Research Interests
These are just some of my areas of interest in research; My list could go on and on, so I have chosen ones I am currently involved in or most passionate about.
Participatory Action Research (PAR) & Youth PAR
Anti-Racism
Anti-Colonialism
Abolition
School-to-Prison Pipeline
Mass Incarceration
Barriers to Mental Health Services in Minority Communities
Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
Ethnic Studies
Family Violence
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Impact of Trauma on the Brain
Click below to view a website I co-created for a research project
Research Experience
Assistant Researcher - Localization of History and Civics in Salinas Ethnic Studies Classrooms
California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside CA
Collaboration with local (Salinas) community organizations such as MIPLA, BAKTUN 12, and Salinas Union High School District to ask: how does the localization of history and civics deepen Ethnic Studies methodology for students, teachers, and community members?
Co-facilitated in classrooms at local high schools in the Salinas Union HS District
Conducted a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project to deepen the youth’s understanding of localized history and ethnic studies
Constructed a PAR/YPAR handbook to guide students and teachers in defining participatory action research, breaking down the process of PAR, and reflecting on various PAR projects, including reflective questions and open spaces for reflective writing.
Co-facilitated an autohistoria assignment for youth and college students to deepen critical thinking and develop critical consciousness
Assisted undergraduate and high school students and teachers in a local power analysis of institutions/people of power to identify who has power
Expedited a photovoice process to enable students to record and reflect on their community strengths and concerns, promote critical dialogue and knowledge about issues through large and small group discussions of photographs, and create social change through action and advocacy.
Student Research - PSY 302: Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis
California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside CA
Research question: Identify and understand barriers students, specifically those who identify as Latinx, might face when it comes to seeking mental health services.
Canvassed students who identified as Latinx or first-generation, knew someone that was a DACA recipient (including themselves), and knew someone that received mental health services in the past. I considered socioeconomic status and whether or not these factors affect one's attitude towards mental health services and a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA).
Created and conducted a survey that indicated a considerable difference in stigma scores among those who knew someone who had received mental health services and those who did not.
Conducted SPSS analysis: ANOVA, Chi Square, T-Tests
Found that students that know someone who has sought mental health services, received lower stigma scores, indicating they retain a more positive attitude towards help-seeking.
Student Research - SL 490/SL492S: Participatory Action Research Methods/Practicum
California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside CA
Impact of names on places and space in the Salinas Valley through an anti-racist/anti-colonial lens; Including Hartnell College, Montebella Elementary (formerly Tiburcio Vasquez), and Cesar Chavez Elementary
Conducted archival and social science research for background information on the Salinas Valley
Collaborated with local community organizations Baktun 12 and MILPA
Facilitated interviews with members of the community to discuss the impact felt of names and representation
Coded and Interpreted the interview data
Co-constructed a google website:
Participated in the MILPA Podcast to share out results
Student Research - PSY 8: Research Methods in Psychology
Conducted research in the form of surveys, studied the impact of student-teacher relationships and teacher support on student grades/experience outcomes.
Hartnell College, Salinas CA