Justin Bonagura Moran

About

Researcher passionate about using interactive technology and computational models to understand how people think, learn, and share information. Currently a PhD student in Dr. Eshin Jolly's SciMinds Research Studio at UCSD. I blend naturalistic experimental methods with web development, simulations, and game design to study social cognition.

Research Interests

• Computational Modeling
• Theory of Mind
• Cognitive Psychology
• Education Technology
• Social Cognition
• User Experience
• Web Development for Research Applications
• Video Games and Simulations as Research Platforms

Current Positions

Education

Creative Work

Beyond research, I create and play music of many different sorts, most recently and prominently for my jazz project Reflections, a reflection of my relationship with music and the people who I do and experience music with.

Recent News

• 2026 September: Started PhD in Experimental Psychology at UCSD under Dr. Eshin Jolly at SciMinds Research Studio
• 2026 April: Attended the Social and Affective Neuroscience Conference (SANS) in San Diego, California
• 2026 March: Attended and presented at the Virtual Shared Reality Conference
• 2026 March: Accepted into and committed to the PhD program in Experimental Psychology at UCSD under Dr. Eshin Jolly
• 2025 November: Traveled to Denver, Colorado for the Psychonomic Society Annual Meeting
• 2025 June: Started official Research Scientist position at SciMinds Research Studio
• 2025 April: Began working with Dr. Eshin Jolly
• 2024 June: Joined LIME Lab as Research Assistant
• 2024 June: Graduated from UCSD with B.A. in Psychology
• 2024 March: Joined PSI Lab as Research Assistant
• 2023 January: Moved back to San Diego and joined Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition as Content and Web Developer
• 2022 May: Started studying with Dr. Oscar Baldelomar in the Cultural and Social Development Lab in LA