People

Patrick Johnson

I’m an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at California State University, Chico.

Prior to arriving in Chico in 2015, I earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida, an M.A. in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of Kansas, a Ph.D. in Psychology from Utah State University, and served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

My training and research has focused on the areas of behavioral economics, behavior analysis, psychopharmacology, and addiction. I work closely with undergraduate and graduate students to apply behavioral economic models to a variety of psychological issues.

Isabella Avalos

Isabella is in her first year of the Psychological Science Master’s Program. She graduated from Chico State with a B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in Biological Sciences and has been assisting in the lab for over a year now. Isabella’s research interests include the effects of emotion regulation strategies on maladaptive behaviors, such as impulsive decision-making in regard to substance use. She also is interested in the personality characteristics that influence an individual’s tendency to behave impulsively. After graduating from the master’s program, Isabella hopes to apply for doctoral programs in which she can continue conducting research and learn about the clinical applications of psychology. During her free time, Isabella enjoys indoor rock climbing, playing volleyball, and going on nature walks.

Arely Saldana

Arely is a first-year Master’s student in the Psychological Science program at CSU Chico. She received her B.A. in Psychology with Honors from CSU Chico in May of 2020, and previously she received an A.A. in Psychology and an A.A. in Behavioral and Social Science from the College of the Sequoias. Arely is interested in perception, memory, and cognitive bias in criminal trials, the effects of media on the legal system, and prison reform based on scientific evidence. After graduating from the master’s program, Arely is looking forward to applying to joint Psych Ph.D./J.D. programs. When she is not in the library, you can find Arely working to support Latino, low-income, and first-gen students on campus, or relaxing at home with her partner and kitty.

Dylan White

Dylan is in his first year of the Psychological Sciences Master’s program at Chico State. He received a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a B.A. with Honors in Psychology from Chico State in May of 2022. Dylan’s main research interests pertain to criminal psychology and behavioral psychology. His career aspiration is to work for a federal law enforcement agency and apply the skills he’s learned in a law enforcement setting. Dylan is a member of both the cross country and track and field teams at CSU Chico. When he is not working on schoolwork or running on the trails of Bidwell Park, he enjoys spending time or watching movies with his friends and roommates.

Christina Caravalho

Christina is an undergraduate student currently in the Honors program. Before coming to Chico State, she received her associate degree in psychology with honors from Butte College. She is planning to get her master’s degree in an MFT program and possibly continue to get a Ph.D. or PsyD. She is interested in being a therapist and plans to help change the negative stigma around mental health. She is currently doing an internship at an adult rehabilitation program helping addicts who are in recovery. Her interests are in addiction studies and mindsets and beliefs that help promote change in behavior. She loves the field of psychology and enjoys studying about the mind and our behaviors. When she is not immersed in the world of psychology, she spends her time with her kids and her dogs. She loves to hike and enjoys the outdoors. She also loves reading and cooking.