Culture, Diversity, and Psychophysiology Lab
What We Study
In the CDP lab, we address these and related questions by examining cultural divides—i.e., when people's cultural norms are inconsistent with the prevailing norms of organizations and institutions.
We use multiple methodologies, including laboratory-based experiments, internet-based surveys, field studies, and content analysis of cultural products. Our lab adopts a model of stress in which we differentiate "good stress" and "bad stress" using a combination of self-reported cognitions and emotions, overt behavior, and cardiovascular and hormonal reactivity.
We examine the negative consequences of cultural divides and develop interventions aimed at bridging these divides and reducing opportunity gaps. Check out "Publications" to learn more about our recent work and "Contact Us" for an application to join the lab.
Who We Are
Principal Investigator
Sarah Townsend is an Associate Professor of Management and Organization. Her research focuses on how socially and culturally constructed beliefs shape (1) how people from different groups interact with each other and thrive (or flounder) within various organizational settings, and (2) how we can intervene to increase all people’s ability to succeed. Using a multi-method approach to examine stress and performance, she measures people's cardiovascular and hormonal responses along with their self-reported thoughts and emotions and their overt behavior.
Ph.D. Students
Jacob W. Roberson is a PhD candidate in the Management and Organization department at the USC Marshall School of Business. He earned his B.A. in psychology and sociology from the University of Richmond. His research interests focus on race, culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. He is interested in how identity, cultural narratives, and organizational framing uniquely shapes expectations and subsequent outcomes for people from different backgrounds and ideologies. Jacob enjoys being out in the sunshine, fitness, cooking, and dancing.
Jacob is on the 2025-2026 academic job market.
Yiran Wang is a Ph.D. candidate in the Management and Organizational department at the USC Marshall School of Business. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is broadly interested in intergroup relations, diversity, and inclusion in organizations along gender and social class lines. In her free time, Yiran enjoys bouldering, baking, and trying out different roasts of coffee.
Research Coordinator
Sharon A. Nat is a research coordinator for the Culture, Diversity, and Psychophysiology Lab.
She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies from
Loyola Marymount University. Sharon's research examines the impact of cultural differences within organizations and institutions on how individuals perceive and experience intergroup relations and inequality. Outside of the lab, Sharon enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, inline skating, and various water sports. On Sundays, she can be found cooking for a vegan sandwich shop at Smorgasburg LA, followed by stargazing in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Research Assistants
Saumya Ketan Jhaveri is a Master of Science student in the Applied Economics and Econometrics program at the University of Southern California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Honors) with a Finance minor from the School of Liberal Studies at Pandit Deendayal Energy University, India. His research interests center on economic policy, data-driven solutions, and exploring the impact of socio-economic factors on development. Aspiring to join think tanks, he aims to contribute to economic research and policymaking on a global scale. Outside of their academic pursuits, Saumya enjoys adventure sports, exploring the outdoors, and seeking new thrills.
Jernei Johnson is a senior at USC majoring in Psychology with a minor in Mind-Body Studies. She is very passionate about psychology, sports, mental health, and the psychological impacts within minority and underserved communities. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school and studying clinical psychology with goals of being a sports psychologist. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hanging out with her friends, trying new restaurants in LA, hiking, and shopping.
Melissa Paz-Flores is a junior studying psychology and minoring in management consulting.
As a first-generation student and the daughter of immigrants, she hopes to mesh her research interests in understanding decision-making among social class & educational equity through a career in higher ed consulting. Post-graduation, Melissa aspires to attend business school and fight for diverse identities within the C-suite space. Currently, Melissa is expanding opportunities for her intersectional identities as the Assistant Director for the USC Undocumented Trojan Student Assembly, DEI committee member of the USC Helenes, and Director of Relations of Core Consulting Group. In her free time, Melissa enjoys early-morning runs, photography, and baking banana bread.
Niki Samudrala is a junior at USC majoring in Psychology. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of mental health, diversity, and culture. She plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology. She hopes to use these skills to advocate for underserved communities and promote equitable access to mental health resources. In her free time,
Niki enjoys reading, knitting, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends.
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Vinia Ng is a junior at USC, where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology. Her academic interests include understanding how diverse backgrounds influence intergroup relations and the ways in which people can communicate more efficiently despite these barriers.
After graduation, she plans to attend PA school. In her spare time, Vinia enjoys traveling, staying active, and reading.
Sofia Leimer is a sophomore at USC pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Sofia hopes to go to graduate school to pursue clinical psychology (working at a clinical psychology lab alongside or before I attend grad school). Outside of the lab, Sofia loves spending time outdoors (especially skiing and hiking), and also loves reading, traveling,
and trying new things.
Fall 2019
Lab Alumni
Hridee Patel, former research assistant, Senior Technology Consultant/Product Manager at EY
Amanda Katz, former research assistant, Medical scribe at Exer More Than Urgent Care
Hannah Greenberg, former research assistant, Equity Research Analyst at Barclays
Liz Quinn, former lab manager, PhD social psychology student at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Veronica Wilson, former lab manager, Research and Evaluation Impact Fellow at Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) and PhD student at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Stephanie Smallets, former PhD student, Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company
Ian Sotomayor, a former research assistant, applying to PhD programs in clinical psychology
Yuefan Sun, former research assistant, PhD student at Harvard University
Brittany Torrez, former lab manager, Senior Manager in Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Yelp
Mindy Truong, former PhD student, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Business
Nickolas Wrobleski, former research assistant, Director of Program Outreach, KYYMCA Youth Association
Andrea Villafuerte, former PhD student, Associate Consultant at Hypothesis Group
Britney Castillo, former research assistant
Michelle Sung, former research assistant
Athena Boyle, former research assistant