Meet the Team
The iBAY lab is lucky to have a remarkable group of lab members. If you are interested in joining the iBAY lab or have any questions about our research, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Dr. Sonya Xinyue Xiao
I am a developmental scientist studying the development of prosocial behavior, positive intergroup attitudes, behaviors, and relations (with a focus on gender and race/ethnicity), with specific focus on childhood and adolescence. My goal is to understand and generate solutions to promote kindness, inclusion, and justice during development. I also have interests in measurement and statistics to answer these research questions more accurately. I was born and raised in China. I was the "new" kid during elementary school, middle school, and high school, and felt like an outsider in Accounting during college, when I became a school teacher after that, and again when I transitioned to Psychology in graduate school in America. These experiences might be what drives my interests in kindness and inclusion among diverse individuals. I earned a M.S. at Syracuse University and a Ph.D. at Arizona State University (ASU). I also completed postdoctoral training at ASU.​ In my free time, I enjoy swimming, hiking, creating art, and learning to play piano and tennis.
Our Research Team
Learn more about the dedicated team supporting our research projects.

Alexis Niemoller (She/Her)
Lab Manager
Hello, my name is Alexis Niemoller, I am a junior at Northern Arizona University and I am a Psychological Sciences major with a Sociology minor. I am working toward getting my Masters in the future I want to be able to teach in at the college level and do research. I enjoy hiking, puzzles, and playing the guitar! I am excited to work on growing my knowledge within the psychological sciences world and learning real world experiences.

Zili Zhong (He/Him)
Graduate Research Assistant
I'm Zili Zhong. I am a first-year graduate student in the Psychological Science program. I did my undergraduate at the University of California at Irvine and one graduate program in Applied Behavior Analysis at ASU. My research interests and experience cover the function and motivation of human behavior. That kind of shaped my thoughts into behaviorism, and I am training my mind to be open again right now. I hope to get into a PhD program after my program. I am an international student from China. I love mystery & crime fiction. I also play board games and video games in my free time.

Mariah Gonzales
Undergraduate Research Assistant
HI! I am Mariah Gonzales. I am a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University. I aspire to work as a clinical psychologist advocating and uplifting adolescents. I have a keen interest in the development and functionality of the brain and how it controls our behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and interactions with the world. Psychology is just that! My extracurriculars include volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and visiting the animal shelter! I hope to continue my path of learning and pursue higher forms of education to foster the minds of the youth.

Nidhi Hitesh Patel (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Nidhi Patel, and I am in my second year at Northern Arizona University pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. My future goals include going onto graduate school to earn a master's degree. With an emphasis on working with studies that focus on diversity as that is very important to me I would also like to work with sports teams in the future, possibly with college athletes.

Alana Plisko
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Alana Plisko, and I am a junior at NAU studying Psychology. My goal is to attend graduate school and further my education, though I am still exploring which specific field to pursue. I am passionate about research and understanding human behavior, particularly in areas like developmental, social, cognitive, and clinical psychology. I enjoy learning and improving my critical thinking and communication skills. Some of my favorite activities include hiking, playing tennis, and listening to music.

BJ Piper (They/Them)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is BJ Piper, and I am from Casa Grande, AZ/ Lancaster, CA. I am a junior at Northern Arizona University, and I am currently studying Psychological Sciences with a specific emphasis on Development and Education. My goals are to become an educational psychologist and work within BIPOC communities and institutions. I hold a few leadership positions at NAU, and work in the Inclusion Office at NAU. I am also currently involved with the Black Student Union on campus and I love working with and helping my communities!

Jack Greever
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Jack Greever and I'm a junior at NAU studying Psychology with a minor in Spanish. My goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist, working with children and adolescents as well as underserved populations. My research interests lie in technology use and social development in children, and I hope to conduct more research in the future! In my free time, I like to bake, knit, climb, and spin my vinyl records!

Bryanna Yale
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Bryanna Yale and I am a Junior at NAU. I am majoring in Psychological Sciences and have minors in Social Work and Women and Gender Studies. My goal is to apply for a Master's program in either Clinical Psychology or Social Work; in order to pursue a career of working with adolescents through therapy/counseling. I was raised in a large family with five younger siblings, where I was fortunate enough to watch my sibling's development and this generated my interest within the field of Developmental Psychology. I also have other hobbies such as being outdoors, community service, and singing! I am currently a part of Elevation A Capella and Alpha Lambda Delta: Honor's Society at NAU, which allows me to continue to pursue my other interests.

Mariah Hughes
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Mariah Hughes and I am studying Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. My goal is to attend graduate school and in the future become a clinical therapist working with adolescents as well as individuals that struggle with substance abuse. I am very passionate about mental health and I would like to be able to learn and share more insight on the topic. Some of my favorite activities include going to concerts and festivals.
.jpg)
Lydia D'Ambrosio (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
CV​
Hello, my name is Lydia D’Ambrosio and I am a current sophomore at NAU pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in the Psychological Sciences with a minor in Music. From my prior experience being part of Best Buddies and advocating for disability resources, I have come to enjoy working with younger adolescents and exploring the different ways in which their minds operate and interpret the world around them. This is something I hope to apply in my future goals of working as a Behavioral Technician, and eventually obtaining my PhD in Counseling Psychology. I further intend to use the knowledge I have gained towards assisting others in improving their mental health and lifestyle. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, playing the piano, painting, and being outdoors!
Our Collaborators
We would like to thank those who collaborate with us with assistance in research design, ideas, and providing resources.
Lab Alumni
The PBinJ lab is sad to say goodbye to our wonderful lab alumni. We wish for the best in your future endeavors!
* Italics indicate where our alumni are currently studying or working.
Contact
We are actively accepting new undergraduate and graduate research assistants for 2024-2025 academic year. Please inquire directly with Dr. Xiao at xx57@nau.edu