Hi, I’m Cora Baron, a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Social Psychology program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Before UCSB, I earned my B.S. in Psychological Science from Arizona State University and worked as a visiting scholar at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. 

My research sits at the intersection  of close relationships, social identity, and health psychology. In my work, I examine how close relationships help people develop their identities, build resilience in times of stress and adversity, and engage in meaningful growth and self-exploration. Through my studies, I aim to reveal how relational processes (e.g., social support) are linked to important thriving outcomes, including self-acceptance, personal growth, and health. 

In my teaching, I strive to foster an inclusive and dynamic learning environment where students feel empowered to share their ideas, ask questions, and apply theoretical concepts to develop and solve real-world problems and questions.

In my free time, I enjoy photography, reading, travel, and concerts.