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My undergraduate research has primarily focused on dynamic psychological processes, like emotion regulation, belief formation, and applied interventions. I am especially motivated to continue work that connects psychological theory with application in a highly meaningful and accessible way.
Research & Presentations
Research & Presentations
Summary: What makes a psychology video go viral and, more importantly, does it actually teach anything? In the Media Matters Lab, directed by Dr. Erica Kleinknecht, we study this exact question. We are interested in how content spreads and sticks on social media, as well as how said content may transform beliefs. Grounded in the work of cognitive and educational psychologists like Jerome Bruner, Daniel Gilbert, and Richard Mayer, our research examines how digital platforms function as informal learning environments, shaping narrative construction and belief formation.
Presentations:
Kleinknecht, E., Castro, I., Cowherd, J., Tsybina, D., Millier, T., & Antick-Oslund, M. (2026, May). Reality Curated: The Misrepresentation of Psychology in the Social Media Landscape. Poster presented at the annual meetings of the Association for Psychological Science, Barcelona, Spain. [Click here to view the poster]
Castro, I., Cowherd, J., Tsybina, D., Millier, T., Antick-Oslund, M. (October, 2025). Reality Curated: The [Mis-]Representation of Psychology in the Social Media Landscape. Presented at the Pacific University Undergraduate Research Conference by the Media Matters Lab. Advisor: Erica Kleinknecht, Ph.D. Forest Grove, OR. [Click here to view the poster]
Cowherd, J., Antick-Oslund, M. (October, 2025). Leveling up Emotional Resilience: Serious Gaming as a Tool for Change. Presented at the Pacific University Undergraduate Research Conference (PSY 380). Professor: Erica Kleinknecht, Ph.D. Forest Grove, OR. [Click here to view the poster]
Curse of Ironbrook
Fall 2025 – Present
Summary: For my senior thesis, I am developing a 3D video game, built in Unreal Engine 4, designed to strengthen emotion-regulation skills in adolescents and young adults through a game-based delivery of evidence-based techniques like DBT, CBT, and mindfulness. The project traces back to PSY 380: The Psychology of Serious Games, where I first built a companion board game and presented the intervention model. That work was awarded Most Outstanding Poster in the Social Sciences.
Presentations:
Cowherd, J., Antick-Oslund, M. (October, 2025). Leveling up Emotional Resilience: Serious Gaming as a Tool for Change. Presented at the Pacific University Undergraduate Research Conference (PSY 380). Professor: Erica Kleinknecht, Ph.D. Forest Grove, OR. [Click here to view the poster]
Additional Research
My work extends beyond the lab. In addition to my primary research, I have presented on emotion-regulation flexibility and science communication:
Castro, I., Cowherd, J., & Vasquez, Z. (April, 2026). A New Perspective on Maladaptive Coping: The Role of Rigidity. Advisor: Heide Island, Ph.D. Presented at Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR. [Click here to view the presentation]
Cowherd, J. & Tsybina, D. (2026, March). Science, Identity & Storytelling: A Novel Solution. Poster presented at Science Talk ‘26: The annual meetings of the Association of Science Communicators, Portland, OR. [Click here to view the poster]
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