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Director: Aerika Brittian Loyd, Ph.D.
Dr. Aerika Brittian Loyd is a community-engaged developmental scientist in the Department of Psychology at UC Riverside, who uses psychology, human development, and prevention science theories to investigate how intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, and identity inform health and development for youth and young adults of color (e.g., Black and Latinx). Note: Dr. Loyd is not recruiting graduate students for Fall 2024 Email: aerikal@ucr.edu |
Graduate Students
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Linsey Donovan
Linsey is a fourth-year PhD student in the School Psychology Program at UCR. She received her BA in Psychology from Le Moyne College and her MA and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology from University at Buffalo. Broadly, Linsey is interested in examining how public school systems interact with Black students experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or trauma. Her current project examines whether the percentage of African-American students in a school, the number of full-time law enforcement or security officers assigned to a school, and the interaction between the two predict student out-of-school suspension rates. Linsey is advised by Dr. Austin Johnson of the School Psychology program. Email: ldono002@ucr.edu |
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LeNisha Williams
LeNisha is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology department at UC Riverside. She graduated from CSU Northridge with her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis in Applied Developmental Science. She is broadly interested in how early educational experiences influence ethnic identity development, academic motivation, and overall well-being. During her free time, she enjoys discovering new music artists and catching up with family and friends.
Email: lwill088@ucr.edu |
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Tate LeBlanc
Tate is a third-year graduate student in the Ph.D. program in Developmental Psychology at UCR and a member of the YHD Lab. His emerging program of research seeks to understand the social and phenomenological processes underlying identity, efficacy, and aspiration development among Black youth in both online and offline contexts. Outside the lab, Tate enjoys learning new languages, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Email: jleblanc@ucr.edu |
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Nia Williams
I am a second-year PhD student in the Developmental Psychology program. I am a two-time alumna of the University of the District of Columbia for my Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Counseling. I am interested in studying the outcomes of African American youth impacted by their culture. I am also interested in Life Span development. Outside of academia, Nia likes to binge watch shows, journal and explore new cities! Email: nwill040@ucr.edu |
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Chelsea McElwee
Chelsea is second-year doctoral student working in the YHD lab with a strong desire to continue to serve the public good in academia and at a community level after program completion. She is ultimately passioned around empowering Black and Latinx youth to be able to thrive in their own communities. Broadly, her research interest is around exploring factors that prevent youth from being able to thrive in overlooked and under-resourced communities. Fun fact: I love to watch Tik Tok videos and traveling. Email: cmcel008@ucr.edu |
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Joshua Murillo
Josh is first-year doctoral student, who earned his master’s degree in psychological research and is extremely excited to continue his journey at UCR with the YHD lab under Dr. Loyd’s guidance. Josh’s research and passion is inspired upon equality and giving back to ethnic minority marginalized communities for his daughter and future generations. His research interest focus on health inequalities, adverse health outcomes, and community participatory action research among marginalized communities. During his free time, he loves to go running and play a video game called Pump It Up. Email: jmuri054@ucr.edu |
Undergraduate/Postbaccalaureate Research Assistants
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Marilyn Serrano
My name is Marilyn Serrano and I’m a third year psychology major. I’m interested in learning more about identity development in youth of color and I hope to someday do work in clinical psychology! Email: mserr052@ucr.edu |
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Liana Willis
My name is Liana Willis, and I am a 4th year Psychology/Law and Society major at UCR. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to study violence prevention. Email: lwill076@ucr.edu |
Lab Alumni
Aylin Luna; UCR Perception, Action, & Development(PAD) Lab Research Coordinator
Bethel Israel; UCLA Masters of Social Welfare program
Dulce Wilkinson Westberg; Postdoctoral research; University of Minnesota
Gilberto Torres; CUNY Clinical Psychology PhD program
Juelle Ford; Research Assistant, PAD Lab; B.S. in Psychology
Klaudia Gallardo; B.A. in Psychology
Maria Faheem; Cal State LA Masters in Counseling and School Psychology program
Yannelly “Nelly” Zuniga