The ONWARD Lab is a group of researchers, mainly undergraduates, at Chapman University who are passionate about gender, sexuality, relationships, and equity. The goal of the lab is to use science to address social issues with the hope of moving up and onward.
Amy C. Moors
Principal Investigator
Dr. Amy C. Moors is the Principal Investigator of the ONWARD lab and is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Faculty Affiliate in Engineering at Chapman University. She also serves as a Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and co-chair of the APA Division 44 Committee on Consensual Non-monogamy. Amy’s research focuses on gender, sexuality, relationships (especially consensually non-monogamous relationships), and inclusion in higher education. In her free time, Amy enjoys scavenger hunts, adventures, and making people smile.
Ashley Ramos
Lab Manager
Ashley Ramos is the ONWARD lab manager and is currently a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Chapman University. Her research and clinical interests include kink/BDSM, diverse intimate relationships, and LGBTQ+ experiences. After graduating, Ashley plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and, later, become AASECT-certified in Sex Therapy. In her free time, Ashley enjoys watching scary movies, completing puzzles, and eating French fries.
Undergraduates at Chapman
Emily Foster
Emily Foster is a junior Psychology and Sociology double major. Emily is interested in studying many topics, such as social justice, sexuality, health, and well-being. After graduating, she hopes to continue her education in psychology and go to graduate school. She hopes to help people improve their quality of life and promote inclusion for all. In her free time, she enjoys baking, photography, and exploring new places with her friends.
Kaylie Posen
Kaylie Posen is a senior Psychology major with a Minor in leadership studies. Kaylie is currently studying various aspects of sexual satisfaction regarding the female orgasm for her thesis project. Kaylie is interested in multiple facets of psychology including: human sexuality, children & trauma, and personality. After graduating, Kaylie intends on pursuing a Master of Arts in counseling and eventually opening up a private practice. In her free time, Kaylie enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, and petting dogs.
Manya Dhupar
Manya Dhupar is a Junior Psychology and Theatre Performance double major. Manya is interested in Developmental Psychology and Human Sexuality. Her topics of interest are attachment styles, monogamy and polygamy in relationships, attraction patterns, and child social and cognitive development. After graduating, Manya plans to get a master’s and PhD degree in Developmental Psychology, and hopes to become a therapist that can make a long-lasting positive impact on children’s development and lives. Her hobbies include making really terrible (but kind of funny) jokes, cooking, eating, working out, and spending as much time with people as she possibly can.
Sara Henry
Sara Henry is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Law, Justice, and Social Control. Sara is currently studying the orgasm gap in heterosexual, LGBTQIA+, kink, and consensual non-monogamous groups for her thesis project. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to focus on sexuality research and becoming an inclusive therapist for all backgrounds and identities. She also enjoys volunteering at the Crisis Text Line, watching reality TV, and finding the best breakfast spots.
Presenting Research
Information for Students
Are you interested in being a research assistant in the ONWARD Lab? Amy is always looking for students who are passionate about research and social justice issues. Students at Chapman can enroll in course credit. Lab members typically work 8-10 hours per week, depending on credits enrolled. Typically, 1-2 research assistant positions are available each year.
To apply, please complete a lab application and email it to Amy (moors@chapman.edu).
The Psychology Department at Chapman is focused on undergraduate education and does not offer a graduate program. Amy works with graduate students in the Marriage and Therapy Program at Chapman as well as at other institutions. If you’re a graduate student at Chapman or elsewhere, feel free to send Amy an email about the possibility of collaborating.
Team Building
Collaborators & Friends of the Lab
