Affiliated Scholars
Precious Araujo
pjaraujo@uci.edu
I am a second-year Psychological Science Ph.D. student at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychological Science from UCI. My current research interests focus on identifying positive psychosocial factors such as self-esteem and social support networks that may buffer the effects of prolonged stress (e.g., parent-child separations) and trauma (e.g., intimate partner violence) on mental health outcomes in ethnic minorities, with an emphasis on the perinatal period. My program of work aims to foster resilience in these vulnerable communities by understanding what role psychosocial forces play in their physiological processes and how they relate to psychological health outcomes. I am also building on my efforts through UCI’s POWER Initiative by implementing resilience-building workshops and informed action on campus to promote proactive behaviors among minority trauma victims.
Angela Robinson, Ph.D.
angelarr@uci.edu
I am a Postdoctoral Scholar at the UCI Blum Center for Poverty Alleviation. I am collaborating on a study with Dr. Almeida to learn more about discrimination that birthing women experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this impacted their well-being. My main line of research is focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating a methodology that empowers survivors of human trafficking while improving the services that anti-trafficking organizations provide to victims. I completed a BA at the University of Illinois; an MSc in Cross-Cultural Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington; and a PhD in Social Psychology at the University of California, Irvine.
Research Assistants
Gabby Baeza
I earned my BA in Psychological Science with a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies here at UCI in 2024. Some of my hobbies include arts & crafts, listening to music, and spending time with loved ones. Academically, I have always been interested in psychology, particularly within the Latinx community. In the future, I aim to work with Latinx populations to break down stigma regarding mental health and to provide culturally competent mental health services. I am delighted to be a part of Dr. Almeida’s research team as it aligns with my career goals, and I believe that pregnant Latinas deserve to be researched, understood, and aided by both academic and healthcare systems.
Tonantzin Lavenant-Hayward
I am a first year majoring in Biological Sciences and specializing in biochemistry. In my free time I enjoy baking, hiking, and going to the movies. My interest in this lab stems from a personal observation about the lack of support and resources for Latina mothers. Also how it is a significantly under-addressed and prevalent problem. My goals include becoming a medical researcher to bridge gaps such as the one being addressed in this lab to promote equity for women’s healthcare.
Sheyla Perez
I am a fourth-year double majoring in Psychological Science and Criminology B.S. at UCI. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting while watching crime shows and spending time with my loved ones. My passion for serving underserved populations, especially women and children, has led me to join Dr. Almeida’s research team as I hope to contribute meaningful work that promotes equity for these populations. As a prospective healthcare worker, I seek to expand my knowledge of the healthcare disparities that Latina mothers face because I aim to advocate and foster a space where women feel protected by their healthcare providers.
Naomi Salazar
I am currently a fourth-year student at the University of California, Irvine majoring in Psychology B.S. I have dedicated my time at UCI meeting great people, honing academic and professional skills, and, in my opinion most remarkably, towards the development of programming that enriches student lives that identify with the Latine/Chicane community through my role as an intern for the Latinx Resource Center. My programming focuses on mental health and personal wellness, and I have had the opportunity to learn about Latine student needs regarding mental health. Becoming a part of the Latina Perinatal Health Lab has allowed me to continue to foster my desire to learn about the needs of my community and be a part of research that takes into consideration cultural factors across psychological, social, and biological facets of life. As a first-generation Latina, it is my hope that – through research like the one done in Dr. Almeida’s lab- subsequent generations will benefit from more culturally aware treatments and healthcare that is empathetic to unique life experiences.
Jimena Renteria-Gonzalez
I am a fourth-year Psychological Science and Spanish double major here at UCI. Since studying here, I have become interested in learning more about the cultural differences researched in the psychology field. More specifically, I gained an interest in seeing the research that is being conducted on and for the Latine community and how it is affecting the group as a whole. This interest of mine has led me to join Dr. Almeida’s research team in hopes of helping out the underrepresented community of Latine pregnant women living in the US.
Research Coordinators
Ghazal Naderi
I got my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tehran and went on to complete the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Psychological Science at UC Irvine. Broadly, I’m interested in how trauma impacts maternal and postpartum health. My goal is to help develop culturally responsible interventions for women with PTSD.
Lab Alumni
Angelina Majeno
angelina.majeno@uci.edu
I am a fourth-year Psychological Science Ph.D. student at UCI. I hold a Master of Arts in Social Ecology from UCI, and Master of Public Health (MPH) and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Human Development from California State University, Long Beach. My research focuses on social marginality and its effects on health. Specifically, I investigate how sociocultural stressors, such as discrimination, impact health outcomes through the dysregulation of biobehavioral and physiological systems (e.g., sleep, cardiovascular reactivity). My current research investigates how discrimination affects prenatal and oral health.