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Dr. Deborah Rivas-Drake Principal Investigator Dr. Deborah Rivas-Drake is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of Michigan, where she is also a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for the Study of Black Youth in Context and Faculty Associate in Latino/a Studies. Her research focuses on ethnic and racial processes in youth development. Her primary interests center on how schools, families, peers, and communities influence the development of ethnic-racial identity, and how such identities shape youths’ academic and psychological outcomes. Her current projects examine how friendships shape ethnic-racial identity and academic and social/emotional adjustment in diverse youth and how parent-adolescent processes inform ethnic-racial identity and psychosocial functioning among Latino adolescents. Her research has been published in Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Journal of Research on Adolescence, and Journal of Youth and Adolescence, among others. Dr.Rivas-Drake is currently serving as an Associate Editor for Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology and is an incoming Associate Editor for Developmental Psychology.

Tissyana C. Camacho, M.S. Graduate Student Tissyana is currently a fifth-year doctoral student in Developmental Psychology working with Dr. Deborah Rivas-Drake and Dr. Stephanie Rowley. Her research primarily examines the developmental nature of ethnic identity in Latino adolescents and young adults. Her research also considers how schools can promote ethnic-racial identity development in students of color. Prior to UM, Tissyana was at California State University, Northridge where she earned her BA in Psychology as an NIMH-COR Scholar in the Pathways to College lab. Kevin Constante Toala, B.A. Graduate Student I am a first year graduate student in the Developmental Psychology Program at the University of Michigan. I graduated with Bachelors of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. As an undergraduate and Ronald E. McNair Scholar, I was involved in research lab that investigated adolescent brain development and risk-takingbehaviors. Prior to joining the CASA Lab, I was research assistant at Columbia University's Developmental Neuroscience Department where I helped study infant physiology.  Now that I am at the University of Michigan, I hope to explore how ethnic-racial identity and ethnic-racial socialization relates to resiliency and health risk behavior. I am also interested in linking these relationships to adolescent brain development. I am originally from the Bronx, New York, and I love soccer! Fernanda Lima Cross, M.S.W. Graduate Student I am a third year student in Developmental Psychology at the University of Michigan. Prior to becoming a doctoral student, I completed an MSW at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and I worked for a few years for the Maternal and Infant Health Program, providing home visits to pregnant women and new mothers with their babies. I have also worked as a Portuguese and Spanish interpreter since 2006 for The University of Michigan Health System, Ann ArborPublic Schools, Washtenaw Community Health Organization and in judicial settings. I have a double major in Psychology & Sociology from the University of Michigan, which makes me a true wolverine fan! I’m originally from Brazil, but Ann Arbor has been my home for the past 13 years. Some of my research interests are the ethnic socialization, ethnic identity development and parent school involvement among Latino immigrants, most especially those of undocumented immigration status. Casta Guillaume, M.S.Ed. Graduate Student I am a fourth year in the Combined Program in Education and Psychology. After graduating with a master’s in community and social change, I was interested in finding a program and research team that would support my desire to develop psychological and educational research in applied/community settings. The program’s interdisciplinary focus affords me the opportunity to study culturally appropriate research methodologies in traditional and non-traditional educational andcommunity contexts. It is hard to beat the supportive community at CPEP. Thanks to the high level of mentorship, training, and support from faculty and colleagues alike, I am confident in my ability to produce and apply high quality critical scholarship that can help inform transformational change. My research interests include Immigrant youth development, critical consciousness, civic engagement, and culturally tailored community interventions. Aixa Marchand, M.S.Ed. Graduate Student I am currently a third year Doctoral Student in the Combined Program in Education and Psychology. Before moving to Michigan, I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Education and Social Change from the University of Miami. In addition, I taught middle school science in Miami and worked with teachers and administrators as a science instructional coach. I currently work with Dr. Rivas-Drake and Dr. Stephanie Rowley at the University of Michigan. I am interested in racial and academicsocialization in the context of schools, families, and communities, how racial identity may serve as a protective factor, and how parental stereotype awareness may shape youths’ academic self-concept and achievement. With this knowledge I hope to better understand what perpetuates educational inequities and subsequently create community partnerships to rectify them. Michael Medina, B.S. Graduate Student I am a second year student in the Combined Psychology and Education Program at the University of Michigan. I graduated from Brown University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While there, I conducted research with Dr. Deborah Rivas-Drake and Dr. Cynthia Garcia Coll on ethnic identity development, familial relationships, and psychological well-being in university students. My current research interests include ethnicity, self-esteem, and academic motivation among minority youths. During my free time, I enjoy tennis, board games, and science fiction.

Rachel Goldman Undergraduate Research Assistant I am currently a second year student in the LSA Honors College at the University of Michigan. I am planning on majoring in Organizational Studies with a minor in Community Action and Social Change. I am interested in Social and Developmental Psychology, and social justice through intergroup relations and dialogue. I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in Psychology or a MPH in Health Behavior and Education. I enjoy spending time with friends, traveling, and exploring the outdoors! Faith Horbatch Undergraduate Research Assistant I am a second year undergraduate student studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. Specifically, I am interested in heading to Medical School to pursue an M.D. in Psychiatry. I  eventually would love to support people who are dealing with mental illness. One of my favorite classes that I have taken so far at University of Michigan is Psychopathology because it is very informative on the history andtreatment of mental illness. I also love my Spanish class and my writing seminar. Outside of my academic responsibilities, I enjoy reading, writing, singing, and staying active, and I am a member of the Michigan Pompon Team, a volunteering club called Motely Crew, and newly, the food-blogging club on campus called Spoon University. Andrea Villafuerte Ballon Undergraduate Research Assistant I am currently a senior at the University of Michigan and I am double majoring in Psychology and Business. In research, I would like to know more about the influence of external factors on people and how it affects their emotional state and the decisions they take. This is mostly why one of my favorite classes that I've taken has been Social Psychology. In my free time, I enjoy being with my friends, taking pictures of the flora in the Arb and travelling. Tosca Le Undergraduate Research Assistant I am currently a fourth year undergraduate student. I am majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, andNeuroscience with a minor in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies. My studies are geared towards the field of public health as I am interested in pursuing an MPH in Health Behavior and Education. In research, I am mainly interested in the intersection of how ethnic and racial identity influences one’s health and the development of youth in underserved communities. One of my favorite classes that I've taken here is Public Health 300: Behavioral and Social Science Foundations for the Health Professions. I found it really interesting to learn how people develop both mentally and physically, and how there are many social determinants associated with health that are not discussed enough in medicine. As for fun, I'm an avid restaurant go-er because I love all sorts of food, and I enjoy spending time outdoors!  

Odilia Avellaneda UM-Latino Family Study Community Liaison Odilia grew up in Acapulco, México, and immigrated to the United States in the 1980s to pursue her education, and improve the opportunities available to her son. She studied English at the International Institute of Detroit, and later Psychology at Wayne State University.  She works to bring families and communities together, and connect individuals with the resources they need to improve their lives.  Currently, Odilia is the Community Liaison for the UM Latino Family Study, a project that she believes will enlighten and empower parents to guide their children towards a college education. Jose Lopez UM-Latino Family Study Project Coordinator I am a third year student in the school of LS&A at the University of Michigan. I am majoring in biology and am following a pre-med path; after graduating I hope to attend medical school. I am originally from Juchipila, Zacatecas but have lived in Sturgis, Michigan for the majority of mylife. I joined the CASA Lab as a UROP student because I am interested in the experiences that Latino students face in everyday life in a school setting. In my free time I enjoy binge watching Netflix, supporting Chelsea Football Club, and hanging out with friends.