My name is Araceli Cruz. I am a Hispanic woman from California,
and a first-year graduate student in the Masters Programin Psychology at California State San Marcos (CSUSM). In 2010, I graduated from CSUSM with a B.A in psychology. I become
a RISE Scholar recipient in September 2011. My current graduate adviser is Dr. Gonzalez and my research focuses on the effects of early experiences with positive maternal parenting and emotion regulation in college-age females. 

My name is Michelle Calderwood. I am a Hispanic female, born and raised in Southern California. I graduated with my Associates degree in Humanities and Behavioral Science from Mt. San Jacinto College in 2008. I immediately transferred to Cal State San Marcos where I received my Bachelors in Psychology in 2011. Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology. I work in Dr. Keith Trujillo’s psychopharmacology lab. Our lab is currently interested in short-term and long-term brain and behavioral changes resulting from drug exposure.  We are also interested short-term and long-term drug effects in adolescents compared to adults.

My name is Andrea Fenner, I am African American and Filipino. In May of 2012 I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry from California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). In addition, during this time I was accepted into the RISE program at CSUSM. I am currently a graduate student at CSUSM pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Biology. My graduate mentor is Dr. George Vourlitis. My current research involves determining how long-term nitrogen deposition affects microbial enzymes found in soil and microbial enzymes involved in litter decomposition. I plan to utilize the knowledge that I have learned through both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as I further my education in an M.D./Ph.D. program.

Hello, I am Esmeralda Garcia, a first-year graduate student at California State University San Marcos where I seek to attain a Master’s degree in Psychology. I have both an A.A. and a B.A. in Psychology from Imperial Valley College and San Diego State University respectively. I am a RISE Graduate Scholar as of July 2012. Currently, I am working under the mentorship of Dr. D’Anna-Hernandez. We are studying the relationship between cultural factors and the biological response to stress in Mexican-American mothers and their infants. We are also researching how maternal behavior in mice is affected by peptides linked to arousal. Upon completion of my Master’s Degree, I plan to pursue a Ph. D. and make a career in research as a college professor.

My name is Eleuterio Limas and I am second year graduate student in the experimental psychology master's program.  I graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a B.A in psychology last year and I plan to graduate with my M.A at the end of this upcoming academic year.  I became a RISE scholar in July 2010 of my senior year as an undergraduate.  Currently, I work with Dr. Kim Pulvers where my research involves testing two different brief interventions on increasing distress tolerance.  I hope to extend this research to working with high risk smokers.  I am now applying to PhD programs so that I can continue my education, as well as contribute scholarly research to the field of psychology.

Hi! My name is Brenda Aleman, I am a Mexican American Psychology major at California State University San Marcos. I graduated from Mount San Jacinto Community College with an Associates’ of Science in Child Development, as well as in Social Behavioral Sciences. I am currently working as a research assistant in Dr. D’Anna Hernandez lab. We are working on a project that assesses Mexican American mothers and how acculturation affects maternal depression, and in turn their offspring’s mental health and stress responses. I am also working with Dr. Fitzpatrick to publish a study of the relationship between the use of Face Book and Personality. I recently joined  RISE in June 2012, and look forward to being a part of the OTRES family

Jose Banuelos

My name is Theo Crouch, II.  I’m an African American from Tennessee.  I was in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1992.  I’m a Gulf War veteran.  I’m a senior, and my major is Computer Science.  I’m expecting to graduate at the end of Spring 2013.  Then I will continue on to a PhD program in Bioinformatics, Fall 2013. I was a Bridges Scholar at Palomar College.  I’m currently a RISE Scholar here at CSUSM, under the Office for Training, Research & Education in the Sciences (OTRES).

I’m currently mentoring with Dr. Denise Garcia, Dr. Suzanne Hizer, and Dr. Xiaoyu Zhang.  Our research project is to develop a Web Portal for the SAGE and EST Analysis Pipeline.  And I have a Mira Costa College transfer student that is shadowing me, Aurelio Arango.

My name is Zachary Cruz and I am Puerto Rican and a Junior at Cal State San Marcos.  My major is Biochemistry and I am currently part of the RISE program and before transferring to CSUSM I was a Bridges Scholar at Palomar Community College.  I am currently working in Dr. Trischman’s Marine Products Lab in search for new Anti-Tuberculosis Compounds.

Hello my name is Nyeesha Hale and I am an African American. I am currently a senior at Cal State San Marcos and my major is Psychology and I am also minoring in French.  I have become a Marc recipient as of June 2012. I am currently assisting Dr. Calvillo in his cognitive psychology lab, in which we will be researching facial recognition in eyewitness testimonies, along with other topics. I am not sure what my career goals are just yet but I do know that academically I would like to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology.

William Huegel

Sarah Lopez

Joanna Malfavon-Borja

Hello, my name is Gabriel Padilla. I was in the Bridges Program at Palomar College, where I earned an Associate’s degree in Math and Science. Now I am attending CSUSM, and I am majoring in Biology with a Physiology concentration. I became a RISE scholar in July 2011, and I have been participating in Dr. Deborah Kristan’s physiology lab since January 2011. I am about to begin an undergraduate research project involving parasite reproduction and T cell exposure.

My name is Megan Rice.  I am Mexican American and the first generation born in the United States on my father’s side.  I am currently a senior at California State University, San Marcos majoring in Psychology and minoring in Visual Performing Arts.  I am interested in comparative psychology and currently working in Dr. Nancy Caine’s primate laboratory.  Our present study is examining snake shape recognition in a group of captive common marmosets.  My scholastic and career goals are to continue to pursue my research interests in primate and cetacean behavior.

Abel Rios

Brittany Young