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2026-2027
Committees
Collaborate
Committees are interest groups that focus on specific projects and explore shared passions within the field of psychology. Anyone is welcome to join a committee, even if you're not yet a member of Psi Chi or the Psychology Club. However, we do encourage regular committee members to become part of the club to stay more connected and involved in all the exciting opportunities we offer! Our current committees include Research, Psi Beta Day, Pre-Health, Journal, Community Service, Business, Induction, and Mental Health.
Research Committee
Heads: Derek Xu & Nora Faraci
Our goal as Research Committee is to provide opportunities for motivated undergraduate to gain research experience through a student-initiated, collaborate, hands-on research project. In past years, research committee has designed and collected data for various research questions with the goal of presenting in conferences in the spring. Last year, in particular, we successfully completed a project about the social and emotional impacts of uncertainty and presented it at the Western Psychology Association Conference (we will have a new topic this year). We hope that, with your help, we can continue our success into the 2026-2027 year! If you are interested in getting involved, start by joining the discord!
Psi Beta Day Committee
Heads: Danny Aoun & Ro Barnett
Psi Beta is the community college level version of Psi Chi and our committee is dedicated to providing an informative, digestible, and exciting day to community college students. We plan on having a room full of community college students, touring them around labs in the department, providing insights from professors and students, making connections, and learning about the requirements of Psi Chi as transfer students. The majority of our time is spent planning, organizing, coordinating, and communicating to make a successful event. Help us make an unforgettable experience for the next potential students of Psi Chi!
Journal Committee
Heads: James Cantrell & Tara Vatandoust
Journal Committee compiles, reviews, and publishes articles in our Journal of Undergraduate Psychological Research. In doing so, we aim to recognize the work of our fellow undergraduate students. Committee members attend meetings, review articles, oversee editing, design journal graphics, contribute/solicit articles, meet with professors, and utilize insight from our advisors. Everyone is welcome!
You can see some past journals here:
We just published our journal for 2025 - 2026:
Business Committee
Head: TBA
Business Committee is open to anyone interested in networking and collaborating with organizations and businesses through the lens of business psychology! In the past year, we have formed connections with Melody Bloom, an online clothing business, and CityHope, an organization based in Georgia that helps refugees. We have held meetings to provide feedback on Melody Bloom's website and are currently finishing up designing a new website for CityHope! Members can gain hands-on experience in contacting businesses, web design, formulating and presenting professional feedback, and much more!
Community Service Committee
Heads: Aditi Prakash & Yajie (Inga) Zou
The Community Service Committee collaborates with local organizations to uplift and support our community. Our goal is to create positive change across San Diego while giving committee members opportunities to engage in fulfilling volunteer experiences. In the past, the committee has volunteered with local elementary schools, retirement homes, animal care facilities, children’s hospitals, and food banks. This year, the committee hopes to diversify our partnerships and offer members unique volunteer opportunities both on- and off-campus. Committee members play an active role by participating in weekly meetings, brainstorming and planning service projects, and engaging in volunteer events. All students, regardless of major, are welcome. If you are interested in the Community Service Committee, join our Discord or contact one of our committee heads!
Induction Committee
Heads: Avani Uppalapati & Amanda Zhao
At the end of each school year, we hold an Induction Ceremony to:
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Recognize members that were newly inducted into Psi Chi
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Officially transition from the old board to the new board
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Acknowledge members that achieved distinguished statuses
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Celebrate the club's accomplishments throughout the year
This is our biggest event of the year and takes a lot of planning. The more hands we have to help us plan things such as catered food, themed decorations, and everything in between, the better it will turn out to be! It's a great way to get involved in the club, make friends, and create something memorable together. Whether you have prior experience with event planning or not, you are welcome to join us. We will begin planning for this event in Fall Quarter.
Pre-Health Committee
Heads: Daniela Garcia & Daira Ordoñez
As the Pre-Health Committee, our goal is to help students understand how psychology connects to careers in medicine and healthcare. Through workshops, group symposiums, guest speakers, and networking events, we aim to give students real insight into the many paths a psychology background can open in the health field. Whether you're pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, or simply curious about the intersection of psychology and healthcare, this committee is for you. Join the pre-health committee to gain collaborative insight on post grad prep! This committee is dedicated to those exploring their career options within psychology and preparing for grad school or other future endeavors. We aim to foster community, inspire and motivate one another to pursue our academic aspirations!
Mental Health Committee
Head: Justin Garcia & Jayanthi Chelliserry
The goal of Mental Health Committee is to provide a supportive and non-judgemental space for students to have open discussions surrounding mental health, particularly those interested in pursuing mental health-related careers. Also, we encourage open and honest mental health conversations within our committee to ensure that our space is open to students who want a space to discuss their own mental health with others. Members will engage in a variety of community-based activities to support student wellbeing, both on campus and within the community. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to attend informative workshops on graduate school pathways and mental health careers to support their academic and professional development. Previously, Mental Health Committee members have… created self-care packages for students during midterms/finals organized tabling events to promote mental health awareness attended career + graduate school presentations participated in self-care activities (e.g. affirmation cards, therapy dogs, etc.) volunteered with community mental health organizations. Last year, members volunteered for the Bring Change to Mind Summit where they had the opportunity to lead self-care workshops and facilitate open and vulnerable conversations with high school students. This year, we hope to expand upon these efforts through organizing more collaborative and widespread mental health campaigns within the community. We encourage anyone with a passion for mental health to join our committee!
The Summit had each one of our members lead self-care workshops, including peer-to-peer conversations, a slime station, and an incense station. Each workshop volunteer had the opportunity to work with students by leading interactive self-care workshops.
Our Therapy Dog event had the Mental Health Committee meet the amazing dog, Diego! We all sat in a group circle and were able to watch Diego do amazing tricks and occasionally slobber all over us. Having the chance to play around with Diego was the perfect way to de-stress right before finals.
Members handed out packages with self-care items, affirmations, and candy out to students on Library Walk. We also had students respond to reflection prompts in order to encourage and improve feelings of gratitude during a stressful period in the quarter!
The Summit had each one of our members lead self-care workshops, including peer-to-peer conversations, a slime station, and an incense station. Each workshop volunteer had the opportunity to work with students by leading interactive self-care workshops.
Committee Heads
Derek Xu
Research Committee Heads
Major: Cognitive Behavioural Neuroscience
Graduation Year: 2029
Career Goals: Research Professor
Hobbies: I like watching TV shows, taking long walks in the morning, and raccoons. Was and continuing to be an OG iPad kid.
Nora Faraci
Research Committee Heads
Major: Social Psychology
Graduation Year: 2029
Career Goals: Professor at a school in SoCal
Hobbies: I love to surf, play piano, watercolor, and hang out outside!
Major: Cognitive Behavioural Neuroscience
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: PhD in Neuroscience after bachelors and pursue teaching and/or research
Hobbies: Beside neuroscience, I practice mixed martial arts, go on hikes and runs, play video games, and trying new food. I also like traveling and exploring new areas in San Diego!
Danny Aoun
PBD Committee Head
Ro Barnett
PBD Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology, B.S.
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: Therapist
Hobbies: Other than psychology, I like to spend my time writing, reading books, playing video games, crocheting, and spending time with my friends! I also enjoy exploring places in San Diego like the beaches or coffee shops. I’m always open to recommendations on hangout spots or new books!
James Cantrell
Journal Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology
Graduation Year: 2028
Career Goals: Psychology Professor
Hobbies: In my free time I like to go hiking, camping, and go to the beach.
Tara Vatandoust
Journal Committee Head
Major: Psychology & Literary Arts
Graduation Year: 2028
Career Goals: Lawyer
Hobbies: my hobbies are reading, movies, and trivia
Aditi Prakash
Community Service Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology BS
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: Clinical Psychologist (PsyD)
Hobbies: Hi all! I’m a third-year Clinical Psychology major with minors in Cognitive Science and Global Health. In my free time, I love to discover new music, read, binge-watch TV shows, hike, and eat froyo. I look forward to meeting everyone and can’t wait to see what this year has in store!
Major: Psychology B.S. & Cognitive Science Machine Learning B.S.
Graduation Year: 2028
Career Goals: Still exploring! (probably something related to user experience)
Hobbies: Hi everyone! I’m a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science. In my free time, I love singing, watching TV shows, traveling, trying new food, and exploring new places with friends. I’m always down to try something new, and I’m super excited to meet more people and make some fun memories this year!
Yajie (Inga) Zou
Community Service Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology B.S.
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: Psychiatrist (MD)
Hobbies: I love love love the beach (to lay in the sun, to study, to play volleyball and spikeball with my nearest and dearest friends)! I enjoy exploring San Diego to find the best eats in various types of cuisines. And I love music! I love dancing and singing, so the arts are definitely my way of destressing.
Avani Uppalapati
Induction Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology B.S.
Graduation Year: 2029
Career Goals: Clinical Psychologist (PsyD)
Hobbies: I love exploring the city, baking and cooking, reading, doing my nails, enjoying a cozy movie night, and above all, spending time with my loved ones!
Amanda Zhao
Induction Committee Head
Daniela Garcia
Pre-Health Committee Head
Major: Psychology B.S. with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: To become a children's therapist.
Hobbies: I love catching a good sunset at the beach. I also enjoy trying new coffee shops and exploring new places.
Daira E. Ordonez Marin
Pre-Health Committee Head
Major: Psychology with specialization in Human Health
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: I am pursuing a career as Physician Associate and hope to work alongside non-profit organizations to support marginalized communities navigating higher education.
Hobbies: I enjoy a variety of hobbies in a range of environments! Some of my all time favorites include jewelry welding, cars and coffee, gym and snowboarding in the winter!
Justin Garcia
Mental Health Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology
Graduation Year: 2027
Career Goals: Currently my career goals are leaning in two direction, to become a clinical counselor or a School Psychologist
Hobbies: I really love the art of story telling whether thats through books, comics, or art. Anything to do with a story I'm deeply interested in. Additionally I love to watch basketball, but it's definitely not better than playing pickup games with friends. Music is also my soft spot if anyone ever wants to talk hip hop with me I'm always ready to talk about a favorite album or verse from an artist.
Jayanthi Chelliserry
Mental Health Committee Head
Major: Clinical Psychology B.S
Graduation Year: 2028
Career Goals: Undecided but planning to pursue a PhD or PsyD program
Hobbies: I love anything creative or art-related(drawing, music, dancing, etc.), spending time in nature, and sunbathing with my dog!