Novelle Meza

I received my BA in Psychology with a focus in Cognitive Neuroscience in June 2020 from UCI (zot, zot, zot)! Through my years in undergrad, I dedicated my time to mental health advocacy on campus which helped me find my way to amazing people and mentors (hint: he’s the PI). As a queer, first-generation Latina, navigating higher education and career goals was very challenging :o! Thankfully, with the right people by my side I realized my passion for advocacy could be used in research as well, hence how I got here! Following graduation, I spent a year doing mental health non-profit work in Orange County before returning to UCI as a junior specialist in sleep with Drs. Ariel Neikrug and Bryce Mander. At the Sleep Lab, I got to work with clinical psychologists and observe the integration of patient clinical work and research studies firsthand. Now, I’m back with the Yassa Lab and I’m so excited to continue learning from everyone as I forge my own research questions by integrating my skills in advocacy, diversity, inclusion, and equitable health! I strive to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology where I can research mental health treatment interventions, accessibility, and inclusion in health care within marginalized communities, and prevention factors for AD and cognitive impairment.