Team Members

Melissa Mesinas received her Ph.D. in the Developmental and Psychological Sciences program in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. Her research interests center at the intersection of education and psychology for Latinxs, including identity formation, learning in community contexts, cultural practices, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Her work appears in the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. She is a visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Scripps College and a New Gen Learning Post-doctoral researcher at UCSC.

Dr. Sarait Martinez-Ortega has over 10 years of experience as a community organizer with Indigenous Latinx and immigrant-origin communities. Her research centers on indigenous youth and how non-traditional spaces, inside and outside school, shape their engagement, self-determination, and identity formation. She is also trained in participatory action research (PAR) methods. Sarait has a Master’s in Public Administration for Fresno State University and an Ed.D. from San Francisco State University.

Valeria (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student in Social Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research interests focus on cultural and familial values among Latinx, first-generation and undocumented students, and their educational experiences. Outside of the lab, she has served as a graduate researcher for Cultivamos Excelencia, an HSI Initiative focused on community college student outreach and developing a transfer receptive culture at UC Santa Cruz. She is also a steering committee member for the Coalition for Undocumented Scholars and Professionals in Psychology. Valeria enjoys hiking, surfing, running, visiting new places, and reading and watching rom-coms.

Gloriana Lopez-Leon is a Ph.D. candidate in Social Psychology working under the supervision of Dr. Saskias Casanova. Her research looks at the way social media platforms offer unique opportunities for multiply marginalized youth and young adults to access or build learning communities where they can co-construct social realities that challenge stereotypical and dehumanizing narratives about their social groups and promote their social identity development. Gloriana’s work uses a multidisciplinary approach bringing together developmental psychology, social psychology, Latina feminist psychology (Hurtado, 2018), Intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1991; Collins 1989), Latina/o./x Critical theory (Sólorzano  & Yosso, 2001, Perez-Huber, 2009), and Borderland theory (Anzaldúa, 1987) to understand intersectional forms of discrimination (gendered heterosexism, gendered colorism, & racist heterosexism) , with the goal of deconstructing social structures responsible for the inequalities experienced by Latinx, LGBTQ+, and Latinx LGBTQ+ people.  

Betsy (they/them) is a doctoral student in Social Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Prior to UCSC, Betsy received an M.A. in Psychology at San Francisco State University (SFSU) along with a graduate certificate in Ethnic Studies. Their thesis focused on how stereotype threat impacted Latine/x groups. Their current research interests revolve around Latine/x youth, educational outcomes, psychological well-being, and overall health. Additionally, they aim to integrate intersectionality, strength-based approaches, liberation psychology, and youth participatory action research (yPAR) into their work in order to address the detrimental consequences of ongoing oppressive systems on marginalized populations. 

Mario A. Gómez-Zamora is first-gen and an English learner. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with concentration in History from Normal Superior Juana de Asbaje, and a master’s degree in Education of History from Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Currently, he is a Ph.D. student in Latin American and Latinx Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His research interests include Local History, Oral Tradition, Memory, Alternative Teaching History, and Transnational P’urhépecha Culture. His current work examines Indigenous Gender and Sexualities and LGBTQ+ identities among the Indigenous P’urhépecha community in Michoacán and the United States.

Ben is a fourth year undergrad student studying Psychology and Biology. He hopes to do work in activism and social justice. He is aspiring to obtain a PsyD in Clinical Psychology, specifically Forensic Psychology, so he can combine his skills in science and social activism. Research is important to him because he knows science has the power to help liberate people. You can probably catch him tabling for UCSC’s Student Health Outreach and Promotion programs, peer-educating and promoting Harm Reduction!

Blandina Mendez is a second year undergraduate student majoring in intensive psychology. She is a first generation Oaxaquña.  Her primary focus is psychology's social and developmental aspects, especially mental health within marginalized communities. She hopes that by joining the Migration, Identity, and Education Lab, she will be able to gain experience and knowledge. In addition, she enjoys watching movies, going on adventures, and hanging out with friends in her free time.

Itzel Arias is a third-year transfer student majoring in Intensive Psychology. She joined the Migration, Identity, and Education Lab in the fall of 2023 to gain exposure and experience in the research world. Her research interests are at the intersection of human behavior and law, social interactions, and intersectionality. Upon graduation, Itzel would like to pursue graduate school and obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Forensic Psychology. Her interests outside the lab include journaling, reading poetry, visiting new cafes, shopping, and binge-watching TikTok.

Andrea Guzman (She/Her) is a third-year undergraduate pursuing an Intensive Psychology Major and Theater Arts Minor. She joined the Migration, Identity, and Education Lab in Fall 2023 and is interested in researching the intersections between Identity, Psychological Development, and Education. Andrea hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a Masters in Clinical Psychology and to continue participating in diverse research. Outside of the lab, Andrea enjoys doing her nails, her makeup, going shopping, and hanging out with her friends! 

Genesis Gutierrez (she/her) is a fourth year undergraduate pursuing an Intensive Psychology Major and Education Double Major. She joined the Migration, Identity, and Education Lab in Fall 2023 and is interested in researching the intersections between Identity, Psychological Development, and Education. Gen hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a Phd in Clinical Psychology and to continue participating in diverse research or practice criminal psychology.  Outside of the lab, Gen enjoys going to concerts and reading, she also love to bike ride!

Diana Hernandez is a Latina first-generation college student/student-parent completing her fourth year of undergraduate studies with a major in both Psychology and Literature, and a minor in Latin American and Latino Studies after transferring from Hartnell College in Salinas, CA in Spring of 2022. Diana joined MIEL in the Fall of 2023. She plans on moving on to graduate school and obtaining her MA in Education, as well her PhD in Psychology. Diana’s research and personal/career interests are in working with refugee/migrant communities as an educator and also as a counselor, and also has an interest in research related to human rights. In her free time Diana spends time with her loved ones, enjoys being outdoors, and kicking her feet up with a good book.

Tatiana Boza is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in general psychology. She plans on going to graduate school to pursue a degree in psychology and therapy. Tatiana joined the MIEL lab in 2022. She wanted to gain research experience and was very interested in the  LGBTQ Campus/ Digital Spaces lab, which she is currently participating in.

Imaan Yusuf is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Intensive Psychology.  She joined the MIEL lab in the Summer of 2024. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about hands-on work that makes a difference, particularly in the lives of young children. With experience volunteering in elementary schools to support children's reading skills, she aims to pursue a career in teaching or a related field where she can continue to help others. She is eager to learn how to best nurture the strengths of immigrant-origin students and students of color. She also takes an interest in learning how religion intersects with psychology. Outside academics, she enjoys trying different cuisines, stargazing, and spending quality time with friends.