Dr. Yolanda Vasquez-SalgadoPrincipal Investigator
I grew up in Oxnard, California, and I am proud to be a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico. I believe that my background and experiences continue to serve as a strength in my research inquiries of which I am very passionate. My program of research centers on investigating the role of sociocultural forces (i.e., sociodemographic, cultural mismatch) in historically marginalized students’ health and academic adjustment during the transition to college, with an emphasis on the Latinx population. I received my Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, with a minor in Culture, Brain and Development, from the University of California, Los Angeles. I am also a proud graduate of the Bachelors and Masters Programs in Psychology at California State University, Northridge.
|
MEET THE LAB MEMBERS
Yoselin De Leon-LazoLab Manager
Hello, my name is Yoselin! I received my BA in Childhood and Adolescent Development and Central American and Transborder Studies with minors in Family Studies and Psychology from CSUN. I am passionate about furthering my education through a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with which I aim to uncover empirically informed cultural adaptations that can assist clinicians in delivering support to historically marginalized communities. Outside of academia, I enjoy reading, hiking, and spending time with family!
|
Angel E. MoralesCo-Project Manager
I am currently an undergraduate junior at CSUN majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. After earning my Bachelor’s degree I plan to further my studies in psychology by pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical or Developmental Psychology. I aim to conduct my own research where I can focus on the disparities of local communities, and observe how that intersects with the development of psychological disorders. With the knowledge that I acquire, I plan to help break the stigma of mental health and develop interventions that are effective for people of different backgrounds. Outside of school I love to hike, bake, play guitar, and explore the city.
|
Christy RodriguezCo-Project Manager
Hello, I'm Christy! I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at CSUN double majoring in Biology and Psychology, my two all-time favorite subjects. With my passion for lifelong learning, supporting others, and giving back to my community, I plan to pursue a career within the medical field where I will advocate for the underrepresented populations in the healthcare system. My passion is fueled by my lived experiences and extracurricular involvements within and outside our campus community. I look forward to learning new skills and furthering my knowledge in both Psychology and research through the CHD Lab. Additionally, I like to spend my leisure time by playing piano, crocheting, and exploring new places!
|
Gabrielle HalimGraduate Research Assistant
I am a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program. I graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology in 2021. My senior thesis under Dr. Patricia Greenfield explored the impact of COVID-19 on sociocultural changes in Indonesia. In addition to cultural research, I have extensive experience working with youth diagnosed with ASD and ADHD in the United States and Indonesia. I plan on pursuing a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in developing culturally-sensitive interventions for ethnic minority youth with mood and anxiety disorders.
|
Kevin LandaverdeUndergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate psychology student who recently transferred from East Los Angeles College. My educational and career goals are to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and to broaden the scientific community's understanding of this sub-field in psychology. In addition, I plan to become a licensed clinical psychologist to help individuals in my community with their mental health and aid them in living holistically fulfilling lives. I also intend to give back to my community by mentoring university students on achieving their academic goals and aspirations. In my free time, I enjoy binge-watching tv shows, going out with friends, and trying new activities.
|
Angelo GhatasUndergraduate Research Assistant
I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt and moved to the United States at the age of 10 in search of a better life and better education. I now reside in the San Fernando Valley where I am an undergraduate student at CSUN majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. After earning my Bachelor’s degree I plan to further cultivate my passion for psychology and research by pursuing higher education in the field of Cognitive Psychology. In my free time I enjoy playing basketball, working out, playing video games, and hanging out with friends.
|
Tiffany AvilesUndergraduate Research Assistant
I am a first-generation college student with parents of Guatemalan and Salvadoran descent. After transferring from Pasadena City College, I am continuing my higher education path as an undergraduate student at CSUN, majoring in Psychology. After obtaining my Bachelors, I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. in Developmental or Social Psychology. My career goal will center around research to advance equity in mental health, particularly in underserved communities. In my free time, I like to go to the gym, hang out with my friends and family, and go to museums!
|
Karen TicasUndergraduate Research Assistant
I am an Undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child and Adolescent Development. I hope to finally leave the San Fernando Valley to go to graduate school in a different country to conduct research abroad. I plan on focusing on underrepresented communities while being an advocate for them by aiding and creating resources that are crucial to community growth. I consistently look for ways to expand my knowledge of the world around me so that I can apply that knowledge to myself, personally, and use it to motivate and educate others. In my free time, I like to watch movies, try new restaurants, and go to the beach!
|
Evelyn ArrietaGraduate Research Assistant
I received my BA in Psychology, with a minor in Chicana/o Studies from the University of California Los Angeles. Being born and raised in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, I am a proponent of diversity science and am interested in studying ways social identity, interactions, and experiences influence the outcomes of underrepresented people. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Social Psychology to examine social and psychological barriers; I hope to continue research and expand my knowledge in psychology. Outside of academia, I enjoy getting together with friends to discover amazing food spots around the city!
|
Katelan GalvanPost-Baccalaureate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. I aspire to pursue a master’s in Clinical Psychology and a doctoral degree in Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. I am interested in conducting research in the field of Neuropsychology. I aim to be an advocate for my community and further explore the relationship between our brain and behaviors. In my free time, I enjoy reading, camping, and spending time with my friends.
|
Kayla SpruillPost-Baccalaureate Research Assistant
Greetings, everyone! I am a distinguished alumna of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. My passion for statistics and diversified research has fueled my goal of conducting conference presentations, publishing articles, and delivering TED talks. With aspirations of pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D. in neurology, I aim to deepen my contributions to groundbreaking scientific research, prioritizing transparency in sharing healthcare knowledge with minorities, ultimately striving to establish my own practice that caters to underserved populations. In my leisure time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, delving into holistic healthcare research, cooking, and hiking along the coast.
|
Roberto ReyesUndergraduate Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Roberto, but most friends call me Bobby! I am an undergraduate student majoring in psychology. I plan to continue my education after my bachelor’s degree to earn my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. My goal is to help destigmatize mental health, especially in the Latino/Hispanic community, and to make mental health care more easily accessible to anyone who might require it. I enjoy being outside, spending time with my loved ones, and biking!
|
Genesis MazariegosUndergraduate Research Assistant
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I am the youngest daughter of two Guatemalan migrants and am currently an undergraduate junior here at CSUN. I am double majoring in Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development, Applied Developmental Science. My career interests are going into the field of counseling & education. Outside of my academic interests, I like to watch sunsets, and visit new places.
|
Fernanda BobadillaUndergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate senior at CSUN majoring in Psychology. I was born in the United States but raised in Guatemala, and came back here when I was 15 years old. Currently, I work in the recreation services area in the City of West Hollywood. I love learning more about different fields that greatly interest me, and research is one of those areas. I believe that working as a Research Assistant in the CHD Lab will allow me to combine my passion for learning with my desire to make an impact on society, as well as contributing to the advancement of my knowledge in various fields. During my free-time, I enjoy going horseback riding, listening to music, and going out to eat with family and friends.
|
Isabela FrancoUndergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Isabela and I am currently an undergraduate student majoring in psychology with
aspirations of pursuing graduate studies in a different state. My decision to delve into psychology stems from a profound desire to contribute to the well-being of others. I'm enthusiastic about utilizing psychology to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities alike. In my free time, I find inspiration in immersing myself in literature and cherishing meaningful moments with loved ones. |
Christian MaldonadoUndergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate junior studying Psychology at CSUN. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley, where I discovered the genuine desire to help others. My academic interests lie in the area of education, cognitive psychology, and healthcare. I plan to advance my education in the field of Counseling & Education to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to effectively inspire self-compassion and growth throughout our community. Through my involvement in CHD Lab, I aim to explore the research dynamics between these fields and their potential for gaining a deeper insight on human cognition and well-being. Outside of my academic career, I like to spend my time exploring new foods, playing video games, and reading fantasy novel series!
|
Mariah ElledgeUndergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child and Adolescent Development. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I plan on pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. My goal is to become a child and adolescent psychologist and provide accessible and affordable services to underserved communities. In my free time, I enjoy watching tv shows, learning new recipes and listening to audiobooks.
|
This Could Be You!Undergraduate/
Post-Baccalaureate/ Graduate Research Assistant Apply today to the Culture, Health and Development Lab!
|