People in the ADAPT Lab

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NATASHA DUELL, PHD
Lab Director
Natasha Duell (she/her) directs the ADAPT Lab. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Child Development at Cal Poly. Dr. Duell received her PhD from Temple University and completed NIH-T32 and NSF postdoctoral fellowships at UNC Chapel Hill. Her research examines psychosocial, cultural, and biological factors influencing adolescent decision-making. She is especially interested in risky decision-making during adolescence, with a particular emphasis on positive risks.

Research Assistants

SKY KREUGER
Lab Manager
Sky is a third-year student at Cal Poly majoring in Child Development and minoring in theater. Her research interests center around vulnerable populations and are continuing to develop throughout her academic career. She aspires to publish research of her own and pursue a PHD after graduation. Her other interests include competing with the Cal Poly Debate Team, constructing costumes with the theater department, and attempting latte art at her barista job.

DÉBORA VITALIANO
Project Coordinator
Débora is a recent Cal Poly graduate from São Paulo, Brazil. She holds a BS in Psychology with minors in Ethnic Studies and Child Development. Her academic interests center on child and adolescent development, with a particular focus on identity exploration among BIPOC and LGBTQIA individuals, as well as the effects of trauma and resilience within these communities. Débora plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Health to help develop community services and strategies that better support these populations. In her free time, she finds joy in the outdoors, often camping, hiking, and exploring nature. She also values time spent with family and friends.

MADDY BYRNE
Research Assistant
Maddy is a third-year student at Cal Poly majoring in Psychology. Her research interests center around the impact of stress and demographics on education and development. She is interested in translating research into practical strategies that improve classroom environments and student-well being. Beyond academics, she plays for the Cal Poly Beach Volleyball team. After graduating, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree and a teaching credential. In her free time, she loves to bake, wakeboard, try new coffee shops, and visit farmer’s markets.

MADI GATES
Research Assistant
Madi is a third-year student at Cal Poly majoring in Statistics and pursuing a minor in Psychology. Her research interests lie at the intersection of statistics and psychology, particularly in applying quantitative methods to study adolescent development, decision-making, and human behavior. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology. Beyond academics, Madi serves as the President of the Multiracial Students Association (MUSA) and has worked in campus dining services. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, playing pickleball, and watching musicals.

Teen Interns!

Abigail is currently a senior at Ernest Righetti high school and is hoping to one day major in psychology. As a teen researcher in the ADAPT Lab she hopes to build up skills that will carry into her future, where she’ll either be working a job that uses psychology or be a researcher within the field of study. Some of her main hobbies is going on hikes, doing photography, and going out to experience new things!
Shivani is a junior at River Islands High School who hopes to pursue a career in medicine. As a teen intern in the ADAPT Lab she is excited to learn more about the research process, contribute a teenage perspective, and support research that reflects the real experiences of young people. She is also interested in exploring how medicine and psychology can work together as she considers different paths in healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys making pottery, baking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Lab Alumni

Lainey Cauffman, B.S. Psychology, Minor Child Development and Media Arts, Society, and Technology, Cal Poly 2026
Former Lab Manager | Research Coordinator in the PREVENT Lab at UC Irvine (PI: Dr. Jason Schiffman)

Isabella Veran, B.A. Sociology (Criminal Justice), Minor Child Development and Law and Society, Cal Poly 2026
Former Research Assistant | Current Legal AI Consultant at Ivo

Jack Nunn, BS Psychology, Cal Poly 2025
Former Lab Manager | Incoming Project Coordinator for the Developmental Social Neuroscience Lab at UNC Chapel Hill (PI: Dr. Eva Telzer)

Rian Ammann, B.S. Psychology, Minor Child Development, Cal Poly 2025
Former Project Coordinator for ID Study | Currently a Behavior Technician in SLO

Sydney Tucknott, B.S. Psychology, Minor Child Development, Cal Poly 2024 | Natasha’s first RA! | Currently a Behavior Technician in Santa Barbara

Sami Greisdorf, B.S. Sociology, Concentration in Criminal Justice, Minor Child Development, Cal Poly 2024 | Former Research Assistant | Incoming PsyD Student at the University of Houston

Ana Leon, B.S. Psychology, Cal Poly 2025
Former Research Assistant and BEACoN Scholar
Incoming Coordinator at Fighting Back Santa Maria

Rebecca Stein, B.S. Kinesiology, Cal Poly 2024
Former Research Assistant | Current nursing student at UC Davis