Diya Dharmendran, M.S.

Diya earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Miami and her M.S. in Medical Sciences from Boston University, where she studied intersectional health-related stigma in adults with chronic pain. Drawing from personal experience, her research explores how psychological, social, and cultural factors, especially race and identity, shape pain perception among marginalized groups. She aims to inform culturally responsive policies to improve chronic pain care and quality of life.

Klarissa Lopez

Klarissa is a graduate student in Dr. Mathur’s lab and enrolled in the Social and Personality Psychology program. Her interests include pain, health, and preventative medicine. She hopes to influence public policy through public psychology.

Olivia Altman

Olivia is a B.S. Psychology and B.A. Sociology major graduating in 2026. She joined the lab because she suffers from several chronic conditions and she wants to help others who have been through similar situations. After she graduates, Olivia plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Rusheel Bolikonda

Rusheel is a Neuroscience major graduating in 2030. He joined the lab because he wanted to learn how different social factors had an impact on people’s pain. Through the lab he wants to learn more about the specific experiences people living with chronic pain and contribute to research that can help patient care. After Rusheel graduates, he plans to go to Medical School to specialize and pursue a career in medicine. 

Shelby Boone

Shelby is a Psychology major, with a Neuroscience minor, graduating in 2027. She joined the lab because she loves learning about pain disparities, as well as she finds it interesting to see how different people respond to pain. Shelby plans on getting her PhD in Clinical Psychology and studying Neuropsychology after she graduates.

Madison Domingue

Madison is a Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience major, with dual minors in Pre-Medicine and Anthropology, graduating in 2027. She joined the lab because she cares about the study of pain and she wants to better understand the nervous system to help those with chronic pain. After graduation, Madison plans to go to Medical School and specialize in Anesthesiology.

Jake Espinoza

Jake is a Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience major graduating in 2028. He loves being a part of the lab because he has the opportunity to hear other people’s stories on their journey with chronic pain while also collaborating with them to work towards relief strategies. After he graduates, Jake plans on going to Medical School and later becoming a private practice Neurologist.

Maral Heidarpanah

Maral is a Public Health major graduating in 2029. She joined the lab because she loves the focus on trying to understand pain in different populations, while also factoring in social determinants. After graduation, Maral plans to go into Preventative Medicine.

Zuha Ijaz

Zuha is a Psychology major graduating in 2027. She joined the lab because she wanted to explore the multiple factors that influence how people experience pain and the causes of pain disparities, as well as how these factors can result in different experiences with pain across individuals and communities. After graduation, Zuha plans to attend Medical School and become a Physician.

Caroline Massey

Caroline is a B.S. Psychology major graduating in 2028. As someone who suffers from chronic conditions herself, she joined the lab to help spread more awareness towards chronic illness and interventions that could improve quality of life for all kinds of people. After Caroline graduates, she plans on pursuing a Masters in Special Education to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Nikki Nalamalapu

Nikki is a Psychology major graduating in 2027. Her favorite thing about the lab is all of the opportunities to gain new skills, like research presentations, data collection, and journal analysis. After completing her undergraduate degree, Nikki’s goal is to apply to Medical School.

Vidhi Patel

Vidhi is a Biomedical Sciences major graduating in 2028. Her favorite part of the lab is exploring how social, cultural, and neurobiological factors shape pain perception and empathy, and contributing to vital research to reduce healthcare disparities. After Vidhi graduates, she plans to attend Medical School.

Diego Pineda

Diego is a Psychology major graduating in 2027. His favorite thing about the lab is seeing how we can help those within our community. Whether it’s an infographic or working with peers, he enjoys knowing our work is beneficial to those near us. After Diego graduates, he plans on attending AA school to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant.

Navya Puppala

Navya is a Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience major graduating in 2028. She loves the opportunity to explore different facets of pain perception, how pain is acknowledged, and to understand how it affects different demographics. After Navya graduates, she is planning to attend Medical School. 

Evelina Sebastian

Evelina is an undergrad neuroscience major working under Mathur Lab contributing to research that will hopefully help spread awareness of the effects of social/biological patterns on pain. After graduation, Evelina is planning to attend medical school to pursue neurology.

Lakshya Vannala

Lakshya is a Neuroscience major graduating in 2026. Her favorite thing about being in the lab is how much the work is relevant to real people’s experiences. She especially loves the Community Pain Network (CPN) events hosted by our lab and learns something new about pain and resilience every week. After graduation, Lakshya aims to attend Medical School.

Emily Vo

Emily is a Psychology major graduating in 2027. Her favorite thing about the lab is meeting new people and all of the opportunities to get involved in research projects. Emily plans to go to Graduate school for I/O Psychology after graduation.