Lab Director
Merrisa Lin, Ph.D.
I am an Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Fairfield University. I received my Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Connecticut. I study how diverse cultural and linguistic experiences shape the ways people navigate the social world. Much of my work aims to promote multicultural competence, amplify marginalized voices, and foster more inclusive environments where people feel respected and understood. My passion for research is rooted in my experiences growing up and living in Taiwan, the U.S., Hong Kong, and Germany. I enjoy learning about people’s unique stories and integrating those insights into my own growing perspectives. A fun fact about me is I speak four languages!
“The diversity of human beings fascinates me, and I am constantly learning from differences.”
Google Scholar | LinkedIn | Curriculum Vitae | Fairfield Faculty Page
Research Students
Ruth Salazar
Graduate Student
I am a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I am a bilingual individual who grew up in an immigrant household, navigating my identities as both a U.S. citizen and an Ecuadorian citizen. Experiencing the constant negotiation between these two identities shaped my worldview and sparked my interest in how language and culture influence a person’s identity, behavior, and mental health. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career as a therapist working with immigrant children and their families, where I hope to address the growing need for culturally responsive, justice-oriented, and effective mental health care.
“I want to understand how language influences an individual’s personality and behavior, while remaining open-minded to the diverse cultures and perspectives that shape people.”
Caitlin Fitzpatrick
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate biology major at Fairfield University with minors in Health Studies, Psychology, and Italian Language. I am interested in how culture, identity, and social context influence human behavior. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, which strengthened my interest in cross-cultural differences between societies. I am also a certified nursing assistant pre-medical student and hope to integrate insights from cross-cultural psychology into my future clinical work to promote culturally responsive, empathetic, and effective patient care.
“I’m interested in how people’s backgrounds shape their experiences, and I learn so much from the variety of ways we see the world.”
Tristan Donnelly
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate at Fairfield University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in History. I am interested in how diverse cultures influence child behavior and development. I love being active and playing any sport; my favorites include skiing in Vermont and playing basketball. I am also a camp counselor during the summer and hope to gain insights from research to better connect and understand every camper with an open mind and empathetic attitude.
“Learning about different cultures reminds me that, at our core, we are all equal human beings, shaped by unique experiences that make us different and bring us together.”
Annabelle Purvis
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate student majoring in psychology at Fairfield University. I am interested in how individuals perceive and respond to diverse cultures and people of all ability levels. My academic focus centers on how issues of diversity, cultural background, and the environments in which people grow up shape their development, identity formation, and mental health. Outside of the lab, I love all things musically inclined and have been a dancer since toddlerhood. My long-standing involvement in dance and music has shaped the way I think about expression, community, and personal growth, and it continues to influence my academic interests in development and well-being. I hope to contribute to research that fosters inclusion, cultural understanding, and psychological health across diverse communities.
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Emma Van Wickler
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate student at Fairfield University in the Meditz College of Arts and Sciences. I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Marketing and a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience. I am interested in examining the ways culture can affect our identities as well as our behaviors and attitudes toward the world.
“I’m excited to be a part of this team and committed to the results of our research. I believe there is always more to be learned in the field of cultural psychology. Research is essential for understanding how cultural differences impact the world around us in big and small ways.”
Collaborators
At the Culture and Language Lab, we welcome collaborations and are always excited to expand our network. If you are interested in connecting, please feel free to reach out!
Nairán Ramírez-Esparza, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences
University of Connecticut
Jacqueline M. Chen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
University of Utah
Alexandra Paxton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences
University of Connecticut
Andrea Matos, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ying-Yi Hong, Ph.D.
Choh-Ming Li Professor of Marketing
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Diego Pascual y Cabo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Hispanic Linguistics
University of Florida
Pen-Chi Chiang, Ph.D.
Professor of Environmental Engineering
National Taiwan University
Natalie Shook, Ph.D.
Professor of Nursing
University of Connecticut
Minh Duc Pham, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Columbia University
Kim Chaney, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
University at Buffalo, SUNY