Whitney is excited to test ways to increase compassion and reduce stigma among lung cancer patients. Whitney is also passionate about providing mentorship and cultivating community in academia. In her free time, Whitney enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Emilie Coon is a Senior who is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Computer Science. Emilie’s research interests lie around the psychosocial effects of human-computer interaction. She is passionate about the interdisciplinary connections between technology usage and stress, depression, and anxiety. In the PRRISM lab, she is excited about leveraging social media targeted advertising as a recruitment strategy for oncology patients. She has plans to attend higher education and develop a career in this field. Outside of the lab, you can find Emilie adventuring around Los Angeles and the Southern California coast surfing, hiking, or skating.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Brandon Dona-Velazquez is a first-year student at LMU who is majoring in Psychology. Brandon’s research interests include social behaviors, pain perception, and social anxiety, along with how to improve treatment for anxiety-related problems. He is also interested in learning about intersections between physiological and psychological factors relevant for health and coping. He is excited about pursuing research opportunities and contributing to scientific endeavors. He ultimately plans to pursue further education and develop a career in the field of psychology. During his free time, you can find Brandon coaching youth basketball teams, at the beach, or traveling to new places.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Rocky Jacobs is a senior Psychology and Recording Arts double major. Her research interests involve how stigma plays a role in exacerbating public health crises, particularly focusing on systems-level perspectives, spanning from severe mental illness in prisons to the public’s perception of sexual deviancy. She aspires to answer questions on how we can improve mental health care and minimize stigma through treatment approaches as well as empathy- and community-centered paradigms. Rocky plans on pursuing her PhD. in Clinical Psychology and obtaining licensure to continue work with stigmatized populations. Outside of the lab, Rocky is the president of LMU’s Agapé Service Organization, a group dedicated to doing service and social justice work to fight stigma.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Sarah Omachi is a junior at Loyola Marymount University pursuing a Psychology major and is planning to add an education minor. She is interested in researching how compassion-based interventions may affect one’s learning, self-esteem, and internalized stigma. As she has lived in Japan her entire life, she is also interested in studying how mental and physical health issues are stigmatized and/or treated within a diverse set of cultural contexts. Sarah hopes to pursue a PhD in School Psychology or Developmental Psychology to conduct research and increase her knowledge in many school curriculums to achieve her dream of becoming a school counselor and curriculum advisor for kindergarten and elementary schools. Outside of the lab, Sarah enjoys playing tennis, going to the farmer’s market, and exploring types of coffees in the area.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

McKenzie Reese is a Junior who is majoring in Psychology. McKenzie's research interest includes examining social determinants of health and the psychological effects of health disparities with regards to stigma and social adversity. In the future, she would like to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology so she can work with underrepresented and marginalized communities to futher understand health disparities. Outside of the lab, McKenzie enjoys playing piano, tennis, and exploring LA.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Metasebiya Tefera is a junior Psychology major and African American studies and Data Science double minor. Her research interests include substance misuse, childhood adversity, and the distressing feelings of shame or guilt. She is also interested in research centered on foster care children as well as under-resourced and marginalized communities. She is passionate about making mental health resources that focus on self-compassion related outcomes readily available to all. She hopes to either pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology or neuroscience or attend law school. Outside of the lab, her passions include fitness, reading, and spending time with loved ones.