My name is Trinity Bañuelos. I am a first-generation master's student in the General and Experimental psychology program at California State University, Fresno. I began my education by earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at California State University, Fresno. I have been working in the IFACES lab since my undergraduate studies, where I found my passion for researching Latinx college students. My thesis focuses on imposter syndrome and family achievement guilt within Latinx college students. During my free time I enjoy cooking all sorts of cuisines and traveling. 

I am a first-generation college student and graduate student in the General/Experimental Psychology Master's Program at California State University, Fresno. I obtained my associate's degree in Business Administration and Psychology at Reedley Community College and my bachelor's in Psychology at California State University, Fresno. My past research focused on acculturation, bilingualism, risk-taking, memory/lexical retrieval, and anxiety. I aim to contribute to the growing research on Latinx populations. Additionally, I plan to continue my education in a PhD Clinical Psychology program and conduct research in a clinic and in an academic setting. In the future, I would like to expand my research on other minority groups and develop measures for different cultural and language groups. I also work on campus as a student ambassador for Outreach and Special Programs. I encourage K-8 students to pursue higher education after high school. In my free time, I love to spend time with my family and cleaning/organizing.

My name is Katelyn Garcia and I am a first-generation college student. I am currently a Master's student in the General and Experimental Psychology program at Fresno State. My research experience began during my undergrad here at Fresno State. While working on my Bachelor's in Psychology, I completed my undergraduate honor's thesis on the effects of media on mental health stigma in Mexican heritage college students.

I have a passion for research focusing on under-represented communities and my specific research interests pertain to psychiatric disorders, neuropsychology, and substances. I am currently completing my master's thesis on the effects of Caffeine on Anxiety and enjoy participating in different research labs to explore other areas of research. After completing my Masters I aim to continue on to a PhD in Clinical Psychology. 

My name is Ellie Johnson-Venegas, and I began my journey as a Fresno State

General/Experimental Psychology graduate student in August 2024. My research interests

largely revolve around racial trauma - the intergenerational transmission of trauma in BIPOC

(Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, due to the pervasive impact of

colonization, as well as the way that experiences of race-based trauma manifest on micro and

macro levels. This interest was inspired by my family’s history of being Black in America, as well

as my husband’s Chicano heritage and our navigation of raising a Black, Indigenous, and Latina

daughter. With my research, I hope to improve the identification and treatment of race-based

trauma on individual, familial, community, and structural levels. Upon completing my graduate

degree, I would like to pursue a doctoral degree in developmental psychology and use my

research experience to continue furthering the literature and understanding of race-based

trauma in practical and applicable ways.

Outside of my coursework and research, I am passionate about community outreach to increase

the representation of BIPOC in academia by inspiring youth to pursue their dreams, despite any

obstacles or adversities they may face. To change the system, we must be part of the system! In

the free time I have, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter, reading, playing

video games, and attending live music and stand-up comedy events.

Hello! My name is Analisa Padilla, and I am a proud Mexican-American psychology graduate student. I transferred from Fresno City College with an associate's degree in psychology in 2021 and completed my bachelor's degree in the same field in May 2023 at Fresno State. I am pursuing my master's in the General/Experimental psychology program, and then I plan on applying to a Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Science! 

My undergraduate research focused on perceptions of traditional gender roles, self-esteem, bicultural self-efficacy, and well-being amongst Latinx college students. My current research interests are substance use and risky behaviors, family communication, and problem behaviors among adolescents in the Latinx community. 

I am deeply passionate about research psychology, particularly when it comes to historically marginalized groups. I am thrilled to be able to further hone my skills and develop my identity in the research community, with the goal of working within research academia in the CSU system.

I am a first-generation graduate student at California State University of Fresno, working on a master's in general/experimental psychology. Currently, I hold a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies that I earned in May of 2023. My experience working for school districts with predominantly Latino students has motivated me to pursue research with Dr. Toro. I am passionate about ethnic identity among adolescents and will be exploring this topic throughout my graduate experience.

My name is Angela Quiroz-Cruz. I was born and grew up in Mexico for a part of my childhood. My academic journey began at Fresno City College. Soon after I transferred to the University of California, Merced where I graduated with High Honors with a B.A. in Psychology in May 2024.

My undergraduate research experience has varied in developmental and health. I am currently a graduate student in the M.A. General/Experimental Psychology program at Fresno State, with my current interests being in marginalized groups and adolescent risky and problem behavior. Additionally, I work as a teacher associate for an undergraduate research methods class.

Research is a passionate focus of my interests and goals. I plan to continue my research and education by applying to a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology to focus my work on the intertwining of the legal system and influencing factors of behavior in marginalized populations.

I am a first-generation college student and a Master’s candidate in the General/Experimental Psychology Program at Fresno State. My academic journey began at College of the Sequoias (COS), where I earned my associate's degree in Sociology and Psychology. I then transferred to UCLA, where I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Currently, I conduct research in the IFACES lab, focusing on the unique experiences of Latinx college students navigating higher education. My thesis explores the effects of local county book censorship on the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to my research, I serve as a statistics consultant and a teaching associate for research methods.

Upon completing my Master’s degree, I aim to pursue a PhD in Social Psychology and plan to further explore the intersection of social behavior and data analytics. Post-graduation, I also intend to enter the data analytics field, where I can apply my skills in both research and data-driven decision-making.

Hello, I am Monica Aviles-Mercado, a first-generation, queer, Mexican-American undergraduate majoring in Psychology with a minor in LGBTQ+ Studies. I earned my Associate's degree in Psychology from College of the Sequoias (2023) and am pursuing my B.A. (set to graduate in Spring 2025).

As a McNair Scholar and honors student in Psychology and Social Sciences, I research Latinx first-generation college students' experiences in higher education and LGBTQ+ students' experiences in STEM. I also mentor first-year STEM students through the Mentorship Alliance for Student Success (MASS).

My goal is to pursue an M.A. and Ph.D. in developmental or educational psychology, focusing on the social, cultural, and systemic factors that influence marginalized adolescents, families, and communities in education. I am dedicated to creating evidence-based interventions that promote inclusivity and equity in educational systems.

See my updated CV here  

My name is Simranjeet Sekhon! I am a first generation undergraduate student of Punjabi descent, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and a member of the Psi Chi Honors Society. Currently, I am set to obtain my dual bachelor's degree in Psychology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from California State University, Fresno in Spring 2025. Afterwards, I plan to pursue a master's and Ph.D. in Gender and Feminist Psychology, as my research focus lies within immigration patterns, diasporic community building, ethnic and gender identity, cultural expectations, and aspirations. I am also passionate about developing a global perspective through studying abroad to promote transnational understanding.