Dr. Matthew Zawadzki is an Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences at the University of California, Merced. His research examines stress, why it is bad for us, and what we can do about it. In particular, he is interested in ways we can shape our everyday lives to improve our health and well-being, with leisure being one possible activity. Speaking of leisure, Dr. Zawadzki loves walking his dog Samson, reading science fiction, and cooking.

 

 

 

 

 

Zoltan A Torok received his Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado, where he investigated the effects of chemotherapy and creatine monohydrate on skeletal muscle toxicity. Dr. Torok has over seven years of teaching experience in Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Anatomy, and Physiology. Dr. Torok has joined the lab of Dr. Zawadzki as a post-doctoral fellow to develop his skills as a scientist investigating how various types of exercise affect sleep and stress. Dr. Torok is an avid runner, competing in several ultra-races a year. Dr. Torok works part-time as a nutritionist, preparing bodybuilders, figure competitors, and ultra-athletes for competitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armin Hojjaty is a Ph.D. student and a Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship recipient at the University of California, Merced. He earned his B.S. in psychology and B.S. in biology from the University of Georgia before earning his M.S. in Health Solutions from Arizona State University. Armin's research interests lay at the intersection between stress forecasting, coping, sleep, and eating behaviors. Additionally, he is interested in how time, environment, and genetics are linked to cognitions that promote health. In his free time, Armin loves boxing, watching stand-up comedy, and taking road trips with his dog, Otto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophia Wallace-Boyd is a recent graduate from the University of California, Merced with her B.A. in psychology and a minor in sociology. A fun fact about Sophia is she was born at home. She is currently interested in researching what different factors may impact an individual’s mental well-being. She is inspired to work on EACH project because she is interested in how people's actions can affect health. She hopes to strengthen her research capabilities by participating in the Stress and Health lab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Alvarez is a fourth-year Psychology Major at the University of California, Merced. His research interest in the lab and EACH project are rooted in studying the effects of everyday stress on cardiovascular health. Being that stress is something that everyone deals with in some capacity, this universal experience of stress inspires him to learn more about its effects on health through the research conducted in the Stress and Health lab. A fun fact about him is that he loves progressive rock, with Pink Floyd being one of his favorite bands of all time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dylan Jong is a third-year Cognitive Science major from the Bay Area and is super excited to foster his research interests including how anxiety affects daily life in the Health and Stress Lab, as well as get more experience in research. He is a mental health, skin care, and makeup enthusiast. In his free time, Dylan enjoys playing volleyball and is a fan of Naomi Smalls, a drag queen. He also has a chihuahua named Chewwy and a younger sister named Hermione.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Larios is a fifth-year undergraduate student from Merced, CA majoring in Psychology and Public Health. She was formerly part of the UC Merced Cross Country team and competed in two seasons. In her fall 2021 season she was awarded “Champion of Character”. Kate’s research interests are primarily focused on the relationship between physical activity, stress and mental health. In her free time she enjoys running, hiking, thrifting and spending time with family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexis Reimers-Contreras is a fourth-year university student at UC Merced majoring in psychology. Her research interests are first generation college students, adolescent mental health, and psychopathology in minority populations. She is currently preparing for graduate school and conducting her own study. In her spare time, she loves to read, embroider, cook, bake, bother her two cats (Rosalina and Bowser), and watch anime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabel Robles is an incoming third year undergraduate student at the University of California Merced. Expected to graduate in Spring 2025 with a BA in Psychology, Isabel is part of the Stress and Health Lab to gain further experience in psychological factors that can impact physical well-being and overall quality of life. Isabel research interest primarily revolve around understanding the mechanisms through which rumination influences mental health outcomes in diverse populations. She wishes to bring mental health awareness to those in more underserved communities through research. To relax, Isabel usually spends time with her cats, Sassy and Lola.