Sara Azzi

Fresh off her recent research presentation at the Eastern Psychological Association Conference in Manhattan and about two months away from her receipt of a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University, New Fairfield resident Sara Azzi is both looking back at all she has accomplished and looking ahead to the future that awaits her. In either direction, one thing is abundantly clear: Azzi has known for a long time that she wanted to study Psychology and she excels at it. “I’ve always been interested in understanding human emotions and why people do what they do,” she said.

Azzi, who could have studied anywhere she pleased, came to WestConn because “I wanted a quality education at an affordable price. I was also influenced by my older sister who absolutely loved WestConn’s Psychology Department,” she said. Once she came to campus, Azzi quickly found out why her sister was so effusive. “I joined the Psychology Student Association right away and became president my sophomore and junior years. I was also inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, my sophomore year, and I am the current chapter president,” Azzi said.

Azzi’s Psychology-related awards include Outstanding New Student in Psychology (2023), Outstanding Junior in Psychology (2024), Outstanding Senior in Psychology (2025), and the Willerman Memorial Award, which is given to an advanced Psychology major who shows promise of making significant contributions to the field of Psychology. Additional awards include induction into the National Society of Leadership and Success (2022), the John H. Hogan Endowed Scholarship (2023-24), Veronica Hagman Memorial Scholarship (2024-25), Western Research Day Provost’s Award (2024), Sigma Xi Student Research Award Nominee (2024), the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award (2025) and the Henry F. Barnard Distinguished Student Award (2025). Not to mention a 3.95 GPA.

In addition to her focus on her studies, Azzi participated in the Rotaract Club her sophomore and junior years, was an office assistant in the university’s Alumni Relations Office, and works as a Peer Leader in the Career Success Center. She’s also a PSY230 teaching assistant. Because of her campus connections and reputation, she was invited to an event hosted by the WCSU Foundation by the Dean of the Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences, in which the Psychology Department is housed. “At the event, I met WestConn benefactor Deno Macricostas, who owns Photronics, a worldwide leader in photomask products and services,” Azzi explained. “As a result, I was offered an internship and seasonal employment in the company’s Human Resources Department for two years.”

And while all of these opportunities have enriched her overall experience, what has meant the most to Azzi has been the opportunity to conduct professional-level psychological research.

“I work in two labs: the Vision & Cognition Lab run by Professor of Psychology Dr. Bernie Gee as a research assistant, and the Neuropsychology Lab at Nuvance through an opportunity provided by Professor of Psychology Dr. Mary Murphy,” she said. “I was able to present my research on spatial reasoning at the Eastern Psychological Association Conference in Philadelphia last year, and my study of student perspectives on online courses in New York City this year — both of which were conducted with Dr. Gee.” She earned the Provost’s Award at Western Research Day for her spatial reasoning research presentation in 2024.

At Nuvance, Azzi and fellow WestConn Psychology student Kylie Moody are the first two undergraduate students to have a research role like this, she said. “Since the beginning of the fall semester, we’ve been conducting research in conjunction with the computer science team to create an AI model to determine driving ability in people with cognitive impairment. Currently, it takes at least a year to be seen in Nuvance’s Neuropsych unit, and if our AI model can successfully administer and score tests, we will be able to get people who shouldn’t be driving off the roads in a shorter timeframe.”

Azzi said the ability to present her work both on campus and at EPA regional conferences is vital for her future success.

“When you want a career in research, presenting at conferences is a big part of it,” she said. “Most undergraduates aren’t able to have that experience, so it’s very cool that I’ve had these opportunities. It’s also really interesting to go and learn about other people’s research, especially since the EPA is a professional conference with a lot of Ph.D.-level researchers. This is very high-level work that has provided me the opportunity to meet a lot of people and have really good discussions.”

Her mentor, Dr. Gee, said, “Sara is a mature student with natural leadership qualities. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her in many facets. From her very first year at WestConn, she has elevated the campus. I think her greatest gifts are connecting with people and solving problems, and she will continue to excel in anything she chooses to do next.”

With graduation approaching, Azzi is making plans for what comes next. She said she has been applying for research opportunities at Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry. “Hopefully this will lead to a funded Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in one of my research areas, like innovative therapies for depression or research into preventing psychosis and the underlying causes of schizophrenia,” she said. “Clinical psychology Ph.D. programs can be more challenging to get into than med school.”

She clearly is well-prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

“The Psychology faculty at WestConn are the most supportive people I know in terms of personal and career development, and I would not be as successful as I am without them,” she said. “Dr. Gee hired me as a freshman to work in his lab, which is unheard of, but he saw something in me and took a chance. I’m also really grateful for all the opportunities WestConn provided — from working at the Career Success Center to the clubs I have been involved in, to the research opportunities — all with no loans and zero debt.”

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