The Murrar Lab
Social Interventions & Intergroup Relations
Research focus.
Developing + testing social interventions that reduce prejudice + promote inclusivity.
How can entertainment media narratives be leveraged to reduce bias and improve intergroup attitudes?
Can subtle messages about pro-diversity norms improve how people behave towards outgroup members?
Understanding minority experiences with prejudice + discrimination in various settings
How does the social climate affect students’ experiences and performance in college?
How does being a visible minority in the workplace affect people’s well-being, self-concept, and career outcomes?
Lab members.
Ph.D. Student: Louis Ingram
Louis is a second year PhD student in Social and Personality Psychology at University of Illinois Chicago. He received his BA from Northwestern University, double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. His research focuses on how patients are perceived, with a focus on the perception of patient pain levels and the accuracy of their symptom description. He is currently conducting work examining how shifting to a patient-centric method of clinical documentation may increase trust of symptoms and desire to help patients. Additional work focuses on how the racial and gender identities of patients and providers influence judgements of pain and symptom legitimacy, with a focus on women and racial minorities. His research is designed and conducted with the goal of creating evidence-based interventions to promote health equity.
Research Affiliate: Lina Saud, Ph.D.
Lina Saud is a research affiliate working with Dr. Murrar on examining the nature of bias toward different religious groups and the effect of entertainment media on bias. Lina received her PhD in social psychology from Rutgers University and her BA in public and international affairs from Princeton University.
Research Assistant: Leslie Tulip
Leslie Tulip is in her fourth year of undergrad and majoring in applied psychology with a minor in Black studies. She is most interested in social psychology. She wants to research the impact of representation in entertainment media – race, LGBTQ+, mental health, family dynamics, and more. After finishing her Bachelor’s degree, Leslie plans to pursue a doctoral program in social psychology. She has traveled to 20 different countries, including living in Salzburg, Austria, where The Sound of Music was filmed. Leslie is also a foster parent.
Lab alumni.
Yinqing Zheng was a lab manager in the lab from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023. After UIC, Yinqing joined the Krosch Lab at Cornell University as a lab manager.
Marya Hamoui was a research assistant in the lab from Fall 2022 through Fall 2023. She double-majored psychology and communication at UIC.
Aastha Chouhan was a research assistant in the lab during the 2022/2023 academic year. She majored in psychology during her time at UIC.
Maddie Warren was an RA in the lab during Spring 2023 during her senior year. She majored in psychology and minored in philosophy at UIC.
Amtul Najiyah was a RA in the lab during Fall 2022. She was a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in business administration.