Dr. Klemfuss’s research focuses on how children remember and report about their past experiences. She is particularly interested in how social contextual factors and children’s cognitive abilities separately and jointly impact the accuracy and content of their event narratives. She has published in top academic journals including Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Developmental Review, and Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, as well as in books and online resources.
Quincy is a postdoctoral scholar in the Child Narratives Lab. She studies reports of child maltreatment and has three primary foci: disclosure of child maltreatment allegations, best practices for interviewing child victims and witnesses, and juror decision making in child maltreatment cases.
Danhua received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Virginia Tech in 2021 and worked with her doctoral advisor Dr. Julie Dunsmore at the University of Houston as a postdoc researcher after graduation until she joined the Child Narratives Lab in August 2023. She has worked with families from the United States and mainland China to study culture, parents’ emotion socialization, and child socioemotional functioning. In the Child Narrative Lab, she is excited to explore the roles of narratives and autobiographical memories in child development under the sociocultural contexts.
Deborah is a graduate student in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine. She received her B.A. from California State University, Fullerton in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Her research interests include cognitive development with a focus on sociocultural factors. Deborah will officially begin the University of California, Irvine's doctoral program in Fall 2022, continuing on in the Child Narratives Lab!
Laura is a graduate student in the Psychological Science Ph.D. program at the University of California, Irvine. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Virginia, and recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with an M.A. in Legal and Forensic Psychology. Her research interests center around how to elicit accurate disclosures from child witnesses and victims, children's memories of adverse experiences, and children's eyewitness capabilities.
Georgia is a third-year graduate student in the Department of Psychological Science. Her research interests intersect around children's credibility as witnesses, including how to generate truthful and productive narratives about abuse and violence, as well as understanding and improving how laypersons perceive child witnesses in abuse cases. She previously read Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Before joining the University of California, Irvine, Georgia was a Lab Director for Dr. Lyon's Child Interviewing Lab at the University of Southern California.
Leah is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science with a minor in Education at the University of California, Irvine. Some of her interests include social psychology, clinical psychology, and forensic psychology. Her post-undergraduate plans include pursuing a higher education degree in clinical psychology and working as a clinical psychologist with children and adolescents. She is looking forward to learning more from Dr. Klemfuss and her peers at the Child Narratives Lab and gaining more research experience.
Tanner is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine. His interests are developmental psychology, social psychology, and cognitive development. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in developmental psychology to become a professor and researcher. During his time at the Child Narratives Lab, Tanner looks forward to gaining further insight into the research process and more experience working with children.
Ghazal (Helena) Nabavi
Undergraduate
Ghazal (Helena) is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology B.S. at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests are clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. She hopes to pursue a degree in clinical psychology, particularly in the area of developmental psych and/or conduct research in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain research experience and expand her knowledge in developmental psychology.
Kate Miller
Undergraduate
Kate is a second year Criminology, Law and Society major with a Psychological Science minor at the University of California Irvine. Her goal is to become an FBI agent and she is interested in forensic and criminal psychology. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to obtain research experience in the psychology and law field.
Ryan Hansen
Undergraduate
Ryan is a undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine. His interests include clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a career in clinical psychology or in the medical field. Through the Child Narratives Lab, Ryan is looking forward to gaining research experience and insight into child development through a psychological and legal lens.
Noor Dalati
Undergraduate
Noor is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine. She is passionate about clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and social psychology. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate school in hopes of becoming a licensed therapist. By working in the Child Narratives Lab, she seeks to advance her understanding of the ways children think and interact with the world.
Daria Karraby
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Daria is a student in the Post-Baccalaureate program in Psychological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. She recently received her BA in English from the University of California, Berkeley. Her interests are cognitive development, clinical psychology, and the development of concepts of identity such as race and gender in children. During her time at the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain valuable research experience with the aim to apply for PhD programs in Educational or Developmental Psychology.
Yesenia Garcia
Undergraduate
Yesenia is an undergraduate student double majoring in Psychological Science and Criminology, Law, and Society at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests include clinical psychology and psychopathology. She hopes to pursue a career relating to psychology or helping children. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain insight into the research experience and better understand cognitive development in children.
Jazmin Diaz
Undergraduate
Jazmin is a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychological Science and Criminology, Law & Society at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests include clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and neuropsychology. She hopes to pursue a career in forensic psychology after graduating. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain research experience and a deeper understanding of the interactions between the law and psychology.
Daisy Ma
Undergraduate
Daisy is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests are include memory, brain disorders, and sleep psychology. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain insight on the impacts of children's experiences with traumatic events.
Marleah Berry
Undergraduate
Marleah Berry is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology at University Of California Irvine. Her interests include developmental and personality psychology, specifically the mindsets of growing adolescents. Marleah hopes to pursue a career in clinical or school psychology to help children develop and reach their full potential. She joined the Child Narratives Lab to explore more deeply into this field, how aging affects the mind and the connection of Law and Psychology.
Veda Bommana
Undergraduate
Veda is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests lie in developmental and clinical psychology, and she is on the pre-medical track. Her ambition is to earn a doctorate in the field of psychiatry and become an adolescent psychiatrist. Through her involvement with the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to enhance her research skills and acquire the ability to effectively communicate with children while gaining insight into their cognitive processes.
Vivian Wei
Undergraduate
Vivian is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests include clinical and developmental psychology. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain valuable research experience and learn more about the cognitive processes of children.
Sabina Leal
Undergraduate
Sabina is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at the University of California Irvine. She hopes to pursue a degree in clinical psychology, specializing in pediatrics. She is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy, the importance of social services, and the role they play in protecting children. Through working with the Child Narratives Lab she hopes to gain a better understanding of how the study of psychology can help improve the legal field.
Austin Ashizawa
Undergraduate
Austin is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. His interests include social psychology, developmental psychology, and business economics. He is passionate about helping others thrive in the workplace and aspires to pursue a career in I/O psychology. Through the Child Narratives Lab, he hopes to gain valuable experience with research and data analytics as well as a better understanding of cognitive development in children.
Katherine Pappas
Undergraduate
Katherine is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests include developmental psychology and the legal field. After graduating, she plans to pursue a degree in law. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain meaningful research experience and to form a better understanding of the complex interconnection between psychology and the law, including how psychology can shape legal policy and practice.
Nalani Portillo
Undergraduate
Nalani is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science and minoring in Criminology, Law and Society at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests include forensic psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. She hopes to someday pursue a degree in forensic psychology or in law. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain insight into the workings of a lab to gain experience and interactions between the criminal justice system and psychology.
Dhriti Grover
Undergraduate
Dhriti is a second-year undergraduate student majoring Cognitive Science at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests are in clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. She hopes to go into neuropsychology after receiving her degree. During her time at Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain research-related skills such as coding and a deeper understanding on applying psychology to real world instances.
Eliza Contreras
Undergraduate
Eliza is a third-year Psychology Major at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests are developmental psychology, clinical psychology and abnormal, psychology. She intends on pursuing a career in medicine as a Psychiatrist. Eliza’s hobbies include reading, ice skating, baking and listening to music. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hoped to gain research experience and understanding of the interactions with the participants.
Christine Shek
Undergraduate
Christine is a fourth-year undergraduate student double majoring in Human Biology and Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests are pediatrics, developmental psychology, and neurobiology. She hopes to pursue pediatrics in medical school and open her own pediatric clinic after a residency. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain insightful research experience and learn more about child development in a biological and psychological standpoint.
Nadia Suarez
Undergraduate
Nadia is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychological Science and Criminology, Law, & Society at the University of California, Irvine. Her interests include child and adolescent mental health, developmental psychology, and forensic psychology. She plans to pursue a master's degree in counseling or family therapy. Through working with the Child Narratives Lab, Nadia hopes to gain a thorough understanding of the interactions between the legal system and children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Lauren Wyckoff
MLFP Graduate
Lauren Wyckoff is a 2021 graduate of the Master of Legal and Forensic Psychology (MLFP) program at the University of California, Irvine. She obtained her B.A. in Criminology and Justice Studies from California State University, San Marcos. After graduation, she plans to continue her education by obtaining a J.D. or Ph.D., all with the aspiration of pursuing a career in the legal field. She is interested in forensic psychology and research pertaining to the legal field. She hopes to learn how developmental psychology and the biased perception of children's cognitive and behavioral capabilities influence legal outcomes. Through the Child Narratives Lab, she hopes to gain valuable research skills and specialized knowledge that can be applied toward a future legal career.
Previous Graduate Lab Members
Allison Mugno, Ph.D., Current Assistant Professor, Huntingdon College
Alma Olaguez, Ph.D., Current Assistant Professor, Chapman University
Emily Slonecker, Ph.D., Current Assistant Professor, Cabrini University
Lianet Chao, M.S., Barry University, Current Teacher, Brigeprep Academy
Michelle Pena, M.A., Current Doctoral Student, Florida International University
Patrick J. Villalonga, B.A., Current Ph.D. Student, Florida International Unviersity
Veronica Alavarez, M.A.
Previous Post-Baccalaureate Lab Members
Daniel Wang, B.S., PBD in Psychological Science, Current Research Assistant, Yale University
Debbie Chung, B.A., PBD in Psychological Science
Deepali Dhruve, B.A., PBD in Psychological Science, Clinical Ph.D. Student Mississippi State
Jessica Barragan, B.A., PBD in Psychological Science, Current Ph.D. Student, Claremont McKenna
Joshua Dea, B.A., PBD in Psychological Science
Kimia Akhavein, B.A., PBD in Psychological Science, Developmental Psychology Ph.D. Student, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Previous Undergraduate Lab Members
Abigail Charime, B.A.
Abigail Diaz, B.A.
Aereonna Chea
Akaysia Hill, B.A., Master's Student in UCI's Masters in Legal and Forensic Psychology (MLFP) Program
Alexina Pilo, B.A., Master's Student, Boston College
Alessandra Contreras, B.A.
Alyssa Lewis, B.A.
Amy Bennett, B.A., Social, Health, and Organizational Psychology Graduate Program Student, Utrecht University
An Do, B.A.
Aneesah Akbar, B.S.
Armando Amador, B.A.
Arpita Noor, B.A.
Ashley Cieri, B.A.
Brandon Sanchez, B.A.
Ellis Choi
Caroline Cha, B.A., Lab Manager, Diversity in Development Lab, University of California, Santa Cruz
Cesar Jara, B.A.
Cindy Francesca, B.A.
Eduardo Florez, B.A., Clinical Master's Student, Pacific University
Eric Enriquez, B.A.
Fei Gao, B.A.
Giovanna Pires Dearaujo, B.A., Toddler Assistant Teacher, Spectrum Montessori
Giselle Velazquez, B.A., Counseling, Student Affairs, and College Counseling Master's Student, Fresno State University
Ismael Tijerino, B.A., Law Student, St. Thomas University School of Law
Jackie Cardenas, B.A.
Jennifer Lee Ma, B.A.
Jennifer Lopez, B.A., Social Work Master's Student, California State University Fullerton
Jennifer Mora, B.A.
Joie Annunziato, B.A.
Joseline Velarde, B.A.
Jose Gonzalez, B.A.
Kaitlin Hwangbo, B.A.
Katherine Hoogesteyn, B.A.
Kiari Esquibel, B.A., Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student, Loma Linda University
Kimberly Karlsen, B.S.
Kristen Hollas, B.A., Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student, Louisiana State University
Laterika Kelly, B.S.
Laura Acosta, B.A.
Lesley Vallecillos, B.A.
Liliana Vazquez, B.A.
Linda Fayelah Johnson, B.A.
Lisette Juarez, B.A.
Lorena Villegas
Madiana Vivar, B.A.
Maria C. Peñaranda, B.A.
Maria Wilson, B.A.
Marlon Chavez, B.A.
Megan Sabatino, B.A.
Melissa Halici, B.A.
Natasha Bailey, B.A., Full-Time Research Assistant, Chapman University
Neejla Fahimy, B.A.
Neiman Araque
Nicka Fallah, B.A., Social Work Master's Student, University of California Los Angeles
Olivia Mattera, B.A., Master's Student, University of Pittsburgh
Rachel Taffe, B.A., Psychology Ph.D. Student, New York University
Rebecca Cortizo, B.A.
Rebeca Ceballos, B.A.
Rhea Go, B.A.
Roman Dane Romero Sinisi, B.A.
Sarah Coscolluela, B.A.
Serena Nuber, B.A.
Sophia Birriel-Sanchez, B.A.
Sion Shuquor Habtemariam, B.A.
Solace Mills, B.A.
Tatiana Angrino, B.A.
Tina Nafir, B.A.
Victoria Dickerson, B.A.
Xiomara Pena, B.A., Clinical Master's Student, Southern Adventist University
Yelda Falahahwazi, B.A.
Yunhui (Rachel) Chen, B.A., Master's Student, Harvard University
Zara Allen, B.S.
Noelle Tresser, B.A.
Chloe Ford, B.A.
Valeria Porras, B.A.
Angela Huh, B.A.
Rebecca Aaron, B.A.
Nick Casis
Kaitlin Mae Fernanadez
You can learn more about the department of Psychological Science at UC Irvine here.
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