Our Team

Principal Investigator

Anjolii Diaz, Ph.D.

Dr. Diaz is an assistant professor of Psychological Science. She is a developmental psychologist with a background in infant and child behavioral and physiological development. Through the use of various methodologies (e.g. EEG, ECG, Actigraphy, observations, and questionnaires), her research program focuses on the role of temperament (individual difference in emotion regulation and emotion reactivity) and executive functioning in developing social competence and academic achievement throughout development. She is also interested in exploring how parenting and culture might influence these associations.

Dr. Diaz is currently accepting students for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information about the master’s in clinical psychology program at Ball State, please use this link.

 

Graduate Research Assistants

Lab Manager: Macy Rieman Neff, B.S. (she/her)

Macy is a second-year student in the Clinical Psychology Master’s program at Ball State University. She currently works as a graduate assistant for Dr. Ritchey and serves as the lab manager for Dr. Diaz’s PACE lab. Macy’s research interests include emotion and reading comprehension. Specifically, Macy is interested in how various emotions can influence college students and their academic success. After graduation, Macy hopes to obtain her PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, Macy likes to grow plants, bake cookies, and try new recipes!

macy.rieman@bsu.edu

 

Graduate Assistant: Alex (Alejandro) Sánchez (he/him)

Alex is a first-year student in the Psychological Science Master’s program at Ball State University. Alex’s research interests include behavior/emotion, cognitive processes, and cognitive biases. After graduation, Alex hopes to obtain a PhD in a psychology-related field of study and aims to pursue a career in research and/or as a professor of psychology. In his free time, Alex enjoys hiking, drawing, and listening to music of every genre.

 

 

 

 

 

Graduate Assistant: Ana Júlia Mourão (she/her)

Ana Julia is a first-year student in the Psychological Science Master’s program at Ball State University. Her research interests include emotions and cognitive functions. She hopes to explore the relationship between emotion regulation and executive functions in order to facilitate the development of more accurate interventions. After obtaining her master’s degree, Ana Júlia plans to pursue a Ph.D. program related to Neuropsychology. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her friends, reading, and traveling to new places.

 

 

 

 

 

Eshmehar Sahni (she/her)

Eshmehar is a second-year student in the Clinical Psychology M.A. and Quantitative Psychology M.S. programs at Ball State University. She currently works as the graduate assistant for Dr. Holtgraves and Dr. Lueke and volunteers as a research assistant for Dr. Diaz’s PACE lab. Eshmehar’s research interests include adverse childhood experiences and their potential link to depression and anxiety disorders, as well as the role of protective factors in this context. After graduation, Eshmehar hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she likes to read, go on walks and listen to music.

 

 

 

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Catherine Davis (she/her)

Catherine is a third-year undergraduate student at Ball State University who is double majoring in psychology and sociology while also minoring in counseling. She plans to pursue a psychology-related master’s degree after graduation, which would further her career goal of either becoming a therapist or pursuing a career in research. Catherine’s research interests include emotions and how they relate to or influence human behavior. In her free time, Catherine enjoys crocheting, doing jigsaw puzzles, and havingmovie nights with her friends!

 

 

 

 

Nyah Winbush (she/her)

Nyah is a second year Ball State Student majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience. She chose her path of study with the interest of studying the brain and looking at how different diseases/illnesses not only affects the brain but also the day-to-day life of the individual. Her goal is to obtain her Master’s through Ball State and go on to get her PhD/ additional certification in her career path. She hopes to be able to work with patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and help in the journey to discover treatment/medications to cure diseases. In her free time, Nyah loves to listen to music, crochet, practice photography, and travel.

 

 

 

Kennedy Swope (she/her)

Kennedy is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology while double minoring in Creative Writing and History. She hopes to apply and be accepted into the Accelerated Master’s Program for Clinical Psychology at Ball State to further her goal of becoming a therapist. She finds specific fascination in Cognitive Psychology and how the brain works. Outside academics, Kennedy loves reading, writing, listening to music, and taking photos. Her love of photography led her to become the Associate Photos/Videos Editor for an organization called Byte, something she’s also super excited about this semester.

 

 

Lydia LaChance (she/her)

Lydia is a second year Ball State student majoring in Psychology and Anthropology with a minor in Spanish. She hopes to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology, while conducting research or become a clinical psychologist. She is most excited to grow and explore her interests within the field of psychology. In her spare time, she likes to take care of both her mental and physical health by reading, going to the gym and drawing. She also has a special interest in languages, and with this in mind, hopes to become fluent in Spanish one day. She finds communicating with more people in their native language is very fulfilling. Lydia is passionate about Psychology because of her drive to understand people, especially under a compassionate lens.