Lab Members

Dr. Yolanda Vasquez-Salgado

Principal 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-Lazo

Lab Manager

I was born in Los Angeles, CA to Salvadoran and Guatemalan migrants and am now in my fifth year at CSUN where I am double majoring in Early Childhood and Adolescent Development and Central American and Transborder Studies. Upon graduating, I plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. My career aspirations are centered around providing mental health services to unaccompanied minors and children experiencing trauma as a result of migration. I also hope to one day publish my very own book on the effects of migration on mental health. In my free time, I enjoy going on "chai crawls" in which I visit different coffee shops and try their iced chai!

Angel E. Morales

Co-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 Rodriguez

Co-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!

Evelyn Arrieta

Post-Baccalaureate 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 while taking a dominant and subordinate group perspective; 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!

Angelo Ghatas

Undergraduate 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.

Kevin Landaverde

Undergraduate 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.

Tiffany Aviles

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Genesis Mazariegos

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Kayla Spruill

Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Katelan Galvan

Undergraduate 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.

Karen Ticas

Undergraduate 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!

Roberto Reyes

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Fernanda Bobadilla

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Isabela Franco

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Nawshin Sabah

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Mariah Elledge

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Christian Maldonado

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Gloria Vignali

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Bio coming soon!

This could be you!

Graduate Research Assistant

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Gabrielle Halim

Graduate 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.

This could be you!

Undergraduate Research Assistant

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