Audrey Ruster
Audrey Ruster is a fourth-year majoring in Psychology. She is specifically interested in clinical and forensic psychology. She is also interested in working with at-risk youth and using evidence-based practices to aid in the overall well-being of marginalized communities. After her undergraduate studies, she plans on entering a Master’s program in Psychology and eventually obtaining her PhD.
In her free time, she enjoys running, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
David Straub
David Straub graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in history several years ago and has since decided to pursue a career in psychology. David plans to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology and wants to pursue a career that combines research and clinical practice. David wants to become an expert on the diagnosis and treatment of trauma and to treat patients who suffer from it. David is especially interested in doing research to explore the relationship between childhood trauma and communication disorders. In time, David hopes to create a new modality for the treatment of communication disorders that melds standard SLP practice and trauma-based psychotherapy. In his free time, David takes improv comedy classes, reads voraciously, meditates, swims laps and goes to the beach whenever possible.
Paulina Vallejo
Paulina (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate student in the Psychology BA program at SDSU. Her involvement as a psychology major sparked an interest in the research field, focusing on the effects of psychological neglect and abuse during childhood. Her research interests include personality disorders, mental health issues, childhood trauma, and coping strategies in adulthood. She intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and hopes to help individuals who experienced psychological distress during childhood.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, and playing with her dog Philly.
Brentney Reynolds
Brentney is a a 4th year at UCSD majoring in psychology. Specifically, she is interested in social and clinical psychology. Post-undergrad, she hope to get her PhD in psychology so she can research how to build and maintain healthy relationships as well as resilience. Outside of lab, she enjoy rollerblading, dancing, and exploring new coffee shops and restaurants.
Liana Parrish
Liana Parrish is a fourth-year majoring in Psychology and minoring in interdisciplinary studies here at San Diego State University. She is a MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) Scholar and a part of the Weber Honors College. She is interested in clinical psychology research, specifically researching how adversity in childhood and trauma can lead to the development of serious mental illness in minority populations. Liana aims to destigmatize mental health disorders and help to develop and implement interventions that can be disseminated to communities. She will be applying for Clinical Psychology PhD Programs this upcoming 2024 application cycle.
Itzayanna Rodriguez
Itzayanna Rodriguez is a third-year undergraduate student at SDSU. She majors in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in psychology, child and family development, and criminal justice and minors in counseling and social change and social work. Itzayanna is most interested in the field of clinical psychology and would like to dabble in some research. Her end goal is to become a child therapist. Aside from her academics, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, playing video games, going to the gym, and listening to music!
