2021-2022 McNair Scholars
Graduating Scholars
Noora Ghadiri
Major: Physics, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace, Physics
Thesis: Modeling Gravitational Waves Using Numerical Relativity Coding
Noora’s research interests include modeling gravitational waves caused by extreme astrophysical events, such as merging black holes or neutron stars, by using numerical relativity. Her current research involves implementing and testing a calculation of the vorticity of a space time, which measures the twisting an observer would experience near a black hole because of differential frame dragging. She is implementing this using a next-generation numerical-relativity code called SpECTRE. She wants to pursue a PhD in gravitational waves physics to continue contributing to gravitational-wave science.
Elston Lewis
Major: Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Mentor: Dr. Sagil James, Mechanical Engineering
2021 Summer Research Program: Summer Undergraduate Research Academy, CSUF
Elston hopes to positively impact the environment with his research and is interested in pursuing a career in renewable energy.
Marlo Morales
Major: Physics, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace, Physics
Thesis: Coding Spectre: Numerical Relativity Code for Merging Black Holes
2021 Summer Research Program: Cornell University Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in Astrophysics and Planetary Science Research
Marlo's research interests include the study of gravitational waves and the properties of extreme space time through numerical relativity. His current research involves contributing code that will model gravitational wave sources, such as colliding black holes and colliding neutron stars. His work will add new capabilities necessary to measure the properties of the black holes’ horizons, such as their surface areas and the measures of mass and spin angular momenta. He wants to pursue a Ph.D. in Gravitational Waves Physics to contribute to the understanding of general relativity and Einstein’s equations.
Rico Palafox
Major: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Jessica Jaynes , Mathematics
Thesis: Mind your Designs: A Novel Approch to Discrete Choice Experiments
His research interests include Statistics, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Design of Experiments, Applied Statistics, and Computational Mathematics. His career goal is to become Biostatistician so that he can work in industry and/or in the professoriate. Rico was a SACNAS Travel Scholarship Recipient and is a Data Visualization Club Board Member.
Current Scholars
Alec Ainsworth
Major: American Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Carrie Lane, American Studies
Thesis: Reviewing How United States Spanish Language Newspapers Reacted to Critical Events Leading Up to the Civil War in the 1850s
Alec's current research utilizes archival research to examine the civil and human rights that were lost and regained between Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century. In the spring of 2021, Alec received the Alexander Napolin APC Undergraduate Scholarship. Alec plans to pursue a Ph.D. in American Studies.
Paloma Arriero
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Kristin Beals, Psychology
Thesis: TBD
Paloma’s research interests include how social stigmas around queer identities affect people's ability to explore and express themselves and how that relates to mental health issues. She hopes to discover ways to help queer people, especially children and young adults, navigate through a world of heteronormative values and strong gender norms. She is also interested in the impact that mindfulness meditation has on the brain and one’s mental health, such as anxiety and depression. Paloma wishes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Her goal is to open her own practice one day and integrate mindfulness meditation techniques, as well as help create a safer and more comfortable environment in therapy for the queer community. Paloma also hopes to one day teach positive and mindful parenting courses.
Michelle Baez
Major: Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. María Soledad Ramírez, Biological Science
Thesis: Testing Novel Inhibitors Strategies and Understanding Their Mechanisms Beyond Their Activity To Combat Acinetobacter Spp Infections
2021 Summer Research Program: Bridges to Stem Cell Research, CSUF
Michelle transferred to CSUF with Associate's degrees in Arts and in Math and Science. Michelle has participated in the Urban Agriculture Community-based Research Experience program (ACRE), focusing on food security, nutritional sufficiency, environmental justice, and sustainable agriculture. She was awarded the 2019-2020 Southern California Edison Scholarship. Michelle’s thesis explores the clinical effectiveness of combining different inhibitors for carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter spp. infections. After earning a Ph.D, she hopes to work for the CDC and conduct her own research.
Andrea Ceja
Major: Physics, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Lovelace, Physics
Thesis: Using SpEC and Spectre to Test Spin, Mass, Distance, Orbit Parameters in Binary Black Hole Collision Simulations
Andrea hopes to continue working on understanding the impact of a range of parameters on the behavior of binary black hole collisions and contributing to the code that makes this possible. Her career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Physics and continue contributing to gravitational wave research.
Jessica Douglass-Eurich
Major: Sociology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Mei-Ling Malone, African American Studies
Thesis: Social Movements and Leadership
Jessica’s research interests lie in studying aspects of social movements such as leadership and organizational practices. Her undergraduate McNair thesis explores the positionality of social movement leaders in relation to movement outcomes. Jessica's goals are to obtain a Ph.D. in Sociology and pursue a career in research.
Lanette Espinosa
Major: Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Petit, Chemistry
2021 Summer Research Program: Platform for Accelerated Realization, Analysis and Discovery of Interface Materials, Cornell University
Lanette's research interests include the study of photobases and their structure-function relationships. She is interested in finding out how changing the shapes of molecules can affect their photobasicity. Lanette currently works as an SI Leader for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She wants to obtain her Ph.D. in biochemistry and become a medical scientist.
R. Elizabeth Flores
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Susan Sy, Psychology
Thesis: There is Hope for First-Generation College Students
2021 Summer Research Program: Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program, UC Riverside Liz's research interests include Learning and Memory, specifically pertaining to student success in higher education. Her educational goals are to obtain a Ph.D. in Psychology and to become a professor. She hopes to uncover ways to improve equity and access for undeserved populations within higher education. Prior to attending CSUF, Liz attended Cerritos Community College where she graduated with Honors and two Associates degrees in her field.
Lizbeth Gonzalez
Major: Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Burnaford, Biological Science
Thesis: COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on California Mussel Populations along Southern California
Lizbeth’s main research interests revolve around conservation and restoration biology. She aims to help preserve the diminishing habitats that are one of the leading causes of animal population declines. Lizbeth’s long-term goal is to explore the different ways that we can reduce detrimental human impact on the natural resources that our planet provides us with. Lizbeth’s dream job is to work for a National Park, using her Ph.D. to monitor ecological changes and determining ways to eliminate human impacts.
STEVEN GREEN
Major: Public Administration and Criminal Justice, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Stacy Mallicoat, Professor of Criminal Justice
Steven's research interests include criminal justice policy reform, punishment, sentencing enhancements, rehabilitation, reentry, and the use of life without parole. His educational goal is to earn a Ph.D. in criminology and to become a professor. Steven transferred to CSUF after graduating with honors and six Associate’s degrees from Coastline Community College.
Sarah Groff
Major: Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Piazza, Public Health
Thesis: Stress and Exercise During Covid-19 In College Age Students
Sarah's research interests include stress psychophysiology and using exercise as a coping mechanism. She is the community outreach coordinator for Abled Advocators, a club at CSUF comprised of abled and disabled students advocating for inclusivity and bringing awareness to disabilities. Prior to attending CSUF, Sarah attended Orange Coast College, where she graduated with her associate degree in Kinesiology. Recently, Sarah won an award at the 2021 Giles T Brown Research Symposium for an oral presentation on her research project titled, Somatic Psychotherapy for Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder of Sexual Assault. Sarah's educational goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Public Health to become a tenure-track professor. Sarah aspires to mentor students to help them overcome educational barriers.
Yanelli Guzman
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Russ Espinoza, Psychology
Thesis: Observing Aversive Bias Towards Defendants Suffering From a Mental Illness
2021 Summer Research Program: Summer Undergraduate Research Academy, CSUF
Yanelli's research interests lie in both forensic and abnormal psychology. She is particularly interested in mental illness in legal and forensic contexts, jury decision-making, and aversive bias. Her undergraduate McNair thesis explores how jurors perceive criminal defendants with schizophrenia compared to other mental illnesses. Yanelli's goal is to obtain a PhD in Abnormal Psychology. Her career aspiration is to work for a government agency as a research analyst, conducting research to help improve treatments for those suffering with a mental illness. Yanelli currently works as a student assistant in the department of Contracts and Procurement at CSUF.
Maddy Hernandez
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Thesis: Why Sexual Abuse Victims Do Not Disclose
Maddy is interested in violence against women and the impact culture/community has on the victimization of young girls. Long-term, she would like to research the motivation and possible reasons that cause perpetrators to abuse. She aims to earn an MD-PhD and work on the development of a new treatment program for sexual abusers, which will hopefully become a preventative solution to sexual assault.
Ivy Mejia
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Adam Roberts, Psychology
Thesis: Zebrafish Model and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ivy’s research interests include psychopathology, neuro disorders, and hypnosis. She is interested in studying the influence of the brain on human behavior. Her academic goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Ivy received the Excellence in Social Science 1 Award and Excellence in Statistics and Probability Award in 2018. She was recognized for her academic achievement and selected for the President’s List at Mt. San Antonio College for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021.
Alexis Mitchell
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Christina Scher, Psychology
Thesis: The Effects of Trauma on Low-Income Minority Adolescents
Alexis’s research interests focus on trauma, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder in low-income minority children. Alexis hopes to conduct research that can be utilized to help children manage their own mental health and developing coping mechanisms, and therefore, limit childhood trauma. Alexis plans to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical adolescent psychology and become a pediatric psychologist with an emphasis on trauma.
Mykayla Miller
Major: Biochemistry, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Joya Cooley, Biochemistry & Chemistry
Thesis: Novel Therapeutic Studies of Prostate Cancer Prevention
2021 Summer Research Program: Summer Research Opportunity Program, Michigan State University
Mykayla's research interests include virology, epidemiology, and antibiotic resistance. Her undergraduate McNair thesis explores how to inhibit androgen receptors and lysine demethylase I using sangaurine. She is working towards pursuing a Ph.D. in Virology in preparation for a career as a virologist.
Melissa Ochoa
Major: Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Karen Stocker, Anthropology
Thesis: Language Brokering
Melissa’s research interests include topics in the field of Linguistic Anthropology. She is interested in studying language brokering, raciolinguistics, and sociolinguistics. Melissa hopes to get her PhD in order to become either a full-time professor or a researcher.
Deanna Perez
Major: Mathematics, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Matt Rathbun, Mathematics
Thesis: Seifer Fibration in S3
2021 Summer Research Program: Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Ohio State University
Deanna's research interests include topology and low-dimensional manifolds. Their career goals are to be obtain a Ph.D. in Mathematics and obtain a position as a tenure-track professor.
Keyla Sanchez
Major: Human Services, College of Health and Human Development University Hour (U-HOUR)
Keyla’s research interests lie in education, student wellness, homelessness, and undocumented and immigrant communities. Her educational goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in higher education or educational leadership and policy.
Celeste Salinas
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
2021 Summer Research Program: Summer Training Academy for Research Success, UC San Diego
Celeste's research interests include how child attachments to their parents affect their mental health, focusing on depression and anxiety. She is the ICC Representative of a club on campus called Active Minds. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Kathy Tran
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Angela Minh-Tu Nguyen, Psychology
Thesis: Diversity of Friendship Networks and College Persistence amongst First-generation Southeast Asian American College Students
Kathy’s research interests include academic sense of belonging and intraminority solidarity of first-generation college students. She is currently a research assistant for the Psychology Research on Intersectional and Multicultural Experiences (PRIME) lab and a teaching assistant for Psychological Statistics. She plans to obtain her Ph.D. to become a college professor and begin her own research lab.
Berenice Vences
Major: Public Health, College of Health and Human Development
Mentor: TBA
Thesis: TBA
Berenice’s research interests include learning about the early prevention of type 2 diabetes and ovarian cancer epidemiology. She was a part of the 2021 Summer Research Program: Allied Health Academy Summer Research Experience Program at California State University, Fullerton. Her educational goals are to obtain a Ph.D. in Public Health and become a professor.
Sydney Washington
Major: Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Ella Ben Hagai, Psychology
Thesis: College Football Concussions and Mental Health
2021 Summer Research Program: Summer Training Academy for Research Success, UC San Diego
Sydney's research interests include self-efficacy, athletic identity, and mental health side effects experienced during injury rehabilitation. She is currently studying athletes’ post-concussion depression and anxiety symptoms. Her career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. and become a clinical sports psychologist and wellness coach for professional athletes.
