Meet our Peer Advisors:
Hannah
Hello hello! My name is Hannah, I am a fourth year double majoring in Cognitive Science and Psychology. My absolute favorite class so far in the major has been CogSci 1 with Paul Li. When I have free time or am in need of a place to study, I love finding new coffee shops and cafes. I also enjoy reading, going to concerts, and making playlists on Spotify. My research experience has ranged from the role of deep cerebellar nuclei in the visual motor system of macaques (University of Mississippi Medical Center) to the effect of oxytocin on group bonding in the context of PTSD (UCSF’s Bonding and Attunement in Neuropsychiatric Disorders Lab). Recently, I have been a lot more interested in clinical psychology, so I am currently working part time as an ABA therapist. My interests obviously jump around a lot, so feel free to ask me about anything!
Major Courses Taken: Math 1A (Paulin), CS61A (Hilfinger), Math 55 (Holtz), Psych 160 (Chen), Cogsci 1 (Li), Cogsci 131 (Collins), MCB C61 (Presti), MCB 160 (Isacoff, Bateup, Ngai), Phil 3 (Noe), IB 139 (Kaufer), Music 108 (Gygi), Ling 100 (Farmer), Cogsci C126 (Whitney)
Current Courses: Cogsci C100 (Chan), Cogsci C127 (Gallant), Cogsci 190 (Pageler), Psych C143 (Srinivasan)
Andrea
Major Courses Taken: Math 1A (Bourgoin), CS61A (Hilfinger), CS 70 (Rao, Ayazifar), Cog Sci 1 (Li), MCB W61 (Presti), Philos W12A (Holliday), SOC C167 (Lin), Psych 133 (Walker), Cog Sci C126 (Whitney), Psych 160 (Mauss), Philos 3 (Campbell)
Current Courses: Math 55 (Shende), Ling 100 (Johnson)
Helen
Major Courses Taken: Math 1A (Paulin), CS 61A (Hilfinger), MCB C61 (Presti), Philos 25A (MacFarlane), CS 70 (Ayazifar, Rao), Ling 100 (Michael), CogSci 1 (Li), CS 188 (Klein, Abbeel), SOC C167 (Lin), CogSci 131 (Piantadosi), CS W186 (Hellerstein), Educ W140A (Hull, Lizarraga), IEOR 170 (Adamson)
Current Courses: CogSci 190 - 3 (Isaac), INFO 213 (Salehi)
Isabel
Major Courses Taken: CS61A (Hilfinger), MCB C61 (Presti), Math 55 (Haiman), Cog Sci 1 (Li), Psych 117 (D’Esposito), Music 108 (Gygi), Cog Sci 131 (Piantidosi), Cog Sci C126 (Whitney), Psych 160 (Mauss), Philos 3 (Campbell)
Current Courses: Cog Sci 190-003 (Isaac), Ling 100 (Johnson)
Gayla
Hey! My name is Gayla, and I’m a senior majoring in Cognitive Science. My favorite classes so far have been Biology of Learning with Linda Wilbrecht and Brain, Mind, and Behavior with David Presti (because he is uh-mazing, and I’m really looking forward to his class Drugs and the Brain this semester). I’m interested in exploring different types and approaches to therapy, such as art and movement-based therapy and psychedelic therapy. Whatever the modality looks like (I like the idea of having a variety of tools), I want to help people locate a point of stillness within their awareness that is unwavering, and to teach them how to navigate there on their own so that they can liberate themselves from their mind whenever thoughts and feelings start to burden them. Outside of school, I love music and dancing, all things art, writing, yoga, spirituality, and spending time outside, especially in nature. I’d be happy to chat about anything from classes to cool ideas on consciousness and the universe, and I also love simply listening and hanging out.
Major Courses Taken: Math 1A (Paulin), CogSci 1 (Li), CS 61A (Hilfinger), Music 108 (Gygi), Psych 167AC (Okonofua), MCB C61 (Presti), NATAMST 151 (Pearson), BUDDSTD C114 (Turpeinen), Math 55 (Haiman), CogSci C101 (Sweetser), CogSci 131 (Piantadosi), Psych 114 (Wilbrecht), Psych C126 (Whitney)
Current Courses: LS C30T (Presti), Psych 160 (Chen), PoliSci 124A (Hassner)
Ben
Nice to meet ya! I’m a fourth year majoring in Cognitive Science. There’s so much teaching talent Cog Sci opens up for students at this campus! I really enjoyed Info 103 (History of Information) as a Cog Sci elective this past semester. I enjoy exploring data driven methods of understanding the mind and mapping human behavior. This past Summer I had a data analyst internship in Chicago matching user behavior to health data. When not in class, you’ll find me cooking or watching Youtube to learn random facts. Come talk about career and research opportunities, class selection, or your favorite food! I will passionately debate you that pineapple belongs on pizza if you want to start with that. Enjoy your time at Cal!
Major Courses Taken: Math 16A (Gomez), Math 55 (Holtz), CogSci 1 (Li), Data 8 (DeNero), Cogsci 88 (Hayes), CS 61A (DeNero), MCB C61 (Presti), Psych C126 (Whitney), Info 103 (Duguid), Integbio C143B (Kriegsfeld), Psych 160 (Mauss), Linguis 100 (Jenks), Philos 3 (Noe), Psych 130 (Bishop), Anthro 107 (Deacon)
Current Courses: CogSci C127 (Gallant), Socio 167 (Lin), Stat 133 (Sanchez)
Tristan
Greetings! My name is Tristan, I am a fourth year majoring in Cognitive Science. I love philosophy and would say that my favorite CogSci class so far has been Philosophy Nature of Mind with Professor Campbell. I entered Cal having absolutely no idea what I wanted to major in and didn’t begin my major requirements until my 2nd year. I was able to study abroad in Japan last semester (ask me about it!!) and am still on track to graduate on time. I did URAP last year under linguistics professor Lev Michael where I helped create a database for the Arawakan language family found in indigenous South America. In my freetime I love backpacking or biking outdoors, playing board games, and playing soccer. I also love reading a good book with some gentle music and a good cup of coffee. Let’s talk music, Japanese culture, traveling in general, sports, philosophy, or… of course, Cognitive Science! I am here to help in whatever way is needed. I hope you make this experience at Cal the best you possibly can!
Major Courses Taken: Math 16A (Paulin), CS61A (Hilfinger/DeNero), Cogsci 1 (Li), MCB C61 (Presti), Phil 3 (Campbell), Music 108 (Gygi), Ling 100 (Michael), Econ 119 (Graziani)
Current Courses: Cogsci C100 (Chan), Cogsci C190 (Isaac), Phil 135 (Campbell), Math 55 (Shende)
Emma
Major Courses Taken: Cogsci 1 (Li), Psych C61 (Presti), Music 108 (Gygi), Ling 100 (Michael), CS61A (DeNero), CS61B (Hug), CS61C (Weaver/Wawrzynek), CS70 (Rao/Ramchandran), Philos 25A (MacFarlane), Educ 140AC (Hull)
Current Courses: Cogsci C100 (Chan), Cogsci C190 (Isaac), Psych C143 (Srinivasan)