CORE Lab Team

Dr. Coley is Professor of Psychology and Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at Northeastern University, and Director of the CORE Lab. He is interested in the basic cognitive processes underlying how people organize and use their knowledge of the world, how those processes develop and change over time, and how differences in culture and experience lead to differences in the organization and use of knowledge. He is also committed to cross-disciplinary translational research, and to exploring the concrete consequences of conceptual organization and reasoning in areas like science education, social conflict, and ecological awareness. Dr. Coley sees his lab as an environment in which smart, motivated, people have the opportunity to work together while learning about research, exploring these issues in lots of different ways, making genuine contributions to cognitive science, and having fun along the way.

After graduating from Tufts University, Joan spent some time at a cardiovascular imaging lab before transitioning back to psychology with the CORE Lab. She is currently interested in how people think about the natural world/systems and climate change. Her hope is that she can develop interventions in fighting climate change by encouraging people to think about themselves as part of the natural world and rethinking the psychological distance between the self and climate change disasters. In her free time, she likes to bake and dance.

Krissy Kilgallen, M.S. is a third year PhD Candidate in the CORE lab. Her research examines how psychological constructs and processes (worldviews, values, mental-models, self-construal, moral reasoning, metacognition) can play a role in addressing the ecological crisis. Specifically, how these constructs and processes differ across individuals and groups, what their impact is, and if they can be shifted. Her prior work has examined this in the context of environmental tradeoffs and moral reasoning, and current work extends this in a cross-cultural domain. She also has ongoing work exploring how metacognition and mindfulness may be an effective intervention in shifting our mental models. In her free time, she likes to take long, meandering walks and have equally long and meandering conversations.

Krissy’s controversial opinion is that airports are fun.

Subina is a third year doctoral student focusing on cognitive roots of environmental behavior across cultures. Her past work has focused on perceptions of ecosystem services and willingness to contribute to ecosystem conservation and restoration projects in Nepal. In the CORE lab, Subina studies intuitive theories about the self and the natural world, individual values, place attachment and their link to pro-environmental behavior. With her research, Subina aims to develop education and communication strategies to promote community engagement for environmental conservation. She is also passionate about teaching and previously worked as a junior lecturer in Kathmandu University, Nepal.

Subina’s controversial opinion is that liking or hearting someone’s message is not a full response.

Daria is a second year doctoral candidate in the CORE Lab. She received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sociology from Boston College in 2021, before transitioning to Northeastern University, where she received her master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy in 2023. Daria is primarily interested in exploring perceptions of social-ecological systems through mental modeling, with applications for understanding implications of climate change, coastal adaptation strategy, and the benefits of place-based climate education.

Daria’s controversial opinion is that pineapple is and will always be the best pizza topping.

Dr. Aviste earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Penn State and has experience in research, education, stakeholder engagement, and science communication. She is interested in how knowledge systems and worldviews shape the ways people understand, value, and form relationships with nature, and how these frameworks appear in educational experiences and environmental science research. Her work focuses on science education as a site for knowledge system development, examining how engagement with Western science contributes to the formation of science identity and how that identity shapes every level of the environmental research process. She is committed to rigorous, inclusive, mixed-methods research that examines how diversity in knowledge systems can support more equitable research practices and collaborations, including efforts to decenter Western scientific frameworks within environmental psychology. She enjoys knitting, hiking and spending time with her cat Apricot. 

Dr. Aviste’s controversial opinion is that required nap time should be extended to all ages, schools and workplaces.

Keira is a third-year undergraduate studying Human Services and International Affairs with a minor in English. She works in the CORE Lab as the Research Coordinator. Keira is interested in how individuals’ perceptions of nature, and climate change, can motivate or hinder environmental collective action. She hopes to research possible interventions to increase pro-environmental behaviors within communities and explore the field of environmental behavioral science. Outside of the lab, Keira loves to write, read, adventure outdoors with friends, and discover new food.

Keira’s controversial opinion is that watermelon is bad (even when it’s ripe). 

Research Assistant

Major: Communications & Sociology, Psychology minor
Research Interests: Cognitive Psychology, Cross-Cultural Studies, Social Psychology

Controversial Opinion: Milkshakes are better than ice cream in a cup, and ice cream in a cup is better than ice cream in a cone

Research Assistant

Major: Environmental & Sustainability Sciences
Research Interests: Environmental Tradeoffs

Controversial Opinion: Pasta is overrated

Research Assistant

Major: Behavioral Neuroscience 

Research Interests: Interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology, environment and culture.

Controversial Opinion: Pineapple is good on pizza

Research Assistant

Major: Environmental Studies and International Affairs, minor in Sustainable Business Practices
Research Interests: Environmental Education, Cognitive Processes relating to environmentalism

Controversial Opinion: Fast food isn’t good.