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.
Reynolds Huard | Lab Coordinator
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 current Junior majoring in Psychology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. My academic, personal, and professional interests ground an understanding of Psychological healing practices within theories, histories, and perspectives that stem from intersectional, interdisciplinary approaches to Gender and Sexuality Studies. I am particularly interested in how gender, sex/uality, and race operate co-constitutively and coalesce–both between and from within identitarian and socio-cultural contexts–to inform one’s bio-psycho-social experience and knowledge of the world around them. My work in Dr. Garrison's lab includes: providing support for the Ka Bogso refugee community-healing arts-based project; collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on suicidality in “the Global South.”
Hobbies: Outside of school, I am a Barista at Le Ronj Coffeehouse and a server at a restaurant in Brunswick. At the end of a long day of classes or after a shift at work, I crave nothing more than an ice cold can of Dr. Pepper, a bowl of white cheddar Smartfood popcorn, and a nostalgic movie or a true crime docuseries. When I'm not doing something for school or work, I enjoy listening to and making music with friends, reading outside, and exploring Maine!
Anna Luka | Lab Member
Hometown: I was raised in Portland, Maine, and lived there until my sophomore year of high school. I then moved to North Dakota, where I graduated, and currently live in Minnesota.
Research Interest/Projects: I am currently a Junior at Bates College, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. My goal in joining this lab is to bring a fresh and meaningful perspective to Psychological research. As a woman of color, my intersecting identities and lived experiences have profoundly shaped how I view the world. I hope to use my voice to contribute to inclusive and socially conscious research practices. I’m particularly interested in exploring how we can reshape the way Psychology is understood and practiced, especially in relation to uplifting marginalized voices and centering the needs of underrepresented communities. I believe in the power of research to drive change, and I’m excited to contribute to work that reflects the values and goals of the communities it serves. I’m genuinely looking forward to learning from this experience and gaining a deeper understanding of the research process in the field of Psychology.
Hobbies: At the moment some of my favorite hobbies include drawing and painting. I really enjoy anything art-related. I love creating, whether it's through visual art or fashion, I’m hoping to get more into sewing this year as well. I also have a deep appreciation for music, reading and watching shows.
Sophia Rumsey| Lab Member
Hometown: Ellsworth, Maine
Research Interests/Projects: I am a senior at Bates, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies with a concentration in Public Health. My research interests span multiple areas, from understanding psychological influences behind Cannabis usage to understanding immigrant experiences, particularly the influence of acculturation on identity formation for immigrant youth.
Hobbies: Outside of work and academia, I enjoy cooking, yoga, and have many creative outlets (such as sewing and nail art). Time spent with loved ones is precious to me, so I enjoy spending most of my time in the company of others!
Claudia Klingbeil | Lab Member
Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Research Interests/Project: I am currently a senior at Bates, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Hispanic studies. I am from Columbus, Ohio and am a huge buckeye fan! My research interests include trauma informed care and nervous system regulation, especially in the context of first responders and emergency workers. Additionally, I am very interested in the work and research of limiting barriers to mental health care, especially because the demand is currently so high for services but also so inaccessible. I am so excited for this opportunity to work in Dr. Garrison’s lab!
Hobbies: In my free time I love playing club lacrosse at Bates, listening to music on my bike, dancing, playing spikeball, and going on walks with my friends. I love being outside and try to appreciate all the beautiful seasons Maine has to offer. My favorite food is corn on the cob and my moms pesto pasta.
Kelly Saldana | Lab Member
Hometown: I was born and raised in East Harlem, New York.
Research Interests/Projects: I am currently a Senior at Bates, double-majoring in Psychology and Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies. My purpose for participation in this lab is to get valuable experience for my psychological profession. I am passionate about researching mental health stigmas in Latinx communities and determining how these beliefs influence their use of mental health care. This is an important topic to explore so that future researchers can focus on developing new psychological strategies to help the Latinx community overcome these stigmas. I am delighted to contribute my knowledge and skills to the lab while also learning more about research in psychology!
Hobbies: Outside of college, I enjoy reading literature, exploring new films, and expressing myself creatively through videography. On campus, I host a radio show, and I enjoy sharing my love for music with people!
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 JeonVyshu VijuRo EmersenChloe DwinalFernando RojasYuna WuAlex Kani