LEADERSHIP
KRYSTIA REED, JD, PHD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Reed is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Dr. Reed received her B.A. in Psychology & Legal Studies (2010) from Claremont McKenna College, her M.A. (2014) and Ph.D. (2017) in Psychology from University of Nebraska Lincoln, and her J.D (2015) from the Nebraska College of Law. She also has a Quantitative Emphasis. Previously she was at Cornell University as an Adjunct Professor of Law and a Post-Doctoral Associate on a National Science Foundation Grant. Dr. Reed is also an inactive member of the California bar.
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Dr. Reed teaches undergraduate courses in Introductory Psychology, Social Psychology, Psychology & Law, Learning & Memory, and Research Methods. She has also taught graduate courses in Social Cognition, Law & Behavioral Science, and Law Governing Lawyers.
GRACE HANZELIN, M.A., M.S.
PhD Student
Grace joined the Legal Decision Lab in 2020. She is a Legal Psychology doctoral student at UTEP. Grace graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Science in Criminology. Her research interests include Plea-Bargain Decision-Making, crime control theater policies, and other legal factors that can lead to wrongful convictions.
MORGAN WAGNER, M.A.
PhD Student
Morgan joined the Legal Decision Lab in 2021. She is a Legal Psychology doctoral student at UTEP. Morgan graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is primarily interested in group interactions and how they impact a person’s experience within the legal system.
ASHLEY VAUGHAN, J.D.
MA Student
Ashley joined the Legal Decision Lab in 2024 as a master’s student in the Legal Psychology program at UTEP. Her current research focuses on plea bargaining, jury decision making, and alternative dispute resolution processes. Ashley’s research is informed by her previous experience as a practicing attorney, where she worked in family law, criminal defense, and domestic violence advocacy. She is passionate about leveraging research to improve the fairness and effectiveness of legal systems and enjoys mentoring undergraduate students as part of her academic journey.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Brianna
Bustillos
Will Fenstermacher
Lorna
Escobar Quiroz
Katia
Gutierrez
Karyme
Garcia
Arisa
Moral
Ximena
Pech Mora
Arianna
Villalobos
JOIN THE TEAM
Undergraduate Students
The requirements for joining the team as an undergraduate include:
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10 hours/week
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Minimum GPA of 3.0
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Strong work ethic and desire to learn
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Attendance at weekly lab meetings (Fridays 12-1 pm MST)
If you meet the requirements, please fill out the online application at the link below. Once you've completed the application, please email a copy of your resume/CV and unofficial transcript to graduate student Ashley Vaughan.
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Graduate Students
Dr. Reed is currently considering applications for Ph.D. students. For more information, please see the UTEP website.
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FORMER LAB MEMBERS
UTEP
Noe Aguilar (2023-2024), Aaron Balcazar (2019-2021), Brianna Bustillos (2023-present), Brissa Cervantes (2023-2024),Valerie Cordero (2020-2021), Karen Espinoza (2021), William Fenstermacher (2024-present), Chelsey Garcia (2024), Karyme Garcia (2024-present), Rubi Gonzales (2019-2022), Evelin Gutierrez-Hernandez (2022-2024), Katia Gutierrez (2024-present), Judith Hinojosa (2023-present), Marcus Hinojosa (2023), Cynthia Magallanes (2020-2021), Sarah Maul (2024), Odalys Meza (2022 – 2023), Arisa Morales (2024-present), Azul Pacheco (2022-2023), Aaron Rivera (2023-present), Vanessa Rivero (2019-2021), Belen Renteria (2020-2022), Priscila Rodante (2019-2021), Kimberly Rodriguez (2024), Marjorie Rouse (2020-2022), Andrea Sandoval (2020-2023), Benjamin Sanchez Jiminez (2023-2024), Jennifer Santaella (2023-2024), Emiliano Silva (2023-2024), Dana Smith (2020-2022), Brenda Torres (2019-2022), Elisa Torres (2021-2023), Lilia Tovar (2023-2024), Jenny Upingco (2020-2022), Arianna Villalobos (2023-present), Crystal Walls (2023-2024)