Principal Investigator
Our team of researchers is making important discoveries in our area of focus. While everyone is working in their particular field, our collaborative Research Lab means that we are all working towards a common goal. Read on to find out more.
Principal Investigator/ Assistant Professor
Zachary Reese
Zach received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Goucher College in 2016. He proceeded to earn his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2022. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of San Francisco where he directs the Love and Communication Lab and teaches courses including Research Design, Writing in Psychology, Social Psychology, and African-American Psychology. Additionally, he serves as an organizer for the Moment to Movement: Anti-Racist Pedagogy Series and a member of the board for the African-American Studies Minor. Zach is a husband, a son, a dog-haver, and an avid gamer - in that order.
Current Members
Our team of researchers are making important discoveries in Social Psychology. Read on to learn about our current lab members.
Research Assistant/ Lab Manager
Noah Ayers
Noah is a Senior majoring in Psychology. He is interested in how sibling relationships influence our lives. He is involved in Best Buddies actively identifies opportunities to volunteer with the special needs community. Noah plans to work for two years after undergrad and return for a graduate degree after. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking his dog, golfing, and playing recreational sports.
Research Assistant
Renee Thomas
Renée is a junior double majoring in Cognitive Science, and UX design, and minoring in computer science. She is interested in Sibling relationships and comparison. She is in Konnect, a school dance team, Michigan in Color, a student-led newspaper for people of color, as a graphic artist, and Alpha Theta Delta, a professional fraternity for design. In her free time, she enjoys drawing comics digitally, dancing, and spending time with her dog.
Research Assistant
William Durrill
William Durrill is a Junior in Psychology. He is interested in religiosity and close relationships. He is involved in Young Life and is the VP of the USF Spikeball Club! He plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In his free time he loves to hike, camp, and play spikeball.
Research Assistant
Rebecca Steele
Rebecca is interested in Clinical Neuropsychology. She is involved in the Panhellenic sorority Delta Zeta as the previous leadership positions Historian and Alumna Relations Chairwomen. Her plans post-grad are to continue onto graduate school to pursue a PhD in Neurodivergence research and clinical work. In her free time, she enjoys practicing latte art and writing.
Research Assistant
Christian Shammami
Christian majored in Biomolecular Science and Biopsychology, Cognition, & Neuroscience. He was a project manager and research assistant from 2021- 2023. In the lab, Christian conducted research on competition and trash talk. He is currently preparing to apply to medical school. In his free time, Christian enjoys cooking and playing video games.
Research Assistant
Nathan Sampath
Nathan is a junior majoring in Psychology, with a minor in chemistry and health studies on the pre-health track. He is interested in social psychology with an emphasis on sibling relationships. He is involved in the eSports team at USF, and also plays a number of instruments, like the violin, piano, ukulele, and saxophone.
Research Assistant
Natalie Gonzalez
Natalie is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child and Youth Studies and Public Service and Community Engagement. She is involved in Usfca Senate as the Junior class representative. Natalie plans on getting her Master’s degree after postgrad. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, creating videos, and crocheting.
Research Assistant
Persia Zoufonoun
Persia is a senior majoring in psychology. She is interested in Close Relationships and Social Psychology. She is involved in the Iranian Student Union (ISU) club and volunteers for the Friendship Line. In her free time, she loves to cook, hang out with her cats, and read.
Research Assistant
Hayley Blonstein
Hayley is a senior, double majoring in Psychology and Design. She is fascinated by interpersonal relationships and the forces that shape them, and is always looking for an opportunity to combine her interest in both fields. She is involved with Design Collectives at USFCA, and studying to become an informed, multi-disciplinary designer after college. In her free time, she enjoys going to art markets, singing along to showtunes, and dreaming about the cat she’ll get once she overcomes her allergies. You can view her work at hayleyblonstein.com.
Research Assistant
Joshua Condry
Josh is finishing up his Bachelors in psychology along with with his pre-medical requirements at the University of San Francisco in Fall 2023 hoping to pursue an MD. He is interested in how video games influence mental health — in his free time he plays video games and does research on them!