Current Research Assistants
Maya Velazquez
Spring 2025 - Present
Maya is a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Studies. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Mexico, San Diego, and Las Vegas, shaping her diverse perspective on life and human connection. After graduation, Maya plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy to become a licensed therapist, with the goal of helping individuals and families strengthen their relationships and improve their mental health. She enjoys reading romance and thriller novels, spending time with family and friends, and baking delicious treats. She is excited to be a part of the team!
Erika Foregard
Spring 2025 - Present
Erika was born and raised in Las Vegas. She is a first year at UNLV and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Services. After graduation, Erika plans to go to graduate school for clinical psychology, which is her ultimate career goal. In her free time, Erika enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and watching her favorite shows. She is also a part time barista and loves coffee! She is excited to be part of the team and gain research experience!
Alexandra Maglinao
Spring 2025 - Present
Alexandra was originally born in California but moved to Las Vegas at a young age. She is currently a senior majoring in Psychology and Information Systems. Once she graduates she plans on pursuing a career as a user experience researcher. She believes that by gaining a deeper understanding of people she can improve the way they interact with different products. Alexandra loves to cozy up and read books, listen to musicals, and draw. She's most excited to learn more about the steps that go into research!
Dylan Christie
Summer 2025 - Present
Dylan Christie graduated from UNLV with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Neuroscience. Born and raised in Las Vegas, his academic path has been shaped by a deep curiosity about identity, meaning, and the biological basis of existential thought. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. focused on working memory and systems neuroscience, with a particular interest in how the brain supports abstract and self-reflective thinking. Outside of academics, he enjoys reading existential literature, studying brain anatomy, playing soccer, and exploring how technology and neuroscience intersect. During quarantine, he kept busy by leading mental health workshops, mentoring youth, and expanding his understanding of how the brain processes emotion. He’s excited to be part of a team contributing to research on cognition and auditory processing.
Mariam Sultan
Summer 2025 - Present
Mariam was born in San Diego but has lived in Las Vegas her entire life. She majored in Psychology and plans to pursue her Masters in Psychology in the hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist here in Vegas to serve the community that has done so much for her! She loves to read books, watch the newest TV shows, and cook! More often than not, she’s at a new cafe she found online because she’s a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. She looks forward to gaining research experience and insight into auditory cognition.
Katelyn Fuller
Fall 2025 - Present
Katelyn was born in Oxnard, California and moved to Las Vegas in 2022. She is a freshman at UNLV and is majoring in psychology. She hopes to eventually become a therapist or counselor for children-young adults after school. She is interested in all things performing since 4th grade, doing musical theatre, guitar, and choir, along with singing at school events. This is her first semester at the UNLV Music Lab and is looking forward to researching something she loves learning about.
Past Research Assistants
- Elena Ladislao
- Saida Centeno
- Makena Spiller
- Emma Zhang
- Fiona Liu
- Jennifer Hsu
- Brooke Booth
- Kaela Omengan
- Isabella Aceituno
- Kristina Cruz
- Cole Smithers
- Sarah Al-Shimary
- Jordyn Karns
- Shelbie Silvers
- Jasmine Xu
- Jordan Hayes
- Aditya Subramaniam​
- Mae Ling Catayong
- Sarah Uganiza
- Sofia Juarez
- Jolie Li
- Mark Bautista
- Kacey Chang
- Kiara O'Keefe
- Aileen Corral
- John Hatch
- Samantha White
- Jeana Kim
- Saniya Walker
- Emily Solis
- Cinthya Olivas Ruiz
- Kristina Martirosyan
- Riley Ramos
- Haley Yanez
- Brittany Booth
- Michael Esquejo
- Kelly Hung
- Nancy Reyna
- Amanda Heraux
- Rudolf Jovero
- Tanya Serrano
- Dana Barakat
- Yasmin Flores
- Serrena "Doc" Truong
- Janelle Salcedo
- Minerva Moran
- Carmella Gadsen
- Dung My Do
- Maria Thao Hoang
- Tenasri Mohammed
- Matthew Leiva
- Daniela Alvarez
- Soliana Fikru
- Michael Razon
- Carlos Tamayo
- Bryanna Grijalva
- Carolina Herrera
- Natalya Sayegh
- Nicole Datastanyan
- David Galich
- Ashley Bunn
- Caetano Brito
- Christian Hunter
- Natalie Contreras
- Jacky On
- Cerena-Jazmei (Cjay) Aguiran
- Ally Danlag
- Darlington “DJ” Ugbodu
- Haley Banks
- Beatriz Torres
- Lamija (Mia) Redzic
- Anna Sukiasian
- Melissa Lacro
- Da Laina Cameron
- Jessica Jensen
- Jonathan Molina
- Mya Herndon
- Ayla Thompson
- Sofia Munoz
- Sean Chang
- Yashesvi Sharma
- Mia Jivkov
- Ryan Perez
- Melanie Garcia
- Miguel Castano
- Matthew Yearling
- Joseph Lopez
- Jordan Nelson
- Dominic Maglalang
- Karley Herbert
- Waylon Raether
- Kirtly Day
- Kalli Marie Naples
- Kelly Seaborg
- Ashley Celis
- Megan Mayer
- Jessica Ramos
- Cassidy Destefano
- Vanessa Lamorte
- Emylia Terry
- Manognya Murukutla
- William King-Lewis
- Kristina Oganesian
- Vaenssa Flores
- Connor Edwards
- Jason Marquez
- Kayla Daugherty
- Mia Alvarado
- Nicole Tatalovich
- Alana Solomon
- Daniel Kipnis
- Joel Herd
- Aerie Carswell
- Katherine Johnson
- Ashley Randolph
- Lindsey Hierro
- Justina Hawkins
- Rebecca Huntsman
- Stephanie Gomez
- Deseret Nunez
- Krizel Sagun
- Priscila Venzor
- Liza Patrice Paez
- Anthony Romero
- Louis Barlaan​
- Tabitha Ferraris
- Julianna Jones
- Joseph Altamirano
- Alexandra Miguez-Ruiz
- Enzo Imperial
- Jennifer Delgado
- Katie Fortuna
- Whitlee Manor
- Madison Hurley
- Kendall Lyons
- Karleen Schlichtmann
- Yazmin Valdez
- Corinna Pedregon
- Taylor Pease
- Tiancheng Chen
- Morgan Baker
- Eleanore Martin
- Johansen Pico
- Erica Hoffman
- Melisa Baumgartner