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 Trinity Bañuelos, and I am a first-generation master’s student in the General and Experimental Psychology program at California State University, Fresno. I graduated from Edison High School in Fresno, CA, in 2020. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Fresno State, where I first became involved in research focused on Latinx and immigrant families, inspired by my own ethnic identity and lived experiences. 

Since my undergraduate years, I have worked in the IFACES Lab, where I discovered my passion for studying the experiences of Latinx college students. My thesis examines impostor syndrome, cultural congruity, the university environment, and mentorship among first-generation Latinx college students, with the goal of better understanding and supporting these students. Outside of academia, I enjoy watching anime (One Piece and Vinland Saga are my favs!), cooking, being outdoors, and traveling. 

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.

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.