MEET THE TEAM
Lab Director
Dr. Mariah Kornbluh
I am an Associate 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.
gabi is a developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of Oregon. In 2024, they graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Education. gabi is interested in understanding identity development among youth, with specific focus on queer-trans and ethnic-racial intersectionality, social media and educational contexts for identity development, and youth well-being in rural communities. Their other interests include community-based action research, critical consciousness, and fostering youth empowerment alongside multiply marginalized youth.
gabriella (gabi) garcia
GRADUATE STUDENT
Kayla is a developmental psychology doctoral student at the University of Oregon. She graduated summa cum laude from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and English. She broadly aims to explore how oppressive cultural ideologies and sociopolitical systems intersect to shape development, with a focus on LGBTQ+ populations. She is interested in how socialization at both micro and macro levels influences identity development, reasoning about social disparities, and the emergence of critical consciousness. She values community-based methods such as Youth Participatory Action Research, partnering with young people to co-create knowledge and develop strategies for more empowering, equitable, and inclusive environments.
Kayla Neubert
GRADUATE STUDENT
Kalli is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the UO working towards a BA in psychology, with minors in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and planning, public policy, and management. Kalli is passionate about mutual aid and invest-divest strategies geared towards public welfare. Kalli also finds inspiration from grassroots organizing; movements run through community assemblies and street organizing creates interdependence, which Kalli values a lot. Kalli’s passions drive her interest toward social and community psychology. Post-grad, Kalli hopes to work in diverse environments fostering meaningful change.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Kalliope (Kalli) Kyriazis
Jared Reynolds
Jared is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the UO, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Theatre Arts. Post-graduation, Jared plans to continue his academic pursuits in the field of education with an emphasis on adolescent care. Outside of his studies, he can be seen as an actor in University theatre productions, as well as a receptionist at U of O’s Accessible Education Center. He is honored to work under the fantastic Dr. Kornbluh and her terrific team of graduate students to elevate adolescent voices and opportunities.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Percy Conrad is a fourth-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
Percy Conrad
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Maya is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the UO, pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. She is driven by a deep curiosity about human behavior and development, particularly how individuals become who they are. Maya’s academic interests center on child and adolescent mental health, the social contexts that shape well-being, and the unique experiences of queer youth. Passionate about both social justice and mental health advocacy, she hopes to integrate nature-based practices into therapeutic work after graduation, combining her love of the outdoors with a commitment to meaningful, empowering, and inclusive care.
Maya Ostroff
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Clarissa is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor's of Science double major in Psychology and Biological Anthropology. Originally from Corvallis, OR, Clarissa hopes to further her research and get a Doctorate's degree in Clinical Psychology, specifically working with young female adolescents. Clarissa is involved in numerous other activities on campus, holding an executive role in the University of Oregon's chapter of Psi Chi and being a Statistical Psychology tutor.
Clarissa Perez
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
J Eversberg is a fourth-year undergraduate student and is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in the fields of Psychology and Ethnic Studies. J feels deeply passionate about community mental health and well-being, and how these aspects of human existence are impacted by oppressive systems. He hopes to enter the field of community psychology with a focus on community program implementation and aiding those most mistreated by the systems we currently live under. Hailing all the way from New Jersey, J has maintained an interest in social justice and activism. Postgrad, J hopes to work with communities fostering positive change.
J Eversberg
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Collaborators
California State University, Chico
Fordham University
San Jose State University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Florida
Alumni
RESEARCH ASSISTANT ALUMNI
Cass Byrne
Junah Calceta
Dylan Clark
Angela Sherer
MaryJane True