Niva Manchanda

Graduate Student

Contact Info

Education —

M.A. in Social Psychology, University of Kansas, 2025

B.S. in Psychology (Hons.), University of California, Riverside, 2021, California
Honors

Research —

Advisor: Dr. Omri Gillath
Research Lab: Gillath Relationships Lab

I’m currently a fourth-year PhD student in the Social program, focused on studying ambivalence—simultaneous experience of both positive and negative feelings towards a romantic partner—and its effects on relationship outcomes, particularly commitment and decision-making around breakups. I am also beginning to branch into studying AIs impact on close relationship behaviors.

Selected Presentations —

Manchanda, N., & Gillath, O. (2025, February). Implicit Ambivalence and its impact on Romantic Relationship Outcomes. Poster presented at the 2025 SPSP Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Mattias, B., Manchanda, N., & Gillath, O. (2025, April). Insecure Attachment and Ideal Self Concept Malleability. Poster presented at the Poster presented at the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Lawrence, KS.

Service —

The Big Event KU (Apr. 2025)
• Volunteered to provide a helping hand to Lawrence residents by completing projects in neighborhoods

Admission Application Review committee member (Dec. 2024 – Jan. 2025)
• Sent out application materials and addressed student emails
• Reviewed application for providing funding accordingly

Brehm Application Review committee member (Mar.-Apr. 2023; Mar.-Apr. 2024)
• Sent out application materials and addressed student emails
• Reviewed applications for providing funding accordingly

Memberships —

The National Academic Honor Society of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), 2021-present