Meet the Team

Jiin Jung, Ph.D. | Principal Investigator

jiin.jung@lehigh.edu |  jiinjung.com

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Jiin Jung is a social psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lehigh University. Dr. Jung's research focuses on how minority voices, often dismissed as too radical to take seriously or too invisible to matter, can spread through society, driving changes in social norms and cultural practices, and building a more innovative and resilient society. Her work intersects social psychology, computational social science, and community engagement, aiming to tackle pressing social challenges and provide insights for policy interventions. She serves as Secretary of the Computational Social Science Society of the Americas, all while engaging in policy initiatives geared toward democracy and gender equity. 

Before coming to Lehigh University, she was a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Public and International Affairs and the Department of Psychology at Princeton University, a postdoctoral research in the Department of Psychology at New York University, and a visiting assistant professor in the Brain, Behavior, and Quantitative Science Program of the Department of Psychology at the University of Kansas. She completed her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at Claremont Graduate University, M.A. in Social Psychology at Sungkyunkwan University, and B.S. in Biology at Seoul National University. 

​Before beginning her academic career, she worked as an editor at Toto Book publishing. In this role, she developed an environmental education program for youth called Wild Grass School, and collaborated with peace activist Dae-Kwon Hwang in running the program. This work was published in the children's magazine, A Whale Told Me So. This program was part of Hwang's broader Life-Peace Movement, which used non-violence methods for achieving social change. She later edited Hwang's related book, Wild Grass School. This experience planted the seed for her research on tolerance, indirect minority influence, and social change.  

Karleigh Groves, M.A. | PhD Student

kgroves@lehigh.edu

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Karleigh Groves is a second-year doctoral student in Social Psychology at Lehigh University. Her current research is focused on identity threat, identity fluidity, and identity uncertainty, particularly for people who identify as bisexual. She is also interested in how people negotiate multiple identities within different social contexts, how these identity dynamics influence intergroup relations, and how groups and individuals develop a sense of safety in physical and abstract space. Through her research, Karleigh aims to leverage principles from social psychological research and computational methods, as well as perspectives from other social science disciplines, to develop applied interventions that promote equity, particularly in relation to gender and sexuality.

Before coming to Lehigh University, Karleigh was a Junior Research Scientist and Lab Manager at New York University in the Ripollés Lab and the Music and Audio Research Lab (MARL). She completed her M.A. in Social Sciences with a concentration in Psychology and a graduate certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies from the University of Chicago, where she was a graduate research assistant in the Embodying Race(ism) Lab. She received her B.A. in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Classics from Hofstra University.

Tashiana Walker | Master's Student

taw525@lehigh.edu

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Tashiana Walker is a first-year master’s student in psychology at Lehigh University. Her research interests center on the adultification of African American girls and the ways in which they navigate societal expectations, whether by conforming to or resisting them. She is also interested in how minority groups can strengthen voice and representation to reduce marginalization. Tashiana takes an interdisciplinary approach to her work, with the goal of translating research insights into real-world applications.

Tashiana earned her B.S. in Psychology and Physics, with minors in Classical Studies (Latin focus) and Forensic Anthropology, from the University of Louisville. She previously worked with Dr. Benne Holwerda on physics education research, studying science self-efficacy, student outcomes, and gender differences in introductory astronomy. 

Kira Miller | Undergraduate Research Assistant

ksm226@lehigh.edu 

Kira Miller is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Lehigh University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Marketing and Spanish. She is particularly interested in the psychology behind marketing communication, focusing on consumer behavior and market research. Kira is also interested in developing better understanding of research and the processes involved in conducting it. She is currently studying abroad in Barcelona.

During her time at Lehigh, Kira has participated in Marketing Research (MKT 312), where she explored the relationship between phone usage and mental health. Through this research, the group used interviewing and surveying to collect data, then coding it and running tests to identify correlation. Additionally, she completed an Omnichannel Marketing simulation with Lululemon, which involved leveraging various channels to strengthen company-consumer relationships.

Naomi Barragan | Undergraduate Research Assistant

nmb227@lehigh.edu  

Naomi Barragan is a third-year undergraduate student at Lehigh University majoring in Psychology with a potential concentration in behavioral health. She is passionate about understanding the human mind and behavior. Her journey in psychology has fueled her curiosity about mental health, cognitive processes, and the ways psychology can be applied to everyday life. She is particularly interested in behavioral science and overall exploring how research can be used to improve the well-being of people. Whether it's studying the complexities of human emotions or analyzing patterns in decision-making, she is always eager to learn more! 

Raimundo Ruiz | Undergraduate Research Assistant

rar228@lehigh.edu   

Raimundo Ruiz is a second-year undergraduate at Lehigh University, double majoring in Psychology and Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS). He is also a Douglas Fellow in the 4+1 MPH program. Raimundo is passionate about applying psychology to issues of social justice, expanding access to mental health resources for underserved populations, and creating equitable spaces for minorities. His interest in the field grows from witnessing deep inequalities in behavioral health and social services, particularly within immigrant and queer communities to which he belongs. He is especially driven by exploring how the inner workings of the human mind interact with social environments to shape large-scale movements, conflicts, and systems.

Grace Martin | Undergraduate Research Assistant

grm428@lehigh.edu

Grace Martin is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art. She has always sought an understanding of the inner workings of the human mind, with a persistent curiosity about why humans behave the way they do—especially for why they so passionately abide by arbitrary social systems. Throughout the recent years of her academic journey, she has developed a particular interest in the psychology behind bias and prejudice as well as how individual cognition impacts the way humans function as a collective. Her passion for art stems from its inherent radicalism and psychological implications, how every piece is calculated to communicate a profound message to the artist’s audience. 

Avery Eskin | Undergraduate Research Assistant

ave228@lehigh.edu

Avery Eskin is a second-year undergraduate student at Lehigh University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minoring in History. She is deeply interested in discovering the connection between social issues and political systems, drawing on historical and contemporary perspectives. Throughout her first year at Lehigh, she has developed a passion for many areas within psychology, particularly in understanding social interactions, behavior, and the factors that drive social change. After graduating, Avery hopes to help children in their mental health journey, as well as continuing to research and learn about topics that interest her. 

Lauren Solorzano | Undergraduate Research Assistant

las328@lehigh.edu 

Lauren Solorzano is a second-year undergraduate student at Lehigh University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Marketing. She is interested in how psychological concepts like identity, memory, and social influence shape consumer behavior. Her research explores why Generation Z is drawn to earlier decades and how this nostalgic appeal impacts purchasing decisions, particularly in fashion. She aims to better understand the cognitive and emotional drivers behind trend cycles and brand attachment.