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Psychological Science

Faculty Research

Nancy  G. Caine, Ph.D. (University of California, Davis)

Comparative psychology; evolutionary basis of behavior; behavior of nonhuman primates; captive animal welfare; antipredator and sensory adaptations in mammals.

*Jensen, C.H., & Caine, N.G. (2021). Preferential snake detection in a simulated ecological experiment. American Journal of Biological Anthropology (formerly American Journal of Physical Anthropology), 175(4), 895-904 https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24224

 Caine, N. G., Muñoz, R., & *Mulholland, M. M. (2020). Does rattling deter? The case of domestic dogs. Ethology, 126(5), 503-508. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13000

*Dr. Caine is not taking new graduate students in the current admission cycle.*

Dustin P. Calvillo, Ph.D. (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Cognitive psychology; false memory; misinformation; judgment and decision making; reasoning, social cognition, political psychology.

Calvillo, D. P, & *León, A., & Rutchick, A. M. (2024). Personality and misinformation. Current Opinion in Psychology, 55, 101752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101752

Calvillo, D. P., *Harris, J. D., & Hawkins, W. C. (2023). Partisan bias in false memories for misinformation about the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. Memory, 31(1), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2022.2127771

Haylee K. DeLuca Bishop, Ph.D. (Kent State University)

Developmental psychology; peer, romantic, and sexual relationships in adolescence and young adulthood; the role of close relationships in college adjustment; the impact of family transitions and dissolutions on adolescent and young adult outcomes; measurement and methodology for developmental and dyadic data.

DeLuca Bishop, H. K., Baker, E. A., & van Dulmen, M. H. (2023). The role of friends and romantic partners in college-attending emerging adults’ engagement and GPA. Emerging Adulthood, 11(1), 221-233.

Hawkins, S. E.*, DeLuca, H. K., Claxton, S. E., & Baker, E. A. (2022). Sexual behaviors, satisfaction, and intentions to engage in casual sexual relationships and experiences in emerging adulthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52, 1575–1591.

Francisco J. Flores Ramirez, Ph.D (University of Texas at El Paso)

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Neurobiology of substance use disorders; alcohol use disorder; drug-seeking behavior induced by cues, stress, and drug priming; neurobehavioral basis of relapse vulnerability; relapse prevention; behavioral pharmacology.

Flores-Ramirez, F.J., Illenberger, J.M., Pascasio, G., Terenius, L., & Martin-Fardon, R. (2024). LY2444296, a -opioid receptor antagonist, selectively reduces alcohol drinking in male and female Wistar rats with a history of alcohol dependence. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 5804. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56500-9

Flores-Ramirez, F.J., Varodayan, F.P., Patel, R.R., Illenberger, J.M., Di Ottavio, F., Roberto, M., & Martin-Fardon, R. (2023). Blockade of orexin receptors in the infralimbic cortex prevents stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior in alcohol dependent rats. British Journal of Pharmacology, 180(11), 1500-1515. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.16015 

Gerardo M. González, Ph.D. (California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno)

Clinical psychology; multicultural mental health issues, computer-assisted psychological assessment, prevention/treatment of depression, and computer- assisted teaching tools.

González, G.M.  (2021).   Abnormal psychology: Intersections.  Dubuque, IA: Great River Learning.

Muñoz, R.F., González, G.M., et al. (2016).  Depression prevention and treatment interventions: Evolution of the San Francisco Latino Mental Health Research Program. In N. Zane, G. Bernal & F.T.L. Leong (Eds.), Evidence-based psychological practice with ethnic minorities: Culturally informed research and clinical strategies.  American Psychological Association.  Washington, D.C.

*Dr. González is not taking new graduate students in the current admission cycle* 

Elisa J. Grant-Vallone, Ph.D. (Claremont Graduate University)

Organizational psychology; work and family issues; work environments and employee health and well-being; faculty development.

Grant-Vallone, E.J. & Ensher, E.A. (2017). Re-crafting careers for mid-career faculty: A qualitative study. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 17(5), 10-24.

  Grant-Vallone, E.J. & Ensher, E.A. (2011). "Opting in between": Strategies used by professional women with children to balance work and family. Journal of Career Development, 38(4), 331-349.

*Dr. Grant-Valone is not taking new graduate students in the current admission cycle* 

Lisa V. Graves, Ph.D. (San Diego State University/University of California San Diego) 

 Neuropsychology; cognitive aging; mild cognitive impairment; Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD); evaluating the utility of neuropsychological and functional measures to improve diagnostic accuracy across the ADRD continuum, and identifying risk and protective factors for cognition and daily functioning, in culturally diverse populations.

Graves, L. V., Beacham, D., Sawitzky, N., Lozano, J., Weberg, M., Hernandez, E., Reyes, K., Sarsar, D., *Vergonia, L., & *Conaway, Z. (2023). Informant sex/gender moderates associations between reported functioning and memory performance in Mexican American adults. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2023.2246669.

Graves, L. V., Hamill, S., *Larry, M., & Williams, D. (2023). Informant characteristics influence reports of participant functioning and their associations with neuropsychological performance in non-Hispanic Black adults. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 38(7), 1054-1067. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acad022. 

Sharon B. Hamill, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine)

Developmental psychology; the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on the family; multigenerational family relationships among middle-aged adults and adolescent children (i.e., the “sandwich” generation); the development of personal responsibility in adolescents and emerging adults; palliative care.

Hamill, S. B. (2021). Assessing young caregivers' feelings about helping: Pilot test of a new scale. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 38, 571-582.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-021-00792-7

Chew, S. L., Neufeld, G., Hamill, S., Taylor, A. & Macias III, S.  (2020). Assessing goal 4 communication skills for Psychology across audience, purpose, and context. Teaching of Psychology, 47(4), 296-404. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628320945120 

*Dr. Hamill is not taking new graduate students in the current admission cycle* 

Alex C. Huynh, Ph.D.(University of Waterloo, Canada)

Social and cultural psychology, cultural change, wisdom and intellectual humility, ethnic diversity and intergroup relations, social class and social inequality, first-generation college student experiences.

Huynh, A. C., & Gonzalez, R. R. (2023) The fine line between intellectual humility and arrogance: Perceiving humility among the intellectually humble and narcissistic. The Journal of Positive Psychology https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2023.2230455 

 Huynh, A. C., & Grossmann, I. (2020). Rising ethnic diversity in the United States accompanies shifts toward an individualistic culture. Social Psychological and Personality Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620967230

Allison Jobin, Ph.D., BCBA-D (University of California, San Diego)

Implementation science; clinical child psychology; autism spectrum disorder, with a focus on examining methods to promote the delivery of high-quality interventions in community-based settings and adaptations to improve fit within varied contexts

Jobin, A., Stahmer, A. C., Camacho, N., May, G. C., Gist, K., & Brookman-Frazee, L. (2024). Pilot feasibility of a community inclusion preschool program for children with autism. Journal of Early Intervention, 46(2), 239-254. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538151231217483

Jobin, A. (2020). Varied treatment response in young children with autism: A relative comparison of structured and naturalistic behavioral approaches. Autism: An International Journal, 24, 338-351.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319859726

Sasha Y. Kimel, Ph.D. (University of Michigan)

Social and cultural psychology; understanding conflict between groups (e.g. national, racial/ethnic, religious) and how to reduce it; how our diverse cultures shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Kimel, S. Y., Bierwiaczonek, K. M., Obaidi, M., Foeman, A., Lawton, B., Sidanius, J., & Kunst, J. R. (2024). Finding your roots: Do DNA ancestry tests increase racial (in)tolerance? Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 30(1), 120-134. https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000488 

  Kimel, S. Y., Mischkowski, D., Miyagawa, Y., & Niiya, Y. (2021). Left out but “in control”? Culture variations in perceived control when excluded by a close other. Social Psychological and Personality Science.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620987436

Aleksandria Perez Grabow, Ph.D. (University of Oregon)

Clinical/counseling psychology; developmental psychology; understanding the long-term outcomes of trauma and violence exposure through an ecological framework.

Perez Grabow, A., & Becker-Blease, K. (2023). Acquiring psychopathy and callousness traits: Examining the influence of childhood betrayal trauma and adult dissociative experiences in a community sample. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 24(2), 268-283. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2023.2168827

Perez Grabow, A., Khurana, A., Natsuaki, M. N., Neiderhiser, J. M., Harold, G. T., Shaw, D. S., Ganiban, J. M., Reiss, D., & Leve, L. D. (2017). Using an adoption–biological family design to examine associations between maternal trauma, maternal depressive symptoms, and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Development and Psychopathology, 29(5), 1707-1720.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579417001341

Janice N. Phung, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine)

Developmental psychology; developmental processes in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); challenges in ASD (e.g., executive functioning, sleep quality, social deficits, etc.) on the family/community systems; optimal development, well-being outcomes, and inclusion for individuals with ASD.

Phung, J. N., & Goldberg, W. A. (2021). Mixed martial arts training improves social skills and lessens problem behaviors in boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 83, 101758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101758

Wang, P., Tipton-Fisler, L. A., & Phung, J. N. (2022). College students' perceptions of peers with autism. Contemporary School Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-022-00416-6 

Kim Pulvers, Ph.D., MPH (University of Kansas)

Clinical health psychology with a focus on tobacco and marijuana use; smoke and vape free policies; and health disparities

Leavens, E. L., Nollen, N. L., Ahluwalia, J. S., Mayo, M. S., *Rice, M., Brett, E. I., & Pulvers, K. (2022). Changes in dependence, withdrawal, and craving among adult smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod-based e-cigarettes. Addiction, 117(1), 207-215. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/add.15597

Pulvers, K., *Rice, M., Stewart, S. L., & Tong, E. (2022). Tobacco Tracker: A new tool to support college smoke and tobacco free policies. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 24(2), 241-249. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntab187

Yasmine Sherafat, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine)

Behavioral neuroscience; addiction neuroscience; learning and memory; developmental neuroscience; using behavioral neuroscience techniques in mouse models such as intravenous self-administration, immunohistochemistry, and conditioned place preference to understand the biological basis of addiction disorders with an emphasis on learning and memory.

Sherafat, Y., Chen, E, Lallai, V., Bautista, M., Fowler, J., Chen, Y. C., Miwa, J., & Fowler, C.D.  (2021). Differential expression patterns of Lynx proteins and involvement of Lynx1 in prepulse inhibition. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2021.703748

Sherafat, Y., Bautista, M., Fowler, J., Chen, E., Ahmed, A., & Fowler, C.D. (2020). The interpeduncular-hippocampal pathway mediates active stress coping and natural reward. eNeuro. https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0191-20.2020

Kimberly Vanderbilt, Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego)

Social cognitive development, developmental psychology, the development of skepticism in children, children’s understanding of other people's thoughts and intentions, children’s understanding of deception from other people and advertisements, children's understanding of sharing and fairness, moral development, sociocultural influences on development.

Vanderbilt, K. E., Rizzo, M. T., & *Blankenship, J. (2023). Preschoolers selectively trust and they selectively share based on their past accuracy and intentions. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 228, 105610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2022.105610.

Vanderbilt, K. E. & *Andreason, C. (2022). The influence of popular media characters on children's object choices. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 41(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12434. 

Carrick Williams, Ph.D. (Michigan State University)

Cognitive psychology; visual search; attention; memory; eye movements; scene and object perception.

Williams, C. C. (2020). Looking for your keys: The interaction of attention, memory, and eye movements in visual search. In K. Federmeir & E. R. Schotter (Eds.) Psychology of Learning and Motivation: Gazing Toward the Future: Advances in Eye Movement Theory and Applications, 73, 195 – 229. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.plm.2020.06.003

Williams, C. C., & Castelhano, M. S. (2019). The changing landscape: High-level influences on eye movement guidance in scenes. Vision, 3, 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/vision3030033

Yu Zhang, Ph.D. (University of California, Santa Cruz)

Developmental, cognitive, and cultural psychology; children's learning experience in diverse sociocultural contexts; parent-child interaction; cognitive development from infancy to middle childhood (e.g., analogical reasoning, early math/spatial understanding); learning beliefs and motivation in children and adolescents.

Zhang, Y., Wang, S.-H., & Duh, S. (2021). Directive guidance as a cultural practice for learning by Chinese-heritage babies. Human Development, 65(3), 121–138. https://doi.org/10.1159/000517081

Wang, S., Zhang, Y., & Baillargeon, R. (2016). Young infants view physically possible support events as unexpected: New evidence for rule learning. Cognition, 157, 100–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2016.08.021

* denotes a CSUSM Psychological Science Graduate Student