Current Lab Members

Dr. Brett Jakubiak is the director of the lab and an Associate Professor of Psychology at Syracuse University. He earned a PhD in Social/Personality/Health Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University. Brett studies the links between social support processes and personal and relationship well-being in adult close relationships.

Brett also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses at Syracuse University (e.g., Social Psychology, Close Relationships). He recently co-wrote a textbook entitled The Science of Romantic Relationships with Dr. Theresa DiDonato of Loyola University Maryland.

After work, Brett and his family enjoy spending time in and around Syracuse.

Elina Sun is a Postdoctoral Researcher. She graduated from the Social Psychology program at Syracuse University in May 2026. Her research examines close relationships through the lens of attachment theory, with a focus on understanding individual differences in attachment and identifying interpersonal processes that promote secure functioning in relationships.

Elina has also earned degrees from an undergraduate program (East China Normal University) that stressed neuroscience and a Master’s program (Beijing Normal University) focused on clinical and counseling psychology. Elina is interested in a wide range of topics in psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction and watching movies the most. You can reach Elina at rsun12@syr.edu.

Jason Mitala is a fourth-year graduate student in the Social Psychology program at Syracuse University. He is interested in sense of purpose as a source of resilience (e.g., buffering the effects of combat exposure in veterans), close relationship processes (e.g., affection, attachment, friendship perceptions), and their intersection (e.g., purpose as a dyadic romantic phenomenon; purpose as a moderator of relational stress).

Jason completed his MSc in Social Psychology at the University of Edinburgh and his B.A. in Psychology and Humanities at Villanova University. Jason loves exploring Upstate New York, visiting theme parks, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Jason can be reached at jmitala@syr.edu

We also have a team of approximately 15 excellent undergraduate research assistants who work with our lab. If you are interested in joining our team, navigate to the “Apply to work in the lab” tab and submit an application!

Former Lab Members

Julian Fuentes earned his PhD in Social Psychology in May 2023. Julian’s research focuses on the role of attachment (in)security in shaping reactions to social support in close relationships.