Meet the Team
The iBAY lab is lucky to have a remarkable group of lab members. If you are interested in joining the iBAY lab or have any questions about our research, please do not hesitate to contact us below!
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Sonya Xinyue Xiao "sing yew-ay shell" (she/her)
Assistant Professor at NAU
I am a developmental scientist studying the development of prosocial behavior, positive intergroup attitudes, behaviors, and relations (with a focus on gender and race/ethnicity), with specific focus on childhood and adolescence. My goal is to understand and generate solutions to promote kindness, inclusion, and justice during development. I also have interests in measurement and statistics to answer these research questions more accurately. I was born and raised in China. I was the "new" kid during elementary school, middle school, and high school, and felt like an outsider in Accounting during college, when I became a school teacher after that, and again when I transitioned to Psychology in graduate school in America. These experiences might be what drives my interests in kindness and inclusion among diverse individuals.
I earned a M.S. at Syracuse University and a Ph.D. at Arizona State University (ASU). I also completed postdoctoral training at ASU.​
In my free time, I enjoy swimming, hiking, creating art, and learning to play piano and tennis.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Erin Clancy
Hello! My name is Erin Clancy and I am a junior studying Sociology and Mathematics at ASU. I have been involved with research since high school, and I love working on projects related to how various environmental factors have affected children and youth’s social and emotional development. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue my research interests further by attending a PhD program in Sociology. In my free time I like to read books, play tennis, listen to podcasts, and play with my two dogs Linus and Heather.
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BJ Piper (They/Them)
My name is BJ Piper, and I am from Casa Grande, AZ/ Lancaster, CA. I am a junior at Northern Arizona University, and I am currently studying Psychological Sciences with a specific emphasis on Development and Education. My goals are to become an educational psychologist and work within BIPOC communities and institutions. I hold a few leadership positions at NAU, and work in the Inclusion Office at NAU. I am also currently involved with the Black Student Union on campus and I love working with and helping my communities!
Deslie Houston (She/Her)
Hello, my name is Deslie! I am a junior at NAU studying Psychological Sciences with a minor in Sociology, and I plan to become a child and adolescent therapist. Growing up, I witnessed many of my friends and peers struggle with their mental health while lacking the resources necessary to get the help they needed. This is where my motivation to work with kids originated, and it is why I am passionate about making mental health resources more accessible, especially for underserved communities. Children are such an important and vulnerable population, and I believe that every single one of them should be able to get effective and affordable care. Some activities I enjoy doing in my free time are dancing, painting, playing the guitar, and listening to music.
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Emma Wason (She/Her)
Hello there! My name is Emma Wason and I am a senior at Northern Arizona University pursuing bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology with an emphasis in Developmental Psychology and an associate's degree in Political Science. My future goals include attending graduate school and going on to a doctorate program. Once I complete all of my schooling I would like to move to a coastal state and do some work within disadvantaged communities and work with children specifically. In my free time, I love playing with my puppy, going to concerts, and reading.
Will Lander (He/Him)
CV
Hi, I am a Junior at NAU studying Psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology along with minors in social work and health wellness counseling. I plan to get my masters in the future and currently exploring different paths I might go on with my education. It feels like my calling to work to help those in younger populations, so I hope that in whatever my future holds I can do that. Research has been interesting to me and I am happy to have this opportunity to see if it fits me. In my free time I enjoy being out in nature, spending time with friends, video games, and art. I am a part of a few clubs on campus such as Community Council, Campus Living Student Association, and Flaunt.
Alexis Niemoller (She/Her)
Hello, my name is Alexis Niemoller, I am a sophomore at Northern Arizona University and I am a Psychological Sciences major with a Sociology minor. I am working toward getting my Masters and Doctorate and in the future I want to be able to teach in at the college level and do research. I enjoy hiking, puzzles, and playing the guitar! I am excited to work on growing my knowledge within the psychological sciences world and learning real world experiences.
Zili Zhong (He/Him)
CV
I'm Zili Zhong. I am a first-year graduate student in the Psychological Science program. I did my undergraduate at the University of California at Irvine and one graduate program in Applied Behavior Analysis at ASU. My research interests and experience cover the function and motivation of human behavior. That kind of shaped my thoughts into behaviorism, and I am training my mind to be open again right now. I hope to get into a PhD program after my program. I am an international student from China. I love mystery & crime fiction. I also play board games and video games in my free time.
Jack Greever
Hello! My name is Jack Greever and I'm a junior at NAU studying Psychology with a minor in Spanish. My goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist, working with children and adolescents as well as underserved populations. My research interests lie in technology use and social development in children, and I hope to conduct more research in the future! In my free time, I like to bake, knit, climb, and spin my vinyl records!
Mariah Gonzales
HI! I am Mariah Gonzales. I am a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University. I aspire to work as a clinical psychologist advocating and uplifting adolescents. I have a keen interest in the development and functionality of the brain and how it controls our behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and interactions with the world. Psychology is just that! My extracurriculars include volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and visiting the animal shelter! I hope to continue my path of learning and pursue higher forms of education to foster the minds of the youth.
LAB ALUMNI
The PBinJ lab is sad to say goodbye to our wonderful lab alumni. We wish for the best in your future endeavors!
Renee Benoit, M.A. (she/her)
Doctoral Research Assistant
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022
Stella Griswold (she/her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Joyce Yen-Lin Lee, M.S. M.Ed. Ph.D (she/her)
Doctoral Research Assistant
Spring 2022
Sarah Kim (she/her)
High School Volunteer
Summer 2022 - Spring 2023
Sarah is now an undergraduate student at Northwestern University
Diana Nguyen (she/her)
Undergraduate research assistant
Fall 2021 - Summer 2022
Kayla Larsen, M.S.
Graduate Research Assistant
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Stephanie Donovan, B.S. (she/her)
Undergraduate research assistant
Spring 2022
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Current position: General & Organic Chemistry Stock Room Lab Coordinator, School of Molecular Sciences, ASU
Ðœariia Mezhenska , M.S.
Graduate Research Assistant
Spring 2023
Jennifer Connor, B.A. (she/her)
Graduate Research Assistant
Summer 2022
Sarah Hewitt, M.S. (she/her)
Graduate Research Assistant
Spring 2022 - Spring 2023
Karim Takuya Shelby, B.S.
Graduate Research Assistant
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Karim is now attending Graduate school at University of Denver
Jacob Hoffman, B.S.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Summer 2023​
Lennon Otero-Strong
Undergraduate Research
Assistant (Any Pronouns)
Fall 2023
Hunter Herrington (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Fall 2022- Fall 2023
Isaac Dempsey (He/Him)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Fall 2022-Fall 2023
Kasandra Bermúdez (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Fall 2022-Spring 2024
OUR COLLABORATORS
We would like to thank those who collaborate with us with assistance in research design, ideas, and providing resources.
Professor, Texas A&M University, College of Education & Human Development.
Cowden Distinguished Professor, Arizona State University, T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.
Professor, University of California, Irvine, School of Education.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions
Dr. Zehra Gulseven
Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech, Developmental Psychology
OUR FURRY FRIENDS!
Contact Us
We are actively accepting new undergraduate and graduate research assistants for 2023-2024 academic year. Please inquire directly with Dr. Xiao at xx57@nau.edu