LEADERSHIP
KRYSTIA REED, J.D., PH.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Reed is currently an Associate 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.
ASHLEY VAUGHAN, J.D.
PhD Student
Ashley is a Ph.D. student and joined the Legal Decision Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso in 2024. Her research examines plea bargaining, jury decision-making, and alternative dispute resolution processes, with an emphasis on how legal systems can promote fairness and effectiveness. Before pursuing graduate psychology studies, Ashley practiced law in the areas of family law, criminal defense, and domestic violence advocacy. She brings this professional experience into her scholarship, bridging legal practice and psychological science. In addition to her research, Ashley is dedicated to mentoring undergraduate students and fostering the next generation of scholars in law and legal psychology.
TAYLOR BELL, M.A.
PhD Student
Taylor is a Ph.D. student who joined the Legal Decision Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso in 2025. Taylor also is in the Political Engagement and Cognitive Health Lab at UTEP. Her research interests include legal and political decision making and how both personal and societal influences affect those decisions. Prior to coming to UTEP, she received her MA in Psychology from William Woods University. Taylor is passionate about teaching and mentoring undergraduate students and hopes to pursue a career in academia upon graduation from UTEP. Beyond academic pursuits, Taylor enjoys playing softball and reading novels.
Past Graduate Students
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Geraldine Gone
Lab Manager
Arianna Villalobos
Post-Bac Research Assistant
Will Fenstermacher
Research Assistant
Jessica DeLuca
Research Assistant
Miranda Gonzalez
Research Assistant
Lorraine Carey
Research Assistant
Camila Ramirez
Research Assistant
Dahlia Meringer
Research Assistant
Chris Saenz
Research Assistant
Miyuki Acosta
Research Assistant
Karyme Garcia
Post-Bac Research Assistant
Idalia Pinal
Research Assistant
Mia Navarette
Research Assistant
Tania Ramirez
Research Assistant
Arisa Morales
Post-Bac Research Assistant
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), Ximena Pech Mora (2024-2025), Lorna Escobar Quiroz, Brianna Bustillos, Katia Gutierrez
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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