MEET OUR TEAM
Principle Investigator
Laura Simone Lewis
Bio: Dr. Laura Simone Lewis is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Anthropology at UC Santa Barbara.
She earned her B.S. from Duke University, her PhD from Harvard University, and was a UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley.
Laura is fascinated by the evolution and development of social cognition in great apes, especially the mechanisms that we use to form, build, maintain, and repair long-term social relationships. Besides hanging out with great apes, Laura loves rock climbing, swimming in the ocean, making pottery, and backpacking in the mountains.
Amanda Goguen
PhD Student
Bio: Amanda is a Ph.D. student in Psychological & Brain Sciences at UC Santa Barbara.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology from CU Denver. She previously worked in the Comparative Cognition Lab at UC San Diego, assisting in data collection and analysis for the Macaque and Canine Cognition projects. She has also collected data at Born Free USA (Texas), Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Kenya), and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Uganda), gaining valuable field experience with primates.
Amanda is particularly interested in how theory of mind abilities and social relationships influence decision-making in cooperative and competitive contexts in chimpanzees, bonobos, and children. Additionally, she wants to explore how self-image and social reputation shape behaviors in social settings. In the future, she hopes to broaden her research to include comparative studies with non-primate animals. In her free time, she likes to play with her dogs, see friends, explore nature, and draw.
Topaz Mizrahi
Student Lab Manager
Bio: Topaz is a fourth year Psychological and Brain Sciences major, minoring in Jewish Studies as well. With a strong interest in Developmental Psychology in relation to phenomenology and its link to mood disorders, she plans to continue her research at UCSB as well as during her gap year as she prepares to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology.
Fun Fact: Topaz has two pitbulls named Belle and Dice!
Maia Richards
Student Lab Manager
Bio: Maia is a 4th year undergraduate student originally from Seattle, WA. Majoring in both Psychological and Brain Sciences and Biological Anthropology, she plans to continue doing various evolutionary psychology related research over the next year in preparation for grad school. With a strong research interest in psychopathology, specifically in how mood disorders may have arisen as evolutionary byproducts, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of the lab, Maia is working on her senior honors thesis, and is Co-Chair of the Public and Mental Health Commission here at UCSB.
Fun Fact: Maia is allergic to cucumbers (yes, including pickles!)
Tanya Ngo
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Tanya is a third-year Biopsychology major at UCSB with a strong interest in understanding how stress and decision-making influence the development and manifestation of mental disorders. She is particularly fascinated by how these psychological and behavioral patterns differ between humans and non-human primates, as well as how theory of mind shapes social cognition across species. Outside of work, Tanya likes to spend time with friends, explore new dessert spots around town, and unwind by watching sunsets at the beach.
Fun Fact: Tanya was born in Vietnam!
Aviela Chang
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Hello! My name is Aviela Chang and I am a 4th year Psychological and Brain Sciences major! I am from Irvine and went to Sage Hill! I love the BOOM Lab and being able to work with chimpanzees!
Fun Fact: I love to sing and have been taking lessons since I was 13!
Eliza Pasha
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: With a background in human evolutionary psychology, Eliza is interested in the similarities between humans' and non-human primates' social relationships — whether that be a friend, foe, or flirt. By taking a comparative approach, she aims to bolster our understanding of the evolutionary history of human behavior and its origins in the mind.
Fun Fact: I can do a rather good Ring-tailed lemur and Lar gibbon impression!
Amirtha Srinivasan
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Amirtha Srinivasan is a second year Psych & Brain Sciences major with a minor in Poverty, Inequality & Social Justice (PISJ)
Fun Fact: Amirtha is a licensed scuba diver!
Luca Battin
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Luca is a first-year undergraduate majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences at UCSB. Having an interest in Developmental Psychology, he is fascinated by the intersections of human and primate behavior, especially considering early social development and close relationships. Outside of work, he enjoys playing tennis, critiquing and enjoying shows/movies, creative writing, and saying hi to the local raccoons!
Fun Fact: He was born on a Friday the 13th!
Taliah Sampson
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Hi! My name is Taliah, and I’m a double major in Anthropology and Psychological & Brain Sciences. I transferred to UCSB after attending community college in my hometown, Long Beach.
Fun Fact: I'm allergic to pillow pets lol (??!?!)
Taliah Sampson
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Hi! My name is Taliah, and I’m a double major in Anthropology and Psychological & Brain Sciences. I transferred to UCSB after attending community college in my hometown, Long Beach.
Fun Fact: I'm allergic to pillow pets lol (??!?!)
Josephine MacDonald
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Josie is a fourth year at UC Santa Barbara pursuing a double major in Psychological and Brain Sciences and Environmental Studies, particularly interested in the impacts and driving forces of human behavior on the environment. By studying the evolution and development of sociocognitive mechanisms in great apes, Josie hopes to further conservation efforts upheld through scientific research.
Outside of school, Josie spends her time camping, hiking, running, and learning new hobbies!
Fun Fact: Josie does not know how to cartwheel (yet) !
Annalise Myatt
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Annalise is a CCS Biology and Biopsychology double major interested in the intersection of molecular neuroscience and social psychology. She is particularly fascinated by how neuronal processes shape social relationships across species. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and spending time at the beach.
Fun Fact: I love mystery novels!
Josephine MacDonald
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Josie is a fourth year at UC Santa Barbara pursuing a double major in Psychological and Brain Sciences and Environmental Studies, particularly interested in the impacts and driving forces of human behavior on the environment. By studying the evolution and development of sociocognitive mechanisms in great apes, Josie hopes to further conservation efforts upheld through scientific research.
Outside of school, Josie spends her time camping, hiking, running, and learning new hobbies!
Fun Fact: Josie does not know how to cartwheel (yet) !
Annalise Myatt
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Annalise is a CCS Biology and Biopsychology double major interested in the intersection of molecular neuroscience and social psychology. She is particularly fascinated by how neuronal processes shape social relationships across species. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and spending time at the beach.
Fun Fact: I love mystery novels!
Joana Thomas
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Joana Thomas is a second-year Psychological and Brain Sciences major minoring in Applied Psychology and Philosophy. Her research interests include autism, social interaction, and support systems. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future. Besides research, she enjoys reading, baking, watching movies, listening to music, and playing video games.
Fun Fact: Joana's favorite video game is Stardew Valley!
Joana Thomas
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Joana Thomas is a second-year Psychological and Brain Sciences major minoring in Applied Psychology and Philosophy. Her research interests include autism, social interaction, and support systems. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future. Besides research, she enjoys reading, baking, watching movies, listening to music, and playing video games.
Fun Fact: Joana's favorite video game is Stardew Valley!
Luna Gedde
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: hello! I am a 4th year psychological and brain science major interested in the methods behind developmental and cognitive psychology research. I am really excited to be supporting BOOM Lab and enjoy learning about the natural world. Outside of courses and work, I love hiking, baking, and sunset walks with my best friends at UCSB.
Fun Fact:I work with infants on campus as a Teacher's Aid
Luna Gedde
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: hello! I am a 4th year psychological and brain science major interested in the methods behind developmental and cognitive psychology research. I am really excited to be supporting BOOM Lab and enjoy learning about the natural world. Outside of courses and work, I love hiking, baking, and sunset walks with my best friends at UCSB.
Fun Fact:I work with infants on campus as a Teacher's Aid
Maeve C. Balavender
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Maeve is a 4th year (ish) UCSB undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and Brain Sciences, with vested interest/passion in both primatology and women's brain health. Hailing from a small rural-suburb in Connecticut, Maeve cites her time working at a local horse barn as pivotal in transforming her lifelong love of animals into a deep-rooted curiosity and investigation of animal behavior. Having had the fortune of taking Dr. Lewis's Social Mind of Primates course this past winter, her investigation further extended into primates; notably fascinated by primate dominance hierarchies and what human societies stand to gleam from female-led primate species like bonobos.
Maeve's lifelong goal (as it stands now) is to continue to propel scientific inquiry, whether that be research on bonobo behavior, cycle-based dosing of pharmacological agents treating ADHD/Mood Disorders/Hormonal conditions, or clinical psychology - all rivers likely leading to the "ocean" of a PhD pathway. It would be most fascinating for her to find an intersection of her passions and see how can we use the intricacies of evolution to expedite progress in women's health research.
Fun Fact: Maeve loves playing basketball, hugging trees, and going for ocean dips
Maeve C. Balavender
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Maeve is a 4th year (ish) UCSB undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and Brain Sciences, with vested interest/passion in both primatology and women's brain health. Hailing from a small rural-suburb in Connecticut, Maeve cites her time working at a local horse barn as pivotal in transforming her lifelong love of animals into a deep-rooted curiosity and investigation of animal behavior. Having had the fortune of taking Dr. Lewis's Social Mind of Primates course this past winter, her investigation further extended into primates; notably fascinated by primate dominance hierarchies and what human societies stand to gleam from female-led primate species like bonobos.
Maeve's lifelong goal (as it stands now) is to continue to propel scientific inquiry, whether that be research on bonobo behavior, cycle-based dosing of pharmacological agents treating ADHD/Mood Disorders/Hormonal conditions, or clinical psychology - all rivers likely leading to the "ocean" of a PhD pathway. It would be most fascinating for her to find an intersection of her passions and see how can we use the intricacies of evolution to expedite progress in women's health research.
Fun Fact: Maeve loves playing basketball, hugging trees, and going for ocean dips
Melanie Hickerson
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: I am a second-year undergraduate student at UCSB, studying Psychology and Brain Science. I'm particularly interested in evolutionary psychology, with a focus on the connections between human behavior and our primate relatives. In my own time, I enjoy figure drawing and spending time at the beach.
Fun Fact: I hold a black belt in taekwondo
Melanie Hickerson
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: I am a second-year undergraduate student at UCSB, studying Psychology and Brain Science. I'm particularly interested in evolutionary psychology, with a focus on the connections between human behavior and our primate relatives. In my own time, I enjoy figure drawing and spending time at the beach.
Fun Fact: I hold a black belt in taekwondo
Zoe Little
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Zoe is a third-year Psychological and Brain Sciences major with a minor in Applied Psychology. She is interested in nonhuman primate social cognition, with a focus on how friendships form and influence group dynamics, particularly in the context of coalitionary behavior. She is also interested in psychopathology and developmental psychology, and she plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Originally from Big Bear, California, Zoe enjoys spending time with friends, running, reading, and being outside.
Fun Fact: she has been playing the piano for twelve years!
Zoe Little
Undergrad Research Assistant
Bio: Zoe is a third-year Psychological and Brain Sciences major with a minor in Applied Psychology. She is interested in nonhuman primate social cognition, with a focus on how friendships form and influence group dynamics, particularly in the context of coalitionary behavior. She is also interested in psychopathology and developmental psychology, and she plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Originally from Big Bear, California, Zoe enjoys spending time with friends, running, reading, and being outside.
Fun Fact: she has been playing the piano for twelve years!
BOOM Lab Team
Dr. Lewis and BOOM Lab PhD student Amanda Goguen, alongside student lab managers and undergraduate research assistants at the Los Angeles Zoo