People

Principal Investigator

Tabea Springstein

Dr. Springstein is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. Her current research examines, for example, how people differ in how they define and achieve successful emotion regulation and how the daily contexts of older adults can support the effective management of their emotions.

In her free time, Dr. Springstein enjoys spending time with friends, eating food from around the world, exploring art and architecture, and running (though not attempting to break any speed records).

Lab Manager

Lexi Suarez

Lexi graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2025. During her time there, she worked in Dr. Josh Jackson’s Personality Measurement and Development (PMaD) Lab and wrote an honors thesis in Dr. Emily Willroth’s Wellbeing and Emotion across the Lifespan Lab (WELLab).

Lexi’s research interests include psychosocial wellbeing and the relationship between emotions and consumer behavior. In her free time, Lexi enjoys thrifting, traveling, working out, and going to farmers markets. CV

Email: alexissu@ucr.edu

Graduate Students

Dr. Springstein will NOT be reviewing graduate student applications for the Fall 2027 application cycle.

Bella Avalos

Email: iaval006@ucr.edu

Isabella (Bella) is a second-year PhD student in the Emotional Lives Lab. Her research program focuses on the person- and situation-specific processes that underlie emotion regulation and how emotion dynamics unfold in daily life. She aims to use intensive longitudinal methods alongside advanced statistical modeling to study these processes at the momentary level and across time. In her free time, Bella enjoys traveling and being active in nature with her partner, Rocci. CV

Macey Grisso

Email: macey.grisso@email.ucr.edu

Macey is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Emotional Lives Lab who is broadly interested in studying the functions of emotions using intensive, longitudinal methodology. Her research examines individual differences in the experience of negative, self-conscious emotions, such as how people differentiate between them and whether/how each emotion results in distinct outcomes. In her free time, Macey enjoys reading, puzzling, learning Japanese, and snuggling with her cat Spica. CV

Paul McAvoy

Email: wmcav001@ucr.edu

Paul is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Emotional Lives Lab. He received his B.A. in Psychological Science and Creative Writing from Colgate University.

His research interests broadly focus on the social functions of emotions and interpersonal emotion regulation in contexts shaped by power, status, and hierarchical relationships. Guided by his experiences playing collegiate and professional ice hockey, he’s particularly interested in how these affective processes unfold in group/team contexts.

In his free time, Paul enjoys playing tennis, running with his partner, Amy, and spending time with his miniature dachshund, Willow.

Honors Students

Ricky Bechtel

Hi, my name is Ricky and I am a third year Psychology B.S. student. I’m currently working with Dr. Springstein on my honors capstone project studying the effects of parasocial relationships with AI chatbots on emotional regulation. My research interests consist of emotional wellbeing and mental health, and I hope to pursue both research and therapeutic practice in the future. Outside of school, I like playing classical music, going to pretentious vintage stores, making digital art, and spending time with my cats and dogs.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Thinh Nguyen

Hello! My name is Thinh and I am a third-year undergraduate pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. I am interested in exploring the relationship between emotion regulation and workplace performance, such as how differences in emotional regulation affect decision-making under stressful situations. In my free time, I love listening to music, cooking, and going to different boba shops.

Kaitlyn Gomez

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn, and I am a third-year undergraduate Psychology student. I am extremely passionate about helping others, and am hoping to pursue a psychological career that relates to emotions and positively impacts the well-being of others. In my free time, I love to explore new areas, crochet, and meet new people.

Achyut Iyengar

My name is Achyut and I’m a third-year Neuroscience major. I’m interested in how our thoughts can influence our actions in different environments. I hope to pursue a career in computational neuroscience research. In my free time I like to watch movies, travel, play golf, try new food spots with friends, and listen to music.

Yesenia Contreras-Urrutia

Hi! I’m Yesi, a fourth-year psychology major with an interest in emotion regulation and applied cognitive psychology. After graduating, I hope to pursue a Master’s degree in either Counseling or Psychological Science. In my free time I enjoy reading, hanging out with friends and family, and trying out new coffee shops.

Jackie Zavala

Hi! My name is Jackie, and I am a fourth-year Psychology and English major. My academic interest focuses on how emotion & emotional regulation affects individuals in their personal lives and social settings. I plan to pursue a career in clinical psychology, with the goal of advocating for and supporting youth in underrepresented communities. Outside of academics, my interests include dancing folklórico, creating floral arrangements, enjoying good coffee, traveling, and meeting new people!

Sarai Bielmas

Hola! My name is Sarai, I am a first-generation undergraduate student, and I am currently pursuing a BA in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. My interest in research involves emotion regulation and the neural mechanisms behind them. I plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and hope to contribute to creating new neuroscience based mental health interventions. I also hope to help many people of all ages and backgrounds in the future as a psychologist. In my free time I like spending time with loved ones, watching movies and going to the gym.

Ira Kartik

Hi! My name is Ira, and I am a 2nd year undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. I am really interested in how different perspectives lead to distinct emotional responses across age groups, as well as in mental health and the factors that influence emotional well-being. In my free time, I enjoy learning new languages, singing, and reading books across a wide range of genres.

Stephanie Gonzalez

Hello! My name is Stephanie, and I am a second year Psychology major. I plan on pursuing my PhD in order to become a clinical psychologist! I hope to help those in my community with their emotional well being and to provide a safe space for those who need help. I love movies, reading, and painting!

Grace Al Halasa

My name is Grace Al Halasa and I am a second year undergraduate psychology student. I am currently interested in exploring how emotional regulation can impact our daily social relationships in addition to how it can influence decision making. I plan on pursuing a career in either pediatric clinical psychology or neuropsychology and have a growing interest in naturopathic treatments in the field as well. In my free time I enjoy reading, exploring different coffee shops, and spending time with friends exploring new cities.

Isabelle Pryor

Hi! I’m Isabelle, and I am a fourth-year completing a BS in psychology, and a minor in philosophy, I hope to pursue a career in clinical neuropsychology. In my free time, I enjoy baking, crochet, going to concerts, and spending time with friends.

Muna Iqbal

Hi! I’m a third-year Public Policy major with a passion for law and justice. I hope to attend law school and pursue a career that advocates for individuals and communities through legal systems. Outside of my major, I have a deep personal interest in psychology and the science of human behavior. In my free time, I enjoy watching football and I love Jazz music.

Lab Alumni

Pareeya Jiyacharoen – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Nancy Zhang – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Alana Suleiman – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jocelyn Aragon – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Nikki Doiphode – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Phoebe Cheng – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jasmine Spooner – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Thinh Nguyen – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jackie Zavala – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anna Kamanitz – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Vivian Tieu – Undergraduate Research Assistant

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