Lab Members

LAMP Lab Director

Laura Getz. Laura (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Cognition & Behavior and Director of the Cognitive Science Program at the University of San Diego. She received a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Music from Elizabethtown College and an MA and PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Virginia. Prior to coming to USD, she was a Mendel Science Experience Postdoctoral Fellow at Villanova University, where she was a member of the Word Recognition and Auditory Perception lab. Her big-picture goal is to investigate the importance of interactions to understanding auditory perception, including the interaction of bottom-up and top-down processing and interactions within and across sensory modalities.

LAMP Lab Research Assistants

Justine Canio

Justine is a junior majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Chemistry. After graduating, she hopes to do more research, continue school, and have a career in the medical field. She loves baking, attending concerts, going to dessert cafes, and spending time with friends & family. On campus, she part of the Asian Students Association, LT3 dance crew, and USD’s Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center team.

Gracie LaKose

Gracie is a junior majoring in Psychology. She hopes to be a therapist someday, and she has a special interest in memory research, particularly how music impacts memory. In addition to participation in the lab, Gracie works as an intern for No Stress No Stigma, engages in philanthropy events with her sorority, works as a Torero Tour Guide, and takes classes in the honors program.

Romina Mallea

Romina is a sophomore majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. After graduation, she plans to attend PA school and become a Pediatric Physician Assistant. Her research interests focus on speech perception in Spanish-English bilinguals, as she grew up speaking Spanish. Outside of the lab, she is a Scholastic Assistant for the LLC Cultivate. She also loves going to the beach, spending time with friends, and exploring various food spots in San Diego!

Jack Morrison

Jack is a junior studying Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Cognitive Science. With his education he desires to contribute to research, particularly in the realm of eastern mysticism, meditation, and music. He enjoys cooking, calisthenics, tennis, writing music, adventuring in nature, and the occasional video game sesh. He hopes to bring the planet closer to a state of streamlined communication through music. You can catch him on campus doing yoga on the various grass fields, or serving you lunch at La Gran Terraza.

Izzie Ramirez

Izzie is a senior majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Comprehensive Music. She joined the LAMP Lab in the Spring of 2022. After graduation she plans to continue her education in hopes of becoming a doctor in some specific area of study regarding pediatrics or OB/GYN. Outside of the lab, Izzie enjoys singing, attending concerts, watching the beautiful San Diego sunsets, and is starting The Haven Project Organization at USD (to provide support to those in Foster Care).

Raymond Ruvalcaba

Raymond is currently a sophomore at the University of San Diego, pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Political Science. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the team, as he is eager to apply the knowledge he's gained in the classroom to real-world research. He's especially excited about the chance to deepen his understanding of both psychology and political science through hands-on experiences.

Ella Spinder

Ella is a senior majoring in Psychology. Her plans after graduating are to possibly take a year to travel and then attend graduate school with the goal of getting a masters in clinical counseling. In her free time, she loves to be outside, go to the beach, read, and spend time with friends.

Lola Torresi

Lola is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. After graduating from USD, Lola plans to attend nursing school and eventually become an advanced practice registered nurse. Outside of the lab, Lola enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and swimming on the Club Swim Team. As a transfer student from the Berklee College of Music, Lola is eager to apply what she learned as a Music Business major and vocalist to her studies in the LAMP Lab.

Mackenzie Vaughn

Mackenzie is junior originally from LA majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and Italian. After USD she plans to pursue a career in pediatric speech pathology. Outside of the lab, she can be found crafting, exploring San Diego with her camera, or spending time with friends and animals (especially dogs).

Larissa Weiss

Larissa is a senior majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Cognitive Science. She joined the LAMP Lab in Fall 2023. After graduating USD, she plans on attending graduate school to study cognitive neuroscience with an interest in quantum physics. Outside of the lab, Larissa enjoys playing piano, learning to surf, and spending time with friends and family.