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
Macey Grisso
Macey graduated from Longwood University in 2021 and worked as a lab manager for Dr. Maital Neta’s Cognitive and Affective Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for two years after graduating. Macey has worked on several projects assessing individual differences in emotion differentiation and she is primarily interested in the differences between and within participant’s experience of social emotions.
In her free time, Macey enjoys reading about science topics outside of psychology, learning Japanese, and snuggling with her cat Spica.
Graduate Students
Interested in joining the lab as a graduate student? Dr. Springstein will be reviewing applications for the Fall 2025 application cycle. Please check out the Join Us page for more information!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Nikki Doiphode
Hello! My name is Nikki and I am a second-year undergraduate pursuing a BA in Psychology with a strong interest in emotional modulation and how various environments and circumstances influence it. I aim to build a career in clinical or cognitive psychology, focusing on adolescent populations. In my free time, I love collecting Sonny Angels, listening to jazz/funk, or cooking a new recipe!
Pareeya Jiyacharoen
Hello! My name is Pareeya and I am a third-year pursuing a B.S. in Psychology. My interests center around how individuals experience and regulate their emotions. Bridging my academic passions with my career aspirations, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on emotional processes and their role in psychological well-being.
Nikhita Bulusu
Hi! I’m Nikhita. I’m a first year psychology major at UCR with a passion for clinical psychology. My career goals include obtaining a master’s degree in psychology and becoming a licensed ERP therapist. In my free time, I love taking long walks with my dog, eating new foods with friends, and writing stories.
Jocelyn Aragon
Hello! My name is Jocelyn, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology. My research interests focus on the cognitive and emotional processes that shape human behavior, particularly how they can be applied in clinical settings to support adolescent and young adult populations. I aspire to build a career in clinical or counseling psychology, contributing to the well-being and development of individuals. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music on vinyl, and exploring thrift shops for hidden treasures, and have recently taken up running as a way to stay active and unwind.
Phoebe Cheng
Hi! My name is Phoebe Cheng and I am a second-year undergraduate pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. My interests lie in emotion regulation and its environmental and situational influences. I hope to pursue a career in clinical psychology, particularly working with children. My future goal is to inspire the next generation of children to be emotionally and mentally resilient. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, cafe hopping, and spending time with friends.
Nancy Zhang
Hi! My name is Nancy and I’m a second year psychology major. My main interests in psychology are cognition and social psychology. My goal after graduating is to pursue a career in therapy, specifically cognitive behavioural therapy. In my spare time I like to read, go to concerts, and hang out with my cat.
Thinh Nguyen
Hello! My name is Thinh and I am a second-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.
Alana Suleiman
Hello! My name is Alana Suleiman and I am a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a BA in psychology. I am interested in learning about emotional regulation, how it is affected, and why it varies among different people. I am planning on attending graduate school to pursue clinical psychology. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.