Are you an RU-N Undergraduate looking to get involved in the Well-Being Lab? Fill out an RA Application and email it to Dr. Heintzelman.
Graduate Students

Fahima is a third year student in the PhD Psychology program. Her research interests lie at the intersection of social and positive psychology – she is interested in studying well-being, inequality, and positive outcomes among general and disadvantaged populations. In some of her current projects she explores social mobility among first-gen students, and the role of meaning & well-being in collective action. Outside the lab, she loves reading, lettering, and watching satire.

Elif Ulutas
Elif is a second year PhD student in the Psychology program. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology at Ankara University. Currently, she is interested in studying positive life transitions, meaning in life and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys baking, journaling, and talking with others.
PREP Students

Sharon is currently in the Rutgers PREP Program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Rutgers University-Newark, with a minor concentration in Biology. Her research interests include studying the role of identities in well-being, in hopes to raise awareness and better understand the experiences individuals face in their daily life. Sharon aims to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology. Outside of lab, she enjoys the aesthetics of fashion and beauty as her personal interests.
Research Assistants

Bhumi is a senior majoring is Psychology and minoring in Biology. She likes to bake, listen to music, and go out with her friends to explore different cuisines around the city. Over summer break, she occasionally enjoys painting and going on hikes. She intends to enroll in a Master’s program following her graduation in the spring.

Adriana is a senior double majoring in both Political Science and Psychology, and is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha. Her partner, family, and friends are her sources of happiness. Her interests include 35mm film photography, concerts, traveling, thrifting vintage items, and watching horror and documentary films. She aims attend law school or enroll in PhD programs in either Social Psychology or Forensic Psychology after graduation in the spring.

Aakanksha is a sophomore at NJIT majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. She is a passionate writer and serves as managing editor of the NJIT Nucleus Yearbook. Currently a Premed student, she intends to attend medical school after undergrad. Her favorite activities outside of writing are spending time with friends, baking, and watching films.

Sena is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Cognitive Neuroscience and Art History. She is presently debating whether she wants to pursue a PhD to research the impacts social interactions and loneliness have on mental health and life longevity or a Master’s degree to work with children. Along with partaking in a range of artistic pursuits like painting and playing the viola, she also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Well-Being Lab Alumni




























Bryant Gomez is now a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D in Social Psychology at the City University of New York.
Michelle Mendoza is now a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at University of Oregon.
Kainaat Anwar is now a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Rowan University.
Da’Quallon Smith is now a graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. in Psychology at the London School of Economics. *not pictured
- Ahmad Awadallah
- Rankita Sinha
- Grace Akinlolu
- Jacqueline Rodriguez
- Zakiyyah Ibrahim
- Shivangi Sharma
- Paula Alves-Czachor
- Analaura Ramirez
- Thomas Moussa
- Mariam Lopez
- Brian Barylski
- Sally Durant
- Arly Navarro
- Daniel Rivera
- Viridiana Villasenor
- Eshrat Oyeshee
- Nelson Reyes
- Julia Paredes
- Bridgette Byrd
- Micaela Generali
- Atiyah Hack-Russell
- Marlene Cazares
- Alex Tedino
- Mark Cabrera
- Arthur Searle