Lab Team

Our amazing lab team in their Fall Chapter!

Dr. Susan Bluck, Professor, Lab Director

For more information on Dr. Bluck, visit her profile.

Kiana Cogdill-Richardson, Graduate Research Assistant and Lab Manager

Kiana is currently a fourth year Ph.D candidate in Developmental Psychology at the University of Florida, studying under Dr. Susan Bluck. She is a proud triple gator, having received a M.S (Psychology), B.S (Psychology) and B.A (English) all from UF. She has had a special interest in studying death since she took a course in UF’s English Department that primarily focused on how authors’ fiction was influenced when they were aware they were dying. As a PhD student, Kiana’s research interests include understanding how the structure and features of adults’ narratives signal adaptive storying of autobiographical memories of challenging life events, specifically death-related events. She employs a mixed methods by integrating content-analytic, qualitative and quantitative, and linguistic text analysis to investigate what directs individuals to narrative memories in adaptive ways, and whether this relates to individual differences such as personal wisdom. In her free time, Kiana likes to camp in the Florida Springs and learn to cook new recipes.

Juanita Hoyos, Research Assistant

Juanita is a second-year Psychology and PPEL dual major with a minor in Business Administration. Her interest in the Life Story Lab began with her fascination with autobiographical memory and its connection to the self. As someone who often bridges psychology with philosophy, she is especially drawn to the ways questions of memory and identity intersect with classic thought experiments like the Ship of Theseus paradox. Beyond academics, Juanita enjoys exercising, exploring creative hobbies, and having coffee/reading dates with friends.

Gaya Prabhakaran, Research Assistant

Gaya is a fourth-year student studying Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. Her interest in the Life Story Lab is rooted in the desire to gain wisdom by consciously considering her own death and processing the death of her loved ones who have passed on. She is curious to investigate how compassion, wisdom and peace can grow through such experiences. After graduation in Spring 2026, Gaya hopes to travel and attend graduate school in educational psychology. Gaya is a certified yoga teacher and teaches yoga around the community. She also works as a gymnastics coach to young athletes with special needs at Balance 180 Gymnastics. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and family, meditate and practice yoga, and run.

Victoria Fernandez, Research Assistant

Victoria Fernandez is a fourth-year Psychology major with a minor in Statistics. Her interest in the Life Story Lab is driven by a deep awareness of her own mortality and a fascination with the unique, complex narratives that shape each individual’s life. A topic that intrigues her is the differences in accepting and coping with death among different cultures and age groups. After completing her undergraduate studies, Victoria plans to pursue a graduate program and build a career in academic psychological research. In her free time, she crafts the soundtrack to her own life story through her passion for music.

Sarah Stander, Research Assistant

Sarah Stander is a third-year Psychology major and BFA Art student, also pursuing a certificate in Art Education. Her interest in the Life Story Lab stems from a desire to understand how experiences with family and memory can influence people’s attitudes toward death, as well as how different religious beliefs can shape those perspectives. Her artwork also explores themes of memory and personal relationships. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school for art and pursue a career in collegiate art education. Outside of school, she enjoys weightlifting, baking, going on hikes with friends, and leading a Bible study group.

Isabela Campos Mata, Research Assistant

Isabela is a second-year Psychology student with a focus on Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. Her interest in the Life Story Lab began because of her desire to explore psychology from a more personal perspective and her interest in understanding how stories shape individuals into who they become. One of the topics that intrigues her the most is how loss affects the sense of self and outlook on the future. After completing her undergraduate degree in 2028, Isabela hopes to attend law school and delve into Intellectual Property and Health Technology law. For volunteer work, Isabela was involved with the library-building program at His House Children’s Home and Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital. During her free time, she is an avid reader and enjoys all kinds of music, hanging out with friends, and crocheting.

Nicholas Baron, Research Assistant

Nicholas is a fourth-year student studying Psychology: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. His interest in the Life Story Lab stems from his own experience of listening to the life stories of older individuals in a watershed moment of his life: the privilege of interviewing four Holocaust survivors and learning about their experiences. With a passion in the science of memory, Nicholas hopes to learn about the underlining of how being cognizant of one’s own mortality shapes the way one thinks and prioritizes their memories. After graduating in Spring 2026, Nicholas currently plans to apply to medical schools and match with neurology programs. Nicholas is CPR and First Responder certified, and values learning about life saving measures to be prepared should any unexpected situation arise. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys playing the piano, playing chess, and completing logic puzzles such as sudoku.

Riley Bass, Research Assistant

Riley is a third-year student studying Psychology-Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience- and Sociology. She joined the lab because of her interest in the ways people think about and experience death and dying. She is personally interested in the role of spirituality on thought processes and general well-being. After graduating in Spring 2026, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology in California. Outside of the lab, Riley volunteers for Hospice and the Alachua County Crisis Center. She enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and spending time with friends.

Life Story Lab