Our Research Team

Sarah Knapp-Loker, Ph.D. is the director of the Science of Affective Influences Lab (SAIL). Her research examines the many ways emotions shape our lives—including how emotions affect our relationships, how we cope with and regulate emotions, how emotions drive behavior, and how emotion-related social factors, such as social cognition and social comparison, relate to development. Dr. Knapp’s broader interests include health and well-being, including research addressing mental health and health equity. Her current projects examine associations between social cognition and physical health, as well as the effects of generative AI use on socio-emotional development.

Dr. Knapp is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University, where she teaches Research Methods, Social Psychology, Lifespan Development, and General Psychology. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys painting and spending time with loved ones and her pets.

Research Assistants

Kayla Abromson is a fourth-year student at LMU who is majoring in psychology and minoring in applied developmental psychology. Kayla has enjoyed researching the effects of emerging technologies on operational environments, the correlation between human-centered design principles and neural responses, and the physical effects that stem from theory of mind. She is also interested in pursuing research opportunities pertaining to trauma and the criminal justice system. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Forensic Psychology and have a career in it. In addition to research, Kayla has appreciated being a Teacher's Assistant for Research Methods and a caregiver at LMU's Children Center. Check out Kayla’s LinkedIn.

Lab Manager

Kemi Agbalaya is a senior at Loyola Marymount University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Studio Arts. Kemi's research interests include social behavior, adolescent mental health, and understanding how psychological processes influence emotional well-being during development. She is particularly interested in exploring the intersection between psychology and art, with a focus on how creative expression can be used as a therapeutic tool to support mental health. Kemi is excited to pursue research opportunities that contribute to a greater understanding of youth development and mental health interventions. She ultimately plans to pursue graduate education and build a career as an art therapist, working with children and adolescents to promote healing and emotional growth through creative practices. During her free time, Kemi enjoys painting, drawing, journaling, and exploring new cooking recipes.

Asha Manthena is a fourth-year student at LMU double majoring in Psychology and Dance with a minor in Cognitive Science. Asha's research interests include structural barriers to care faced by families navigating neurodevelopmental disorders, along with community-based support and crisis intervention for vulnerable populations. She is also interested in severe and persistent mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and OCD, and their socioemotional impacts. Asha is a RAINS Undergraduate Research Fellow, currently working on a project investigating caregiver "burden" and the multifaceted stressors that arise for primary caregivers of children with SETD1B-related Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Her project aims to discover where support can improve for families of children with rare genetic conditions, as well as expand clinical knowledge on individuals with SETD1B-NDD. Outside of the lab, Asha enjoys dancing, drawing, thrifting, and spending time at the beach or with friends.

Briana Saucedo is a fourth- year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She is interested in researching the psychological and neural mechanisms that underlie emotions like stress in adolescents. In particular, she is interested in the neural mechanisms associated with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and the stigma surrounding its symptoms and daily functioning. She plans to pursue graduate school in clinical psychology with a focus on neurological assessment and cognitive functioning. During her free time, she enjoys spending time at the beach, being with friends, going to concerts, and going home for the weekend!

Sophia (Paloma) Salahuddin is a senior at Loyola Marymount University studying Psychology and Sociology. She is a RAINS Undergraduate Research Fellow working on her project investigating the protective and risk factors in the relationship between perceived academic stress and working memory deficits. This year she will start her Master's degree in Entertainment and Management at LMU. Paloma hopes to apply her research to her interest in brand strategy and human behavior. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, shopping, and go to concerts with friends!

Hadley Thomas is an undergraduate psychology student from Southern California with a strong interest in neuropsychology and the relationship between the brain, cognition, and behavior. She hopes to pursue a career as a neuropsychologist, with a particular interest in how neurological and physical health conditions can influence cognitive and social functioning. Through her work as a research assistant, she is excited to gain hands-on research experience and explore these interests further. Outside of academics, she loves traveling, going to concerts, spending time at the beach, and exploring new places and cultures. She also loves anything that gives her a little sense of adventure and the opportunity to experience something new!