Current Research Assistants
Jade Fernandez
Summer 2026 - Present
Jade is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. She was born and raised here in Las Vegas! She loves conducting and learning about all types of research and plans to pursue further education by earning a master’s/PhD in Psychology. In her free time, Jade enjoys spending time with her dog, friends and family, reading, and hiking. This summer is her first semester as part of the Music Lab, and she is excited to learn about the different research being conducted while also helping with the work being done in the lab and expanding her research knowledge!
Marley Roberts
Summer 2026 - Present
Marley is a third-year Multidisciplinary Studies major focusing on psychology and sociology. Originally born in Missouri and raised in Las Vegas, she is passionate about continuing in academia, conducting research, and pursuing a PhD in psychology. Outside of academics, she enjoys painting, reading, and playing the viola. Having just joined the lab this summer, she is especially excited to learn about the lab’s various studies and gain firsthand exposure to a research environment.
Kayla Lamatrice
Summer 2026 - Present
Kayla is a sophomore at UNLV and is majoring in Psychology. She was born and raised in Las Vegas. After graduating, Kayla hopes to earn a doctorate in psychology to become a child psychologist. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading and going on walks. She also has an interest in roller coasters. Kayla is excited to join the UNLV Music Lab to gain valuable research experience.
Lester Pease
Fall 2026 - Present
Lester is a junior majoring in Psychology at UNLV. Born and raised in Las Vegas, he hopes to open his own therapy practice in the future and is passionate about helping others and making a positive difference in their lives. In his free time, he enjoys skating, baking, and spending time with his cats. This is his first semester working with the research lab, and he is excited to gain experience, learn more about research, and contribute to the lab. Lester is looking forward to growing as a student and gaining valuable experience that will help him pursue his future career in psychology.
Shade Braccialarghe-Vallejo
Fall 2026 - Present
Shade is a senior majoring in Applied Health Sciences. Though she was born in New Mexico, she moved nine times before finally landing in Las Vegas in 2019. Following graduation, Shade plans to apply to medical school to pursue a career that combines her passions in scientific inquiry and human interaction. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs, playing pool, and hanging out with friends and family. Shade is excited to join the Music Lab and gain valuable experience in psychological research!
Melat Woldegiorgish
Fall 2026 - Present
Melat was born and raised in Las Vegas. She is going into her senior year at UNLV majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Neuroscience and Family Studies. She plans to pursue a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and eventually obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of school, Melat enjoys singing, reading, and acting, with a particular love for performing/watching musical theatre. Joining the lab starting in the fall, she is overjoyed to delve into the world of research and grow more knowledgeable through time with the lab!
Brianne Portillo
Fall 2026 - Present
Brianne was born in Los Angeles and raised in Las Vegas. She is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an Ed.S. in School Psychology and build a career supporting students throughout their educational journeys. In her free time, Brianne enjoys traveling, going to concerts, practicing Italian, and relaxing or studying with her cat by her side. This is her first semester with the lab, and she is excited to gain hands-on research experience and learn more about the research process.
Past Research Assistants
- Maya Velazquez
- 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
- Dylan Christie
- 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
- Ana Torres
- Cynthia Gonzalezreyes
- 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
- Juliette Brinkman
- 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
- Erika Foregard
- Alexandra Maglinao
- Vanessa 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
- Mariam Sultam
- Katelyn Fuller
- 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