
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.

Emily Mansilla
Emily recently graduated from the Psychology Department at Chico state with her B.A. Previously she obtained an associate’s degree in psychology from Butte College. Emily’s core interests are in metacognition as well as decision making. She aims to explore ways in which traumas and mental illness impact decision-making. Primarily Emily is interested in exploring methods that influence individuals’ decision-making regarding changed behavior. After finishing her educational goals of a master’s degree, Emily wants to teach in a college setting to support and guide students through their academic careers. Though she does have plans for a Ph.D., she has decided to take things one step at a time. When not working towards educational advancements, Emily works with the elderly in providing physical, social, creative, and emotional interactions that foster wellness. Whenever possible, she enjoys camping with her partner and spending time with close loved ones.

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.
Lab Alumni
Graduate Students
- Deja Shevalier
- Jordan Stifle
- Logan Smith
- Andrew Ithurburn
- Mariah Willis
- Souk Chiang
- Grace Garberson
- Jackson Hodes
- Brittany Ingersoll
Graduate Research Assistants
- Kobi Bledsoe
- Mika Popovic
- Kanvarbir Gill
- Mitchell Koff
- Lisia Albuquerque
- Sherry Bell
- AnnaMaria Boullion
- Kevin Click
- Cory Tondreau
- Michael Frietas
- Lucy Madden
Postbaccalaureate Research Assistants
- Ethan Bennett
- Jose Gonzalez-Ayala
- Kaylee Kohler
- Emily Mansilla
- Seema Shokooh
Undergraduate Honors Students
- Genavieve Chambers
- Krysta Darling
- Lauren Goldberg
- Natalia Garcia
- Lucia Abril
- Avery Beaudette
- Jackson Park
- Deja Shevalier
- Alexandra Lewis
- Cynthia Mancuso
- Justin McGrew
- Taylor Duncan
- Mia Koenig
- Julia Ferre
- Gustavo Martir Luna
- Megan McIntyre
Undergraduate Research Assistants
- Michael Curry
- Sara Zuniga
- Kaylee Kohler
- Jose Gonzalez-Ayala
- Ian Fiksdal
- Marcus Garcia
- Velia Nunez
- Lisia Albuquerque
- Cindy Hernandez
- Maxwell Gastineau
- Ashlyn Crouch
- Martin Meyer
- Tristen Smith
- Logan Fillmore
- Karl Elers
- Myers Lor
- Soo Hung Jun
- Taiana Melin
- Mary Murphy