MEET THE TEAM
Lab Director
Dr. Mariah Kornbluh
I am an Assistant Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Oregon, and am an active member of the new diversity science research program and a William T Grant Scholar (Class of 2028).
As a community psychologist, my area of expertise focuses on how the experiences of marginalized youth shape and empower psychosocial development. My research program leverages community-based and mixed methods to explore how “critical consciousness” – an awareness of social inequality (differential access to and use of resources) and the agency to change it – plays a role in healthy adolescent development.
The central goal of my scholarship is to integrate critical consciousness development into educational contexts.
My work concentrates on adolescents with identities that are affected by social inequality.
Sherry Bell
Sherry received her Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences with a Quantitative, Social, and Community area emphasis from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As a researcher, her focus lies in investigating the multifaceted challenges and variables associated with the health and well-being of youth. Sherry values collaborations with communities to explore community-based solutions across both in-person and virtual environments. Her research toolkit includes using mixed methods and social network analysis to examine the different systems that influence health and well-being. It’s Sherry’s goal to develop applicable knowledge and disseminate findings to relevant communities.
POSTDOC
Raquel Amador
GRADUATE STUDENT
Raquel is a clinical and developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of Oregon. In 2021, she graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in economics. She is interested in identifying and understanding the risk and protective factors of marginalized youth to develop culturally relevant programs that focuses on youth empowerment and improving their sense of self. She is passionate about utilizing community-based research methods to accurately address the concerns of the community.
Cass Byrne
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Cass is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Oregon pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After anticipated graduation in 2024, he hopes to engage in doctoral studies focusing on culturally adaptive approaches for identity-based experiences, with the goal of becoming a licensed psychologist. Cass will be working under Dr. Kornbluh to analyze identity-specific needs within the LGBTQ youth community.
Junah is a first-generation student from San Francisco, CA, and is in the fourth year of his undergraduate studies. He will graduate in the Winter of 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology and hopes that by engaging in community research, he can further his interest in public policy and contribute to the communities around him. Junah will be analyzing data under Professor Kornbluh, regarding family themes and what inspires underprivileged high schoolers to engage in STEM occupations.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Junah Calceta
Dylan Clark
Dylan is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Oregon pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. Dylan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and then shortly thereafter, he moved to San Francisco. Previously a Daycare teacher, Dylan hopes to continue his activeness in the community by working under Dr. Kornbluh and her research to identify the role of research in educational decision-making via qualitative data analysis.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Percy Conrad
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Percy Conrad is a second-year undergraduate student and is currently working towards a B.S. in the fields of Psychology and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Originally from Portland, OR, Percy has always taken an interest in social justice and activism and hopes to contribute meaningfully to their community, making the world a more accepting and accessible place. They are particularly interested in researching the public discourse about minoritized groups within the United States, and how said discourse impacts those targeted
MaryJane is a first-generation college student in her 3rd year of undergrad at the University of Oregon. She is getting a B.A. in Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Criminology. MJ wants to further her education in Social and Personality Psychology. She hopes to study how social and environmental aspects affect development that may lead to criminal behavior. With the hopes of building a foundation for systems that help combat these behavioral patterns, as well as how to reintroduce those with preexisting records be welcomed back into society as functioning members.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
MaryJane True
Angela Sherer
Angela is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Oregon pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a double minor in Global Studies and Global Service. Upon coming to UO in 2020, Angela has participated in many different labs and internships revolving around child development. Her primary research interests revolve around child development and neonatal development through qualitative data analysis. After graduating in June of 2024, Angela plans to continue working with the YEP lab, while also volunteering at a safety hotline before pursuing a doctoral program in counseling psychology
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Collaborators
California State University, Chico
Fordham University
San Jose State University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Florida