Welcome to the JADE Lab!

The Judgments and Decisions Experimental (JADE) Lab focuses on the organizational, social, and psychological forces that regulate individual and group behavior under the direction of Professor Eileen Chou. We are comprised of undergraduate and graduate researchers, post-doctoral researchers, a lab manager, and collaborators from around the world.

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Eileen Y. Chou, Ph.D.

Lab Director, Associate Dean, & Associate Professor

Dr. Eileen Chou's research focuses on the organizational, social, and psychological forces that shape individual and group behavior in organizational settings. She explores questions such as how the terms of contracts promote or inhibit cooperation among team members, whether and when hierarchy is an effective mechanism of social organization, how trust can be used as a strategic tactic, and whether or not it really is "lonely at the top."

Her work has appeared in academic journals such as Psychological Science, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, American Economics Journal, Experimental Economics, and Organizational Psychological Review (see Publications). Her research on prosocial behaviors has been selected to be featured in the Best Paper Proceedings by the Organizational Behavior division at the 2010 conference of the Academy of Management. Dr. Chou received her Ph.D. in Management and Organization from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and holds an M.S. in Social Science from Caltech.

You can find out more about Dr. Chou on her Batten page here!

Jieun Pai, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Jieun Pai researches social hierarchy and conflict resolution. Specifically, her research seeks to provide insight into how people can satisfy their need for status in teams and organizations harmoniously. Pai received her Ph.D. in Management and Organization from Anderson School of Management at UCLA and holds M.A. in Human Resources from the University of Minnesota and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from KAIST, South Korea.

You can find out more about Dr. Pai on her Batten page here!

Natalie Baumeister

Lab Manager

Natalie works with JADE and SoBaD Labs in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She studied Psychology and Cognitive Science at UVA. Her research interests include cognitive heuristics and social inequalities. Outside of the lab, you can find Natalie practicing piano, running, and writing stories.

DMP candidates

The Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) is an advanced program for students interested in pursuing in-depth research on issues related to their majors. Students in the DMP write a senior thesis under close faculty supervision during their final year of undergraduate studies.

Research Assistants

(first name in alphabetical order)

Alex Wang

Alex is a second year in the College of Arts & Sciences, considering a double major in Economics and either Biology or Psychology. She joined JADE through the USOAR program. Outside of class, she is a member of the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra and the Baroque Orchestra at UVA. She also enjoys some recreational swimming in her free time.

Ardavan Davoodi

Ardavan Davoodi is a second-year in the College of Arts and Sciences intending to major in Global Public Health with minors in Biology and Spanish. He's excited about getting hands-on psychological research experience, and connecting it with broader disciplines. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring nature and working out, and getting involved with the Persian community on Grounds.

Jessica Li

Jessica is a third-year in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Economics and Data Science. She is working for JADE through the USOAR program at UVA. Outside of her academics, Jessica serves in a Christian fellowship here on Grounds and also enjoys playing outdoor sports with her friends. You can also find Jessica singing on the way to classes, working out in the gym, or journaling at a coffee shop.

Kate Tran

Kate is a fourth-year Psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences who joined the JADE Lab for more involvement in psychological research, which is something she is excited to pursue during her undergraduate years and beyond. Outside of the lab, she can be found singing with UVA's premier rockapella group, creating music, gaming, and playing volleyball.

Nathan Welz

Nate is a third-year student hoping to major in Public Policy & Leadership. Nate enjoys the collaborative, fun, and interesting work at JADE Lab. A native Virginian, he enjoys hiking in the Shenandoahs and kayaking in his free time.

Quinn Moynihan

Quinn is a second-year majoring in Psychology and hoping to minor in Public Policy and Leadership. She is excited to be getting involved in psychological research and working with a great team at JADE Lab. Outside JADE, she can be found hiking, cheering on UVA athletics, and exploring local coffee shops.

Rosalia Bailey

Rosalia is a second year in the College of Arts & Sciences, planning to major in Psychology with a possible minor in Media Studies or Italian. She joined JADE through the USOAR program and is excited to get hands on research experience. Rosalia enjoys spending time with the people (and cats) that she loves, traveling, dancing, and watching (and critiquing) horror movies.

Sammy Sharp

I am a fourth year student majoring in Psychology. I have been interested in the field of psychology for a while now, and am now particularly intrigued by cognitive processes that affect decision making and how we view the world. Outside of the lab, I volunteer at the UVA Medical Hospital, and you can find me on grounds playing any sport imaginable, listening to music, or just spending time outside with friends.

Sara Chan

Hi, my name is Sara Chan. I am a second-year majoring in Applied Statistics and a minor in Public Policy and Leadership and Computer Science. I am interested in organizational and behavioral psychology. In my free time, I love reading poets such as Ocean Vuong, listening to podcasts such as the Freakonomics podcast, and spending quality time with my family.

Yinuo (Selene) Zeng

Selene is an Echols Scholar from China studying Cognitive Science and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She loves unraveling the nexus of human perception, cognition, and behavior. Within the JADE Lab, Selene enthusiastically dives into the subtle nuances of negotiation, interactive decision-making, and power. With her curiosity, Selene aspires to understand how individual perceptions shape, and are shaped by, group dynamics and socio-psychological regulations! When she is free, she loves watching people, interacting with people, and imagining scenarios. In short-- Selene loves introspection and human connection:)!