UC Merced Team
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mayra Bamaca-Colbert
I am an immigrant Latina scholar who emigrated from Guatemala at the age of 16. My research lies at the intersection of developmental (e.g., puberty), cultural (e.g., acculturation) and contextual (e.g., parenting, friendships, neighborhood) influences on the behavioral and health outcomes of ethnic-racial minoritized youth, with an emphasis on Latino/a/x. I recently completed a pilot study that implemented Ecological Momentary Assessments (i.e., 3 daily surveys for 10 days) to better understand the daily experiences of Latino youth and their parents in a new immigrant destination (Harrisburg, PA). The focus of this project was to examine how daily experiences with parents, peers, and the surrounding environment (e.g., exposure to violence and substance use, discrimination) is related to daily psychological and physical health symptoms. My work at UC Merced will continue to focus on adolescents from Latinx and other ethnic-racial minoritized backgrounds and will expand to investigate middle childhood experiences within families and school contexts.
Luis Paz de la Vega, M.A
Graduate Student Researcher
Luis is a first-year developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of California- Merced. He is a first-generation college student and an immigrant originating from Peru. Luis completed his B.A. in Psychology at California State University-Northridge. He received his Master’s in Psychological Sciences from California State University-Northridge while being advised by Dr. Mark Otten. His thesis focused on the transition to college for minoritized retired high school athletes. As a graduate student at CSU- Northridge, Luis worked at the Community for Achievement in Psychological Sciences (CAPS) and mentored undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate degrees. He was also part of the Teacher Intern Program (TIPs) where he was the instructor of record of an Introductory Psychology course. Luis is interested in the successful transition into adulthood for Latinx youth as well as family dynamics in marginalized communities. His current research project is focusing on the effects of familial obligations on the overall wellbeing of Latinx youth in college.
Elisa Gomez, PhD
Graduate Student Researcher
Elisa is a first-year developmental psychology doctoral student. She is a first-generation college student from Ontario, California. Elisa graduated from Scripps College in 2016 with a B.A. in Chicanx/Latinx Studies. She received her Ed.M in Specialized Studies from Harvard Graduate School of Education, with a focus on the ethnic and racial identity development of Latinx youth. Elisa's research interests include the well-being of Latinx grandparents. In particular, she aims to identify how grandchildren can contribute to the positive aging of elders.
Roxana Bravo Nunez
Undergraduate Researcher
Roxana Bravo Nunez is a 3rd-year student at the University of California Merced, majoring in Psychology. Her research interests focus on the access and utilization of mental health services by Latinx immigrants. Another of her research interests includes how an individual’s upbringing influences their parenting habits and child development. She joined the IMPACT Lab because it resonates with her interest in public health and psychological factors centered around Latinx families. She views this as an opportunity to gain insight in the behavioral and family dynamics of underrepresented ethnic minorities. Roxana enjoys dancing Ballet Folklórico and hiking.
Jose Garcia-Guerrero
Undergraduate Researcher
Jose Garcia-Guerrero is a first-generation student at University of California, Merced majoring in psychology with a pre-health emphasis. Jose was born and raised in Merced, California to immigrant parents. Jose aspires to pursue a health career, instilling the desire to help care for the underserved and members of his community. Jose is focused in research on closing health disparities in the underserved communities around the Valley and understanding the affected populations. Jose has worked as a mentor for 1st years at UC Merced, he is also involved with two on-campus organizations focused on providing resources to undergraduate students to pursue higher education. In his free time, Jose loves to play with his dogs and jog, he is an avid runner and likes to participate in marathons.
Michelle Castellon
Undergraduate Researcher
Michelle Castellon is a 2nd-year, first generation student at the University of California Merced, majoring in Human Biology. Her research interests include understanding ways to increase access to resources to Latinx community and overall understanding the communities needs. She hopes to attend Medical school to become a pediatrician. She enjoys photography, reading, going to Disneyland, and watching Disney movies with her dog.
Kassandra Trejo Perez
Undergraduate Researcher
Kassandra is a 3rd-year first generation student at UC Merced, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Management and Business Economics. After graduating, she wants to go to grade school in order to pursue her PhD in Clinical Psychology. In the future, Kassandra wants to become a family therapist inorder to provide a safe place for families. In her free time, she loves being out with her friends, being surrounded by family, reading poems, journaling and traveling. She joined the IMPACT Lab in order to learn more about the Latinx community, especially adolescents and the interaction they have with their families.
Gisselle Navarro
Undergraduate Researcher
Gisselle Navarro is a 5th-year undergraduate student at UC Merced with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Her research interests include understanding ways to increase access to mental health interventions and how internet-based mindfulness programs can aid first-generation college students. She joined the IMPACT lab to learn more about the struggles Latinx youth face and the impacts of societal factors on their development. She is currently a Social Media Intern for the Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center at UC Merced. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new music, spending time with friends, watching horror movies, and reading.
Adriana Vidauri
Undergraduate Researcher
Adriana is a 4th year, first-generation college student double majoring in Human Biology and Psychology. Her plan is to serve the Central Valley with counseling services. She joined Dr. Bámaca’s IMPACT Lab to explore her research interests, which include the Latinx culture, family and parent interactions, emotions, and education as they relate to developmental psychology. She is also currently interning at Dr. Lee & Associates Eye Care and volunteering at Sacred Heart Church. She enjoys sunrises, deep conversations, baking, dancing, and nostalgic movies.
Sylvia Guevara
Undergraduate Researcher
Sylvia is a 4th-year Psychology major at UC Merced, she is a current member of Psi Chi, and spends time volunteering as a literacy tutor for children in elementary school. Sylvia is from Escalon, California and her future career goals are to work as a Child Psychologist to help provide services to adolescents in a comforting and caring way. She is confident that with the skills and knowledge that she is attaining under the direction of Dr. Bàmaca, she will be able to be a voice for Latinx children and families. One of Sylvia’s favorite quotes is, “Be happy with what you have, while working at what you want.” - Helen Keller
Vanessa Cisneros
Undergraduate Researcher
Vanessa Cisneros is a 4th-year first generation student at University of California, Merced majoring in Psychology with a Sociology minor. Her research interest focuses on child development with an interest in Latinx parenting styles. In her free time, she likes working on things for Phi Mu and being there for her sisters as well as cooking and doing my nails. She hopes to pursue graduate school after graduation and obtain her Masters in child psychology.
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Alix Murillo
Undergraduate Researcher
Alix is originally from the Bay Area , and is currently a second year psychology major at University of California-Merced. She interested in developmental and clinical psychology and hopes to continue her education in either of those fields with a masters in the future. Alix enjoys spending her time reading about different forms of psychotherapy and new approaches to helping the Latinx community. Alix also enjoys volunteering at her local community clinic and historical society when visiting her hometown. Overall she hopes to enrich her education through the IMPACT Lab and create a better awareness on the issues that reside within the Latinx community.
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Aliya Carnecer
Undergraduate Researcher
Aliya is a 3rd-year, first-generation college student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Cognitive Science. She hopes one day to attend medical school to become an OBGYN and be able to work with kids. On her free time, she does lashes, loves spending time with her family, and traveling. She joined the Impact Lab to learn more about psychology within Latinx adolescents and within herself as well.
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Alejandra Cornejo
Undergraduate Researcher
Alejandra Cornejo is a fifth-year undergraduate student at UC Merced where she is double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. She is a first-generation college student from Dos Palos, California. Her research interests include stress factors that the Latinx community phases and how these impact the academic achievement of children and family relationships. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology. She hopes that her education and experiences can encourage Latinx students to achieve their goals and pursue a higher education. Fun fact, she enjoys cooking and she is a soccer fan!
PSU Team
Current PSU students completing their dissertation with Dr. Bamaca: Griselda Martinez (co-advised with Jenn Maggs).
Graduate Student
Griselda Martinez is a 4th-year graduate student in the Human Development and Family Studies program at Penn State. Her research interests include examining the role of individual, social, and cultural factors on the health and well-being of Latino youth and their families, including substance use and mental health outcomes. She joined the IMPACT lab because she is interested in better understanding adjustment outcomes among immigrant youth and families. In her free time, she enjoys hiking!