Student Spotlight: Sebastian Abril

Sebastian Abril is a senior double-majoring in psychology and information technology through Florida State University’s Department of Psychology, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Information in FSU’s College of Communication and Information. Abril spent last summer in Cusco, Peru, interning at a mental health clinic to better understand the connection between lifestyle and mental health. There, he cared for patients with mental health challenges, including drug abuse, depression and schizophrenia. Abril also worked as a directed individual study lab assistant at the Florida Center for Reading Research last spring, studying how genetics and environment influence children's math and reading development.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I come from a passionate Colombian family that migrated to America in 1999, so my father could pursue a medical degree in neonatology. I grew up in South Florida with a large Hispanic population that allowed me to embrace my cultural roots.

I wanted to attend FSU to follow in the inspirational footsteps of my older sister. I was interested in the psychology program and was particularly drawn to the beauty of the campus.

What inspired you to double-major in psychology and IT?

I was always fascinated by what makes people unique, as I was a unique kid and was driven to understand my own brain. My grandpa is another inspiration. He loved to tell stories about ancient history and civilization and instilled in me a natural curiosity. I began to appreciate the development of science and technology that I once took for granted. The more I learn about the systems that drive and optimize our society, the deeper my admiration grows for both psychology and IT.

Tell us about your fieldwork interning at a mental health clinic in Peru.

This past summer, I interned at the Centro de Salud San Antonio, a mental health clinic in Cusco. I worked in support of Proyecto Peru, a local organization dedicated to bringing international aid to the city. Starting my days at 6:45 a.m., I assisted with patient care, documented patient progress alongside the head psychologist, and organized group activities to support patients’ well-being. I also shadowed doctors and nurses to observe daily operations. I formed genuine connections with patients, which broadened my perspective on global communities and provided insights on how differences in identity can shape experiences.

My internship was through FSU’s Global Scholars, a program in which I spent my summer developing a capstone project focused on a community-based interest: the culture of substance use in Latin America and how class, inequality, cultural norms, and mental health contribute to the issue of alcoholism.

What do you want the public to know about the importance of your research?

It’s important to recognize that as the world becomes increasingly connected, it’s crucial for us to collaborate beyond our specific communities. It’s essential to set aside ideological differences and come together to address issues that, when solved, could improve the lives of people from many backgrounds. Approaching research from different lenses, as I had the opportunity to do, allows effective initiative design to target societal problems from multiple angles.

What’s something people don’t know about studying disciplines in psychology and IT?

People tend to view psychology as a clinical field of therapy, but they often overlook how it’s integrated into so many areas of life like education, healthcare, business and technology. IT focuses on how people interact with these devices to help society become more interconnected and optimized.

What aspect of your studies do you find most rewarding?

Developing projects alongside students and staff is very rewarding. There’s fascinating research happening at FSU, so it’s great to see how it can be applied to the real world and improve communities.

It’s also satisfying to progress through my educational career as my psychology and technical skills and curiosity grow each semester. Education not only strengthens your discipline; it also offers a valuable opportunity to explore life.

What on-campus resources have helped you achieve success?

The FSU Honors Program has significantly impacted me. The program’s signature courses have been some of my most thought-provoking experiences. The Global Scholars program is also an incredible resource that provides extensive career support. The staff not only supports students but is also committed to providing aid to international communities in need.

What are some current goals or projects you’re working toward?

I’m finishing my capstone project on my summer internship, which I’ll present at the 2025 Global Scholars Showcase.

I’m also working with the Contextual and Automatic Influences on Relationships Lab, led by professor of psychology Jim McNulty, focusing on social relationships through experimental techniques like artificial intelligence and facial recognition. With access to the lab’s datasets, I plan to launch my own individual research project examining the influence of large language model chatbots such as ChatGPT on mental health and self-identity.

Are there any faculty or staff who have inspired you?

Michael Irias is a psychology graduate student who I work with on several research projects, including the development of an AI chatbot that can identify psychological disorders through conversation and the study of factors that influence romantic relationships. It’s motivating to see how much of the lab’s work is facilitated by his innovation, especially since we share an interest in incorporating programming and code into psychological research.

I’m also inspired by Cary Wall, associate director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, who manages global research programming and the Global Scholars program in particular. She’s committed to helping students pursue their career and research interests while supporting communities abroad.

Following graduation, what are your plans? Even though you might miss FSU, what are you looking forward to post-graduation?

I plan on continuing my education through a psychology graduate program. I want to explore how we can navigate our future relationship with technology while focusing on developing ethical frameworks. I’m looking forward to new opportunities my degree will provide and the chance to apply knowledge I’ve gained toward advancing society.