GUEST SPEAKERS
The Psychology Student Association offers many opportunities and events for members to enrich their experience and knowledge in the field of psychology.
Our guest speakers talk to us about personal experiences in their field, information on graduate school, research experience, leadership, and much more! Here is an overview of our past guest speakers:
Fall 2022
Dr. Lori Ochoa
Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on behavioral analysis
Board Certified Behavioral Analysis (BCBA)
Specialize in self development, behavior change, and life coaching.
She utilizes evidence-based methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), behavioral principles and procedures, as well as personal development strategies to help clients achieve their goals in all areas of their life.
She is a specialist in understanding and modifying language and behavior and helps her clients achieve results to get a renewed sense of self and purpose.
She discusses her journey from a UCI undergraduate student to becoming an experience and trained behavior analyst and wellness coach. She also gave advice on how to discover passion and to succeed in the field of psychology.
winter 2021
Marina Prieto
First Generational Latina Professional
B.A. in Political Science and Sociology
M.S. in counseling
Pursuing an Ed.D. as a graduate student in the Education, Policy, Organization and Leadership Program
" I have been a school counselor for 7 years, I am passionate about the profession and how our unique role serves as an opportunity to view our students through a holistic lens."
Thomas Badilla
Bachelor’s in Environmental Management from Universidad Nacional at Costa Rica.
He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia from 2017-2019, as a Rural Aquaculture Volunteer. During his service, he trained fish farmers in fish pond management, site selection, stocking ratios, harvesting techniques and business skills. In addition, he was the Peace Corps Zambia Malaria Committee Coordinator, he trained provincial coordinators and volunteers in malaria prevention, behavior change and project management. Currently, he works as a Peace Corps Diversity Recruiter in Irvine, California. He builds networks of key influencers and stakeholders to promote Peace Corps, forges relationships with relevant universities and local organizations, and, identifies competitive and diverse applicants who have the skills Peace Corps needs.
Dr. Hoffman
Ph.D. from MIT
In 1983 he joined the faculty of the University of California, Irvine, where he is a Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Sciences. He is an author of over 120 scientific papers and three books, including Visual Intelligence, and his new book, The Case Against Reality. He received a Distinguished Scientific Award of the American Psychological Association for early career research, the Rustum Roy Award of the Chopra Foundation, and the Troland Research Award of the US National Academy of Sciences. His writing has appeared in Edge, New Scientist, and Scientific American and his work has been featured in Wired, Quanta Magazine, The Atlantic, and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. He has a TED Talk titled “Do we see reality as it is?”
Dr. Rinehart
Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at UCI
Ph.D. University of New Mexico
"My research focuses on the prevention of sexual victimization across the lifespan. Within this broad area of research, I have three specific aims: (1) the study of specific cognitive and attitudinal factors underlying women’s sexual victimization and revictimization; (2) the study of the social and contextual factors surrounding women’s sexual victimization and revictimization; and (3) the development and dissemination of effective interventions designed to prevent sexual victimization."
Dr. Kuhlman
Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at UCI and the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at UCLA
M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychological Science at the University of Michigan
Her research focuses on how childhood adversity confers risk for poor health outcomes throughout the lifespan, with a current interest in the neurobiological processes underlying depression in adolescence.
Fall 2020
Alder Graduate School of Education
Andrea Huerta: Campus Ambassador
Eduardo Rodriguez: Aspire Teacher Residency Recruitment and Admissions Specialist
Claremont Graduate University
Jessica Geiger: Graduate assistant of admissions
Mathew Gold: Assistant director of admissions
Research Assistants
Jazlyn Luu: STEP Lab
Feliza Lucero: STEP Lab
Mylen Cruzado: CRH Lab &MSoL
Ashley Griffith: Lab Manager
Summer 2020
Kim Chieffo
B.A. in Psychology (UCI), MA in Instructional Technology & Media (Columbia University), Ph.D. Organizational Leadership (Brandman University)
Discussed her journey after graduating college, the struggles she faced, and her career path that led to her now owning and managing two businesses.
Spring 2020
Dr. Mark Dennison
Bachelor in Psychology, Masters in Cognitive Neuroscience, Ph.D. in Psychology (UCI)
A research psychologist with the CCDC Army Research Laboratory West in the Computational and Information Sciences Directorate, Battlefield Information Systems Branch.
Dr. Ericka Goldstein
UCI Alumni, Ph.D.
A Psychologist in private practice, provides therapy for children, preteens, teens and adults. She has also worked many years in community mental health.
Dr. Camille Johnson
Ph.D Social Psychology (Ohio State University), MA in Social Psychology (Claremont Graduate School), BA Psychology (Carleton College)
Professor at San Jose State University
Beatrice Molina
TBS Coach, UCI Graduate in Psychology and Social Behavior with a minor in Education
Sehwa Shim
ABA Therapist
Kevin Lee
Psy.D. student from Loma Linda University