Communications
Research Interests: I am currently a researcher in the Media Neuroscience Lab within the communication department at UCSB. I love working in a cross-disciplinary field that blends neuroscience, computational methods, developmental psychology, and media research. My goal is to understand how adolescents and children develop in a media-saturated environment, particularly how it influences their cognition, attention, and behaviors. Ultimately, I hope my research can help individuals and parents optimize their relationship with technology, maximizing benefits and minimizing drawbacks.
Mentoring Experience: I am grateful for the opportunity to teach and guide students, helping them apply classroom skills like statistics, writing, and presentation to real-world research. Guiding students through research projects allows them to explore and develop their skills, discovering what they enjoy most. It's wonderful to see undergraduates experiment and find their passions, whether it's running an fMRI study, modeling brains for 3D printing, or presenting research at conferences. I'm thankful to be part of the many supportive graduates and faculty that encourage exploration and growth.
Meaning of Award: Being a mentor to undergraduate students has always been a goal of mine, inspired by the incredible mentor I had during my own undergraduate studies. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to mentor students at UCSB. I find their intelligence and drive inspiring and it encourages me to be a better mentor and researcher. Receiving this award is deeply meaningful as it highlights the university's commitment to hands-on learning and skill development. It encourages me to continue guiding students in their research and helping them develop practical skills for their futures.