Principal Investigator

Franki Kung (PhD, University of Waterloo, Canada) is an Assistant Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Purdue University, whose research centers on the intersection between people’s mindsets and conflict management. Dr. Kung is trained in both industrial-organizational and social psychology, and has a mission to bridge the gap between theory and application using diverse methodologies in his research (e.g., experimental, cross-cultural, dyadic). He currently serves on the editorial board for the Academy of Management Discoveries, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Growing up as a first-generation high school student in British Hong Kong and having lived in several countries, Dr. Kung has experienced firsthand both the synergy and conflict that arise from cultural and individual differences. Dr. Kung’s curiosity to understand how organizations and individuals can transform conflicts into cooperation between groups, people, and even identities and goals within an individual, drives his career goals and research, as well as how he teaches and engages Purdue communities and beyond. He currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Department of Psychological Sciences and co-directs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Science Consortium. He is also part of Reviewer Zero and SPSP’s Early Career Committee.

fkung@purdue.edu | CV

 

Graduate Students

Zhixu (Rick) Yang is a 4th year PhD student in I-O Psychology at Purdue University, where he received his Master of Science degree in 2022. He is an international student from China, where he graduated from Zhejiang University. His research focuses on how individuals can thrive in a world characterized by competing demands and diverse people. Specifically, he studies goal pursuit (e.g., goal conflict/integration, multitasking), cultural diversity (e.g., Asian and Asian Americans, diversity and inclusion management), and conflict management (e.g., negotiation, intergroup conflict). His research uses diverse methods (e.g., psychometrics, experimental, multilevel, dyadic, longitudinal) and draws on theories from multiple disciplines (e.g., social/cognitive psychology, organizational behavior). 

zryang@purdue.edu | CV | website

 

Dante Bruno is a 2nd year PhD student studying I-O Psychology at Purdue University. He received a Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue in 2020 and went on to work in supply chain for two years. Dante is interested in studying diversity and inclusion, multiple goals, and cross-cultural interactions. In his career, he hopes to research social and structural barriers for historically disadvantaged populations and collaborate across disciplines to apply insights to organizations. Outside of the lab, he enjoys running, singing, swing dance, and reading (mostly) non-fiction.

dbruno@purdue.edu

 
 

Lab Manager

Ziqi Yao has worked in our lab since the Fall 2021 semester. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological Sciences from Purdue in Summer 2023. After that, she returned to Purdue and started joint-managing the CMC and CHIP labs in the psychology department. Her research interests broadly include DEI, conflict management, and goal pursuit. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school to further explore the field of I-O psychology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, anything Taylor Swift, and spending time with dogs.

yao235@purdue.edu

 

Associated Students

Rainah Ross is a psychological science major with a double minor in education and sociology at Xavier University of Louisiana. Rainah hopes to pursue a PhD in School Psychology and is interested in research aimed to dismantle exclusionary school policies against Black girls and boys. In her free time, Rainah enjoys reading, listening to music, and being in nature.

 

Alexandra Zuniga is a senior at Texas A&M University in Corpus-Christi with a Psychology major and Biology minor. Her research interests include leadership styles, narcissism in the workplace and the differences between gender expectations in the workplace. After graduation, she wishes to pursue a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and build a career in this field. In her free time, she enjoys playing Minecraft, reading, catching up on her favorite shows and hanging out with friends and family.

 

Rodrigo Pimentel is a neuroscience student at the University of Toronto. He is passionate about understanding the brain’s mechanisms behind behaviour: what are the exact processes that makes us behave? What is behind our best and worst behaviours? Currently, he hopes to bring his multidisciplinary interests in neuroscience and psychology to learn more about psychological research. In his spare time, he enjoys watching a good movie and going to the gym. As an immigrant, he takes pride in his Mexican heritage and, through his experiences and education, he strives to make real a difference in his home country in the future.

 

Daphne Hou is a 4th year Ph.D. student studying I-O Psychology at Purdue University. Her research interests include wellbeing especially under stressful situations, positive psychology, feedback, careers, culture, and research method. Daphne has earned both of her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue University with the highest honors. After earning her master’s degree in Human Resources, Daphne had worked in the industry for nearly 4 years with experience in Talent Management, HR operations, and HR business partnering. In her spare time, Daphne enjoys exploring new places and restaurants, practicing yoga, and reading. 

xinhou12@gmail.com

 

Research Assistants

Hannah Idrissi Alami started in our lab during the Spring 2024 semester. She is a sophomore in the Honors College majoring in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Biological Sciences. Her research interests include biopsychology, motivation, and productivity burnout. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school and is interested in obtaining a PsyD. In her free time, Hannah enjoys swimming, listening to music and reading.

 

Noah Wilson is a Junior studying Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. Currently, his research interests include personality, conflict management, and motivation. He plans on going to grad school after Purdue to pursue his master's in psychology. In his free time Noah enjoys listening/playing music, spending time with loved ones, and being outdoors.

 

Iris Yao is a freshman, majoring in Psychological Sciences with focus of Pre-med. Her current research interest revolves around understanding how conflicts and mindsets affect employee effectiveness in the workplace, ultimately shaping a company's productivity. As she looks to the future, Iris aims to pursue higher education, although she finds herself uncertain about choosing between the paths of medical school or graduate studies. During her free time, Iris enjoys drawing, listening to music, watching movies, and cherishing moments with her friends.

 

Vineeth Narra is currently a junior majoring in Psychological Sciences. His research interests are workplace conflict/resolution, improving employee engagement and management, and the physiological responses of workplace stressors. In his future, he plans to pursue higher education to further improvements in the workplace and the overall health of the individual. In his free time, he likes to play tennis, go on hikes, and explore new places.

 

Firesola (Desirée) Osobajo is a junior in the Honors College majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Currently, her research interests include sociology, intersectionality, and workplace productivity. In the future, she plans to go on to law school and is still undecided on what area of law she will specialize in, with the possibility of pursuing a masters or higher in social psychology later in life. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, watching crime tv, and solo traveling.

 

Elias Knable is a senior double majoring in Psychological Sciences and Selling and Sales Management, as well as minoring in Communication. His research interests include workplace motivation, interpersonal relationships, and work-life balance. In the future, he plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology with the goal of obtaining a PsyD. In his free time, Elias enjoys working out, sports, watching movies, and listening to music.

 

Lilly Linneweber is a senior studying Psychological Sciences with a minor in Accounting. Her research interests include interpersonal relationships, cultural differences, conflict, and motivation. She plans on attending graduate school for counseling. In her free time, Lilly enjoys being involved in her local church, running, learning to play piano and spending time with friends.

 

Kristin Rinkel is a junior studying Psychological Sciences with a minor in Management. Her research interests include workplace motivation, work-life balance, and organizational development. She plans to attend graduate school to then pursue a career in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, spending time with friends, and finding new music.

 

Paulina Tangassi began working in our lab in the Spring 2022 semester. She is a senior double majoring in Psychological Sciences & Sociology with a minor in Human Resource Management. Her research interests include higher education administration, productivity, motivation, leadership, diversity, and organizational behavior. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school and is interested in pursuing a career in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. In her free time, Paulina enjoys dancing, listening to music, reading in busy coffee shops, and binge-watching shows and movies.

 

Brianna Woltz started in our lab during the Spring 2022 semester. She is currently a senior studying Psychological Sciences with a minor in Law & Society. She is from the southwest suburbs of Chicago. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, watching anime, drawing, and spending quality time with her friends. She plans on going to grad school in Chicago once she graduates from Purdue.

 

Raechel Johnson is currently a junior studying Brain and Behavior Sciences with a minor in Management. Her research interests are workplace motivation, conflict, and burnout. In the future, she would like to continue her studies at graduate school in hopes of pursuing a career that incorporates I/O Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, and listening to podcasts.

 

Melinda Michalski started working in the lab in Fall 2022. She is a senior double majoring in Psychology and Law and Society with a minor in forensic sciences. She plans on going to grad school but is undecided on what exactly she would study. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, and watching her favorite T.V. shows.

 

Brandon Krivsky has worked in our lab since the Spring 2023 semester. He is a senior majoring in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Human Resource Management. His research interests primarily consist of workplace motivation, stress, and productivity burnout. He plans to attend grad school and further pursue a career within the field of I/O Psychology. In his spare time, he enjoys watching films, reading, and spending time outdoors.

 


Minjae (Jason) Kim is a junior student at Purdue University, where he is studying Psychological Sciences and has minors in Management and Human Resources. His research interests include motivation, workplace diversity, stress management, and productivity. After completing his degree, he plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. In his free time, Jason enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, reading manga, and spending time with his friends and family.

 

Wen Yin joined us in Spring 2023. They are a junior majoring in Brain and Behavioral Sciences with minors in Linguistics, Medical Humanities, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Currently, their broad research interests include multiculturalism, intergroup essentialism, and sociolinguistics. In the future, they wish to go on to graduate school and pursue a research-oriented career in social psychology. In their free time, they enjoy crocheting, swimming, and playing badminton.

 
 

Lab Alumni

Alumni Updates

  • Dr. Sharon Li received her PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Purdue University in Summer 2023. After graduation, she will work as a Research Scientist in an HR solutions company. Her research interests include diversity and culture in the workplace, including immigrant worker integration and well-being, and Asian American stereotypes at work (e.g., mechanistic dehumanization).

  • Christina Kelley (2020-2023) will pursue her master’s in Boston College’s Social Work program with the intention of becoming a therapist afterward.

  • Emma Showalter (2022-2023) will join the workforce as an Employee Experience Associate for a financial services and solutions company.

  • Sami Lapka (Lab Manager 2020-2022) will pursue her PhD in Social Psychology at Ohio State University as a Dean’s Distinguished University Fellow.

  • Brianna Foreman (2020-2022) will head to the workforce as an HR Assistant for a business technology company.

  • Katelin Bauer (2020-2022) will pursue her master's in Psychology, specializing in Cognition, Learning, and Neuroscience at American University.

  • Paige Loessy (2021-2022) will pursue her master’s in Human Resource Management at Purdue’s Krannert School of Business.

  • Kayla Goldsmid (Lab Manager 2019-2020) plans to attend a master’s program for Marriage and Family Therapy.

  • Ash (Chenzhang) Xu (2018-2019) went on to study at University of Minnesota, Master of Arts in Human Resources & Industrial Relation.

  • Darrien Lindsay (2018-2019) went on to study at Cornell University, Master of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Research Assistants

2023

  • Emma Showalter (2022-2023)

  • Renhao (Kevin) Zhao (2022-2023)

  • Haley O'Neal (2022-2023)

  • Bhavti Shah (2022-2023)

  • Hannah Myers (2022-2023)

  • Christina Kelley (2020-2023)

2022

  • Paige Loessy (2021-2022)

  • Katelin Bauer (2020-2022)

  • Brianna Foreman (2020-2022)

  • Alicia Opsahl (2021-2022)

  • Victoria Garden (2021-2022)

  • Broderick Schipp (2021-2022)

  • Ariel Velasco (2022)

  • Alexandra Harris (2022)

  • Lily Bachar (2022)

  • Alyanna Reyes (2022)

  • Ashley Niebrugge (2022)

  • Arabella Michael (2022)

2021

  • Ryan Greaser (2020-2021)

  • Ramya Anbarasu (2021)

  • Jenna Burow (2020-2021)

  • Vrushika Shah (2021)

  • Angela Zhang (2020-2021)

  • Cassidy Underwood (2021)

  • Megan Mitchell (2020-2021)

  • Rhusha Arramreddy (2020-2021)

  • Charlotte Albrecht (2021)

  • Kamryn Bridges (2021)

  • Javier Camarillo (2021)

  • Sarah Firestone (2021)

  • Ryan Sauter (2020-2021)

  • Nicole Reisinger (2021)

  • Kendall Gregrich (2021)

2020

  • Ashley Stallsworth (2019-2020)

  • Lindsay Drake (2020)

  • Kailee Mott (2020)

  • Sebastian Reimer (2020)

  • Alex Swan (2020)

2019

  • Ash (Chenzhang) Xu (2018-2019)

  • Darrien Lindsay (2018-2019)

  • Mitushi Mukherjee (2018-2019)

  • Ashley Schenk (2019)

  • Sarah Ilene Arnold (2019)

  • Averi Schumaker (2019)

  • Lehar Chellani (2019)

  • Katherine Tuey (2019)