Cognitive Dynamics Team
Principal Investigators
Colin Depp, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Co-Director of the Cognitive Dynamics Lab
cdepp@ucsd.edu
Dr. Colin Depp is a professor in residence and a clinical staff psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in UC San Diego. As a practicing psychologist, Dr. Depp mentors and clinically supervises residents, fellows, graduate students, and interns. He is also the Director of Research Education and Training at the Clinical and Translational Research Institute at the University of California San Diego and mentors clinical scientists in multiple training programs.
Dr. Depp's research focuses on technology-based longitudinal assessment and real-time interventions in mental health- particularly in serious mental illnesses. His other projects deliver multi-component behavioral interventions and incorporate use of technology to assess and modify physical activity, aging-in-place, sleep and outcomes. Dr. Depp's involvement in research and as a clinical scientist has led him to collaborate with clinicians, engineers, and bioinformatics as well as create training opportunities in entrepreneurship in medical devices.
Raeanne Moore, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Co-Director of the Cognitive Dynamics Lab r6moore@ucsd.edu
Twitter
Dr. Raeanne Moore is a clinical neuropsychology researcher in UCSD’s Department of Psychiatry, where she is utilizing digital health technologies to improve assessment of mental health and cognitive functioning. Her research focuses on creating and validity new tools for digital phenotyping research, particularly in populations with cognitive impairment. Her other projects focus on the identification of digital biomarkers for gathering real-world evidence in clinical trials and on providing personalized data-driven insights into brain health. To support her work, she has funding from the NIA, NIMH, NIEHS, and VA.
Dr. Moore mentors trainees from undergraduate students to junior faculty, and is always excited to welcome new trainees into the Cognitive Dynamics Lab. She also co-founded and sits on the board of UC San Diego’s Mental Health Technology Center (MHTech).
Lab Personnel
Lauren McBride, B.A.
Graduate Student Researcher, Clinical Psychology PhD Student
Lauren is a first-year graduate student at the San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She received her bachelor’s degree in physics and business from Emory University in 2019. Lauren’s research interests focus on measuring social health and connectedness in people with psychotic disorders, as well as developing social connection-focused interventions for people with psychosis. Outside of her life as a graduate student, Lauren loves cooking, going to the San Diego Zoo, reading, and spending time with her friends, family, and pet cat.
Kevin Kuehn, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr. Kuehn is a postdoctoral fellow in the Cognitive Dynamics Lab. His research is focused on understanding the within-person processes that maintain self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. He earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Washington in 2022 following the completion of his clinical internship at the San Diego Veteran’s Affairs Healthcare System. He is currently working on a research project, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which aims to develop and test a personalized intervention for reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Cindy Chang, PsyD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr. Cindy Chang (she/they) is a Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the VA San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Chang's research and clinical interests focus on preventing suicide and reducing mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals. In her spare time, Dr. Chang enjoys being outdoors, dancing, eating delicious foods, and weightlifting.
Vanessa Scott, B.S.
Staff Research Supervisor
vlscott@health.ucsd.edu
Vanessa graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2018 with a B.S. in Psychology. Her goal is to optimize data collection protocols, database management and processing on behalf of the lab. She is currently completing her M.S. in Data Science and wants to work with mental health organizations building algorithms or agents that inform health practices, clinicians or optimize user experiences with mobile health applications. In her spare time, she likes hiking with her dogs, dancing and trying new coffee shops before walking the farmer's markets of San Diego.
Avery Quynh, B.S.
Project Coordinator
akquynh@health.ucsd.edu
Avery graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2019 with a Bachelors of Science in both Human Biology and Clinical Psychology. During her time at UCSD, she volunteered in cognitive psychology labs that focused on visual cognition, attention and memory. She also volunteered in the Cognitive Dynamics lab as an undergraduate research assistant before transitioning to a project coordinator. Avery’s main interests revolve around psychosis and digital mental health. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology so that she can work as a clinician as well as conduct her own research studies. Outside of the lab, Avery enjoys bullet journaling, crafting, and spending time with friends and family.
Nicole Abaya, M.A.
Staff Research Associate
Nicole graduated from San Diego State University with a Master of Arts in Psychology in 2023, and a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego in 2020. Prior to joining the Cognitive Dynamics Lab, she was involved with various research areas such as opioid addiction, blood pressure and social pain, health behavior change, and user experience. Currently, Nicole’s research interests are in behavioral analytics and design, and the role of digital technology in improving people’s well-being. In the future, she hopes to work as a behavioral scientist to be able to research and create solutions to increase positive behavior change. Outside of the lab, Nicole enjoys cooking, going to concerts, playing games, and spending time outdoors.
Starla Thomas, B.S.
Staff Research Associate
Starla graduated from UCSD in 2025 with a B.S. in Psychology. She volunteered in a developmental psychology lab examining how children come to understand causality and the world around them. She served as an undergraduate research assistant in the Cognitive Dynamics Lab, where she has since fully transitioned into a full-time Project Coordinator role. Starla’s research interests focus on aging and its impact on mental health, with an emphasis on suicide research. She is also interested in translating research findings into real-world applications that can inform clinical practice and public health initiatives. In the future, Starla hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of working as a clinician while conducting research that meaningfully informs public health responses to mental health crises. She also hopes to teach at the university level. Outside of the lab, Starla enjoys creating art, dancing, and reading.
Danielle Munguia, B.S.
Staff Research Associate
Danielle graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychobiology and received a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 2025. Prior to joining the Cognitive Dynamics Lab, Danielle built a strong foundation in community-based and longitudinal research as a Research Assistant at WestEd’s Justice and Prevention Research Center and a Post-Baccalaureate Student Assistant in the PREVENT Lab at UCI. At WestEd, she contributed to mixed-methods studies examining justice involvement, structural racism, and mental health outcomes among marginalized populations with a particular focus on Black and Latinx youth. In the PREVENT Lab, she supported multi-site psychosis-risk and prevention studies. Danielle’s main interests revolve around risk and protective factors and the development of severe psychopathology among ethnic minority youth. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and work in academia and community spaces. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys wellness-related activities such as weight-lifting, hiking, yoga, soundbaths, and mindfulness meditation.
Stephanie Ibrahim, B.S.
Staff Research Associate
Stephanie graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a double major in Psychology and Cognitive Science in 2022. After graduating she worked in Dr. Ellen Lee's lab in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD focusing on the impact of sleep and health in individuals with serious mental illness. Stephanie is interested in improving access to evidence-based interventions and reducing mental health disparities in marginalized communities. In the future, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys trying new restaurants, being in nature, and spending time with friends and family.
Jonathan Brekke, B.S.
Staff Research Associate
Jonny is a University of California, San Diego alumni with a B.S. in Clinical Psychology. At UCSD, Jonny volunteered as an undergraduate research assistant in a psychology lab which specialized in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders. During this time, he was also involved in collaboration projects with the Cognitive Dynamics Lab. This engagement eventually led to the opportunity for him to transition into a full-time coordinator role, allowing him to continue to contribute in this research space. Jonny's current interests lie in further exploring evidence-based interventions to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. In the future, he hopes to attend graduate school and obtain a degree so that he can work as a clinician, conduct therapy, and support those suffering from mental illness. Outside of the lab, Jonny likes to surf, read, and spend time outdoors.
Undergraduates
- Chloe Mun
- Tanisha Kumar
- Tessa Pizzo
- Hetvi Majmudar
- Vanessa Chen
- Saurabi Sakthivel
Lab Alumni
Lab Personnel
Alexis Roach, B.S.
Staff Research Associate
Alexis graduated from UCSD in June of 2022 with a B.S. in Clinical Psychology. She began her time at CDL as an undergraduate research assistant, then held her first post-graduate position in Dr. Charles Taylor's PEARL lab (one of Dr. Colin Depp's close collaborators). She spent several years with us as a Research Associate. Alexis has enjoyed her time with this population and data so much so that she saught her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at USD. Now, she is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who works with clients living with various mental health concerns. When not enjoying her time working in and learning about the mental health field, she loves to practice yoga, hike, and dance!
Camila Martinez Ceren, B.S., B.A.
Staff Research Associate
Camila graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health and Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego in 2019. She aspires to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology to design and implement her own research studies and receive clinical training while applying aspects of health policy to better research, serve, and understand underrepresented populations. Currently, she works in clinical research in industry. Outside of the work, Camila enjoys painting, being outdoors, and playing with her cats.
Emma Parrish, M.S., Ph.D.
Graduate Student Researcher
emparris@health.ucsd.edu
Emma is a fifth-year student in the San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Northeastern University in 2017 and her Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology from San Diego State University in 2021. Emma's research interests are in understanding mechanisms related to suicidal ideation and behavior, as well as suicide prevention interventions for people with psychotic disorders. She is interested in the application of real-time mobile interventions and assessments to suicide prevention in this population. Emma is currently working on her dissertation, funded by an NIHM National Research Service Award Fellowship, which investigates dynamics of social cognition and interpersonal constructs related to suicidal ideation in serious mental illness. Clinically, Emma hass completed practicum experiences at the VA San Diego Center of Recovery Education (CORE), the VA San Diego Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) PTSD Track, and the UCSD CARE Early Psychosis Program. In her spare time, Emma enjoys rock climbing, camping, hiking, and cooking.
Snigdha Kamarsu, B.S.
Project Coordinator
skamarsu@health.ucsd.edu
Snigdha Kamarsu received her Bachelors of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in Biology from the University of California, Irvine in 2015. Snigdha has been working in the areas of intervention and cognition research as a lab manager for the past 5 years. Her research interests lie in telemental health, cognitive remediation, and understanding the mechanisms of psychopathology. Snigdha plans to apply her knowledge from cognitive science to implement new diagnostic assessments as a future clinical psychologist. When not at work in the lab, Snigdha enjoys reading, exploring new places, and learning new recipes.
Tess Filip, B.A.
Project Coordinator
tfilip@health.ucsd.edu
Tess Filip graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2015. Since then she has gained a broader understanding of treatment modalities in the mental health field by working both as a case manager and as a research coordinator in a clinical pharmaceutical trial setting. Her interests lie in social cognition in severe mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. She hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to work as a practicing clinical psychologist as well as design and implement her own research studies. She enjoys exploring new restaurants, dancing, and learning Korean.
Rosa T. Gutierrez, B.A.
Research Associate II
rtgutierrezaceves@health.ucsd.edu
Rosa T. Gutierrez graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from UAG-Mexico and has certifications in Psychology, Social Work, and as a Community Health Worker. She possesses a comprehensive knowledge of multicultural settings with intergenerational adults and has worked with ethnically diverse groups from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Rosa's training has led her to identify the barriers and facilitation in implementing cognitive behavioral interventions for populations with serious mental illness. Outside of the lab, Rosa is a community leader who organizes with resident community leaders to improve quality of life of others while strengthening her grassroots leadership.
Project Coordinator
mjcano@health.ucsd.edu
Mayra Cano received her Bachelors of Science in both Public Health and Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego in 2015. Since then, Mayra has utilized the applications of public health by working as a research coordinator in community based clinical projects. Her interests in mental health lie in bridging research innovations in social cognition in severe mental illness with practical primary care implementations. She hopes to pursue a graduate nursing degree, as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, to help better address acute mental health needs. In her spare time, Mayra can be found running, traveling, and trying out new podcasts.
Undergraduates
- Riona Tsen
- Starla Thomas
- Abhishek Ganga
- Catherine Cha
- Sreetama Chowdhury
- Shagun Taneja
- Sarina Sharma-Welsh
- Jessica Sears
- Jiayi Lin
- Coty Chen
- Jennifer Villa
- Audrey Berardi
- Elizabeth Peek