Main
Justin Moran
Researcher passionate about building computational models in cognitive, educational, and social psychology to understand and improve learning experiences and technologies. Currently a Research Scientist in Dr. Eshin Jolly’s Sciminds Research Studio at UCSD, exploring ways to blend user experience, web design, video games, and AI with experimental methods, learning technology, and computational modeling, and a Research Assistant in Dr. Emma Geller’s LIME Lab, investigating cognition and learning across different mediums.
Currently
Research Scientist
La Jolla, CA
Present - 2025
Lead projects to build computational models to understand and predict learning mechanisms, and to develop online platforms for better and more robust research. Create and utilize game platforms as simulated environments for large multiplayer-scale studies on cognition, behavior, learning tools, social dynamics, and collaborative learning. Develop general tools, frameworks, and templates to make the research process technically easier and more accessible.
PI: Eshin Jolly, PhD, Cognitive Neuroscience, Assistant Professor of Psychology - UC San Diego
Research Assistant
La Jolla, CA
Present - 2024
Working with graduate students and honors students on multiple research projects investigating preconceptions and learning, judgements of learning during restudy vs. retrieval practice, dual theory of processing in simulated environments, and subsumptive learning within STEM contexts.
PI: Dr. Emma Geller, PhD, Cognitive Psychology, Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology - UC San Diego
Project Leads: Inez Zung, Alejandro Carranza, Hana Nguyen
Education and Training
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
University of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA
2024 - 2020
GPA: 3.77, Provost Honors
Research Assistant
La Jolla, CA
2024
Research on how body language and gestures indicating cause and effect impact retention of causal science lessons.
PI: Dr. Celeste Pilegard, PhD, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology - UC San Diego
Project Lead: Alan Lopez
Content & Web Developer
Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition @ UCSD
La Jolla, CA
2024 - 2023
Developed, maintained, and wrote content for laboratory website. Engaged in literature reviews, helped organize information for cultural psychology book, attended seminars with leading professionals, and created graphics.
Director/Advisor: Dr. Michael Cole, PhD, Psychology and Human Development, Distinguished Professor of Communication - UC San Diego
Lead Developer/Advisor: Bruce Jones
Psychology Studies & Lab Involvement
Cultural and Social Development Lab @ Biola University
La Mirada, CA
2022
Studied psychology and participated in research on cross-cultural developmental psychology, adolescence and emerging adulthood, identity development, and psychology and religion.
PI: Dr. Oscar Baldelomar, PhD, Developmental Psychology, Assistant Professor of Psychology - Biola University
Manuscripts
Publications and manuscripts.
N/A
N/A
2025
Moran, J., Jolly, E. (in prep). Transmission and Transformation of Social Reputations in Serial Reproduction. Experiment Repo
Open Software
Software projects focused on research tools, educational applications, and other miscellaneous projects.
ResearchMatch
N/A
Present - 2025
Web platform connecting academic researchers with content creators to make scientific research more accessible. Features intelligent matching algorithms, collaborative messaging, analytics dashboards, and responsive design. Built with Svelte 5, Vite 7, Supabase, and GitHub Actions.
Scientific Method Learning Tool
N/A
Present - 2025
Open source educational tool utilizing dual processing theory to enhance learning about research methods and cognitive psychology. Combines visual and verbal learning approaches for improved understanding and retention. Built with Svelte 5, SvelteKit, and Pocketbase for user auth/database.
Color Vision Deficiency Testing Framework
N/A
Present - 2025
Web application for testing color vision deficiency using adaptive Bayesian inference and multi-stage calibration. Supports 9 CVD types with automatic severity estimation, personalized image conversion, and comprehensive results visualization. Implements research-backed algorithms from Machado et al. (2009) for physiologically-accurate CVD simulation. Built with Svelte 5, SvelteKit, Tailwind, and PocketBase for user authentication and database.
DataCollect Pro
N/A
Present - 2025
Online data collection platform for researchers featuring survey management, user profiles, data visualization, and accessibility-compliant design. Built with Svelte 5, SvelteKit 2.0, and comprehensive icon system.
San Diego Foraging Pokedex
N/A
Present - 2025
This interactive web application serves as a Pokedex-inspired guide to indigenous forageable foods found in the San Diego area. It features detailed plant entries including descriptions, identification tips, traditional Native American uses, key stats like availability and season. Built with JS, HTML, and CSS.
Pleiades Peripheral Vision Simulation
N/A
Present - 2025
Web simulation visualizing the Pleiades star cluster and the peripheral vision effect. Demonstrates how faint objects can appear clearer in peripheral vision using interactive mouse/touch input. Includes original background music composition. Built with JS, HTML, and CSS.