Alexa Samaniego

I am a doctoral researcher at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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I study how we judge performances & performers, and I use that research to help speakers give amazing presentations!

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I broadly study how behaviors like rehearsal and repetition can affect the way audiences perceive authenticity, effort, and performance quality.

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As a former theatre kid, I get really excited about exploring the relationship between "performers" and "audiences" - both onstage and in less formal (even conversational) settings - and ways we can effectively influence how others perceive us.

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I received my BS in Business Psychology from UC San Diego and my MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from San Diego State University. 

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​Outside of the lab, I do one-on-one presentation coaching at Stanford and direct the speaker selection & training process for TEDxStanford.

 

I also enjoy portrait photography and making short horror films.