People

Professor of Psychology, Tufts University
Director, Tufts University Social Cognition Lab

AB University of Michigan, 1991
MA Social Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara 1995
PhD Social Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara 1998

Faculty Profile  Curriculum Vitae

Education:
PhD Expected 2025, Tufts University, Social Psychology
Adviser: Dr. Keith B. Maddox
MS 2017, Tufts University, Social Psychology
Adviser: Dr. Jessica Remedios
BS 2014, Loyola University Chicago
Major: Psychology

Background and Research Interests: Muna's research interests include understanding complex experiences of compound discrimination through an intersectional lens (specifically, the intersection of racism and sexism), identifying factors that affect at woman's willingness to confront discrimination, and how to create conditions under which women and minorities may thrive. Muna is especially interested in sexism-focused research. Researchers have found that sexism is generally treated less seriously than racism, and Muna aims to challenge this perspective (Czopp, Monteith, & Mark, 2006; Rasinski & Czopp, 2010). Many forms of sexism affect women daily and Muna's research is focused on combating sexist interactions, expanding conversations about the sexism that women face daily, and gaining a clearer understanding of how sexism may present itself. Finally, Muna hopes to be a role model for women from multiply-stigmatized backgrounds such as Muna's, as a woman of color.

Curriculum Vitae

Education:
PhD Expected 2025, Tufts University, Social Psychology
Adviser: Dr. Keith B. Maddox
BS 2018, UMass Amherst
Major: Psychology

Background and Research Interests: Sanjana is a 2nd year PhD student with the TUSC lab. She graduated from UMass Amherst in 2018 with a BS in Psychology. Sanjana researches the role of humor in interracial interactions and studies if the presence of humor can help facilitate positive interactions and boost activism in young adults. 

Curriculum Vitae

Education:
PhD Expected 2025, Tufts University, Developmental Psychology
Advisor: Dr. Paul Muentener
B.A./M.A. 2020 Montclair State University
Major: Psychology

Background and Research Interests: Julia is a 2nd year doctoral student studying the combination of social, cognitive, and developmental psychology. She is interested in how social context, and context in general, shape memories and how/when certain stereotypes and biases form in children, including the implication of those biases throughout development.

Years as a Visiting Faculty at Tufts: 2021-2022; 2014-2015

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Guilford College

Faculty profile

MS 2007, Social Psychology
Thesis: Disparate social costs for attributions to employment discrimination: A comparison of race and gender-based attributions.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

Profile website

PhD 2017, Social Psychology
Dissertation: Cracking wise to break the ice: The role of identity and humor on intergroup judgment.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox
MA, 2012, Psychological Sciences, James Madison University
Thesis: The role of country music in homonegativistic aggression.
Advisor: Dr. Matthew Lee

Profile websites

MS 2017, Social Psychology 
Dissertation: Pathways to Inclusive Excellence for Black Students in STEM. 
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox 
Thesis: Performative "Wokeness": Exploring Blacks' Perceptions of White Allies Who Confront Anti-Black Racism. 
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

Profile website

PhD 2012, Social Psychology
Dissertation: Does Racial Phenotypicality Bias Apply to Black Women? Exploring the Intersection of Racial Phenotypes and Gender in Stereotyping of Black Women.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox
MS 2007, Social Psychology
Thesis: Distinguishing features of category membership in impression formation.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

Profile website

PhD 2014, Social Psychology
Dissertation: "Mixed" Biracial Experiences from the Target's and Perceiver's Viewpoint.
Advisor: Dr. Sam Sommers
MS 2011, Social Psychology
Thesis: Having an Outgroup College Roommate Affects Future Interracial Interactions.
Advisor: Dr. Sam Sommers

Profile website

PhD 2003, Social Psychology
Dissertation: Parallel perceptions of Black women: The complex interplay of gender and race.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox
MS 2000, Social Psychology 
Thesis: Social categorization of African Americans: The use of skin tone and contextual factors.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

PhD 2018, Social Psychology
Dissertation: Social perception from where we stand: Considering the role of race-conferred social status in face recognition.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox
MS 2015, Social Psychology
Thesis: Coming apart at the seams: When attire and racial phenotypicality cues elicit counter stereotypic person perceptions.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

Profile website

PhD 2016, Social Psychology
Dissertation: The Effects of Christian Religious Imagery on Anti-Black Attitudes.
Advisor: Dr. Sam Sommers
MS 2014, Social Psychology
Thesis: Examining the Effects of Processing Strategies on the Cross-Race Effect.
Advisor: Dr. Sam Sommers

Profile website

PhD, 2007, Cognitive Psychology 
Dissertation: Modifications for an improved auditory train warning.
Advisor: Dr. Holly Taylor and Dr. Dan Hannon
MS 2003, Social Psychology 
Thesis: Effects of decision-criteria on in-group bias: Loan bias against women business owners.
Advisor: Dr. Julio Garcia

Profile website

Background: While attending the University of Washington, Mi'Lexus conducted research as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. She graduated with a dual degree, majoring in both Communication and Psychology, with a minor in Diversity Studies. 
Research Interest: Interested in intergroup conflict reduction, civic engagement, and how social psychology could be used to advance and better inform social policy. 
Future Plans: Research and social policy analysis

PhD 2018, Social Psychology
Dissertation: Economic anxiety? The interaction of phenotypicality and resource scarcity on threat-driven visual attention to Black men.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox
MS 2012, New York University, Social Psychology
Thesis: Social power causes discordance between neural and self-reported responses to others' pain.
Advisor: Dr. David Amodio

Profile website

PhD 2024, Psychology 
Dissertation: US Adults Regulate Emotional Responses to Climate Change Information: Physiology, Subjective Experience, and Climate Change Solutions 
Advisor: Dr. Heather Urry

PhD 2014, Social Psychology 
Dissertation: It's Not You, It's Me: Using Emotion Regulation Strategies in Interracial Interactions.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox
MS 2011, Social Psychology
Thesis: Shooting the Messenger to Spite the Message: Exploring Reactions to Claims of Racial Discrimination.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

Profile website

MS 2007, Social Psychology
Thesis: Racial perception and perceived competence in helping situations.
Advisor: Dr. Keith Maddox

Profile website

Research Interest: Jailekha is interested in studying the many effects of prejudice and bias in daily life. More specifically, she is curious about the ramifications of mind perception and how this may be impacted by people’s identities, as well as the default nature of privileged identities such as masculinity and whiteness.
Future Plans: She plans to apply to graduate school in social psychology and eventually be a professor and researcher in the field.

Background: Jocelyne is currently a junior at Cornell University studying Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), and plans to complete a Master’s degree in ILR.
Research Interest: Jocelyne is interested in both studying and affecting change in the behavior of groups and organizations with a particular emphasis on the effects of increasing diversity and equity.

Background: Sonam is a senior at Tufts University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish.
Research Interests: She is interested in the intersections of social psychology and the carceral state, particularly how social identity can influence and perpetuate the traumas associated with incarceration.
Future Plans: Sonam hopes to continue to explore the applications of social psychology to carceral systems, and ultimately plans to pursue a Masters in Social Work and engage directly with system-impacted communities.

Background: Francesca is a rising senior at Tufts University majoring in Clinical Psychology and Sociology. Her ultimate career goals are to become a practicing clinical psychologist and to do research that relates to both clinical and social psychology.
Research Interest: She is interested in studying how we perceive and interact with people of different races and genders, in addition to the social factors that contribute to psychological disorders.

Research Interests: Interested in examining social psychological forces involved in race- and gender-based discrimination and how colonialism has a role in creating these processes.
Future Plans: Finishing undergrad at Tufts and reading a lot of books!

Background: Natalie is a sophomore at Tufts University studying Biopsychology with a minor in biotechnology.
Research interests: Interested in understanding how experiences of racism and discrimination induce physical, social, and psychological responses in people, and eventually to apply methods to mitigate negative experiences by understanding reactions at a biological level.
Future plans: To attend a graduate program in neuroscience and pursue social justice initiatives.

Background: Ragini is a rising senior at tufts double majoring in Psychology and Economics.
Research Interest: She is interested in social cognition concepts such as bias and stereotyping and wants to research these topics to further their understanding and develop strategies to reduce their threats.
Future Plans: She wants to pursue more research and get in the field of education in the future.

Current Research: Lauren is interested in understanding how stereotypes and first impressions impact how individuals interact with one another. Additionally, Lauren is interested in exploring strategies that can be used to mitigate negative first impressions and foster more positive relationships.
Future Plans: Lauren is interested in pursuing medicine and working in a patient-relationship oriented environment. Additionally, Lauren would love to continue pursuing research that is based on the application of psychological principles throughout her career.

Background: I am an undergraduate at Tufts University and plan to study psychology and political science. 
Research Interests: I'm interested in how stereotypes and prejudices can affect court outcomes and how political polarization may affect prosocial behavior.
Future Plans: In the future, I hope to either pursue a PhD in psychology or attend law school.

Background: Marjorie graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2020, with a BA in Psychology and minors in Asian American Studies and Global Health. She is currently a lab assistant for the Collaborative START Lab at the UC Davis MIND Institute, where she coordinates two studies that address community-based intervention for young children with social communication difficulties. 
Research Interests: Her current research interests include empathy, intergroup relations, sense of belonging, and wellbeing, as well as the impact of racial-based humor on marginalized groups.
Future Plans: She hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in Social Psychology or Health Psychology.

Background: Suzune Montag is a rising sophomore at Tufts University majoring in Child Studies & Human Development and Education.
Research Interest: Her research interests include stereotype threat, and how it’s findings can be applied to create more equitable school curriculums in the US. For the past several years, Suzune has also been a part of Sparks Within Reach, a grassroots nonprofit aiming to tackle educational inequity in the South Bronx through tutoring and mentorship.
Future Plans: In the future, Suzune hopes to continue to work with and uplift youth in her beloved community of New York City.

Background: Sydney is a junior studying Clinical Psychology and Child Studies & Human Development at Tufts.
Research interest: Sydney’s research interests include developmental psychology, especially how social and environmental factors influence one’s mental health and cognition in later life. She is interested in tying one’s history with their current life, with close focus on trauma and stereotypes.
Future plans: Sydney’s future goal is to become a practicing clinical psychologist for both children and adults.

Research Interest: Sophie’s research interests include studying the social cognitive aspects of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, particularly in terms of encouraging interracial interaction. Additionally, Sophie is interested in the development of social decision making, especially among children across the United States.
Future Plans: Research and Teaching

Background: Abigail is a junior at Tufts University majoring in psychology and sociology and on the pre-med track.
Research Interests: She is interested in studying racial disparities in psychological health (e.g. chronic stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD) and their effect on disparate physical health outcomes in communities of color.
Future Plans: Abigail hopes to earn MD and MPH degrees after graduating from Tufts in 2023.

Background: Zahra is a senior at Tufts studying clinical psychology on a premed track.
Research Interest: She’s interested in the intersection of spirituality and mental health, and how she can apply a background in psychology to a future career in healthcare.

Research Interests: Mohamed’s interest is learning more about the different ways psychology manifests itself into our lives visibly through social interactions, such as acting.
Future Plans: Mohamed plans to graduate from Tufts in 2022 following this school year and begin working a career related to psychology.

Research Interest: Robert is interested in intergroup relations, inequality, and political psychology.
Future Plans: He hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in social psychology or organizational behavior after graduation and become a professor/researcher in the field.

Background: Nicole is a junior studying Biopsychology and minoring in Sociology at Tufts.
Research Interests: Her current research interests include cognitive and behavioral effects of stereotyping and discrimination and the consequences of racial bias in local and federal legislations.
Future Plans: After graduating, she hopes to work for a couple of years before enrolling in law school.

Background: August is a senior studying clinical psychology major at Tufts.
Research Interest: August is interested in understanding how other's perspectives impact an individual's psyche and is also interested in studying personality disorders.
Future Plans: August's future goal is to attend a clinical psychology PhD program so they can become a practicing clinician and university-level lecturer.

Background: 2024 undergraduate at Tufts University majoring in Psychology and Biology with a minor in Studio Art.
Research Interest: includes perception of people with different identities interacting with one another and how to create healthier and more equitable environments for collaboration.
Future Plans: Biopharmaceutical, psychological, or neuroscience research.

Background: Daniel is a rising senior at Tufts University majoring in Clinical Psychology with minors in Economics and Political Science. 
Future Plans: He plans to explore the application of psychology to law and policy.