Marjan Dost (she/her) Marjan is a first-year graduate student in the I/O Psychology program at SFSU. She obtained her bachelor's in I/O Psychology at CSU, East Bay. Marjan's research interest aligns more on Talent Assesment and Performance Evaluation. In her free time, she enjoys checking out new coffee shops or browse bookstores. |
Rodela Nirjhar (she/her) Rodela is a first-year graduate student in the I/O Psychology Master’s program at San Francisco State University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research interests include workplace technology, teamwork, and personnel selection and retention. Through participation in this lab, she hopes to gain valuable knowledge and leadership skills, with the ultimate goal of working at NASA. In her free time, Rodela enjoys going to the gym, cooking, playing volleyball and badminton, taking photographs, exploring SF, painting, and participating in dragon boat. |
Steven Wong (he/him) Steven is a first-year graduate student in the I/O psychology master’s program at SFSU. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a BA in psychology. He was a part of Cal Poly Pomona’s McNair Scholars program. His undergraduate research focused on the extent to which personality traits found in the five-factor model of personality and locus of control predict job satisfaction. He presented his research at the Western Psychological Association Convention in San Francisco in April 2024. His current research interests are how VR training can improve performance and perception in skill-based learning activities and exploring employee well-being topics related to self-actualization and how that relates to the flow state. During his free time, he enjoys playing board games and casual pick-up games of pickleball. |
Kiara Rodriguez-Angulo (she/her) Kiara is a first-year graduate student in the I/O Psychology Master’s Program. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside in 2024. Her start in the field was in the Leadership and Group Dynamics Lab at UCR. Since, she has gained professional experience as a Human Resources Partner and People and Talent Analytics Intern. Her research interests include DEI, training and development, HR analytics, and the effects of personality in the workplace. Her favorite pastimes are yoga, cooking, trying new restaurants, and going on sunset walks |
Marcelina Zavala (she/her) Marcelina is a first-year graduate student in the I/O Psychology Master's Program, she holds a BA in Psychology and brings a unique perspective to the intersection of human behavior and technology. With a deep interest in the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, and wants to focus on how AI can influence executive leadership, decision-making processes, and employee training. Their research explores the transformative potential of AI to enhance organizational effectiveness, while maintaining a strong emphasis on human-centric approaches. Passionate about integrating psychological insights into technological advancements, Marcelina is committed to driving innovation that benefits both individuals and businesses in the evolving digital landscape. |
Cosette Oconnell (she/her) Cosette is a first-year graduate student in the I/O Psychology program at SFSU. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology at the University of San Francisco. Her research and career interests include employee skill acquisition and retention, as well as group membership and identity in workplace contexts. Cosette enjoys playing guitar, drawing, and visiting new neighborhoods and fun spots in the Bay Area. |
Isaiah Washington (he/him) Isaiah earned his Bachelor's in Sociology from SF State in 2023. His understanding of social structures and human in organizational settings developed his interests in the I/O areas of productivity, boosting employee satisfaction, and driving overall organizational effectiveness. Isaiah brings a diverse background to his studies with a passion for football he developed by being an athlete in junior college. His previous athletic and work experiences taught him about teamwork, leadership, resilience, interpersonal skills, and customer service skills. He is eager to learn about research and contribute to the field of I/O. |
Luis Gutierrez (he/him) Luis is a second-year graduate student in the I/O Psychology program at SFSU. He obtained his bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Business at San Jose State University. While undergoing his undergraduate studies, Luis primarily worked at Tesla’s Fremont Factory as a test-driver and an assembly line production associate. His I/O research interests include VR, training and development, person analytics, and employee motivation. In his free time, Luis enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going out for a run. |
Julie Zhu (she/her) Julie is a first-year international graduate student in the I/O Psychology master’s program at SFSU. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Toronto in 2022. Her current research interests include talent management, employee well-being, and legal issues related to implementing technology at work. Outside of school, Julie enjoys various outdoor activities, binge-watching movies, and exploring for good food. |
Nishka Vipul (she/her) Nishka is a second-year graduate student in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at San Francisco State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science from UCLA. Her research interests span DEI, organizational change, leadership training and development, and employee well-being. Currently, she is exploring how remote work policies affect early career professionals. Passionate about mental health, she currently works as a mental health coach. Nishka aspires to pursue a career in consulting, with a focus on both companies and non-profits. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time in nature. |
Monica Thuy Tran (she/her) Monica is a first-year I/O psychology graduate student at SFSU. Her research focus includes AI, virtual environments, group dynamics, and communication. Her ultimate goal is to enhance research-based decision-making for a more sustainable and profitable work culture in Fortune 500 companies. Monica strongly believes those in leadership roles are responsible for developing the knowledge and skills to bring out the maximum potential of their employees so she's driven to continually refine the skills needed to foster environments that promote growth. During her free time, Monica enjoys practicing martial arts, running, and camping. |
McGyver Ye (he/him) McGyver is a first-generation student in the I/O Psychology masters program at SFSU. He received his bachelor's degree in Psychological Science with a minor in Digital Information Systems at the University of California, Irvine. His research interests include technology in personnel management, attention span, and how personality impacts recruiting decisions, group cohesion, leadership, and success in the workplace. During his free time, he enjoys playing video games, cuddling with his orange cat Theo, and breaking a sweat running. |
Nicolo Tocchini (he/him) Nico is a first-year master's student in the SFSU MSIO program. He obtained a bachelors in psychology and a minor in economics at the University of California, Irvine in 2022. During the past year he has worked as an ABA therapist while preparing to start his master's program. Some of Nico's research interests are personality and affective science in the workplace and their affects on productivity, training, and adaptation to technological advancements and implementation. In his free time, Nico enjoys reading, playing video games, bouldering, and spending time with friends. His plan is to graduate by 2025 and pursue a PhD. |
Dani Sanchez
Dani started at SFSU in the fall of 2017. Her interests are in long walks, squeaky chew toys, and lots of sleep. She is the longest standing member of the research lab.
