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 and 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, African-American Psychology, and Psychology of Competition & Gaming. 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 musician, and an avid gamer - order may vary.
Current Members
Our team of researchers are making important discoveries in Social Psychology.
Research Collaborator
Renee Thomas
Renée is a senior 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.
Project Coordinator + Social Media Manager
Natalie Gonzalez
Natalie is a senior majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Child and Youth Studies and Public Service and Community Engagement. She is involved in the Future Clinitian's Association as the Director of External Affairs and as a Teacher's Assistant for various psychology classes. She is also the social media manager for the Love and Communication Lab. Natalie plans on getting her Master’s degree after postgrad and becoming a therapist. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, creating videos, and crocheting.
Lab Manager
Hayley Blonstein
Hayley is finishing up her double major in Design and Psychology. Fascinated by identity and interpersonal relationships, as well as the forces that shape both, her work is driven by a desire to connect with people in small, meaningful ways. You can view her portfolio at hayleyblonstein.com.
Research Assistant
Kira Alberti
Kira is a sophomore majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. She plans to obtain her masters, then PHD and pursue a career as a professor of Cognitive Neuroscience. She is fascinated by structures of the brain and how they impact how we interact with one another in our daily lives and relationships. In her free time she enjoys watching movies, watching sports, writing, cooking, spending time with her friends and traveling.
Research Assistant
Ethan Wong
Ethan is currently a Junior Majoring in Psychology and Minoring in Philosophy. Working in the Trait Competitiveness Study, Ethan is helping Prof. Reese and Karolyn to better understand the social and individual mechanics of Trait Competitiveness. With the goal of becoming a Therapist, Ethan's contributions to the lab are helping provide himself and the research team with greater insights regarding Love & Communication and how we can better use that knowledge and apply it in a therapeutic context.
Research Assistant
Mya Lopez
Mya is a second year psychology major minoring in child and youth studies and dance. She is interested in every area of psychology and continues to develop this curiosity through the lab and through her classes. She is involved in many extracurricular activates including, Vitality, Varcity, Craft club, and active minds. Post-undergrad Mya hopes to continue her education through medical school where she hopes to earn her doctorate in psychiatry. In (her free time, she enjoys crafting and catching a good movie at the movie theater.
Research Assistant
Karolyn Ann Muncada
Coming Soon.