Our Team

Lab Director
Headshot

Alex Ajayi, Ph.D., LP

Dr. Alex Ajayi is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. His research program seeks to understand the impact of social marginalization, factors that underpin health and education disparities among diverse groups, and ways to reduce these disparities. He is interested in developing scalable and innovative interventions in health and education. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. 

Graduate Students

 

Breyonnah Wade

Breyonnah Wade

Breyonnah is a second-year PhD student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Princeton University. She is generally interested in mental health and education disparities among marginalized populations, particularly Black/African American and low-income populations. 

 


 

Chenhao Zhao

Chenhao Zhao

Chenhao “Chen” Zhao is a second-year PhD student from China. He received his B.S. and M.S. in clinical/community psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Chenhao is mainly interested in mental health disparities among marginalized populations, especially international students and AAPI. Outside of school, he likes playing video games and watching Japanese anime.

 


 

Jacob Schachter

Jake Schachter

Jake is a third-year PhD student from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Augsburg University with a BA in psychology and a double minor in statistics and religion. He is interested in developing, implementing, and evaluating trauma-informed mindfulness-based interventions. He is also interested in minority stress, substance use, and neuroscience research. Outside of school he likes to travel, hike, and play soccer.

 


 

Tesia Shi

Tesia Shi

Tesia is a first-year PhD student from Gaithersburg, Maryland. She graduated with a double degree in Psychology and Biology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is interested in sociocultural factors of mental health and increasing the accessibility and cultural sensitivity of interventions. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, going on long walks, and munching on bagels.

 


 

William Greenberg

Will Greenberg

Will is a research coordinator and a first-year M.A. student in Counselor Education from Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a BS in psychology from the University of Minnesota. His research interests include the intersectionality of identity, sexual misconduct, and developing interventions. Outside of school, Will enjoys listening to music, and playing soccer.

Undergraduate Students
Amanda

Amanda Lossef 

Amanda is a fourth year undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Psychology, with interests in health psychology and dentistry. Outside of school, she enjoys playing chess, sketching, and leathercrafting.

 

 

 

 

Anastasia

Anastasia Bandiera

Anastasia is a first year undergraduate student pursuing a major in Psychology (B.S.) while following the Pre-Med track. She hopes to expand her horizon on the Socio-Cultural approaches to medicine both mentally and physically. Besides school, her interests involve a variety of outside activities such as frisbee, hiking, and swimming, including some indoor gaming during below freezing weather.

 

 

Jiaxuan "Anna" Jiang

Jiaxuan (Anna) Jiang​​

Anna is in her third year of undergraduate school, majoring in psychology (B.A). Her psychology interests are in counseling, stress and trauma, and cultural differences. Outside of school, she enjoys watching scary movies, anime, and theater. 

 

 

Anu

Anu Adekunle

Anu is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Statistics. Her psychology interests are in counseling, adolescent depression, and mental health disparities. Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting, watching movies and taking walks.

 

 

Baily

Baily-Amina Rodrigue

Baily is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing her Psychology B.A. with a minor in African and African American Studies. Her research interests fall under the scope of Counseling and Social Psychology. Outside of school, she enjoys crafting, reading, taking walks in nature, and trying new foods.

 

 

Jake

Jacob Mayer

Jacob is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology. His interests are in psychiatry and neurology. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching the Timberwolves.

 

 

 

Logan

Logan Lestina

Logan is in his fourth year of undergrad pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science. His interests are in counseling and clinical psychology. Outside of school, he enjoys watching movies, reading, and climbing.

 

 

Lucy Gerst

Lucy Gerst

Lucy is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. Her interests include counseling, cognitive and clinical psychology. Outside of school, she enjoys making art, spending time outside, and watching TV with friends and family.

 

 

Varsha

Varsha Venkatesh

Varsha is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with minors in Developmental Psychology, Integrative Neuroscience, and Ensemble Music. Her research interests include counseling, education, and identity. Outside of school, she enjoys playing instruments, reading, and spending time outdoors. 

Lab Alumni

2025

Halle Bretz

David Girin

Reese Kennedy

Calista Smith

Theo Thompson-Guldseth

Yuyi Wang


2024

Karly Allison

Rianna Gomes

Palwasha Khan

Paul Krenik