This fall, a cohort of ten scholars joined UW Psychology. In this article, some of our newest students take a moment to introduce themselves.
L-R Back: Lu Gao, Developmental/Magis-Weinberg; Samantha Eaton, Cognition & Perception/Rokem; Grey Raber, Child Clinical/Social Psychology/Dorsey/Kaiser; Caley Mikesell, Adult Clinical/Zoellner; John Romero, Cognition and Perception/Rokem; Mu-Yin Chang, Adult Clinical/Zoellner, and Venus Rekow, Developmental/Magis-Weinberg; Front: Abigail Ayemoba, Child Clinical/Lengua; Ran Wei Social Psychology and Personality/Williams and Chelsea Uddenberg, Adult Clinical/Fang
Abigail Ayemoba (she/her)
Hometown: Algonquin, IL
Prior Educational Institution(s)/Degrees: B.A. in Applied Psychology from University of Illinois Chicago
Area focus & advisor: Child Clinical; Liliana Lengua
Research interests: BIPOC youth; parenting behaviors; cultural identity and beliefs; youth coping and adjustment; emotional regulation
What motivated you to embark on your PhD studies? The blend of research and clinical care. Clinical psychology is a unique environment to do both, and I’m passionate about diversifying academia.
What excites you about UW/Seattle? I’m really excited to be at UW because of the clear commitment to diversity and promotion of a rigorous course of training. Being alongside a supportive cohort as we traverse graduate school together is scary but exciting! I’m also looking forward to getting in touch with nature in and around Seattle.
What are your hobbies/activities outside of academics? I love ceramics, baking, reading and cooking! I also enjoy bothering my cat, Pascal.
Mu-Yin Chang (she/her)
Hometown: Taiwan
Prior Educational Institution(s)/Degrees: UCL, BSc in Psychology with Education & Harvard University, Ed.M. in Human Development and Education
Area focus & advisor: Adult Clinical, Dr. Lori Zoellner
Research interests: Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders; cognition, memory consolidation, risk & protective factors; prediction, prevention, early intervention.
What motivated you to embark on your PhD studies? I want to conduct basic and translational research to improve our understanding of trauma-related cognitive processes as well as ways to increase resilience in communities.
What excites you about UW/Seattle? Adopting the granola lifestyle, going on a Twilight/La Push/Olympic road trip, hopefully petting Dubs before I graduate!
What are your hobbies/activities outside of academics? Doing spin classes, going to museums & galleries, taking long walks.
Samantha Eaton (she/her)
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Prior Educational Institution(s)/Degrees:
• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio
• M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
Area Focus & Advisor: Cognition and Perception — Dr. Ariel Rokem
Research Interests:
My research sits at the intersection of computational neuroscience, neuroimaging, and psychology. I currently use fMRI to study structural and functional brain development, with a focus on early-life cognitive and perceptual processes. Ultimately, I’m interested in how early neural development shapes long-term cognitive trajectories and mental health outcomes. I aim to build data-driven models of human brain function that can inform individualized approaches to care and intervention.
What motivated you to embark on your PhD studies?
My motivation to pursue a PhD stems from a deep curiosity about the human brain and a desire to integrate my background in engineering and biology with psychological research. Over time, my work evolved from developing biomedical technologies and therapeutics to investigating the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and perception. I was drawn to doctoral study as a way to explore these questions more deeply and contribute to our understanding of how the brain develops, adapts, and supports the human experience.
What excites you about UW/Seattle?
UW’s strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its collaborative academic environment made it a natural fit for my goals. I’m particularly excited to be part of the Cognition and Perception program, where I can continue expanding my computational skills while contributing to research that deepens our understanding of brain function. I also love Seattle’s lush green spaces, thriving coffee scene, and proximity to coastal wildlife — especially the chance to spot orcas in the Sound!
What are your hobbies/activities outside of academics?
Outside the lab, I enjoy strength training, cooking colorful meals, practicing acrobatic arts, and tending to my ever-growing plant collection. I also love snuggling up with my cats, getting lost in local bookstores, exploring Seattle’s art scene, and studying Spanish through weekly classes and conversation.
Grey Raber (they/them)
Hometown: Paducah, KY
Prior Educational Institution(s)/Degrees: Princeton University, BA
Area focus & advisor: Child Clinical/Social Psychology and Personality, Drs. Cheryl Kaiser and Shannon Dorsey
Research interests: Childhood Adversity, self-concept, perceptions of the future
What motivated you to embark on your PhD studies? I've always loved learning, so when I found out that I could make it my job I of course had to try! I love the process of research, being able to ask all the questions I want, and finding the answers myself. I hope to one day be a professor so I can share that love for learning with my students.
What excites you about UW/Seattle? I love working with all the brilliant people doing research here! Also, Seattle is such a beautiful city with so much nature and opportunities to explore.
What are your hobbies/activities outside of academics? Live music, cooking, and writing and performing poetry!
Venus Rekow (she/her)
Hometown: Bogotá, CO
Prior Educational Institution(s)/Degrees: Boise State University, psychology major, Seattle University, M.A., Organizational Systems Renewal, Seattle Pacific University, M.S., Research Psychology.
Area focus & advisor: Developmental, Dr. Lucía Magis-Weinberg
Research interests: My research interests broadly center on understanding how emerging technologies shape adolescent development and well-being. Specifically, I study how AI companions influence decision-making processes, social relationships, and mental health in adolescent development across diverse cultural contexts, including Latin America.
What motivated you to embark on your PhD studies? My pursuit of a Ph.D. was inspired by my experiences as a research assistant and deep passion for learning. I dreamed of contributing to an open science community to provide access for all and ensuring the experiences of our Latine communities are well represented in science.
What excites you about UW/Seattle? Joining UW Seattle is exciting because I have access to excellent mentors, a broad range of resources and many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
What are your hobbies/activities outside of academics? I enjoyed family hikes, and cheering for my kids during their soccer games.
Chelsea Uddenberg (she/her)
Hometown: Trinidad and Tobago
Prior Educational Institution(s)/Degrees: Yale University, B.S in Psychology
Area focus & advisor: Adult Clinical, Dr. Angela Fang
Research interests: dynamics of mood, social reward learning, risk-taking and decision-making, self-focused attention, self-consciousness and self-conscious emotions
What motivated you to embark on your PhD studies? I’m inspired by how Computational Psychiatry integrates data, computational modeling, and clinical insight to deepen our understanding of mental processes and inform better interventions. I’m excited to continue developing the skills needed to contribute to this kind of research.
What excites you about UW/Seattle? All of the trees and hikes, embracing the 'hoa hoa hoa' lifestyle, road tripping to Forks/La Push, meeting Dubs :')
What are your hobbies/activities outside of academics? Taking dance classes, playing video games, spin classes, singing, going to the beach.