Lab Members
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. May Ling Halim, Director
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Dr. May Ling Halim is a Professor of Psychology at CSULB. Dr. Halim completed her MA and PhD in Social Psychology
with a Developmental Focus and Quantitative Minor at New York University and her BA in Psychology at Stanford University.
Dr. Halim has won numerous awards and grants, such as from the National Science Foundation and the American Psychological Foundation. She has been invited to speak
at several events and universities such as the National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology and the Society for Research on Child Development Biennial Meeting.
Her research spans two broad areas. The first examines the development of gender and racial intergroup
attitudes. The second focuses on gender identity development among diverse young children. Her research
has been published in national academic journals such as Child Development, Developmental Psychology, and
Health Psychology and has been used to inform legal proceedings (e.g., ACLU) and educational policies (e.g., Head Start).
Her work has also been written about in the popular media, such as on NPR, CNN and in
Psychology Today, and she has written an op-ed for NBC Think. She also serves as a Consulting Editor or Editorial Board
Member for several academic journals including Child Development, Journal of Cognition and Development, and Sex Roles.
Dr. Halim also consults as a Program Director at the CSULB Center for Evaluation and Educational Effectiveness.
(Download CV) |
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Rita Butrus
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Rita is currently a second-year graduate student in the Master’s of Psychological Research program here at CSU Long Beach. She previously earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Education from UC Riverside. Rita‘s research is on family socialization messages across various cultures (with a focus on Middle Eastern culture) and children’s intergroup attitudes and perceptions. Rita enjoys teaching and her career goal is to become a Psychology professor. |
UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTBACCALAUREATE STUDENTS
Ben Beyer
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Benjamin graduated from CSULB in 2022 with a Psychology major and a Sociology minor. He currently works as a behavior interventionist, where he teaches language, communication, social skills, and adaptive behavior to young children with behavior obstacles. His aim is to attain a Master’s degree in School Counseling, with the goal of creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for struggling students. He hopes to contribute to research with the goal of creating anti-racist counseling methods, reducing overall bias and driving equitable education. |
Joshua Diaz
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Joshua is a senior undergraduate psychology major, with a double minor in History and American Indian studies. He plans to attend an MA program in psychological research, and eventually graduate from a Social Psychology PhD program. His goals include becoming a professor of psychology and contribute to research on group dynamics. He currently works at CSULB with the Not Alone @ the Beach Organization as an ambassador. Additionally, he works as a student assistant in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department at CSULB, applying his psychological knowledge to the body of consumer science research. |
Nancy Giang
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Nancy is currently a senior undergraduate Psychology major. She plans to pursue her master’s degree and become licensed as an MFT, with the additional possibility of becoming an LPCC. She wishes to work with youth and young adults. Nancy previously interned at the Casa Youth Shelter. Her interests lie in trauma and grief work and she wishes to incorporate and emphasize the socio-cultural perspective in her work. |
Emily Hermez
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Emily is a senior undergraduate Psychology major and Child Development minor. Her goal is to become a Marriage and Family Therapist where she plans to support minoritized adolescents and emerging adults. Currently she interns at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital in the mental health department where she runs various neuropsychological battery tests on veterans. Additionally, she is president of CSULB’s chapter of Brain Exercise Initiative where she and her club members volunteer at nursing homes providing psychological interventions to patients with Alzheimer’s in order to slow their progressive memory loss. |
LAB ALUMNI
Undergraduate Students
Armando Alvarez, M.S. in Human Factors Psychology at CSULB
Maria Arredondo, B.A., Department Honors, Outstanding Senior in Psychology
Yvette Apatiga, B.A., M.S. in Human Factors Psychology at CSULB
Jocelyn Borrego, B.A., Psychology
Elizabeth Campbell, B.A., Psychology
Eric Cortez, B.A., Psychology
Eliza Derfelt, B.A., Psychology
Kaelyn Echave, B.A., M.A. in School Psychology at CSULB
Melissa Ehlers, B.A., Psychology
Megan Fisher, B.A., Psychology, Minor: Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies
Celeste Garcia, B.A., Psychology
Brenda Gutierrez, B.A., Psychology, Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at UC Santa Cruz, CSULB Assistant Professor of Psychology
Kimberly Griffin, B.A., Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at U. of La Verne
Kevin Han, B.A., pursuing a Ph.D. in School Psychology at UC Riverside
Keila Hirokawa, B.A., Psychology
Julyssa Juarez, B.A., M.A. in School Counseling at CSULB
Esther Kim, B.A, B.S., M.A. at John Jay University
Emerald Lee, B.A., M.A. in Social Work at CSU Fullerton
Lilian Lim, B.A., M.S. in Human Factors Psychology at CSULB
Natasha Lindner, B.A., Psychology
Natassia Mattoon, M.S. in Human Factors in Psychology at CSULB
Olivia Massey, B.A., pursuing an M.A. in School Psychology at CSU Fullerton
Keith Moy, B.A., Psychology
Sara Ortiz-Cubias, M.A. in School Counseling at CSULB’s School of Education
Mark Ortiz-Payne, B.A., Psychology
Kestel Owen, B.A. in Psychology, Fulbright Scholar
Aubrey Pellicano, M.A. in Academic Research in Psychology, Humboldt State
Daniella Ramirez, B.A., M.A. in Psychological Research at CSU Fullerton
Jacqueline Cecile Ramos, B.A., Psychology
Julie Rossi, B.A., Psychology, Outstanding Senior in Psychology
Dylan Sakamoto, B.A., M.S. in Industrial Organization Psychology at CSULB
Crystal Sanchez, B.A., Psychology
Jaime Sanchez, B.A., M.S in Human Factors Psychology at CSULB
Samantha Sander, B.A., M.A. in School Psychology at San Diego State
Elaine Scenters-Zapico, B.A., M.A. in School Counseling at CSULB
Devynn Smith, B.A., pursuing M.A. in School Counseling at CSUF
Akashi Suon, B.A., Psychology
Sachiko Tawa, B.A., pursuing Psy.D. at Alliant International
Nathalie Torres, B.A., M.A in Social Work at USC
Kat Van Tol, B.A. in Psychology at CSULB
Audrey Tran, B.A., pursuing Psy.D. at Univ. of San Francisco
Emily Wang, B.A in Psychology at CSULB
Jessica Wysocki, B.A., Outstanding Senior in Psychology
Jeanette Zambrano, M.A., Ph.D. in Urban Education at USC, CSUSB Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Graduate Students
Esther Choe, M.A. in Psychology
Ramon Flores, M.A. in Psychology, pursuing a Ph.D. In Human Development and Psychology at UCLA
Anais Martinez, M.A., pursuing Ph.D. in Psychology at UC Riverside
Alisha Osornio, M.A. in Psychology