Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs

Van Dang 

Van is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Texas A&M University. Her research interests focus on mechanisms that may underlie affective forecasting biases in those with higher levels of anxiety.

Nazim Asani

Nazim is a fourth-year Ph.D. student from Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Georgia State University. His research interests include emotions, decision-making, boredom, and productivity.  

Emily Raibley

Emily is a fifth-year Ph.D. student from Searcy, Arkansas. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Arkansas State University. Her research interests include understanding the interpretations of ostracism events and how it contributes to a cycle of ostracism. Additionally, Emily enjoys teaching undergraduate students and helping students become involved in research.

Ran Wang

Ran is a fifth-year Ph.D. student from China. She earned her B.S. in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University with a Research-Focused Honors Concentration and her master’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. Her research interests include social exclusion, perceptions, and forecasting. Her goals are to learn from the known and unknown in social psychology and contribute to the field in a meaningful way.

Leslie Fernandez

Leslie is a third-year Ph.D. student from Kerman, California. In May 2022, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar with a B.A. in Psychology. She was selected as the Outstanding Undergraduate Psychology Student and was the department’s nominee for the Dean’s Medal at California State University, Fresno. Her research interests include decision-making, risk-taking, meta-analyses, and interpersonal relationships. Her goals are to return to California’s Central Valley to teach and conduct research at the university level. Additionally, Leslie is a recipient of the Aviles-Johnson Doctoral Fellowship at Texas A&M University.

Kiki Salsedo

Kiki is the lab manager for the Emotion Science Laboratory at Texas A&M University. Before starting, she served as a Research Assistant in multiple labs throughout her undergraduate career. In May 2023, she graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies. Her research interests include interpersonal relationships, risk-taking, and forecasting.

Carina Brownfield

Carina is a psychology major from Austin, Texas. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in Fall 2023 because of her interest in how emotion processing can impact future success. Additionally, she is a Big for FLARE and a member of the Psychology Club. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school to become an Industrial Psychologist.

Prachi Rajput 

Prachi Rajput is a Public Health major from Katy, Texas. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in Fall 2024 because of her interest in the human psyche and in the ways that childhood experiences and nurturing environments shape our emotional development. Additionally, she is involved in Business Healthcare Alliance, Freshmen Aggies in Medicine, and volunteers with Carpool. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school to become a doctor.

Katie Mendoza

Katie is a management major, minoring in psychology and neuroscience from Austin, Texas. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 because of her interest in how emotions affect behaviors in the workplace. Additionally, she is part of the Business Honors program, the Winnie Carter Wildlife Center, and chair of MSC Spencer. She also served as a group leader in MSC ALOT. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school for either Industrial Organizational psychology or Management to become a professor.

Sofia Zegaib

Sofia is a psychology and neuroscience major from McAllen, Texas. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in Fall 2024 because she is interested in how different emotions impact thought processes and people’s decision-making. Additionally, she is part of Aggie Achievemates and was formerly a member of FOUR. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school and pursuing a master’s in developmental psychology.

Samika Sequeira

Samika is a psychology major from Katy, Texas. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in Spring 2023 because of her interest in the effect of social influences on emotions and, ultimately, one’s behavior. Additionally, she is a part of the Psychological and Brain Sciences Honors program, the St. Mary’s Music Ministry, and an officer in the Freshmen Leaders in ArtSci Reaching Excellence. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school to pursue a career as a social psychology researcher.

Rachel Stroup

Rachel is a psychology major and neuroscience minor from Flower Mound, Texas. She joined the lab in Spring 2025 because of her interest in how emotions affect behavior and cognitive processing. Additionally, she is involved in the Psychological and Brain Sciences honors program and is a team member of Aggie Classics. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school to become a clinical psychologist.

Ava Williams

Ava is a psychology major from Austin, Texas. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in the Fall of 2023 because of her interest in Industrial Organizational psychology and understanding of the role of psychology in the workplace. Additionally, she is involved in Fish Camp. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in Industrial Organizational psychology.

Kimaya Savargaonkar

Kimaya is a biology major and psychology minor from Pearland, TX. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in Fall 2024 because of her interest in emotional triggers & the way emotions impact all aspects of life. Additionally, she is part of the University Honors program and the Biology Honors program. She is also a member of SLIDE and MSC OPAS. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school to pursue research in neurobiology/neuropsychology.

Ishani Rana

Ishani is a psychology major from Katy, Texas. She joined the Emotion Science Lab in Spring 2024 because of her interest in how emotions, rather than logic, can dictate one’s behavior. Additionally, she is a Psychology Honors student and a part of Freshman Aggies in Medicine. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist.