People

Principal Investigator

Linda Zou, PhD
CV
I am an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, where I study stereotyping, prejudice, and intergroup relations. I received my PhD in Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2019. My current research interests include (1) the role of immigration in shaping modern U.S. race relations, and (2) the effects of changing demographics and growing racial and cultural diversity. Zou is pronounced “Zoh.”

Lab Manager

Max Miller
I am a spring 2022 graduate from Purdue University. I received my B.S. in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Biological Sciences. I am interested in examining reactions to increasing diversity and how this influences attitudes towards minorities, especially towards gender and sexual minority group members. I am also interested in examining the root of negative evaluations levied against confronters of bias. In my free time, I enjoy creating Spotify playlists, exploring the city, and watching too much Netflix.

PhD Students

David Xiao
I am a 4th year doctoral candidate in the Social, Decisional, and Organizational Sciences area here at UMD. I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Riverside. My research interests are around the topics of intra-minority relations, shared reality, and authenticity. Other than on campus, you may catch me lifting weights at the UMD Eppley Recreation center or participating in long distance running events (e.g., Rock and Roll Half Marathon) around DC.

Debbie Nguyen
I am an incoming 1st year graduate student in the Social, Decisional, and Organizational Sciences area. I received a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry from Chapman University. I am broadly interested in the realms of racial identity, stereotyping and prejudice, and political behaviors. In my free time, I love to explore the local art scene, go to the movies, and try new foods!

Research Assistants

  • I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park in Spring 2023. My research interests involve understanding how racial identity and racialized experiences impact the mental health and well-being of people of color and exploring how psychology can utilize interventions and protective factors to promote better psychological and social functioning among these groups. In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights, playing basketball, and admiring nature.

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  • I am a Spring 2024 graduate at the University of Maryland and a Senior Research Assistant in the DIGR Lab. I am receiving my B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. I am interested in child and family psychology, specifically how access to resources may differentially impact child development. In addition, I am passionate about working directly with families to perform early interventions for clinical matters.

  • I am graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in May 2024. My research interests include investigating the factors that may intersect with race to influence racial classification of racial minorities and understanding the racial/ethnic experiences of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans. My long term goal is to pursue a PhD in social psychology. In my free time, I enjoy weight lifting, cooking, and traveling.

  • I am a senior B.S. Psychology major graduating in May 2024. I am interested in understanding how films depicting Latine Americans affect Latine Americans’ self-esteem and ethnic identification. I am also interested in researching the impacts of historical and/or current colonialism on Latine Americans’ mental health. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, and rock climbing.

  • I am a Spring 2024 graduate at the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Second Language Education. My research interests include work evaluating the perception and social development of first and second generation Americans as well as studying racial equity in education. Outside of the lab, I like producing music, playing with my dog, and building mechanical keybords.

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  • I am a current undergraduate studying Psychology. I am interested in examining how the deep rooted racism and prejudice stemming from the White community has an affect on how other minority groups see one another. I am also interested in examining how White Americans respond to the ever growing diversity in schools & workplaces. For fun, I love to read and watch films, as well as creating unique Pinterest boards!

  • I’m the gremlin that lives in Linda’s apartment. My research interests are in investigating which couch fabrics feel the best to destroy with my little claws. My favorite foods are hair ties and plants.

Lab Alumni

Lab Managers
Dylan Cooper

Research Assistants
Sarah O’Donnell, Isabella Stoepel, Joyce Li, Isabel Hertz-Miñoso, Jimin Kim, Saul Sawilowsky