Research Team
Dustin Thoman, Ph.D.
MSI Lab Supervisor, Principal Investigator
Dr. Dustin Thoman is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education at San Diego State University. He also serves as California Research Director for Motivate Lab. His scholarship is grounded in social psychology, diversity science, and a social contextual framework of motivation. He studies how motivation can be supported or disrupted by the social and cultural contexts in which interests are sparked, developed, and ultimately become (or not) lifelong pursuits.He and his research teams have secured over $9M to support research on equity and inclusion in education, particularly broadening of participation in STEM education from NSF, NIH, and private foundations such as the College Futures Foundation. Through a wide range of program development, consulting, mentoring, and advisory board activities at SDSU and institutions/ organizations across the country, he utilizes insights from motivation science to identify and remove institutional and social-contextual barriers that impede the development of educational and career interests for students from marginalized and historically underrepresented backgrounds.
Joseph M. Ocampo, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Researcher
Joseph M. Ocampo is a postdoctoral researcher at San Diego State University. Joseph is a first-generation college student who earned his B.A. in Psychology at UC San Diego and his Ph.D. in Social-Personality psychology from UC Berkeley. Joseph’s research has followed two broad paths: 1) emotional experience, identity, and well-being and 2) compassion and prosocial behavior. As a postdoctoral researcher, Joseph seeks to investigate how historically underrepresented or economically disadvantaged students’ identity both shapes and is shaped by the pursuit of STEM careers and how prosocial motives play a role in career interest and persistence. (email: jmocampo@sdsu.edu)Luis Darwin Avalos
Graduate Research Assistant
Born and raised in San Diego, Luis Darwin Avalos is a second-year graduate student at San Diego State University under the mentorship of Dr. Dustin Thoman. Prior to joining the graduate program, he completed earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy at SDSU in 2019. His research interests are focused on the different factors that motivate or discourage students in STEM education. Furthermore, he is interested in improving academic conditions for historically underrepresented students. He intends to continue his education and pursue Ph.D. in Social Psychology to further explore ways to improve students’ motivation in education. Darwin enjoys spending his free time with friends, being involved in the arts, or watching a soccer game.Brooke Isrow
Graduate Research Assistant
Brooke is a second year graduate student in the Psychology M.A. program at SDSU. She completed her undergraduate education at UC Davis in 2023, earning a B.A. in both Psychology and Communication, as well as a minor in Professional Writing. Her research interests include how social relationships impact individual motivation within an activity, such as a classroom or a sports team. She intends to study how these relationships develop, are maintained, and affect a person’s drive to engage with their craft. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time at the beach and in the mountains, rock climbing, dancing, and reading.Robbi Melvin
Graduate Research Assistant
Robbi is a second-year graduate student in the Psychology M.A. program at SDSU. He is an international student from Toronto, Canada. He obtained his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Colby College in 2018. His research interests focus on social identity and belonging, particularly within an academic/educational context. He intends to pursue a PhD in social psychology after completing his M.A. In his free time, he enjoys working out, watching sports, playing video games, and listening to podcasts.Lilibeth Flores
Graduate Research Assistant
Lilibeth is a third-year graduate student in the Psychology MA program at SDSU. She graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests include: stereotype and prejudice, identity, belonging, and STEM education equity. She intends to pursue a PhD in Social Psychology and contribute to the knowledge on how to increase inclusion and diversity in STEM. In her free time she likes gardening, watching horror movies, and spending time with her family and dog, Stellio.Alisha Tang
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alisha (she/her) is a third-year Psychology major with a double minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies and Counseling & Social Change. She plans to pursue the MFT program after obtaining her bachelor’s degree, in hopes of working with underrepresented communities. She is passionate about integrating inclusivity, as well as creating a safe space for individuals who don’t have parental guidance when it comes to the American educational system. She currently serves as the President of the Counseling and Social Change Club, as well as an Advanced Peer for the Counseling and Psychological Services. One of her favorite classes at SDSU is “Humanity’s Journey from Evil to Hope,” an honors-based course that is taught by an anthropologist, focusing on real-life atrocities. In her free time, she loves to go to the gym, thrift, attend house shows, and make music.
Aiden Sorelle
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aiden is currently a second year Industrial/Organizational Psychology major. He participates in many organizations on campus, including the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, the Delta Beta Tau fraternity, and the Psychology club. He is interested in a career in Human Resources, specifically external consulting. His hobbies include listening to music, going to the beach, and watching sports. Aiden looks forward to learning more about psychology and human resources.
Mariel Munoz
Post Bac Research Assistant
Mariel is a 2024 graduate of UCSD, where she received her bachelor’s degree in cognitive psychology. As an undergrad, she volunteered as a research assistant for the Social Cognition Lab at UCSD and educated others as cultural facilitator for UCSD’s student org, Kaibigang Pilipino. Her current research interests involve universities’ STEM culture and how they impact the academic success of different minority populations. With the same passion that backs her research focus, Mariel intends on pursuing a master’s degree in educational policy with the hopes of improving the educational experiences for all students in higher education. In her free time, she enjoys watching kdramas, going on walks, partaking in some form of performing arts, and napping.Kyle Bill
Post Bac Research Assistant
Kyle is a post bac with a Bachelors in psychology from San Diego State University. He plans on pursuing a PhD in the field of psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology. He is passionate about the study of psychology and has an interest in behavioral change related to brain injury and the process of learning. During undergrad, neuropsychology and social psychology were among his favorite classes. In his free time he enjoys reading, playing basketball, painting, traveling, and listening to music.Alexandra Mcmurray
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alexandra McMurray is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. She is also minoring in counseling and social change and business management. Alex’s research interests include studying the driving forces behind people’s motivation, social identity, and relationships in an academic/work setting. After she completes her bachelor’s degree, Alex plans on attending graduate school. Her hobbies include going on hikes with her dog, reading mystery novels, and hanging out with family and friends.Celestial Skye
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is Celestial Skye and I am proud to be a 52-year-old psychology undergraduate transfer student at San Diego State University. I am thrilled to be coupling my life experience with a psychology degree so that I might assist people in the pursuit of health and wellbeing. I am applying to graduate school next year here at SDSU for Rehabilitation Counseling in the pursuit of my career goal of being a college advisor.
Malik Frazer
Post Bac Research Assistant
Malik is a post-bac research assistant. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2022, with a BA in Psychology. He plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and become a licensed physical therapist. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing basketball, watching podcasts, cooking, and creating new experiences.Sophia Kerner
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sophia Kerner is a second-year undergraduate student at SDSU majoring in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and minoring in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. After graduation, she intends to either enter the workforce to pursue a career in Human Resources or obtain a master’s degree. She is passionate about helping and collaborating with others to make sure people feel included and appreciated in the workplace environment. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new places, listening to music, playing sports including tennis, and going to the beach.and icon management tool for perfectionists.Noelle Sexton
