LACE Lab

In the Language, Attention & Cognitive Engineering (LACE) laboratory, one focus of our research has been understanding the effects of bilingualism on various aspects of cognition: executive attention, cognitive control, ambiguity resolution, and lexical retrieval. Another focus is understanding the effects of other special experiences and skills (e.g., music, mindfulness, video gaming, multitasking, exercise) on cognitive ability. To this end, we implement both behavioral and self-report measures to investigate cognitive architectures underlying human information processing.

 

LACE Lab location: EP 513

Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to join the lab. Students can earn 1-3 credits of supervised selected research for active participation in the lab. Those who would like to join, reach out to Dr. Paap directly via e-mail and include a letter of interest. 

 

Current Lab Members:

Director: Ken Paap, Ph.D., San Francisco State University | kenp@sfsu.edu

 

RAJ

Associate Director: Regina Anders-Jefferson, MA, San Francisco State University | reginaa@sfsu.edu

Regina Anders-Jefferson (she/her/hers) is a lecturer of the SF State psychology department and a healthcare program coordinator at JVS. Regina combines her love for teaching and research to educate students and assist in directing the LACE lab. SF State is her alma mater, where she earned a master's in psychology with a concentration in the mind, brain, and behavior. Regina is a stats nerd and is interested in data science and programming. She is a critical thinker who thrives from problem-solving and aspires to improve psychometrics and advance science to better measure human behavior.

 

 

 

 

Nithya

Lab Manager: Nithyasri Balakrishnan, M.A. in progress, San Francisco State University | nbalakrishnan1@mail.sfsu.edu

Nithyasri Balakrishnan the lab manager, is a graduate student interested in the neural networks supporting language & cognitive processing (e.g., mental representation, inner speech, and meta aspects of language and cognition) and in knowing the extent and effects of culture on these processes. With an Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology background, her long-term goal is to understand the shared working of language and cognition from an interdisciplinary perspective and develop computational models.

 

 

 

 

 

Alyssa

Research Assistant: Alyssa Davila | alyssadavila36@gmail.com

Alyssa Davila has recently earned her BA in Psychology with a Minor in Philosophy from SFSU and hopes to earn her Master's in Counseling Psychology. This is her second year as a research assistant in the LACE lab where she supports fellow lab members and aims to see that research always be fulfilled honestly and justly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

John

Research Assistant: John Majoubi | john.majoubi@gmail.com

John Majoubi is a research assistant in both the LACE cognitive lab and SFSU work technology lab, as well as a member of the SFSU honors thesis program. His pursuit of a graduate program will be focused on a master’s or doctoral degree in cognitive psychology. His current thesis is concerned with the effects of social media on attentional control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy

Research Assistant: Kathy Wannaviroj | kathywannaviroj@gmail.com

Kathy Wannaviroj is a San Francisco native and graduated from SFSU where she received her BA in Psychology. She is a research assistant in both the LACE Lab and brainLENS Lab at UCSF. Currently, she is aiming to pursue her master’s degree in Psychology at SFSU and concentrating in cognitive psychology. She is interested in studying cognitive impairments to learn more about the mental processes that affect psychological disorders.

 

 

 

 

 

Meagan

Research Assistant: Meagan Hope Della Zoppa | mdellazo@mail.sfsu.edu

Meagan Della Zoppa is a recent SFSU graduate and a research assistant for LACE lab. She currently has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and wishes to shortly pursue graduate school for clinical work. She is also presently volunteering for the Physicians Organizing Committee and has earned the title of benefit coordinator. She will never shy away from the opportunity of crusading against our damaged American healthcare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taeil

Research Assistant: Taeil Sung | tsung@mail.sfsu.edu

Taeil Sung graduated with a BA in Psychology at San Francisco State University in the Spring of 2020 and aiming to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. During the academic year of Fall 2019 - Spring 2020, he was a member of the SFSU Honors program and LACE lab where he completed an Honors thesis regarding the effects of Ego Depletion on attentional control while also working as a research assistant. Now entering his second year as a Research Assistant, he is also employed as a Relief Counselor for Progress Foundation.  

 

 

 

 

 

Former Lab Managers:

Brandon Michael Zimiga, MA, San Francisco State University

Lauren Mason, Tufts University

Roman Mikulinsky

Hunter Myuz, Ph.D. (c), New Mexico State University

Oliver Sawi, Ph.D. (c), University of Connecticut

 

 

LACE Lab Alumni:

Edgar Alcaine 2010-2013
Vanessa Alfaro 2019-2020
Kat   Alvarado 2017-2019
Nick Alvarez 2010-2012
Tavi Alvarez 2011-2013
Regina Anders-Jefferson 2015-2019
Kristin Anderson 2011-2014
Olimpia Andrade 2011-2012
Alexander Aragon  2019-2019
Alex Arriola 2019-2019
Angel Avalos 2014-2016
Yocelyn Ayala-Silva 2019-2019
Nithya Balakrishnan 2020-2021
Karla Barajas 2015-2017
Morgan Bockelman 2013-2015
Elsabet Brennan 2015-2015
Meg  Coburn 2013-2013
Donish  Cushing 2013-2014
Chirag Dalibar 2014-2016
Jack Darrow 2011-2014
Alyssa Davila 2020-2021
Kareena del Rosario 2016-2016
Meagan Della Zoppa 2020-2021
Frank Du 2011-2014
Eugene Eusebio 2014-2015
Richard Farrell 2012-2014
Eddie Ferrero 2010-2012
Lynne Freeman 2011-2014
Matthew Frost 2018-2019
Janet Garcia 2019-2020
Alina Garrido 2015-2016
Jessica Gohil 2018-2019
Kathy  Gonzalez 2013-2014
Melissa Gonzalez 2018-2019
Oscar Gonzalez-Munos 2014-2015
Zack  Greenberg 2009-2012
David Guerro 2009-2010
Jenesis Imai 2011-2012
James  Keenan 2010-2012
Jessica Koernke 2011-2012
Monica Krantz 2019-2020
Jennifer Lai 2017-2017
Katrina Lao 2017-2018
Sitang Li  2012-2012
Yunyun Liu 2012-2014
Celeste Lopez 2018-2018
Stephan ie Machuca 2019-2020
John Majoubi 2020-2020
Lauren Mason 2016-2019
John Majoubi 2020-2021
Shigeaki Masuda 2015-2016
Brenda Mejia 2010-2012
Kamila Midor 2016-2016
Roman Mikulinsky 2015-2017
Sati Morgan 2013-2013
Hunter Myuz (Johnson) 2012-2015
Julie Nacouzi 2015-2016
Michael Paap 2013-2013
Lindsay Pellechia 2010-2012
Johanna  Pellissier 2013-2014
Lesley Primero 2017-2019
Gersom Rodriguez 2016-2017
Jason Samaha 2012-2012
Arix Sanchez 2012-2013
Ariz Sanchez 2011-2013
Evan Santos 2020-2021
Oliver Sawi 2010-2013
Mariana  Silva 2017-2017
Divya Subramanian 2017-2017
Taeil Sung 2019-2021
Michael Taylor 2017-2017
Colbie Tibbitts 2012-2012
Moinque Toledo 2011-2011
Amy Tran 2013-2013
Carlos Urtecho 2011-2013
Ester Uvaydova 2017-2018
Maria Vargas 2019-2020
Sarah Wagner 2013-2015
Kathy  Wannaviroj 2020-2021
Gus Woythaler 2013-2013
Ramasha Zaheer 2020-2021
Brandon Zimiga 2017-2021