Members

Principal Investigator

Dr. Aleksandria Perez-Grabow

As a faculty, I joined the CSU San Marcos family in Fall 2019. My areas of specialization are clinical/counseling psychology and trauma. I completed my undergraduate studies at CSU Long Beach, and continued my work in the field of trauma as a rape crisis counselor in the community. I received my Ph.D. at the University of Oregon, and completed my predoctoral clinical internship at UC Riverside’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). My research focuses on examining individual and environmental factors that influence long-term psychological, physiological, and behavioral outcomes of trauma through a non-pathologizing lens. My work on trauma encompasses developmental trauma, collective trauma, and media violence exposure.

Education:

Ph.D- Counseling Psychology, University of Oregon, 2019

Advisor: Dr. Atika Khurana

M.S.- Counseling and Family Services, University of Oregon, 2016

B.A.- Psychology, Spanish, California State University, Long Beach, 2011

Citlalli Carrillo

Citlalli Carrillo is a graduate student in the Master’s program in Psychological Science at CSU San Marcos. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Chicanx Studies from CSU Channel Islands in 2022. As an ungraduated she was involved in Ventura’s community conducting community-based research and attending school-ran Chicanx Studies events. She was also a member of Psi Chi for the last two years of undergrad. After completion of her master’s program, she plans to purse a career in market research. A fun fact about her is she has lived in 4 different counties in Southern California, and while she did not live there, Orange County is her favorite!

Jessica Orea

Jessica Orea is a graduate student in the Master’s Program in Psychological Science at CSU San Marcos (CSUSM). She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychological Science from CSUSM in 2023. As an undergraduate, Jessica was a research assistant in two research labs focusing on emotions in young children, and perinatal mental health and infant developmental outcomes, respectively. She was also involved in the TRIO McNair Scholars Program and served office positions in the SACNAS chapter at CSUSM. Currently, Jessica is involved in the TRDRP Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Initiative Program. She is interested in research related to health disparities and the factors driving various outcomes (e.g., mental health and academic outcomes) among marginalized populations. After completing the master’s program, Jessica plans to pursue a PhD in social psychology and a career in research. In her free time, Jessica enjoys hanging out with family and friends, listening to music, and watching horror movies.

Jakob Phillips

Jakob Phillips is a senior undergraduate student at CSUSM pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychological Science. After graduation, he plans on applying to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology. Before volunteering for the Trauma and Healing Lab, Jakob volunteered with the Trevor Project as a digital crisis counselor. Jakob’s current areas of interest include positive psychology, integrative interventions for treating mental health issues, and complex trauma. In his free time, Jakob enjoys playing with his dog, hiking, kayaking, traveling, and attending live performances.