I’m a Law & Psychology Ph.D. student here at ASU. I graduated from UC San Diego with a BS in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience in 2019. There I completed my psychology honors thesis with Dr. John Wixted as my advisor. I also spent two years as a research assistant in Dr. Leslie Carver’s Developmental Neuroscience lab. After graduating I spent a year working as a research assistant in Dr. Margaret Bull Kovera’s lab at John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY. My current research interests include eyewitness memory, especially eyewitness identification research. When I’m not working in the lab, I enjoy sketching, cooking, and watching movies. You can find my CV here.

I'm a graduate student at ASU's Law and Psychology PhD program. My educational background includes a BA and MA from Bogazici University, where I also worked as a research and teaching assistant. My research interests revolve around topics like eyewitness identification and social influences on memory. If I am not studying, I like playing video games, singing, biking, and frolicking with my furry friends.

I am a graduate student in the Law & Psychology Ph.D. program at ASU. I graduated from the University of Florida (UF) with a B.S. in Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences in 2020. Before joining Dr. Smalarz’s lab, I worked as a study coordinator in Dr. Natalie Ebner’s Social-Cognitive and Affective Development Lab at UF for three years. My current research interests include eyewitness memory and investigative interviews. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exploring new places, and spending time outdoors.

I’m a graduate student in ASU’s Law and Psychology Ph.D. program. I graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology and Multidisciplinary Studies. While at Oklahoma State, I worked as a research assistant with Dr. Kara Moore and Dr. Sarah Kucker. My research interests include risk factors for wrongful convictions, with a particular focus on social influences on eyewitness identification, police interrogations, and social biases. In my free time, I enjoy making jewelry, exercising, and reading.

Hi! My name is Naomi and I'm a student majoring in Forensic Psychology. I'm so excited to explore this field as it is very interesting to me. I've always loved crime shows like Criminal Minds. I find understanding the mind and the reasons behind what people do interesting, which is why I chose Forensic Psychology at ASU. I'm looking forward to getting more experience in the field of Forensic Psych through the labs I'm in as well as my classes and finding out exactly what I want to do with it in the future.

Hello! My name is Olivia Robillard, and I am an undergraduate student majoring in forensic psychology. I became interested in this subject because the church I attended back in Colorado had a program for incarcerated individuals. A few of the men who were out of prison spoke to one of our volunteer groups about their time while incarcerated. Their stories and descriptions of the treatment they received from the staff spoke to me. I have always been intrigued when listening to what others are going through and attempting to give advice on what their next steps should be. Combining that with my interest in changing the prison system, I hope to pursue a career in criminal counseling and rehabilitation. I look forward to participating in Dr. Smalarz’s lab because I know it will give me unique perspectives and beneficial experience. 

My name is Merin Mary Sunil, currently a student at ASU studying Forensic Psychology. My interest in psychology, combined with a keen interest in crime shows and case solving, led me to choose this major, which I consider to be one of my best decisions. My academic journey at ASU is an important step toward deepening my understanding of human mindset and behavior, as well as an exploration of the legal system's complexities. Following my bachelor's degree, I plan to pursue a master's degree in criminology, motivated by a strong desire to understand the complexities of psychology in the context of criminal behavior. As a research lab assistant, I will gain valuable practical experience that will benefit both my academic development and my overall immersion in the fascinating field of forensic psychology.

Hello! My name is Billie Fincher, and I am an undergraduate student majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Social Justice and Human Rights. In the future, I hope to continue my studies in graduate school, specifically focusing on the cultural factors of crime. I am interested in learning more about eye witness statements and how they can be altered by law enforcement, and I believe that this lab is the perfect opportunity to study these interests. As a research assistant, I am confident that I will be able to gain a better understanding of how to work in the lab and exactly how to run proper experiments that lead to valuable results. 

My name is Alaina Dieron and I am a student at ASU. I am majoring in Forensic Psychology and I love the classes that I am taking. I am also a Devil's Advocate (tour guide) when I am not in classes or at work! I am from San Jose, California and I grew up playing way too many sports and spending time with my family. When I have time to relax, I like to watch Formula 1 racing and spending time with my friends. After graduating, I hope to join a master's program and further my education! 

Hi everyone! My name is Riley Bridge and I am a double major in Justice Studies and Psychology. Outside of the lab, I am a ASU Tempe campus tour guide and a Senator for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I am originally from Cincinnati, OH, so I’m a huge Bengals fan, or any Cincy sports team fan! After graduation, I hope to continue my education by getting a PhD in Clinical Psychology to eventually work in the Corrections and Law field. I am super excited to immerse myself in the lab over the next year and I am grateful to be a part of such impactful research!

Hi everyone, I’m Pranavi Medukonduru, and I’m majoring in Forensic Science at the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. My passion for this field really took off after binge-watching crime films and diving into crime novels—something about how biology and chemistry, especially DNA, can reveal the truth just captivated me. Alongside my studies, I’m working on double certificates in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Profiling because I’m fascinated by the complexities of the human mind and its connection to criminal behavior. Outside of class, you’ll find me reading (always expanding my knowledge) or playing guitar to unwind. I’m super excited to be part of this research team, focusing on eyewitness identification, forensic evidence, and confessions in custodial interrogations. It’s a perfect blend of everything I love—science, psychology, and justice. 

Hi! My name is Maggie Clements, and I’m a student in the Forensic Psychology Master’s Program at Arizona State University. I chose this program because it directly aligns with both my academic interests and long-term goal of becoming a forensic psychologist. Upon graduating in the spring, I plan to apply to ASU’s Psychology Ph.D. program to continue my education and earn the credentials necessary to practice psychology in Arizona. I have previous research experience from my undergraduate studies and am excited to continue building on that foundation in a hands-on, applied research setting. Outside of academics, I work full-time as a behavioral health case manager. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, reading, spending time with friends, and golfing with my family. I’m thrilled to be part of the lab and look forward to contributing to its ongoing projects!

Hello, my name is Erina Abbasi, and I majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Criminology & Criminal Justice. Upon graduation, I plan to  continue my education, working towards a master's in Crime Analysis or a related field. I am passionate about psychology, law, and criminology, so I am very excited to participate in research relating to those fields. Overall, I look forward to taking critical skills and experience from this lab as I continue with research throughout my academic and professional life. 

Hello! My name is Taylor Vaughn and I’m an undergraduate student here at ASU, majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Social and Behavioral Sciences. I am interested in all things related to criminal investigations and love watching crime shows and documentaries. I absolutely love traveling and being outdoors with my friends and family. Some of my other hobbies include reading, painting, making jewelry, and watching movies when I get the chance. I look forward to the opportunity of being a research assistant in Dr. Smalarz’s lab and engaging in research procedures that will aid me in my future career!

Hello, my name is Alexandra Nelson, but I go by Ali. I am an undergraduate student located on the West Valley Campus. I am majoring in Forensic Psychology and will soon be adding International Relations as my second major. I love meeting new people and being very involved at my school. I also enjoy being active, so you can almost always find me somewhere in the gym. I grew up in a military household, which heavily influenced my curiosity regarding international crime and acts of terrorism. Mental health is a fascination of mine as well, specifically its connection, or lack thereof, to murder. My goal is to solve global crimes on a federal level using forensic and psychological techniques. I am so excited to work with everyone and expand my skillset. I hope to gain valuable experience from this lab and apply what I learned to my field of study.

Hello, my name is Anna Lugo Ortecho. I am an undergraduate student located on the West Valley Campus. I am double-majoring in Forensic Psychology and Political Science while also being an active participant in Barrett The Honors College. I am interested in everything criminal justice and political science. After my Bachelor's, I want to pursue a JD, looking towards criminal prosecution. I am also actively involved on campus as a Barrett Mentor and Director of Student Involvement and Diversity here at the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). Overall, I am excited to start my research experience here at the lab and enhance my skills that will help me towards my future goals. 

Hi, my name is Gretchen Hoffman. I am a double-major in Forensic Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice, and am involved in Barrett The Honors College. I am interested in the law enforcement field, and I plan to complete a master's degree in criminal justice in the future. I am passionate about how the mind functions and how that relates to the criminal justice field. I love reading, watching crime documentaries, and going to the gym. I also enjoy spending time outside, particularly going on hikes. I am super excited to work within this lab and gain valuable knowledge about how psychology relates to the legal field!

Hi, I’m Cass Mathew and I’m a student at ASU majoring in Forensic Psychology with a certificate in Writing. I’m very interested in psychology and criminal justice, and plan to continue my education as well as work towards something in criminal reform post graduation. In my free time I write & world build fiction, paint mini canvases, and plan elaborate projects far above my skill level. I’m ecstatic to be part of the lab—both as a concept I’m interested in and to gain experience in a research field.

Hi, I’m Katie Sitolini, and I’m an undergraduate at ASU majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I grew up watching crime and mystery shows which has heavily influenced my interest in this field. I also love learning about the workings of the mind, and the causes and reasons for why people make the choices that they do. So, I’m very excited to be working in this lab and expanding my knowledge in these areas, as well as in the research field itself. A bit about me is that I love playing volleyball, spending time with my friends, and listening to music. I also enjoy reading whenever I get the chance, my favorite books to read are classics, fantasy, and fiction. I look forward to working in Dr. Smalarz’s lab and learning skills that will help me in both my academic and professional career, as I plan to continue my education going into a masters program.