PEOPLE
Yun Garrison, Ph.D.
Lab Director
Thank you for exploring my work as a researcher. I am the founder and director of {the calm lab}. As a tenure-track assistant professor of Psychology at Bates College, my role consists of equal parts: research, teaching, and community engagement.
Research Interests
Community-engaged methodology with people from the Global South and East
Narrative and art-based research methodology
Myth of American meritocracy
Asian American/immigrant psychotherapy
Psychological and vocational well-being among people with marginalized identities and histories
Clinical and professional development among international trainees in mental health
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Explore About Me.
Alex Kani | Lab Member
Hometown:
San Mateo, California
Research Interest/Project:
I am a sophomore at Bates College, planning to major in psychology. Specifically, I’m particularly interested in clinical, cultural, and cognitive psychology. My goal for participating in this lab is to learn more so that I can give back to the community and hone in on my interests. Currently, I’m working on projects in the lab that involve reexamining literature about suicide prevention and intervention for seasonal and migrant farmworkers from the Global South and exploring reproductive justice issues concerning South Asian Americans.
Hobbies:
In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing soccer, and, more recently, cooking. One of my hobbies right now is knitting. I am currently knitting a scarf for my youngest brother. My comfort food is Annie's mac and cheese specifically the white cheddar one.
Sam Gerry | Lab Member
Hometown:
Woburn, Massachusetts
Research Interest/Projects:
I'm a senior at Bates majoring in psychology. My research interests lie in self-injurious behaviors (i.e., suicide and non-suicidal self-injury), critical psychology/psychiatry, and cultural psychology. Specifically, I'm interested in better understanding contemporary suicide prevention practices that may inadvertently harm suicidal individuals. I plan on pursuing a career in suicidology following my undergraduate studies. As a member of the lab, I worked on a project on Asian multilingual clients’ experiences in psychotherapy. Currently, I am focusing on my senior thesis project on theories of suicide and their application to racial minority college students.
Yuna Wu | Lab Member
Hometown:
I grew up in Changsha, China, a place I believe has the best food in the world. Maine has become my second hometown, as I’ve lived here for about six years. I arrived during my sophomore year of high school and continued my education at Bates College.
Research Interests/Projects:
I am a senior at Bates College, double majoring in Psychology and Economics. My research interests lie in cognitive psychology, and I currently work as a research assistant in Professor Kahan's visual awareness lab. Additionally, I assist Professor Yun Garrison with the Multicultural Dialogue Project, supporting international students in Maine. I am passionate about behavioral economics, which sits at the intersection of both fields, and I aim to contribute to policies that address irrational behaviors. After college, I plan to enter the consulting industry, specifically economic consulting. I also have a strong interest in marketing.
Hobbies:
I love dancing and co-founded Ace+, a dance club on campus. We hold weekly workshops and are preparing for a performance in November. I am also an amateur photographer, capturing beautiful moments and people, which helps me appreciate the world from different perspectives.
Fernando Rojas | Lab Member
Hometown: Bristol, Pennsylvania
Research Interests/Project: I am a 2022 Bates College graduate who majored in Psychology, minored in Spanish, and concentrated in Digital and Computational Studies. Since graduation, I have worked full-time at Bates, with my current position being a Coordinator of Residence Life. My research interests include the connections among behavior change, civic engagement, ethnic and racial identities, well-being dimensions, and other related topics. I am particularly interested in translating interdisciplinary research into practical solutions, such as social policies, training programs, and interventions that create meaningful change.
In the lab, I contribute to the Multicultural Dialogue Project to support students of color. Additionally, I assist in conducting literature reviews focused on suicide prevention approaches for people from the Global South. Looking ahead, I plan to continue working in research to hone my specific areas of interest before pursuing a graduate degree in psychology or an interdisciplinary program.
Hobbies: Soccer is my biggest hobby–both playing and learning about the game. I coach the Bates Club Soccer Team and avidly follow FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC. Outside of soccer, I enjoy reading non-fiction, working out, and caring for my collection of 11 plants.
Chloe Dwinal | Lab Member
Hometown:
Monmouth, Maine
Research Interests/Projects:
I am a senior at Bates College majoring in Psychology and Religious Studies with a concentration in Knowledge, Action, and Public Good. My research interests include addressing religious stigma in multiple contexts and studying the growth and beauty of interfaith communities, such as Lewiston, Maine. Additionally, I am interested in creating safe spaces to combat violence and strengthen communities by embracing diversity. Currently, I am working as a research assistant for a Postcard Project based on Islamic Spirituality by creating meaningful, motivating, and validating messages that stem from Islamic values for everyone within our rich and religiously diverse community.
Hobbies:
Outside of school and work, I enjoy learning American Sign Language, reading mystery books, practicing writing, and taking my dogs on hikes throughout Maine.
Ro Emerson | Lab Member
Hometown: Apache Junction, Arizona
Research Interests/Project: I am a junior at Bates, and I am a Biology major and Religious Studies minor. I'm not sure exactly what my research interests are yet, but I'm interested in ways that I can intersect my knowledge about nature with different ways of being and belonging in the world. I believe that nature can be healing for everyone, regardless of specific religious identity. I am working on the Postcards Project, which aims to create postcards focused on Islamic spirituality and nature. We are exploring how having empowering messages that are accessible and easy to distribute can be a source of healing for marginalized folks in the Lewiston community.
Hobbies: My main hobby is creating art. I primarily use acrylic paints, but dabble in watercolors, sketching, and sculpting. I am also part of the Muslim Students Association on campus, and I enjoy baking with friends.
Reynolds Huard | Lab Member
Hometown:
I was born and raised in the city of Athens, Ohio. Athens lies in a valley walled in by the Appalachian foothills, roughly forty five minutes West of the West Virginia border.
Research Interests/Projects:
I am a Sophomore at Bates, double majoring in Psychology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. My academic and research interests ground an understanding of Psychological praxis within theories, histories, and perspectives that stem from intersectional, interdisciplinary approaches to Gender and Sexuality studies. I am particularly interested in how gender is conceptualized and operationalized, both between and within identity-based and/or socio-cultural contexts. My work in Dr. Garrison's lab thus far includes providing support for the Ka Bogso community healing through art project. Looking ahead, I hope to become involved with the suicidality project(s).
Hobbies:
Outside of school, I enjoy working as a Barista at Le Ronj Coffeehouse and as a server downtown at Bon Vivant. While I do make a mean vanilla Cortado and serve delicately presented duck breast and steak filets, at the end of the day I crave nothing more than an ice cold can of Dr. Pepper and a bowl of Smartfood popcorn (the white cheddar flavor, of course). When I'm not doing something for school or work, I enjoy listening to and making music with friends, starting a new baking project, and exploring Maine!
Lab Alumni
Sanika Shah, Center for Peace, Equity and Justice Specialist for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Friends Seminary, NYSevigne Pak, A&D Trade Sales at Lekker Home, MASean Vaz, Clinical Social Work Master's Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, NYTianqi (Cheryl) Jiao, Computational Social Science Master's Program at University of Chicago, ILChris Draper, Athletic Counseling Master's Program at Springfield College, MADanielle Reeves, Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program at Boston College, MASelam MurphyJacey SongMichelle KimBenjamin Conner, Clinical Social Work Master's Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, NYAngela CraddockPaige Sonoda, The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP), DCFiki Hunt, The Tree Street Youth, MERon Do | Đỗ Đạt Thức, Research Assistant at Boston University, MATamaki Hashiramoto | Boston Children’s Hospital, MAJunsung Jeon | Senior at Bates CollegeVyshu Viju | Junior at Bates College