Meet Our Students

Name: Anusha Garg

Have you advanced to candidacy?

Yes, I have advanced to candidacy.

What is a typical day like for you?

Typically, my mornings start with a refreshing walk to campus around 7:30 am, accompanied by my adorable puppy, Shiro. We love to kickstart our day by grabbing a cup of coffee before diving into the day's tasks at the trailers, where I'm stationed until 5 pm. The environment in the trailers is always lively and conducive to collaboration, as my labmates and I work closely together. Once work wraps up, I have a variety of enjoyable options to unwind - whether it's spending time with friends, indulging in some Freebirds, or hitting the dance floor for some swing dancing fun!

What best prepared you for a PhD in psychology?

What best prepared me for a PhD in psychology was my extensive involvement in research, which began during my freshman year at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Immersing myself in various labs allowed me to explore the diverse subfields of psychology and find my niche within cognitive psychology. This exploration culminated in the writing of my senior and master's theses, solidifying my passion for cognitive psychology and affirming my commitment to the field. 

Moreover, obtaining a minor in applied statistics provided me with a strong foundation in data analysis and proficiency in statistical software like R and SPSS. This background knowledge proved invaluable in conducting rigorous research and analyzing data effectively, further enhancing my readiness for pursuing a PhD in psychology.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice for incoming students is to approach learning with a sense of enjoyment and curiosity. It's easy to fall into the trap of focusing solely on grades and academic achievement, which can lead to a cycle of rote memorization and anxiety. Instead, embrace the opportunity to learn because it's inherently fascinating and rewarding. Every class offers new knowledge and perspectives waiting to be discovered.

Remember, college is a time of exploration and growth. You have the freedom to pursue diverse interests and uncover new passions. View each subject as a gateway to endless possibilities, and don't be afraid to dive deep into areas that intrigue you.

Why did you choose UCSB?

I selected UCSB primarily because of my advisor, Dr. Jonathan Schooler. He is a trailblazer in the field of mind wandering, which aligns perfectly with my research interests. I deeply admire him as a mentor and consider him a foundational figure in the topic I am passionate about. Dr. Schooler's expertise and reputation exemplify the caliber of faculty within the psychology department at UCSB, reaffirming my decision to pursue my studies at this esteemed institution.

What do you like about getting your PhD in Santa Barbara? What do you do in Santa Barbara in your (precious) spare time?

One of the aspects I adore about pursuing my PhD in Santa Barbara is the proximity to the ocean. Living just a couple of blocks away, I find solace in strolling down to the shore whenever I feel overwhelmed or stressed. There's something incredibly calming about watching the waves, reminding me that challenges, like the tides, ebb and flow. It's a comforting perspective that helps me navigate through any adversity I encounter.

As for my precious spare time, I enjoy immersing myself in the vibrant local culture. Whether it's hitting the dance floor or exploring new culinary delights, Santa Barbara offers endless opportunities for enjoyment and relaxation. 

What campus activities are you involved in (e.g., Access Grads/other mentoring work, any campus clubs/organizations/affinity groups)? What is it like to participate in these activities?

I am involved in Access Grads as a grad mentor - I'm mentoring three lovely students, and it feels very good to help alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with wanting to be a part of research at the university, applying for phd positions, and more.

I am also taking some swing dance and yoga classes at the rec center at UCSB. The rec center is such a good place to relieve stress and to just disconnect from work for a while.

What are your future plans?

I am currently working on learning iOS development - as such, I am hoping to create an app that is based around helping individuals alter their stream of consciousness, using the interventions I propose in my dissertation research. I hope to continue this line of work after graduation, possibly by establishing a company that creates apps to help disseminate research done at universities to the general public.

Name: Henry Biedron

Have you advanced to candidacy?

No, I have not advanced to candidacy

What is a typical day like for you?

My day typically involves waking up early to work out before coming to campus. During the day my schedule is fairly variable. I attend classes, spend time in my lab reading, do homework, meet with my advisor, and attend lab meetings. Depending on the day of the week, I will spend time preparing for my TA section or actually in lab sections teaching. During the evenings or on weekends, I try to find time to send with cohort mates and friends when I get the chance. Everyone is busy of course, but taking time for yourself to pursue your hobbies and interests (board and card games for me) can really take the edge of the work week. Hiking around Santa Barbara is a particularly great way to get out of the lab on a weekend and enjoy nature.

What best prepared you for a PhD in psychology?

My time as a master's student and undergraduate working in multiple research labs were the key components that prepared me for my PhD. The ability to work directly with different PIs who had divergent but useful perspectives on research was a true difference maker in terms of my success or failure. It's difficult to express just how important this persistent chain of mentorship was to my success. As an undergraduate, my advisor always expressed clear interest in helping me shape my research career towards graduate research. Without his clear directions and guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today. As a Master's student at NYU, exploring a broad program of interest with multiple PIs and labs made a huge difference in preparing me for the breadth of knowledge needed to succeed in a PhD program. I still draw on advice, guidance, and knowledge of my field that I developed in those areas.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice for incoming students is to not focus on comparison, even among your cohort members. Different students come into the program with different levels of experience, at different ages, and from different backgrounds. The differences between areas in terms of demands of research, time in lab, and publication expectations also influence these differences. Judging your own work and progress towards your dissertation based on the progress of other students won't be a fair comparison and can be pretty demotivating when it comes to work. I think focusing on developing the statistical and research oriented skills you need to succeed can as a measure of success instead of using others as a benchmark can be a good way to stay focused on your own goals.

Why did you choose UCSB?

I chose UCSB primarily because of research fit and how I perceived that my advisor and I, as well as other faculty in the department, would be able to get along. I think research fit is a huge component in success. If you can't find something you are passionate about researching and an environment that supports those passions, its difficult to make five+ years of academic partnership work well. My advisor and I shared strong similar interests in research, established clear expectations of what field and theories I would be able to explore, and had shared values of work life balance. The great weather in the area and beautiful location is definitely a plus, but the biggest considerations were for me were about fit and mentorship style.

Name: Margo Le

Have you advanced to candidacy?

No, I have not advanced to candidacy

What is a typical day like for you?

I'll start off my day by trying to get my physical activity in since I know I'll most likely be sat for the rest of the day. Afterwards I'll head to class, then to lab to catch up on emails or start my behavior for the day (depending on what time it is). I'll look at some of the data from past day, or work on some of my TA work in the mean time while the behavior is running. I'll also typically have to go TA some of my discussion sections or have meetings. Once the behavior is done, or any other experiment I'm doing for the day, I'll clean everything up finish up my last bit of emails, homework or grading and head home to spend downtime with my housemates.

What best prepared you for a PhD in psychology?

I think working so closely with PhD students on a day to day basis for a long time in undergrad as well as asking alllllll types of questions even if they sound basic or silly. Additionally, I think learning how to time manage and prioritize balance has made me mentally prepared to start a PhD in general.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Find a hobby you can carry through your time as a PhD student, and take the time to still do it during the year!

Why did you choose UCSB?

I loved the energy everyone here has, I loved the project, lab and department I would join and the views aren't too bad either I guess!

What do you like about getting your PhD in Santa Barbara? What do you do in Santa Barbara in your (precious) spare time?

I love the weather, I have to switch from building to building pretty often and being able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and nice weather while I'm able to get out for a bit during the day is the best! (I can't imagine what that would be like in snowy or cold weather). I love trying out new restaurants in Santa Barbara when I have the free time, and also going on small hikes/to the beach to enjoy the weather! 

What campus activities are you involved in (e.g., Access Grads/other mentoring work, any campus clubs/organizations/affinity groups)? What is it like to participate in these activities?

Access Grads/ WISE (women in science and engineering).

What are your future plans?

I'm not too sure what my future plans are, I know I would love to continue on the "recording" side of neuroscience to see where this technique can bring research.

Name: Dylan Benkley

Have you advanced to candidacy?

Yes, I have advanced to candidacy

What is a typical day like for you?

Inasmuch as there is a "typical" day for a grad student I usually find myself with a mix of time spent on classes, TAing, reading research articles, and attending to research projects at whatever state they are in (e.g., design, running participants, data analysis, paper writing).

What best prepared you for a PhD in psychology?

I have a somewhat unique undergraduate background in that I received my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering before eventually transitioning to Psychology. While the content was certainly much different this did give me a lot of skills, particularly on the technical side, that have aided me greatly as a PhD student. Statistical analysis and problem solving is a big part of doing research and this is something I felt confident about due to my background. Additionally, I was able to get some great hands-on experience working in two psychology research labs at UC Berkeley before coming to UCSB. Being a part of those research teams and getting to work on my own independent project were great preparation for my graduate work here.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

One of the best pieces of advice I received, but also initially one of the most difficult to follow, was to not be afraid to be wrong or to not know something. One of the best skills you can have as a graduate student is being able to teach yourself new things and find answers when you are stuck. This necessarily includes admitting when you don't know something and asking lots of questions from those who are more knowledgeable than you. No one expects you to know everything right away.

Why did you choose UCSB?

My advisor and my research fit with her were a big part of my decision to come to UCSB. Additionally, the DEVO program and its faculty provide an incredible environment for evolutionary research. Lastly, who can say no to living in this gorgeous place?

What do you like about getting your PhD in Santa Barbara? What do you do in Santa Barbara in your (precious) spare time?

I have really appreciated the people and community at UCSB, and in the PBS department specifically. I also love the outdoors, so having easy access to hiking trails, the beach, and parks has been a nice getaway from work. Santa Barbara is certainly not a big city, but that is part of the laid back charm that I personally enjoy.

What campus activities are you involved in (e.g., Access Grads/other mentoring work, any campus clubs/organizations/affinity groups)? What is it like to participate in these activities?

I am a mentor for undergraduate students in our department through our Access Grads program. I am also a committee member on our Graduate Executive Committee. I enjoy being a part of both of these groups and they are a nice way to be involved and contribute to our campus/department community.

What are your future plans?

At the moment I still have a few years left before I finish graduate school, but my goal is to stay in academia and eventually be a professor at a research focused university. Overall, research is what I love to do, so I want to find something that allows me to pursue that passion.