Dr. Naomi Eisenberger

Naomi Eisenberger, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at UCLA. Her research uses neuroimaging techniques to better understand why social relationships are critical for mental and physical health. Her research has explored the neural underpinnings of social pain—the painful feelings following social rejection or loss—and has shown that social pain relies on some of the same neural regions that are involved in processing physical pain. She has also explored the neural substrates associated with social connection—including the systems involved in giving and receiving social support from others. Her work also examines the bidirectional relationships between social relationships and health. For instance, her recent work has examined whether prosocial behaviors such as support-giving can reduce threat-related responding including inflammatory responding. Dr. Eisenberger, who received her Ph.D. in 2005, has published more than 180 papers including articles in top tier journals (Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature Neuroscience). In addition, her work has been recognized with several early career awards including ones from the American Psychological Association, the American Psychosomatic Society, the Association for Psychological Science, and the International Union of Psychological Science, as well as a mid-career trajectory award from the Society for Affective Science.

Dr. Elizabeth Ligon Bjork

Elizabeth Bjork is a Research Professor of Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles. Elizabeth has chaired UCLA’s Academic Senate and been awarded UCLA’s Distinguished Teaching Award.  Born in China, but growing up in Oklahoma, she earned a BS in Mathematics from the University of Florida before earning her PhD in Mathematical Psychology at the University of Michigan—where she met her husband and collaborator, Robert Bjork.  Her research focuses on human learning and memory, especially the role of inhibitory processes in the creation of an adaptive memory system, and on how principles of learning discovered in the laboratory can be applied to enhance instruction and self-directed learning.  Her honors include election to the Society of Experimental Psychologists and—with Robert Bjork—being awarded both the James McKeen Cattell and Mentoring Awards from the Association for Psychological Science.  Most recently, she is a recipient of the Life Time Achievement Award given for Outstanding Career Contributions to Research and Teaching from The Western Psychological Society.

Dr. Robert A Bjork

Robert A. Bjork is Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles. Robert’s research focuses on how humans learn, or fail to learn. He grew up in Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka area, then earned a BS degree from the University of Minnesota before earning a Ph.D. in Mathematical Psychology from Stanford University.  He has Chaired the Department of Psychology at UCLA; Edited Memory and Cognition and Psychological Review, and Co-edited Psychological Science in the Public Interest. He is past-president or chair of the Association for Psychological Science, the Psychonomic Society, the Society of Experimental Psychologists. He has been awarded UCLA’s Distinguished Teaching Award, the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Service to Psychological Science and Distinguished Scientist Lecturer Awards, and the Mentoring Award from the Association for Psychological Science. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Dr. Matthew Ruderman

Matthew is a psychologist who specializes in early childhood mental health, research and evaluation, bullying and victimization, preschool mental health consultation, and trauma-informed care. He received his doctorate in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Matthew completed his doctoral internship at St. John’s Child and Family Development Center and his postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA TIES for Families. Before rejoining UCLA TIES in his current role as Research Director, he served as staff psychologist, supervisor, and trainer at Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center. Matthew is also the recipient of Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars fellowship focusing on addressing health disparities, health inequities, and building a culture of health.

Dr. Akila Kadambi

Akila is a postdoctoral scholar in the Systems Neuroscience laboratory in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Center for the Neuroscience of Embodied Cognition in the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC. She completed her PhD at UCLA in 2022, during which co-created the UCLA Learning and Mentorship Research Program. Her work uses neuroimaging and neuromodulation to examine how self-identity can facilitate empathy and prosociality.

Dr. Saskia Giebl

Saskia is an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University in New York City. She completed her PhD at UCLA in 2023, during which she co-created the UCLA Learning and Mentorship Research Program. She investigates cognitive processes that enhance long-term learning and transfer of knowledge to new learning circumstances in the classroom, the workplace, and in sports. Specifically, she focuses on types of practice that promote effective activities and conditions for lasting learning to occur.

Ashley Yu

Ashley is a fourth year undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Cognitive Science while simultaneously earning a Specialization in Computing. She is currently the Study Coordinator for the UCLA Learning Study and has experience working with adolescents in music programs across several high schools in Southern California. After graduating, Ashley plans on pursuing a career in Cognitive Technology and Neuroinformatics. 

Brea Brodoski

Brea is a research assistant on the study. She is a senior at UCLA studying cognitive science and pursuing a career in healthcare. She is the founder and President of Leaders To Give at UCLA, an on campus organization that supports the sustainment and maintenance of a children’s home in Mexico and has previous research experience working in palliative care.

Stephanie Vallejo

Stephanie is a research assistant on the study. She is a second-year student at UCLA, pursuing a double major in Psychology and Education. In addition to her academic pursuits, she actively involved in BruinCorps and a member of UCLA’s club water polo team. Her long-term goal is to continue her education and obtain a Ph.D. in Child Psychology..

Shivani Rathi

Shivani is a research assistant on the study. She is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UCLA, majoring in Cognitive Science. Throughout her academic career, Shivani has developed a deep passion for assisting underrepresented communities and has over 5 years of experience working with them. She is particularly interested in incorporating research-backed teaching and learning techniques into educational policies. 

Matthew Fichandler

Matthew is a research assistant on the study. During his time at Wesleyan University, he founded and led a youth acting program, and tutored local students. After graduating in 2018, he taught fifth grade for two years, fourth grade for three, and wrote for children’s television shows. Matthew is currently working towards a Masters in Psychology

Michele Hinh

Michele Hinh graduated from UCLA, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Global Health and Film, Television, and Digital Media. She was the main study coordinator for the UCLA Learning Study. During her time at UCLA, she developed a passion for the wellbeing and social development of adolescents and after graduating, she plans on obtaining a PhD in developmental psychology.

Ana Berman

Ana Berman graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a major in Psychology. Ana was formerly a project coordinator for the UCLA Learning Study and the research coordinator for UCLA TIES. Ana is passionate about working with children and has experience mentoring adolescents. She plans to obtain a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology and pursue a career working with underserved communities.

Ana Paula Yin

Ana received her B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and is now a clinical psychology master’s student at NYU. Prior to NYU, Ana was a project coordinator for the learning study at UCLA. Ana is interested in understanding the effects of early-life stress on the development of later-life substance use, depression, and anxiety in animal models. She is particularly interested in studying how early-life stress alters the nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens.

Blanca Henriquez

Blanca Henriquez graduated from UCLA, majoring in psychology and minoring in disabilities studies. She is currently one of the research assistants for the UCLA Learning study. Throughout her academic career Blanca has developed a deep passion for helping and assisting underrepresented communities. She plans on obtaining a masters in clinical psychology and continuing to work with children and adolescents.

Aanya Jajoo

Aanya Jajoo is a Senior at UCLA, majoring in Psychobiology with a Minor in Brain and Behavioral Health and a Specialization in Computing. Aanya is interested in clinical and counseling psychology and aspires to specialize in working with adolescents, young adults, and parents.

Love Forte

Love Forte graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a major in psychology. She plans on obtaining her master’s in Applied Psychology and hopes to specialize in assisting minority youth struggling with addiction.