Description of Research

My research exists at the intersection of neuropsychological performance, cardiovascular health, and neurophysiological structure. My current projects revolve around the impact that psychosocial factors, particularly stress, influence cognitive functioning and brain structure. Within this, I also explore how race and socioeconomic status play into these interactions.

Description of Research

Selima Jumarali (she/hers) is a graduate student in the Clinical-Community Psychology PhD program at UMBC. Her research focuses on the mental health and well-being of queer and trans people of color (QTPOC), as well as on the needs and experiences of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Selima has contributed to research exploring the housing needs and experiences of IPV survivors, including their experiences of housing displacement. Her thesis research is an inductive qualitative study that explores the experiences of QTPOC in identity-based matched psychotherapy arrangements, i.e., those in which clients and therapists share multiple dimensions of identity. She aspires to conduct community-based participatory research with QTPOC to address structural barriers that hinder their access to healing and mental health care, as well as to target and shift oppressive systems that create poor mental health outcomes in the first place.

Description of Research

I am interested in early childhood care and education experiences, particularly among immigrant families and families of color. Specifically, I focus on unique processes that occur within these communities, such as acculturation, enculturation, racial-ethnic socialization, and bicultural development. I wish to apply my work and translate research to develop resources for young children and their families.  I also aim to develop, implement, and/or evaluate culturally responsive and competent prevention programs for immigrant families and families of color that promote resilience and protect them from adverse experiences such as racism, discrimination, and acculturative stress.

Fran Alfonzo

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: Marquette University

Research Advisor: Shari Waldstein, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Fran‘s research interests broadly lie at the intersection of minority identity and health outcomes. She is interested in exploring the effects of chronic illness that can begin at preclinical and subclinical stages, such as the effects of prediabetes on cognitive functioning, especially among racial minorities. Clinically, Fran is interested in working in primary care settings providing integrated and holistic mental health care to patients across the life span.

Description of Research

I am studying the effect of criminal record discrimination on future orientation and how general and specific social support can hinder the negative effect of criminal record discrimination on future orientation. Ultimately, I hope to do research and clinical work in the halfway house sector. Additionally, I am interested in how trauma, substance use, and incarceration intersect.

Jordan Lankford

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: University of Washington, Tacoma

Research Advisor: Steve Pitts, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Examining the impacts of hate-crime severity and victim demographics on attributions of blame and sentence duration.

Description of Research

Reentry, Black geographies, and incarceration’s impact on black communities.

Shaline Escarfulleri

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: Florida State University

Research Advisor: Shari Waldstein, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Shaline’s research interests broadly address the role of emotion processing skills in the biopsychosocial determinants of health. She is particularly interested in how stress exposure and negative affect relate to cardiometabolic risk factors and neurocognition as a function of socioeconomic status. Clinically, she is interested in neuropsychological assessment, and looks forward to working with a diverse array of adult clinical populations.

Description of Research

Sumaiya’s primary research interests lie in the biopsychosocial factors underlying cardiometabolic health and disease, including the interface of cardiometabolism, stress and mood disorders, cognition, and health disparities.

Sarah Peralta

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate: Western Connecticut State University
Graduate Institute: : New York University

Research Advisor: Erika Fountain, Ph.D. ;  Bronwyn Hunter, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Sarah is pursuing her PhD in Child-Clinical Psychology (Dual Track with Community Psych), studying the impact of grief and bereavement on the mental health of children. She earned her M.A. in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness at New York University in 2018. She has a specific interest in the numerous ways that grief expressions in marginalized communities can become pathologized/penalized. Her goals are to address the need for grief-informed services through collaborative research that is not only community-driven but also critically focused on institutional power and actionable change.

Description of Research

Clarice‘s research aims to improve the social conditions of black women living with HIV who are disproportionately burdened by the HIV epidemic. She conducts studies from an ecological perspective to transform how society understands HIV-related stigma. Through community-based participatory research methods, Clarice centers the voices of black women living with HIV and uses multilevel approaches to advocate for transformative change. Ultimately, her goal is to shift the national dialogue on dismantling structural stigma from placing individual blame to supporting collective action, specifically as it relates to black women living with HIV.

Danielle Black

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: Clark University

Research Advisor: Anne Brodsky, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Everyday Resistance in the Lives of Black Women. My research explores resistance within Black communities, mental health, intergenerational connections, and liberation.

Description of Research

Health disparities, digital health technologies, and health equity.

Raven Ross

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: Virginia Commonwealth University

Research Advisor: Janelle Billingsley, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Raven’s research interests involve how families and other important contexts, such as schools, may help promote Black youth’s well-being and healthy development. More specifically, she is interested in how these contexts engage with youth about race, racial identity, and race-related experiences (i.e., racial socialization), and how youth understand these racial socialization messages. Additionally, Raven is interested in how Black youth understand and process race-related stressors, such as racial discrimination.

Jordyn Beschel

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: Central Connecticut State University
Graduate Institute: University of New Haven

Research Advisor: Janelle Billingsley, Ph.D.

Description of Research

Youth R.I.S.E. Lab research regarding racial minority youth and family well-being.

Dennis Carter-Deen

Area of Doctoral Study: Psychology
Undergraduate Institute: University of Maryland University College

Research Advisor: Anne Brodsky, Ph.D.

Description of Research