Performance Improvement Laboratory
Applied Behavior Analysis Program (California State University, Sacramento)
Makenna Mason
Graduate Student
Makenna Mason graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology in Spring 2019. After she receives her degree, she plans on becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. When she is not working as a Behavior Interventionist with autistic children. Makenna enjoys hanging out with friends, and cooking.
Lea Jones
Graduate Student
Lea Jones graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from California State University Sacramento in 2019. She has previously worked as an RBT with children with autism spectrum disorder and plans on pursuing BCBA certification after graduation. Her research interests include performance feedback, systems analysis, and staff training. In her free time, she powerlifts, likes to play video game, and care for all kinds of animals.
Twixt Toussaint Bernard-Pantin
Graduate Student
Twixt Toussaint Bernard-Pantin graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration in Spring 2020. They also spent two years doing undergraduate research in UF's Organizational Behavior Management and Attitudes and Political Cognition labs. Twixt's research interests are in applications of non-monetary reinforcements in nonprofit environments, behavior-based safety, and the effects of group hierarchies on intervention potency. After graduating, they plan to earn their BCBA certification and pursue a PhD. In their free time, Twixt enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and reading non-fiction.
Sydney Burlison
Graduate Student
Sydney Burlison graduated from Sacramento State University with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in Spring of 2022. She has been in the ABA field for three years now providing therapy for adolescents and training incoming technicians. Her research interests include procedural fidelity within clinical settings. After completing graduate school, she plans on become a BCBA and working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In her free time, you can find her out in nature exploring the undiscovered.
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Sofia Zamora Delgado
Graduate Student
Sofia Zamora Delgado graduated Fall of 2021 with her BA in Psychology and a minor in Biology. After starting in the ABA field as a behavior therapist three years ago, she decided to gain a better understanding of the science by completing the CSUS ABA certificate. After finishing the ABA Masters program and receiving a BCBA certification, she would like to provide services related to consulting and teaching. She absolutely adores working with children but is also interested in providing services in the field with a variety of populations. She enjoys volunteering, beaches and barbecues, and receiving compliments about her cooking.
Nobumasa Masubuchi
Graduate Student
Nobumasa graduated from California State University, Sacramento in Spring 2022 with his BA in psychology. He plans to obtain his BCBA credential and explore the possibilities of ABA across different areas of practice. His hobbies include watching sports, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
Alixandra Baptist
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alixandra Baptist completed her undergraduate degree in psychology in spring of 2023. While completing her degree she enjoyed classes on learning theories and applied behavioral analysis. Her research interests include motivation and productivity. Her hobbies include vegetarian cooking and vegetable gardening.
Stormy Lesieur
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Stormy Lesieur is a first generation student who will finish her bachelor's degree in Fall 2023. Stormy began honing her interests in psychology and her community at American River College where, in 2019, she obtained associate degrees in psychology and social studies. Currently, she wants to pursuit a master's degree and Board Certification. Stormy enjoys spending her free time as a bookworm that never opposes a good video game and indulges in many outdoor excursions.
Dr. Joshua Bensemann
Research Collaborator
Dr. Joshua Bensemann completed his PhD (Psychology) at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. His doctoral research investigated both traditional and modern theories of learning via positive reinforcement using a combination of mathematical models, experimentation, and computer simulations. He is currently interested in applying methods from machine learning to behavioral psychology in an attempt to detect behavioral patterns.
Josephine Franz
Volunteer
Josephine Franz is a senior at Sacramento State University who will graduate in the Spring of 2023 with her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. She is aiming to get into an ABA graduate program in order to further her education. Her hobbies include making jewelry, swimming, and reading.
Mia Sapiandante
Volunteer
Mia graduated Spring of 2020 with her BA in Psychology. While completing the CSUS ABA certificate, she found her new love of ABA! She hopes to enter a graduate program for ABA to further her knowledge of the field. Her hobbies include hiking, playing soccer, and reality television.
Sonja Kerschner
Volunteer
Sonja graduated from Sacramento State in Spring of 2023 with her BA in Psychology and plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in counseling. During her undergraduate studies, she became fascinated with ABA. Her other interests include photography, reading, and semi-successful attempts at gardening.