Bradley Castiglia, B.A.
Bradley is a second year M.A. student. He received his B.A. from UB in history, psychology, and anthropology. Brad’s research primarily focuses on attitudes, culture, and the self. Specifically, how identity and belief systems may impact the processing of persuasive messages. Additionally, he’s interested in exploring the cognitive underpinnings of material-semiotic relations, both via psychological and sociological methods. In his free time, Brad likes to run and bake (to cancel out the other).
Nicole Koefler, M.A.
Nicole is in her fourth year of the Ph.D. program in Social Psychology at the University at Buffalo. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Theology & Ethics from the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University. Nicole’s research interests include understanding how individuals seek connection with others and fulfill the fundamental need to belong, and how people make sense of the world as safe and/or threatening. In her leisure time, she enjoys perusing used-book stores, exploring Buffalo, and increasing her collection of house plants.
Calaudia Kuchan, B.A.
Calaudia is a second-year PhD student. She earned her BA from OSU in psychology. Her main research interests are ostracism and social need fulfillment. When not working on school she is often taking long walks, rewatching comfort shows with her cats, and making coffee.
Leslie Mei, M.A.
Leslie is a fifth-year PhD student interested in narrative, empathy, and identity. They received their BA in both Psychology and English from Carleton College, and MA in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. Above all, they have an enduring passion for literature as well as a deep fascination with how other people engage with stories. In their free time, they run a book club, play DnD, and tend to their many, many plants.
Cara Michno
My research interests integrate social and cross-cultural psychology. Currently, I am examining the role of social identities/ingroups on satisfying our need to belong. My project seeks to examine how participating in collective experiences (e.g., sitting in class or attending a campus concert) promotes a sense of university belongingness. Additionally, I assess the role of collective effervescence (i.e., a sensation of sacredness and connection with others that occurs during collective activities) as a mediator and group composition (i.e., being with one’s social ingroup or outgroup) as a moderator. I aspire to continue cross-cultural research in graduate school, with a focus specifically on the Hispanic population.
Gabby Pascuzzi, M.A.
Gabby Pascuzzi is a fourth-year PhD student in University at Buffalo SUNY’s Social-Personality Psychology program. Her research interests broadly concern close relationships and how self-concept, identity, and other individual differences may impact relationships. Additionally, she is interested in parasocial relationships and other non-traditional means of belonging. In her free time, Gabby can be found watching too much reality TV, playing board games and video games, and exploring new places to go hiking.
Veronica Schneider, M.A.
Vee’s research interests are, broadly, related to non-traditional means of belonging, particularly parasocial relationships and engaging with stories (such as watching TV or reading books). She is interested in the development and effects of parasocial relationships with fictional characters and celebrities and the effects of the stories that people enjoy in their everyday lives. Additionally, she is interested in self-expansion or how the self changes to incorporate new attributes into one’s self-concept, especially when this occurs non-relationally or during narrative engagement.
Riddhi Shelat
Riddhi is currently a senior studying Psychology with minors in Management and Community Organizing and Development, interested in pursuing Organizational Behavior research. My research interests focus on understanding how constructs like impression management, well-being, belonging, and work-life balance manifest in organizational settings. I aim to explore how individuals navigate their identities in the workplace, manage perceptions, maintain a sense of belonging, and balance personal and professional demands.