Psi Chi Inductees & Faculty Advisor Sarah Merrill, PhD
Psi Chi inductees and Faculty Advisor Sarah Merrill, Ph.D.

05/12/2026
By Jamie Trottier

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Department of Psychology celebrated student achievement, scholarship and leadership during its annual Psi Chi Induction and Student Awards Ceremony held on May 12. The event brought together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, family members and guests to recognize academic excellence, research accomplishments and service to the psychology community.

This year’s ceremony featured the induction of 22 new members into Psi Chi, recognizing students for their academic excellence and commitment to the field of psychology. 

The 2026 inductees included:

  • Nayeli Almanzar Lizardo, 
  • Logan Augustus Biedermann, 
  • Nokomis Bramantecohen, 
  • Krystianna Cabral, 
  • Emily DeLuca, 
  • Emily Diaz, 
  • Neala Duffy, 
  • Emily Dunbury, 
  • Mariela Sofia Giraldo, 
  • Chloe Marie Hardy, 
  • Dylan Michael Hubbard, 
  • Samantha Emma Lyons, 
  • Valerie Maffeo, 
  • Alexandra Magdalena Nicholls-Millen, 
  • Dhanvi Patel, 
  • Damien Pecquex, 
  • Sherlyn Quezada, 
  • Diego Rosa Silva, 
  • Owen Schultz, 
  • Adria Thistlewood, 
  • Olivia Grace Vaccari
  • Amber Williams.

17 psychology students hold up certificates
The department also honored students across its undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs with awards recognizing excellence in academics, research, clinical practice, leadership and service.

Undergraduate award recipients included:

  • Henry Champey and Rory Kangiser, who received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award; 
  • Hallie Moeller and Jesus Santiago, recipients of the Kunzendorf Award for Excellence in Research; and 
  • Jeremiah Adames and Gordon Wachira, who earned the Award for Excellence in Community Leadership and Service. 

Excellence Awards were presented to:

  • Cameron Bartlett
  • Logan Augustus Biedermann
  • Liam Burne 
  • Elyssia De La Rosa 
  • Richelly Dos Santos 
  • Paige Jurkevich 
  • Jasmine Lopez, 
  • Emily Lindtveit
  • Jane Mumo 
  • Jack Oppen 
  • Dhanvi Patel 
  • Adria Thistlewood.

11 students in the ABAAS program hold up their certificates
Students in the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies (ABAAS) program were also recognized for their accomplishments.
  • Quinn McLernan and Jasmine Nguyen received Academic Excellence Awards, 
  • Yesenia Dominguez and Samantha Mitchell earned Clinical Excellence Awards, 
  • Joy Gomes received the Research Excellence Award and 
  • Tien Pham was honored with the Outstanding Student Award.

4 Psychology doctoral students
Doctoral students Jack Blake and Angelina Davis were each recognized with the Ph.D. in Psychology Research Award for their outstanding research contributions and scholarly work within the program.

The department also recognized the faculty who support student success across its academic programs. Special thanks were extended to Department Chair Joseph E. Gonzales, Ph.D.; Psi Chi Faculty Advisor Sarah Merrill, Ph.D.; Undergraduate Program Coordinators Alice Frye, Ph.D., and Hannah Johnson, Ph.D.; MS in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies Program Coordinators Rebecca Markovits, Ph.D., and Rocio Rosales, Ph.D.; and Doctoral Program Coordinator Yan Wang, Ph.D., for their leadership, mentorship and dedication to students throughout the academic year.

The annual ceremony reflects the Department of Psychology’s commitment to fostering academic achievement, research innovation and community engagement among students across all levels of study within the department and the College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

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