The SPSP Student Committee runs year-round programs, resources, and events for the SPSP student community. During the Annual Convention, we organize mentoring lunches and student awards. The student committee is comprised of ten members this year, who are introduced below.
Garam Lee (she/her) – Chair
Hello everyone! I'm a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the educational psychology and educational technology program at Michigan State University. I'm looking forward to learning more about you so that we can serve you even better this year! This year, my foremost priority and source of excitement is to actively engage with SPSP student members and gather their valuable insights on their needs throughout the year, including the Annual Convention. By incorporating their input into our plans and programs, we aim to create a more inclusive and responsive environment for all members. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to send them to [email protected]!
Fun fact: I love sunflowers, but unfortunately, so do the squirrels in my yard. So, I planted 20 pounds of sunflower seeds this year so that I can enjoy the beauty of these flowers.
Sherika Caliste (she/her) – Vice Chair
I am entering my second year in the Social-Personality Psychology doctoral program at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. My research interests are rooted in social justice and aimed at understanding the relationship between historical and social factors and attachment. I'm excited to work alongside a dynamic team of students who will support the mission of SPSP. I'm also looking forward to collaborating with other committees!
Fun Fact: I love music and movement! I enjoy delving into new music from unfamiliar artists in unfamiliar genres. As a result, dance quickly became one of my first loves. I danced ballet, modern, and jazz for six years as an adolescent. As a Caribbean/American, I mostly enjoy cultural dances related to soca, calypso, and reggae music. I also enjoy dances like salsa, bachata, and kompa!
Stelios Syropoulos (he/him) – Past Chair & Board of Directors Member
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Boston College. My research focuses on moral, intergenerational, and environmental decision-making, particularly within the context of climate change. I am also engaged in the study of the psychology of peace and violence. Specifically, I am interested in the antecedents and consequences of intergroup conflict. In this field of research, I place a particular focus on the role of national identity. I'm excited about getting to work with everyone again! I can't believe it's been 2 years already since I joined the Student Committee!
Fun Fact: I love otters!
Fahima Mohideen (she/her) – SPSPotlight Newsletter Co-editor
I'm a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Social Psychology at Rutgers University-Newark. I research topics at the intersection of social and positive psychology – I study meaning in life, well-being, and positive outcomes in individual and societal contexts. In some of my recent projects I investigate the sources of momentary meaning in daily life, and the role of feelings of meaning in collective action against societal injustice. In my second (and last) year as the SPSPotlight co-editor, I'm really looking forward to producing articles that reflect a diverse range of experiences, needs, and careers!
Fun Fact: I love reading! I regularly read over 100 books a year, with my personal best being 231 books in 2020!
Lourdes Mestre (she/her) – SPSPotlight Co-editor
I am a first-year graduate student at the Drexel University College of Medicine. My research interests stem deeply in applied practices, social cognition, social learning, and the neurological basis of behavior. As a graduate student, I plan to study the prevalence of technology addiction across the lifespan and raise awareness of this social dilemma affecting everyone. As a first-generation student, I'm most excited to learn from and connect with the graduate student community and all other SPSP committee members!
Fun Fact: I was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in South Florida, yet have lived in many states across the U.S.
Richard "Rich" Chang (he/they) – Member-at-Large, DEI, & Climate Committee Member
I am a 1st-year doctoral student in the Psychological & Brain Sciences Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. My research interests are in queer psychology, Asian American psychology, and race/racism. As of now, I am studying microaggressions and their link to psychological distress. I am most excited to work with the future generation of student leaders and to create systematic change to increase equity, diversity, and access for students.
Fun Fact: I have a cat named Sesame.
Ashley Krause (she/her) – Member-at-Large, Peer Advising & PUI Committee Member
I am entering my third year at the University of Florida Social Psychology PhD program. I am a socioecological psychologist interested in understanding the conditions under which people's interactions with places foster their well-being. My area of interest is the psychology of place and well-being. Put more simply: do places of attachment foster increased well-being (meaning in life, psychological richness, satisfaction)? I am excited to meet and collaborate with all of the amazing people who help keep SPSP running. I also look forward to learning how larger organizations like SPSP work.
Fun Fact: I have two dogs: a German shepherd (Aslyn) and a dachshund (Simba).
Max Soares Miehlstein (he/they) – Member-at-Large, Mentoring Lunch & Convention Committee
I just finished my second year in the Psychology PhD program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. My broad research interest is the cognitive processes of specific minority populations. This primarily includes theory of mind and minority group identity (mixed methods approach). Additionally eye gaze cue processing of autistic adults (quantitative designs). I'm excited to get to know more people in the field and make professional connections!
Fun Fact: I have eight pets! I have four cats, one dog, and three chickens.
Tanvi Tomar (she/her) – Member-at-Large, Professional Development & Writing Groups
I am currently pursuing an MA in Applied Psychology at Jamia Millia Islamia, India, and working as a remote Research Assistant at UCLA. My research interests involve understanding the role of social support, resilience, and individual characteristics that contribute to the health and well-being of the person. I am definitely looking forward to interacting with the psychology students and researchers from different countries and learning about their work. I am also hoping to create more accessibility to professional development resources for students from the countries of the Global South.
Fun Fact: I am a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and I enjoy dancing as a hobby!
Steven Zhou (he/him) – Member-at-Large, Social Media Chair
I'm a fourth-year PhD candidate in Organizational Psychology at George Mason University. My primary research areas are leadership, psychometrics, and the academic-practitioner gap. I conduct studies on topics such as new methods of measuring leadership, personality measurement, and testing, and the degree to which psychological science is accurately communicated to the public. I am excited to grow our social media engagement and leverage it to increase opportunities for graduate students in SPSP!
Fun Fact: I am a committed Android user. I tried an iPhone once and returned it because I couldn't handle its limitations.
SPSP Elects New Student Leadership
Yuen J. Huo to Lead Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin as Editor
