Meet some of our psychology majors.
Justin Katter
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Major: psychology
What was your motivation to major in psychology?
I chose to major in psychology because I want to become a therapist. I’ve always been interested in understanding human behavior and helping others navigate emotional challenges. As I’ve progressed in my studies, my passion for psychology has only deepened, especially as I’ve gained exposure to different clinical perspectives and therapeutic approaches.
Can you describe your working relationships with psychology professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
I’ve built strong relationships with several psychology professors, whether through collaborating on research, seeking academic and professional guidance, or simply discussing fascinating topics in psychology. One standout class for me was Abnormal Psychology with Prof. Cunningham. The course was incredibly engaging, with the professor sharing stories from his clients that brought the material to life, making it both informative and directly relevant to my future career as a therapist.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy?
Yes, I am currently working in a research lab with Prof. Shtulman. The work is incredibly interesting, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage in hands-on research that expands my understanding of psychological concepts. Being part of this lab has strengthened my analytical skills and given me valuable experience in research methodology, which I know will be beneficial for my future in clinical psychology.
[This is] a department that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a strong sense of community, making it a great environment for learning and collaboration.
What do you find most compelling about studying psychology?
The most compelling part of studying psychology is how it changes the way I see the world—particularly human behavior. Learning about psychological theories and research gives me a new lens through which to understand people’s actions, motivations, and emotions. It’s fascinating to see how psychology applies to so many aspects of life, from personal relationships to societal trends.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
I plan to become a therapist, and my time at Oxy has been instrumental in preparing me for that path. The guidance I’ve received from professors and the Hameetman Career Center has helped me secure valuable clinical experience, including an internship and a job. The liberal arts approach has also broadened my perspective, allowing me to integrate insights from other disciplines into my understanding of psychology and mental health.
I’ve built strong relationships with several psychology professors, whether through collaborating on research, seeking academic and professional guidance, or simply discussing fascinating topics in psychology.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in psychology?
My biggest piece of advice is to seek out opportunities early on—whether through research, internships, or clinical experience. Even if something doesn’t seem like the perfect fit at first, gaining exposure to different areas of psychology helps you refine your interests and clarify your career goals. Sometimes, discovering what doesn’t interest you is just as valuable as finding what does.
What is the “vibe” of the psychology department?
The psychology department at Oxy is incredibly welcoming, intellectually engaging, and supportive. The professors are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in their students’ growth. It’s a department that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a strong sense of community, making it a great environment for learning and collaboration.
Zahra Noorani
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Major: psychology (pre-med)
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy?
Part of what I love about Oxy is all the research I have had the opportunity to be a part of. I started as a research assistant in Prof. Cabral’s Behavioral Medicine Lab my first year, and continued working with her during the summer as part of Oxy’s Research Early Access Program (REAP). We research risk behaviors such as smoking and vaping in minority adolescents, among other projects. I am also now conducting research with Prof. Shtulman on media literacy in children. The professors in the department encourage us to be a part of multiple labs so that we may gauge our own interests and gain a diversity of perspectives regarding what topics we like researching. It is extremely motivating to see my work being selected for presentations and posters, and I am so grateful to my professors for giving me such opportunities.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
My goal after Oxy is to go to medical school and specialize in psychiatry. A specific aspect of the liberal arts approach that I appreciate is how well I am now able to research and write about various topics. I love that I am able to connect and incorporate my interest in psychology to the topics that I choose to write about. The classes that I have taken outside of my major are ones that I have learned to connect to psychology, and I feel that this is a skill that has expanded my knowledge of the field, as well as ideas that I wish to research on in the future.
It is extremely motivating to see my work being selected for presentations and posters, and I am so grateful to my professors for giving me such opportunities.
Can you describe your working relationships with psychology professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
My psychology professors have been so wonderful and I feel very comfortable going up to them after class with questions simply out of curiosity. I ended up taking classes with Prof. Cabral and Prof. Shtulman, both of whom I had been conducting research with, and it helped me connect the concepts I was learning in class to the research that I was conducting outside of class. Abnormal Psychology has definitely been one of my favorite classes because I am able to apply the concepts I learn in that class to the Psychiatric Acute Care unit that I volunteer in at a local hospital.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in psychology?
I would say to not be afraid to ask questions and showcase your skills. The research opportunities that I received were simply a result of showing interest in the professors’ research, and sending them a genuine email conveying that passion. Even for classes that filled up that I really wanted to take, all I had to do was ask. I would also say to share your ideas with your professors. My research professors always ask for our input, and they listen to what we have to say and take it into consideration moving forward—it goes to show how willing the professors at Oxy are to help students, and how eager they are to work with us.
Jack Bartlett
Hometown: South Pasadena, CA
Major: psychology; minor: cognitive science
What was your motivation to major in psychology?
I have wanted to be a counselor or therapist since middle school, and am generally very interested in how the brain functions. I was always the person in my friend group who people relied on, and it means a lot to me to be able to talk with and help people on a personal level.
Can you describe your working relationships with psychology professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
I have worked in the labs of Prof. Kim and Prof. Shtulman. As for classes, Abnormal Psychology and Evolutionary Psychology have been the best two that I have taken at Oxy. I loved hearing stories from Prof. Cunningham about his patients, and loved the way Prof. Silver handled evolutionary psychology.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere? Or, if applicable, can you describe your senior comps project?
I've worked with Shtulman's lab, where the other students and I went to local parks and surveyed children. We were conducting a study on whether metacognition (thinking about thinking) could be taught to children. The results of a study like that could help shape the way that we teach young children in the future, so that was very interesting. I've been working with the Crisis Text Line as a volunteer for just over a year now, and that has been a very rewarding experience for me too.
Being at a liberal arts institution has helped me understand many different aspects of social justice, which I will bring forward with me into my eventual therapy practice.
What do you find most compelling about studying psychology?
Studying psychology is important to me because it is very interesting to understand the systems underlying the way that humans think and act, but also because it helps me improve at understanding the reasons for why someone who is struggling might be struggling. There is a lot of basic knowledge that you learn in the major, but there are also nuggets of wisdom that you can bring to real interactions with people in your day-to-day life.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
After Oxy, I'll be going to grad school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Psychology. Being at a liberal arts institution has helped me understand many different aspects of social justice, which I will bring forward with me into my eventual practice. I'm a lot more selective about which programs I want to attend because of this increased awareness.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in psychology?
If you are considering a major in psychology, make sure to try to take Abnormal and Evolutionary. No matter what you want to do in the future, get at least a little experience working in one of the professors’ labs. If you plan to go into counseling or therapy, you should consider volunteering with the Crisis Text Line or a similar group. Activities like that will give you a much better and more realistic understanding of how the field functions, and will attach more importance to the things that you learn in class. I recommend taking cognitive science classes too—I love Prof. Urstadt. (Also, use Degree Works to see what minors your psych classes might count for).
Koen Youngs
Hometown: Cupertino, CA
Major: psychology
Can you describe your working relationships with psychology professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
Last semester, I began volunteering in Prof. Alt’s Social Psychology Lab, and I am now actively involved in his directed research. Working with Prof. Alt has been an incredibly rewarding experience; he creates an environment where students can engage meaningfully with the research process while ensuring that our contributions are valued. Researching in his lab has provided me with practical skills and knowledge that I will carry with me after graduation, and it has deepened my appreciation for the collaborative nature of research.
Additionally, the course Physiological Psychology, taught by Prof. Grebe, stood out to me in particular because of its lab component. In his lab, we focused on measuring cortisol biomarkers in response to various environmental stimuli, culminating in a final project where we designed and conducted a study using cortisol as a biomarker. This course has provided me with invaluable hands-on laboratory experience in psychology.
At Oxy, the liberal arts environment allows psychology professors to design courses that reflect their own expertise and passions, resulting in engaging and personally curated classes.
What do you find most compelling about studying psychology?
Psychology is compelling because it bridges the gap between theory and real-world application, offering insights into human behavior, cognition, and emotion. The field constantly challenges me to think about these factors in different contexts, such as in health behaviors, social interactions, or even in relations to canines! These different and yet intersecting dynamics make it a consistently compelling topic to study.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in psychology?
The more effort you invest in your studies, the more rewarding your experience will be. At Oxy, the liberal arts environment allows psychology professors to design courses that reflect their own expertise and passions, resulting in engaging and personally curated classes. Because of the small class sizes, professors will take notice of students who actively participate—whether by engaging in class discussions, demonstrating a strong conceptual understanding, or attending office hours. These interactions provide opportunities to build strong relationships with faculty members, including the chance to participate in research projects. If you're still exploring your path within psychology, gaining hands-on experience can really help clarify your interests and goals.
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.
