Alicia Escobedo 

Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2024

BA in Psychology, University of San Francisco, 2016

Email: aescobedo4259@sdsu.edu

Alicia Escobedo is a current doctoral student at San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego in Language and Communicative Disorders. Her research focuses on typical and atypical bilingual language development. Alicia's dissertation work focuses on developing a measure of Spanish grammatical productivity for assessing the emerging skills of Spanish-English bilingual children. She aims to reduce health and educational disparities through empowerment of culturally and linguistically diverse children, their caregivers, and students of diverse backgrounds. 

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Sonja Pruitt-Lord / San Diego State University 

Research Interests:

Bilingualism; Language Development; Language Disorders; Morphosyntax; Language Sampling 

Dissertation:

Spanish Grammatical Productivity in the Assessment of Spanish-English Bilingual Children

Debra Law, PhD, RN

PhD Department of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, 2022

MS in Nursing, San Jose State University, 2012

BS in Nursing, San Jose State University, 1991

Email: debra.law@sjsu.edu

Dr. Law teaches clinical practica for undergraduate nursing students. Her research area of interest is African Americans and organ donation.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Deepika Goyal / San José State University

Research Interests:

Race and Ethnicity; African Americans; Organ Donation; Qualitative Methodology

Dissertation:

Experiences  of African Americans Who Have Been Asked to Donate Organs of a Deceased Loved One

Esmeralda Castro

Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, University of Oregon, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2024

MS in Kinesiology - Exercise Science, California State University, Long Beach, 2019

BS in Kinesiology - Exercise Science, California State University, Long Beach, 2017

Email: ecastro@uoregon.edu

Esmeralda Castro is a doctoral candidate in the University of Oregon's Prevention Science program. She graduated from CSU Long Beach with a Master (2019) and Bachelor (2017) of Science in Kinesiology - Exercise Science. She has experience teaching kinesiology and counseling psychology courses (i.e., KIN 301: Exercise Physiology, CPSY 217: Foundations of Student Health and Well-being) and guest lectures (i.e., KIN 465/565: Clinical Exercise Electrocardiography, KIN 412: Fitness and Wellness Coaching). She continuously participates in professional development to improve her teaching, increase classroom engagement, and create an inclusive environment for all students (e.g., universal design learning and engagement). Her research focuses on physical activity promotion and chronic disease prevention in traditionally underrepresented communities (e.g., Hispanic/Latinos). She is an active member of APHA's Physical Activity section and ACSM's Pregnancy and Postpartum special interest group.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Kellie Walters / California State University, Long Beach

Research Interests:

Physical Activity Promotion; Chronic Disease Prevention; Community-Based Research; Body Image and Health; Health Equity; Quantitative Methodology

Dissertation:

Associations among Nature Exposure, Body Appreciation, and Physical Activity among Adolescents

J. Abigail Saavedra

School of Social and Family Dynamics, Family and Human Development Program, Arizona State University, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2024

MS in Clinical Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, 2020

BS in Psychology (Biology Emphasis) and Human Development, University of California, Davis, 2016

Email: abbysaavedra@asu.edu

Abby Saavedra (she/her) is a Family and Human Development PhD student at Arizona State University. She uses mixed methods to research how critical consciousness development, racial identity development, and racial socialization occur in families and critical education spaces. She also studies how these contexts and developmental processes influence mental health and contribute to antiracist social transformation via radical healing and activism.

Abby’s dissertation uses mixed methods to examine the psychological experiences of Asian American students enrolled in Ethnic Studies courses. She previously taught courses on Family Diversity and Applied Research Methods and provided essential support to undergraduate and graduate classes on statistics and marriage and family relationships.

Abby’s scholarly praxis is rooted in her identity as a second-generation Filipina American and student and community organizing experiences with Filipinx Americans and students of color.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Angela MinhTu Nguyen / California State University, Fullerton

Research Interests:

Critical Consciousness; Sociopolitical Development; Racial Socialization; Racial Identity; Ethnic Studies Education; Asian American Psychology

Dissertation:

Sociopolitical Development and Radical Healing Among Asian American Students Enrolled in Ethnic Studies Courses

Jannah Fusenig

Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2025

BA in Psychology, California State University, Chico, 2018

Email: jfusenig@umd.edu

Jannah graduated from California State University, Chico in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She is now a fifth year doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her current research focuses on multimedia learning, or the effects of visuals on reading comprehension. More specifically, Jannah investigates the influence of visuals on one’s ability to comprehend and remember a written text. Further, her research explores how modality–reading in digital versus print formats–affects learning. Throughout her studies, Jannah has independently taught numerous courses centered on learning theories, instructional design, motivation, human development, and gerontology. She is expected to complete her doctoral degree in May of 2025. Following graduation, Jannah intends to continue her line of research and pedagogical development by pursuing a career in the professoriate.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Neil Schwartz / California State University, Chico

Research Interests:

Multimedia Learning; Reading Comprehension; Instructional Design

Dissertation:

Exploring the Effects of the Multimedia Principles of Learning in Various Digital Environments

Kimberly Sánchez

Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2024

MPH in Community Health Education, California State University, Long Beach, 2019

BA Public Health, BA Psychology, and BA Spanish, University of California, Merced, 2017

Email: ksanchez24@ucmerced.edu

Kimberly Sánchez, PhD (c), MSPH, MPH, received a Master’s in Public Health, emphasis in Community Health Education from California State University,Long Beach. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Public Health at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced). Her research focuses on addressing nutritional health disparities impacted at the personal, interpersonal, and policy levels. Her specific interests include diet quality, food insecurity, and obesity prevention among Latinos in the U.S. She has teaching assistant (TA) experience with upper-division undergraduate courses. Kimberly has TA’d for six courses focused on Public Health Research, Health Promotion, Latino and Immigrant Health, Health Communications, and Health and the Media. She has also co-led two discussion classes on Migration and Health. Kimberly aims to work as a tenure-track faculty member at a CSU to empower the next generation of public health professionals and researchers.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Melawhy García / California State University, Long Beach

Research Interests:

Food Insecurity; Nutrition; Obesity; Health Communications; Health Policy; Latino and Immigrant Populations

Dissertation:

Examining strategies that promote a healthy diet quality among Mexican-origin populations in the United States

Marya Wright, DSW (c) MSW

Department of Social Work, University of Southern California, DSW Candidate (ABC or All But Capstone), expected 2024

MSW Social Work, California State University, East Bay, 2016

BA Social Work, San Diego State University, 2014

Email: marya.wright@csueastbay.edu

Marya Wright, MSW, is a nationally distinguished social worker, consultant, educator, international trainer, and facilitator with experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. She is the President and CEO of Wright Community Services LLC. This company strives to empower system-involved families through awareness, services, and education while also providing consultation, training, and system-specific facilitation to the agencies that service these communities. She is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (#81167) with the Board of Behavioral Sciences working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Marya has researched Child Sexual Exploitation, Foster Care, and published an article on algorithmic decision-making in child welfare. In addition to her clinical social work, Marya is a seasoned lecturer. She has taught in the Sociology Department at Cal State East Bay since Spring 2020.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Duke Austin / California State University, East Bay

Research Interests:

Algorithms Used in Decision Making; Foster Care; Child Welfare; Commercial Sexually Exploited Children; Correlation between Sexual Abuse and Substance Use 

Dissertation:

Achieving Equal Opportunity and Justice for Child Welfare Involved Families by Focusing on Intra Agency Dynamics, Organization Structure, and Leadership

Ramon Coronado, PhD

PhD Worden School of Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University, 2022

MSW Social Work, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2014

BA Psychology, Vanguard University, 2007

Email: rcoronado@cpp.edu

Ramon Coronado, Ph.D., LCSW, MPA is a first-generation Latino who was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles.  Due to poverty, Dr. Coronado had to drop out of high school in the 10th grade.  He would eventually earn his GED at the age of 20.  Dr. Coronado is passionate about supporting First Generation students in higher education and removing stigma about mental health among the Latino community.  Dr. Coronado has been teaching graduate and undergraduate courses since 2013.  Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Coronado was the clinical director of a psychiatric hospital, which allowed him to bring firsthand experiences and case studies to his classes.  Dr. Coronado has served as a mentor to first generation students through the “I am First” program and has served as a Student Success Coach to support students during their first academic year in higher education.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Alejandro Morales / California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Research Interests:

Race and Ethnicity; Qualitative Methodology; Leadership; Policy Analysis and Advocacy; Psychopathology

Dissertation:

The Use of an Integrated Care Model to Address Mental Health Stressors in Higher Education for First Generation Hispanic Students in Distress: A Qualitative Study

Selena Carbajal

Norton School of Human Ecology, University of Arizona, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2024

MS in Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Arizona, 2020

BA in Psychology and Women's Studies, California State University, Fresno, 2018

Email: scarbajal@arizona.edu

Website: https://norton.arizona.edu/person/selena-carbajal 

Selena Carbajal is a PhD candidate in Human Development and Family Science and Mexican American Studies minor at the University of Arizona (UofA). Selena holds an M.S. in Family Studies and Human Development from the UofA and a B.A. in Psychology and Women’s Studies and Chicano/Latino Studies minor from CSU Fresno. She has taught undergraduate courses at the UofA (e.g., Infancy and Child Development; Lifespan Human Development) in various modalities and guest lectured from the undergraduate to doctoral level on her expertise (e.g., acculturation, biculturalism) at diverse institutions. Using quantitative methods, she researches biculturalism, the ability to manage dual-cultural identities and demands, among Latinx youth. Specifically, she uses advanced statistical modeling to examine biculturalism as a developmental process that influences psychosocial and academic adjustment. Her work has been published in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology and Emerging Adulthood.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. Rosa I. Toro / California State University, Fresno

Research Interests:

Acculturation; Biculturalism; Latinx Youth and Families; Adolescence; Emerging Adulthood

Dissertation:

Synthesizing Biculturalism Research: Bicultural Identity Integration and Bicultural Competence in Latinx Samples

Shaina Sta. Cruz

Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced, PhD Candidate (ABD or All But Dissertation), expected 2024

MS in Public Health, University of California, Merced, 2021

BA in Communicative Disorders, Minors in Psychology and Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, 2018

Email: sstacruz@ucmerced.edu 

Website:  https://publichealth.ucmerced.edu/content/shaina-santa-cruz 

Shaina Sta. Cruz is a Public Health PhD candidate at the University of California, Merced. Shaina completed her BA at California State University, Fullerton, and she developed her knowledge of community health issues through advocacy work and service-learning experiences throughout the Central Valley. Currently, Shaina and Dr. R. David Rebanal, her San Francisco State University faculty mentor, collaborate on research examining political participation and mental health disparities among residents in Asian immigrant ethnic neighborhoods. Additionally, her dissertation will explore trends and sociodemographic health disparities in pregnancy-associated violence morbidity, as well as health and human services utilization among victims of violence. Furthermore, Shaina has cultivated her skills as a statistician and educator by helping to develop and deliver new statistics courses for her  department. Ultimately, she aims to earn a faculty position and mentor student researchers.

Faculty Mentor / Host Institution:

Dr. R. David Rebanal / San Francisco State University

Research Interests:

Violence; Health Disparities; Psychiatric Epidemiology; Social Epidemiology; Women’s Health; Quantitative Methods

Dissertation:

Examining Violence Victimization-related Morbidity Among Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals