WHAT IS GASP?
GASP stands for Graduate Association for Students in Psychology, the wonderful family that comprises graduate students in the psychology department of USC. As the GASP executive board, we are responsible for helping organize student orientations, Town Hall, and community events. We also share resources for professional development and are the liaison between students and administrative staff. Most importantly, we build a community of friendship and support by organizing events and outings for students such as game nights, Halloween parties, and comedy events, with lots and lots of delicious food. As GASP, we are here for you, and strive to make your PhD experience as welcoming and enjoyable as possible. The GASP Mentor-Mentee Program has been a success in getting new students to feel welcome and helping them get oriented with the PhD program and life at USC. Every new psychology student that begins a PhD at USC gets matched with a current student and learns some tips and tricks for navigating the grad life from them.
Stay Connected!
Stay connected with your fellow graduate students using our Slack channel! Search for the #psychology-graduate-students channel.
You can also connect with us on IG @gasp_usc to stay up to date with social events!
GASP Executive Board 2024-2025
Meet the GASP Executive Board for the 2024-2025 school year!
Meltem Ozcan
Co-President
I am a fourth-year PhD student in quantitative psychology working with Dr. Mark Lai. I’m interested in developing and applying quantitative methods to fairly and accurately assess and model complex psychological phenomena, and harnessing advances in machine learning and Bayesian statistics to improve upon traditional methods in psychology. As GASP Co-President, I’m committed to fostering a supportive, fair, and collaborative department culture with many opportunities for students to get together and have fun. Outside of school and work, I enjoy traveling and exploring the city, reading, learning languages, swimming, spending time at the beach, and going on hikes.
Contact: ozcan@usc.edu
Jean Luo
Co-President
I’m a fourth year PhD student in the social area working with Dr. Leor Hackel. My research focuses on how people learn about themselves through the rewards they receive, as well as how people feel close to others through conversations. As Co-President this year, I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive community within our department, where everyone feels like their voices are respected and heard. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new places, going on beach runs, and occasionally performing stand-up comedy.
Contact: jeanluo@usc.edu
Adrelys Mateo Santana
Professional Development Chair
I am a third-year PhD student in Clinical Science working with Drs. Sonya Negriff and Stan Huey. My research broadly focuses on the mental health consequences of early adverse experiences and systematic inequities, as well as on identifying community-based protective factors. Outside academics, I love exploring trendy restaurants and coffee shops, watching reality TV shows and sports, traveling, hiking, and playing tennis. I am super excited to work with the rest of the GASP E-board and support my peers’ career development as the Professional Development Chair!
Contact: amateosa@usc.edu
Kira Harris
Mentor Program Coordinator
I’m a second year PhD student in the social area working with Dr. Leor Hackel. My research interests involve understanding how people learn about others and make decisions about who to interact with. I’m excited to help welcome new students to the program and create community between the mentors and mentees as the Mentorship Program Coordinator this year! Outside of school and research I love trying new restaurants, playing board games with friends, working out, and going to the beach.
Contact: kiraharr@usc.edu
Ellie Xu
Dornsife Representative
I am a fourth-year PhD student in Clinical Science working with Dr. Jonathan Stange. My research involves studying how difficulties with emotion regulation can serve as a risk factor for depression, and examining cognitive mechanisms underlying emotion regulation. I’m excited to serve as GASP’s DGSA rep to act as a liaison between our department and the broader graduate student community. Recreationally, I enjoy hiking, reading, exploring new neighborhoods, and finding the tastiest mango sticky rice in LA!
Contact: epxu@usc.edu
Elayne Zhou
DEI Climate Officer
Hi! I’m Elayne! I’m a third-year PhD in the clinical area working with Drs. Jessica Borelli and Stanley Huey. My work employs strengths-based and context-informed approaches to promote flourishing in communities of color and other historically marginalized groups. My favourite ways to spend my time are laughing with friends, cloud watching, creating art in different mediums, exploring new places, and collecting trinkets! I look forward to continuing to build towards community and justice as GASP’s CLIMATE chair.
Contact: elaynezh@usc.edu
Highlights
