Research Team | Health Within Measure Research Lab

Name: Judith Sigaran-Sorto
Classification: Senior
Where I’m from: El Salvador
Research interests: Methods of learning and teaching; The importance of self-care and coping with stress as a first-generation college student; Understanding and spreading awareness of the risks of diabetes
Something about myself: I enjoy learning and teaching. Some of my favorite things to do during my free time are go out for long walks around the city, visit new restaurants and watch movies.

Name: Yen-Hannah Nguyen
Classification: Senior
Where I'm from: Vietnam
Research interests: Immigrants' Mental Health; Resilience; Acculturation; Life Transition Stress
Something about myself: I love reading romance and thrillers books, and I try to read around 7-8 books a month. I also hang out with friends to try new restaurants or have a solo coffee shop date in my free time. Traveling is another thing I love; I usually plan a grand trip to a new city/country each year, so I appreciate traveling tips if you have some!.

Name: Danny Velasquez
Classification: Sophomore
Where I'm from: Washington, D. C.
Research interests: Effects of gun violence on teens; resilience among youth who've experienced the juvenile system
Something about myself: I enjoy watching movies, specifically comedies. I also enjoy working on cars, and I often help my uncle whenever he is working on his project car.

Name: Estefania
Degree: B.S. in Psychology
Where I'm from: Colombia
Research interests: Diabetes, sports psychology, complementary or alternative medicine (meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation)
Somethings about myself: I love playing tennis, I like sports and physical activity, I like reading and occasionally learning a little bit of other languages. I would also love to travel and learn about new cultures while working as an educator or coach. I have two younger siblings living back in Colombia with my parents. Both also very passionate about tennis and sports.

Name: Labrina
Degree: B.S. in Psychology
Where I'm from: Washington DC
Research Interests: Exercise behavior, marijuana usage, how physical health can impact mental health.
Something about myself: I’ve hiked on the Appalachian trail three times. I have three brothers and one sister.

Name: Briana
Classification: Senior
Where I'm from: Washington D.C
Research interests: Sexual Risk in young adults, Child and Adolescence Psychology, brain development, stress coping in children and young adults
Something about myself: I enjoy writing poetry and advocating for young adults who are or have experienced homelessness.

Name: Laquesha (Q)
Degree: B.S. in Psychology
Where I’m from: Washington DC
Research interests: healthy decision making among young people, coping with stress and drug use and survivors’ guilt and self-care
Something about myself: I am a social activist who uses the performing arts to bring awareness to issues of marginalized groups of people (i.e. young people, People of color, LGBTQ+ etc.). I am proud mom of a 4-year-old. I plan to obtain degrees in psychology and work to increase healthy decision making among at-risk populations in hope of violence prevention.

Name: Marzia
Classification: Senior (double major)
Where I'm from: Afghanistan
Research Interests: the role of psychology in politics; using psychology for social progress
Something about myself: I enjoy reading books.

Name: De’Ajane (Dee); Pronouns: She/They
Degree: B.S. in Psychology
Where I'm from: Greenville, South Carolina
Research interests: Sexual behaviors and social engagements within minority populations and youth
Somethings about myself: I love to draw, and I am currently learning to create digital art. I have a podcast called The Gay Socialite and a health Instagram dedicated to educating others on queer and minority personal & sexual health-related topics. I have also used my passions and discipline in psychology to create safe spaces discussing personal and sexual health with Black & queer students.

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