Director
Dr. James J. García (He/Him/His/Él) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Cal State Fullerton. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology from the University of North Texas. Dr. García completed his Pre-Doctoral Clinical Internship at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Health/Rehabilitation Neuropsychology at Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare. Clinically, he has worked with medical populations for over a decade, delivering health psychology interventions and neuropsychological evaluations to communities of color, Spanish speakers, and racial/ethnic LGBTQ+ patients across the continuum of medical care. His research focuses on racial/ethnic and LGBTQ+ People of Color health disparities. He has published work in cardiovascular diseases, Latinx health, and has an edited book published book on racial/ethnic LGBTQ+ health disparities. Currently, he is an Editorial Board Member of four flagship journals in his field, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health, and Health Psychology, and is an Associate Editor for the journal Current Psychology. In addition to research and clinical work, Dr. García has been involved in national and local community-based organizations, including his leadership role as Vice President of Outreach and Community Engagement for the Pomona Pride Center. Currently, he is the Chair of the Interprofessional Health Committee, Member of the Stroke Leadership, Member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and a Member of the Stroke Psychological Health & Well-Being Comittees of the American Heart/Stroke Association.
Research Assistants
Kayla Nakayama (She/her/hers) is a graduate student in M.A psychological research program at CSUF. She recently graduated from CSU Dominguez Hills with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She has previous research experience looking at South-Central Los Angeles resident's attitudes and perceptions toward seeking mental health treatment. Additionally, she has clinical research experience as an unblinded coordinator and clinical research assistant working primarily on COVID-19 pediatric vaccine trials. Kayla is interested in neuropsychology and neuropsychological testing and assessments. Her goals are to continue to explore the field of neuropsychology and apply to Clinical Ph.D. programs in the future.
Natalia Perez (she/her/ella) is a first-year clinical psychology M.S. student and CSUF. Her research interests broadly include multicultural disparities and identifying biological markers as a result of discrimination amongst minority communities. Her current research involves the effects on neuropsychological functioning as a result of intersectional discrimination.
Emily Tearjen (she/her) is a CSUF student in her junior year pursuing a bachelor’s in Psychology. She hopes to pursue a MA and doctorate in Quantitative Psychology.
Hanna Nguyen (she/her) is a first-year MS student in the Clinical Psychology program. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in June 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has built her clinical and research experience over the years. Her research interests include sociocultural influences on mental health, discrimination, and health disparities in minoritized groups.
Maleeha Tahseen Abbas (she/her) is a 4th year PsyD Clinical Psychology Student at the University of La Verne. Her clinical interests are rooted in clinical neuropsychology, focusing on stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. Maleeha's research interests include working with racial/ethnic and sexual minorities in the context of health disparities in stroke outcomes among South Asians.
Rachael Meninno (she/her/hers) is a senior undergraduate student at CSUF working towards a bachelor's in Psychology. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in Clinical Psychology, as well as a doctorate in the same area of study. Currently, her research interests revolve around the health of patients as they transfer between or are introduced to different treatments, receive diagnoses, and interact with new healthcare providers.
Tomm Landazuri (he/him/his/El) started off his college career by first attending Cypress community college before transferring to Cal State, Fullerton. Tomm is a Psychology major with a minor in Criminal Justice, with the hopes of continuing his education and getting a M.S. in counseling in order to become a licensed marriage family therapist. There are two fields that he hopes to work in; at a restorative justice facility and help survivors heal from their trauma and be their advocate and at the VA helping veterans by providing them with mental help services.
Stephanie Garcia (she/her) is currently an undergraduate psychology student at CSUF completing a bachelor’s degree. Her main interests in psychology are sports psychology, mental health, and research.
Justen Baker (he/him/his/El) is a recent graduate of California State University San Marcos with his undergraduate Degree in psychology. Justen hopes to continue his education and obtain his M.S. in clinical counseling. Justen hopes to use his degree to help offer more culturally and socially sensitive therapy practices for Biracial and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Ariana Escobedo (she/her) is a senior undergraduate student at CSUF pursuing a bachelor’s in Psychology. She hopes to pursue an M.S. Psychology degree and become a Marriage and Family Therapist.
Jackie Antonio (she/her/hers/ella) is an undergraduate student at CSUF. She will be graduating in January 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She hopes to earn a master’s degree so that she can become a marriage and family therapist and a college professor.
Tamara Tavira (she/they/ella) is an upcoming California State University Fullerton graduate. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. After graduating, Tamara hopes to continue her education at the graduate school level to become a School Psychologist. Tamara is passionate about providing mental health support and access to youth who may not find that support elsewhere. Currently, her research interests consist of the influences of sociocultural identities and their intersectionality on mental health.
Emily Camacho (they/she) is an undergraduate Psychology student at California State University Fullerton who began their educational journey at Norco College. They plan to use their degree to help vulnerable and underrepresented populations at the community level. After attaining their bachelor's at CSUF, Emily plans to further pursue their education at the graduate school level.
Neda Gogani (she/her) is a senior undergraduate at CSUF majoring in psychology. She has always had a passion for psychology, and is very interested in getting her Masters in Aging. Neda immigrated from Iran and started her journey by earning her associate degree from Norco Community College.
Masa Shah (she/her) is a first-year clinical psychology M.S. student at CSUF. She graduated from the University of La Verne with a bachelor's in Psychology. Her research interests include intersectional discrimination, health disparities in sexual and racial/ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ relationships.
Fatima Campos (she/her/ella) is an undergraduate student at CSUF, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Services expected graduation in the class of 2025. She aspires to pursue a Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology to become a licensed psychologist. Fatima’s mission is to foster an open dialogue and promote access to mental health services for all individuals, especially Latinx communities.
Adina Corke (she/they) is a graduate student in the M.A. Psychology program at CSUF. Her previous experience includes work in social psychology with the Queer Laboratory and education program evaluation with the Center of Research on Educational Access and Leadership, both at CSUF. She has a background in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis through her work and it is admittedly her favorite part of the research process. Her research interests are concerned with the relationship between body systems and mental health, especially where gastrointestinal health is concerned. She hopes that her career will allow her to contribute to efforts being made that catalog the details of these relationships in order to affect positive change in mental healthcare treatment.
Adel Ortega (she/her) is a junior undergraduate student at CSUF, in hope to earn her bachelor’s degree of psychology in 2025. Adel’s love for reading and watching media not only made her interested in cognitive development but also have the desire to represent more communities to be heard and learn from. Adel’s research interests include mental health disparities, cognitive process, adolescent development, violence, and aggression. She aspires to pursue psychology further in higher education to be a human resource for communities.
Brian Hang (he/him/his) is an upcoming graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He aspires to obtain a master's in clinical counseling to become a LPCC. He hopes to provide and promote culturally competent mental health services to minority and marginalized groups.
Jenny Mai (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in the M.A. psychological research program at CSUF. She graduated from CSUF with a B.S. in public health and a minor in psychology. Her research interests include body image, health disparities, and mental and physical health relationships. Aside from research, she works as a nurse assistant in clinical settings. She hopes to continue her education in nursing and become a research nurse in the near future.
Dion Chon (he/him/his) is a graduate student for the Master's in the psychological research program at Cal State Fullerton. He graduated from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor's in Psychology. During his time there he also contributed as a research assistant for Youth, Health, and Development lab. Dion has aspirations of utilizing research to promote healthy behavior change and prevent illnesses related to the mind. His research interests include health disparities, illness patterns, and health in the face of adversity