Our Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Franki Kung (PhD, University of Waterloo, Canada) is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. His research seeks to improve people’s lives through improving the ways people and organizations navigate conflict. Dr. Kung is trained in both industrial-organizational and social psychology and has a mission to bridge the gap between science and practice. His work has employed diverse and mixed methodologies (e.g., experimental, qualitative, longitudinal).
Growing up as a first-generation high school student in British Hong Kong and having lived in several countries, Dr. Kung has experienced firsthand both the synergy and conflict that arise from cultural and group differences. Dr. Kung’s dedication to building an inclusive field of science to advance both scholars and scholarship guides his career goals and research, as well as how he teaches and engages Purdue communities and beyond. He currently serves on six editorial boards (e.g., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Business and Psychology). At Purdue, he is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Department of Psychological Sciences and Co-Director of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Science Consortium. He is also part of Reviewer Zero and SPSP’s Promoting Inclusive Excellence in Publishing Committee.
Email: fkung@purdue.edu | CV | Faculty Website
Graduate Students
Aryca Woodson is a communication strategist specializing in change management communication from planning to stabilization with more than 10 years’ experience in executive and internal communication. She has led and supported transformative change initiatives using strategic storytelling in both nonprofit and global health care sectors. While her consultancy work has previously involved coaching leaders on how to communicate and manage change effectively, Aryca is now a 1st year social psychology PhD student to better understand the why driving effective leadership communication in an age of polarization. Aryca passionately believes in our shared humanity as a bridge to unity, and advocates for leaders having the right tools to foster understanding and bridge divides. Aryca earned a B.S. in management from Purdue University and a M.A. in public relations management from Indiana University – Indianapolis.
Email: apwoodso@purdue.edu
Zhixu (Rick) Yang is a 5th year PhD student in I-O Psychology at Purdue University, where he received his Master of Science degree in 2022. He is an international student from China, where he graduated from Zhejiang University. His research focuses on how individuals can thrive in a world characterized by competing demands and diverse people. Specifically, he studies goal pursuit (e.g., goal conflict/integration, multitasking), cultural diversity (e.g., Asian and Asian Americans, diversity and inclusion management), and conflict management (e.g., negotiation, intergroup conflict). His research uses diverse methods (e.g., psychometrics, experimental, multilevel, dyadic, longitudinal) and draws on theories from multiple disciplines (e.g., social/cognitive psychology, organizational behavior).
Dante Bruno is a 3rd year PhD student studying I-O Psychology at Purdue University. He received a Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue in 2020 and went on to work in supply chain for two years. Dante is interested in studying diversity and inclusion, multiple goals, and cross-cultural interactions. In his career, he hopes to research social and structural barriers for historically disadvantaged populations and collaborate across disciplines to apply insights to organizations. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running, singing, swing dance, and reading (mostly) non-fiction.
Email: dbruno@purdue.edu
Hannah Kim is an incoming PhD student studying I-O Psychology at Purdue University. Her research interests include intercultural communication, DEI, and discrimination in the workplace. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school to continue her studies in I-O psychology. In her free time, Hannah enjoys creating playlists, exploring new cafes, and reading.
Lab Manager
Ziqi Yao is a researcher/lab manager at Purdue University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue in 2023. After that, she returned to Purdue and started lab managing the Conflict Collab. Her research interests include conflict management, gender, motivation, and emotions. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school to further explore her research interets. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, listening to Taylor Swift, and spending time with dogs.
Email: yao235@purdue.edu | CV
Research Assistants
Adelyn Karst is a sophomore majoring in Psychological Sciences. Her research interests include work-life balance, conflict management, and human factors. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in national parks, playing with her dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
Noah Wilson is a senior studying Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. Currently, his research interests include personality, conflict management, and motivation. He plans on going to grad school after Purdue to pursue his master's in psychology. In his free time Noah enjoys listening/playing music, spending time with loved ones, and being outdoors.
Iris Yao is a sophomore, majoring in Psychological Sciences with focus of Pre-med. Her current research interest revolves around understanding how conflicts and mindsets affect employee effectiveness in the workplace, ultimately shaping a company's productivity. As she looks to the future, Iris aims to pursue higher education, although she finds herself uncertain about choosing between the paths of medical school or graduate studies. During her free time, Iris enjoys drawing, listening to music, watching movies, and cherishing moments with her friends.
Firesola (Desirée) Osobajo is a senior in the Honors College majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Currently, her research interests include sociology, intersectionality, and workplace productivity. In the future, she plans to go on to law school and is still undecided on what area of law she will specialize in, with the possibility of pursuing a masters or higher in social psychology later in life. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, watching crime tv, and solo traveling.
Raechel Johnson is currently a senior studying Brain and Behavior Sciences with a minor in Management. Her research interests are workplace motivation, conflict, and burnout. In the future, she would like to continue her studies at graduate school in hopes of pursuing a career that incorporates I/O Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, and listening to podcasts.
Minjae (Jason) Kim is a senior student at Purdue University, where he is studying Psychological Sciences and has minors in Management and Human Resources. His research interests include motivation, workplace diversity, stress management, and productivity. After completing his degree, he plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. In his free time, Jason enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, reading manga, and spending time with his friends and family.
Christopher Villalobos is a junior at Purdue University studying psychological sciences with minors in sociology and human resource management. His research interests lie in motivation, conflict resolution, and team/group dynamics with the goal of creating a better work environment. In the future, he aspires to put his research and academic knowledge into practice, joining the workforce as part of human resources. His free-time activities include singing, working out, 3D modeling, learning Japanese, and hanging out with friends and family.
Wen Yin joined us in Spring 2023. They are a senior majoring in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with minors in Linguistics, Medical Humanities, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Currently, their broad research interests include multiculturalism, intergroup essentialism, and sociolinguistics. In the future, they wish to go on to graduate school and pursue a research-oriented career in social psychology. In their free time, they enjoy crocheting, swimming, and playing badminton.
Affiliated Student
Kira Means is a 3rd year PhD Candidate in Social Psychology at Purdue University, working primarily with Dr. Thekla Morgenroth. She is broadly interested in studying feminism, gender, and unexpected or internally inconsistent biases. She is also interested in advanced quantitative methods and best practices in data analysis. In spring 2017, she earned her B.A. in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Montana. After graduating, she participated in a year of AmeriCorps VISTA service in Washington, DC. She received her M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Western Washington University in spring 2021 and then was Lab Manager of the Brauer Group Lab at the University of Madison-Wisconsin during the following academic year.
Lab Alumni
Melinda Michalski (2022-2024); Paulina Tangassi (2022-2024); Brianna Woltz (2022-2024); Brandon Krivsky (2023-2024); Lilly Linneweber (2023-2024); Elias Knable (2023-2024); Kristin Rinkel (2023-2024); Hannah Idrissi Alami (2024); Vineeth Narra (2023-2024); Emma Showalter (2022-2023); Renhao (Kevin) Zhao (2022-2023); Haley O'Neal (2022-2023); Bhavti Shah (2022-2023); Hannah Myers (2022-2023); Christina Kelley (2020-2023); Rainah Ross (2023); Alexandra Zuniga (2023); Sharon Li (PhD Student 2018-2023); Sami Lapka (Lab Manager 2020-2022); Paige Loessy (2021-2022); Katelin Bauer (2020-2022); Brianna Foreman (2020-2022); Alicia Opsahl (2021-2022); Victoria Garden (2021-2022); Broderick Schipp (2021-2022); Ariel Velasco (2022); Alexandra Harris (2022); Lily Bachar (2022); Alyanna Reyes (2022); Ashley Niebrugge (2022); Arabella Michael (2022); Ryan Greaser (2020-2021); Ramya Anbarasu (2021); Jenna Burow (2020-2021); Vrushika Shah (2021); Angela Zhang (2020-2021); Cassidy Underwood (2021); Megan Mitchell (2020-2021); Rhusha Arramreddy (2020-2021); Charlotte Albrecht (2021); Kamryn Bridges (2021); Javier Camarillo (2021); Sarah Firestone (2021); Ryan Sauter (2020-2021); Nicole Reisinger (2021); Kendall Gregrich (2021); Ashley Stallsworth (2019-2020); Lindsay Drake (2020); Kailee Mott (2020); Sebastian Reimer (2020); Alex Swan (2020); Ash (Chenzhang) Xu (2018-2019); Darrien Lindsay (2018-2019); Mitushi Mukherjee (2018-2019); Ashley Schenk (2019); Sarah Ilene Arnold (2019); Averi Schumaker (2019); Lehar Chellani (2019); Katherine Tuey (2019)
Alumni Updates
Dr. Sharon Li received her PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Purdue University in 2023. After graduation, she worked as a Research Scientist in an HR solutions company. Her research interests included diversity and culture in the workplace, including immigrant worker integration and well-being, and Asian American stereotypes at work (e.g., mechanistic dehumanization).
Elias Knable (2023-2024) will pursue his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Purdue University Northwest.
Melinda Michalski (2022-2024) will pursue her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Marymount University.
Christina Kelley (2020-2023) will pursue her master’s in Boston College’s Social Work program with the intention of becoming a therapist afterward.
Emma Showalter (2022-2023) will join the workforce as an Employee Experience Associate for a financial services and solutions company.
Sami Lapka (Lab Manager 2020-2022) will pursue her PhD in Social Psychology at Ohio State University as a Dean’s Distinguished University Fellow.
Brianna Foreman (2020-2022) will head to the workforce as an HR Assistant for a business technology company.
Katelin Bauer (2020-2022) will pursue her master's in Psychology, specializing in Cognition, Learning, and Neuroscience at American University.
Paige Loessy (2021-2022) will pursue her master’s in Human Resource Management at Purdue’s Krannert School of Business.
Kayla Goldsmid (Lab Manager 2019-2020) plans to attend a master’s program for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Ash (Chenzhang) Xu (2018-2019) went on to study at University of Minnesota, Master of Arts in Human Resources & Industrial Relation.
Darrien Lindsay (2018-2019) went on to study at Cornell University, Master of Industrial and Labor Relations.