Human Development & Culture Lab
HD&C lab members discuss coding and identity maps for their involvement in the “Beneath and Beyond Biculturalism: The Lived Realities of Hmong American and Latin American Emerging Adults” research project.
Current HD&C Lab Members
Current HD&C Lab members include Post-Baccalaureate researchers Kate Zamora and Savannah Castillo, and undergraduate researchers Caleb Benson, Victoria Brazier, Melissa Castellanos, Natalia Pilavian, Barbara Yang, and Patricia Yang.
They are examining lay theories of adulthood among, and the envisioned futures of, immigrant-origin youth in central California and young people in northern Thailand.
More updates on their work to come!
My name is Caleb Benson. I am a 3rd year undergraduate student, and I am majoring in Psychology. I have a newfound interest in research and I am excited to collaborate with the others in this research lab, and better prepare myself for grad school, as I work towards being a school counselor.
My name is Victoria Brazier. I am a fourth-year student majoring in Child Development and minoring in History. I am graduating in Spring 2024. After graduating I plan on having a fun summer and attending graduate school, continuing to study human development. I like to read and paint with watercolors in my free time and enter my works in art shows in Fresno.
My name is Melissa Castellanos, and I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. After getting my BS in Child and Family Science, in Spring 2024, I will be moving back to Los Angeles and attending a MSW program specializing in child welfare. I am excited to apply my knowledge of human development, culture, and diversity while supporting children and their families. When I am not cooking traditional meals from my Mexican culture, I am enjoying nature with my companions.
Hi, my name is Savannah Grace Castillo. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from California State University, Fresno. I intend to apply to a credential program where I may earn a multiple subject credential so that I can teach children in elementary school. I also plan to travel abroad and teach English to children in other countries. I also plan to teach college courses at either a community college or university.
My name is Natalia Pilavian and I am a 4th year student at Fresno State. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Science. After I graduate I plan to further my education by going to graduate school with a focus on Clinical Psychology.
My name is Barbara Yang. As a senior at California State University, Fresno, my academic journey has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of young individuals. As I prepare to embark on my professional career, I am driven by a genuine desire to create a nurturing environment for children, ensuring they receive the emotional and psychological support essential for their overall development. My passion lies in becoming a child life specialist, dedicated to helping those children in need navigate the challenges they face with resilience and optimism. I am eager to apply my education and experiences to make a positive impact in the lives of these young individuals, fostering a space where they can grow, thrive, and overcome obstacles.
My name is Patricia Yang. I am a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Child & Family Science - Family Science option with a minor in Asian American Studies. I currently work at the Academic Success Coaching Center here at Fresno State and have been involved with the COSS Linked Peer Mentor Program and Bulldogs4Kids club! After graduating, I hope to further my education by applying to a Master’s program with the goal of pursuing a career in therapy or counseling.
My name is Kate Zamora and I am a Fresno State graduate who majored in Child and Family Science. I spent over 5 years in the education field as a paraprofessional and tutor. I now work as a community organizer for a local nonprofit where I help train and develop youth on how to become leaders and create change within their communities. I eventually plan on obtaining a master’s degree and one day, a doctorate, so that I can continue to pass on knowledge to those within my hometown of Fresno. Fun fact: I love all things cute! You can see me pictured above with one of my many Sonny Angels (he’s a zucchini).
Past HD&C Lab Members
2021-2022 HD&C Lab Members
H&C Lab’s Final Meeting of the Semester (Fall 2021)
Clockwise from back left: Nancy Dionicio, Cindy Thai Lopez, Meng Thao, Shelby Ford, & Dr. McKenzie
HD&C Lab members included Post-Baccalaureate researchers Cindy Thai Lopez and Meng Thao, and undergraduate researchers Nancy Dionicio, Shazana Virani, and Shelby Ford. Their work examines perspectives of biculturalism among ethnically diverse youth in central California.
One manuscript (published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations) investigates the perceived affordances and challenges of biculturalism among Mexican American emerging adults.
Another manuscript (published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology) focuses on cultural identity mapping as a methodological tool that centers the complexity of cultural identity development among Hmong American emerging adults.
To learn more about each lab member, see their bios below.
My name is Cindy Thai Lopez, and I graduated with a major in Child Development and a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. I am applying to law schools and pursuing a profession in family law. With the help of God, I know my future will be bright and full of surprises!
My name is Meng Thao. I hold a degree in Child Development from California State University, Fresno. I plan to further my education in graduate school, and hope to teach preschool and college students one day.
My name is Nancy Dionicio and I am a Child Development major at Fresno State. After graduation, my plan is to become a child life specialist and work with children.
My name is Shazana Virani. I am a Child Development student at California State University, Fresno. After I graduate I plan to further my studies by getting my Masters in Early Childhood Education. In the future I am looking to work in research about fetuses as I am really curious about how fetuses learn and absorb outside knowledge.
Hello, my name is Shelby Ford. I am a 4th year Child Development major. After graduation I will be getting my teaching credential and hope to teach at the elementary school level. I have a passion for teaching, but also learning.
2019-2020 HD&C Lab Members
Final lab meeting of the Spring 2020 semester
Post-Baccalaureate researcher Jose Reyes and undergraduate researchers Emily Leighton, Jasmine Navarro, Kajai Cassie Xiong, Macy Davis, and Trae Lewis were lab members from 2019-2020. They studied how bicultural emerging adults in Central California integrate, and otherwise psychologically manage, heritage and American cultural values.
HD&C lab members had two paper presentations accepted in Spring 2020: one at the 2020 International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) in the Czech Republic and another at the 2020 Central California Research Symposium (CCRS) in Fresno. Due to COVID-19, their IACCP presentation took place virtually in July 2021.
Emily, Macy, and Jose also worked alongside Dr. McKenzie on a book chapter (published in “Globalized Identities: The Impact of Globalization on Self and Identity”) that draws on the results of their research to discuss how youth who are bicultural by way of immigration and globalization negotiate multiple cultures to construct their identities.
To learn more about 2019-20 HD&C lab members, see their bios below.
My name is Emily Leighton and I am a Child Development student at CSU Fresno. After obtaining my Bachelor's degree, I hope to become a preschool teacher.
My name is Jasmine Navarro and I am a 4th year student at CSU Fresno. I am a Child Development major and after graduation I plan on working at a preschool or opening my own private daycare. I love to watch children learn and grow and luckily I get to experience it first-hand with my one year old daughter, Adaly.
My name is Jose Reyes. I have a B.S. in Child Development from CSU Fresno. My future goals are to continue my education in graduate school, where I would like to research cultural psychology and mental health in adolescents and young adults.
My name is Kajai Cassie Xiong and I am a Child Development major. I am involved with the Jordan College Honors program at CSU Fresno, which allows me to do my own research under my mentor's guidance. I hope that I will discover my true passion as I continue to explore aspects of myself through research.
My name is Macy Davis and I am currently a Child Development major at CSU Fresno. I plan on continuing my education in graduate school after I receive my bachelor’s degree and I am looking forward to seeing what further passions and possible careers that leads me to.
My name is Trae Lewis, and I am majoring in Family Science. I am the social media manager for the Fresno State Council on Family Relations. My career goal is to be a Marriage and Family Therapist.
2018-2019 HD&C Lab Members
HD&C Lab Meeting (Spring 2019)
L-R: Dr. McKenzie, Chelsee Armsworthy, Alysia Corona, Kajai (Cassie) Xiong, & Jose (Joey) Reyes
Undergraduates Alysia Corona, Chelsee Armsworthy, Jose Reyes, and Kajai Cassie Xiong were lab members from 2018-2019. Their time in lab was spent conducting a cross-cultural analysis on perspectives of sex work.
They presented their work on the cultural-moral values that guide Thai adolescent perspectives of sex work at the 2019 Central California Research Symposium, and their co-authored manuscript was published in Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology in 2021.
2017-2018 HD&C Lab Members
HD&C Lab End-of-Semester Gathering (Fall 2017)
L-R: Cristina Landeros, Dr. McKenzie, Cassandra Stewart, Emma Willis, & Rachel Castellón
Undergraduates Cassandra Stewart, Cristina Landeros, Emma Willis, Joseph Rooney, and Rachel Castellón were lab members for one year. During their time in lab, they worked on three research projects: (1) an investigation of media's influence on family relationships among urban-dwelling Thai parents and adolescents, (2) an examination of media use and perceived media-based opportunities and challenges among urban and rural Thai adolescent-parent dyads, and (3) an investigation of folk theories of success among rural and urban adolescents in northern Thailand.
We presented the results of the first project at the 2018 Society for Research on Adolescence conference. Cassandra, Cristina, Emma, Joseph, and Rachel also presented portions of all three projects at the 2018 Central California Research Symposium (CCRS). Their first co-authored manuscript was published in Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology in 2019. Their second co-authored manuscript was published in Media Psychology.
2015-2016 HD&C Lab Members
HD&C Lab in Nagoya, Japan in 2016 for the 23rd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology
L-R: Dr. McKenzie, Sarah Tsutsui, & Seema Prakash
Inaugural HD&C lab members Sarah Tsutsui and Seema Prakash examined the religious practices and orientations toward religion among adolescents residing in variously globalized northern Thai communities. They presented the results of this research at local, national, and international levels, and published a co-authored manuscript on this study in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Their manuscript was awarded a CSU Fresno Outstanding Publication Award in 2019.
Sarah (who graduated Summa Cum Laude) went on to pursue her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Teacher Residency at CSU Fresno, and is now a kindergarten teacher at Pyle Elementary School.
Seema (who graduated Magna Cum Laude) is currently pursuing Dental School at Western University of Health Sciences. She looks forward to drawing from her developmental expertise as a dentist working with patients across the life course.
Sarah Tsutsui & Seema Prakash present their research to the Child and Family Science Research-in-Progress Group