Human Development & Culture Lab
HD&C lab members discuss coding and identity maps for their involvement in the “Beneath and Beyond Biculturalism: The Lived Realities of Hmong American and Latin American Emerging Adults” research project.
Current HD&C Lab Members
Current HD&C Lab members include: Rachel Axt, Crystal Moua, Jessica Perez, Briana Petrille, Crystal Xiong, Patricia Yang, and Brianna Zack.
They will be working with longitudinal data gathered in Thailand. Their year-long research project will focus on indigenous definitions of morality and developmental trajectories of moral reasoning among rural- and urban-reared Thai youth from adolescence through emerging adulthood. Stay tuned for project updates!
To learn more about each lab member, see their bios below.
My name is Rachel Axt. I am a senior majoring in Child Development. After graduation, I plan to apply to a credential program to become a Special Education teacher. I have been working with children with special needs for four years now, and I can’t imagine myself doing anything different. When I am not at school or at work, you can find me at home cooking with my dad, singing with my mom, or sewing by myself. My family stays connected to our cultural backgrounds by being connected to each other. My dad (hailing from a traditional German family) believes that a family that cooks together, stays together. Singing and sewing help me remain connected to my grandmother and my mom’s side of the family (a proud African-American family from Mississippi), as these are hobbies that have been passed down from woman to woman over generations.
I am super excited to have the opportunity to be immersed in cultural studies this semester as we dive into research! I have been dreaming of this since I started college and I still can’t believe I get to be a part of this incredible group!
My name is Crystal Moua, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Family Science. I currently work at an organization called Jumpstart for two years and have spent three years volunteering and participating in extracurriculars at CSU Fresno. After graduating, I want to pursue a career working with low-income families and strengthening my Hmong American identity. Eventually, I want to pursue higher education and unlock my truest potential by working with children and families. A Hmong dish I highly recommend is our Hmong sausages and pepper with purple sticky rice!
My name is Jessica Perez. I am a Child and Family Science major focusing on child development, in my fourth and final year at California State University, Fresno! My Mexican background inspires me to explore the intricate ways in which cultural contexts influence and impact our human experience. I am honored that I can contribute to the field of human development by offering a unique perspective. I hope to have a profound impact on the children I work with in the future through an intentional understanding of how their culture shapes their development.
My name is Briana Petrille. This Spring, I will be receiving my bachelor of Science degree in Family Science. I intend on applying to the Master of Science in Counseling graduate program in which I hope to become a high school guidance counselor. I have always had a passion for all things related to helping children and families, so I hope by becoming a school counselor, I can continue to fulfill that passion.
It was through Dr. McKenzie’s CFS 134 class showed that my growing love for all things related to children and families grew. Since the conclusion of that class, I have been eager to learn all the ways in which culture affects our everyday lives, and the different ways we perform culture as a whole.
My name is Crystal Xiong and I am a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Child Development. After I graduate, I plan to become a child life specialist and would also like to pursue a master’s degree in a child development-related field in the near future. One goal I have by the end of this year is to learn how to make khaub poob, a dish originating from Laos, since it has been one of my favorite soups to eat growing up!
My name is Patricia Yang. I am a second generation Hmong American. Currently, I am in my senior year of my undergraduate studies, majoring in Child and Family Science at California State University, Fresno. After graduating with my B.S., I aspire to be admitted into a Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. I hope to pursue a profession in the counseling realm with a focus on children and families. I possibly have some interest in pursuing a doctorate program if things align in the future. When I am not in the classroom or at work, you can find me gardening with my mom or cooking Southeast Asian dishes like Khao poon or Nab vam!
My name is Brianna Zack. I am a senior at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Child and Family Science. I have obtained an Associate of Science degree in both Early Childhood Education and Anthropology from Fresno City Community College.
I have a passion for learning about people and how culture shapes the human experience. I have been working in the child development field for over nine years. This has given me the opportunity to build relationships with many families in the Fresno area as well as work with many different cultures that are home to the Central Valley. I am a mother to a six year old boy who is attending the same small rural school I attended as a child. In my free time I am on the board of our school's Parent Club and love giving back to the community I was raised in.
Past HD&C Lab Members
2023-2024 HD&C Lab Members
2023-2024 HD&C Lab members included Post-Baccalaureate researchers Kate Zamora and Savannah Castillo, and undergraduate researchers Caleb Benson, Victoria Brazier, Melissa Castellanos, Natalia Pilavian, Barbara Yang, and Patricia Yang.
Their research study, which uncovered distinct and overlapping lay theories of (emerging) adulthood among rural- and urban-reared Millennial Thai youth is in press with Emerging Adulthood. More updates to come!
To learn more about each lab member, see their bios below.
My name is Caleb Benson. I am a 3rd year undergraduate student, and I am majoring in Psychology. I have a newfound interest in research and I am excited to collaborate with the others in this research lab, and better prepare myself for grad school, as I work towards being a school counselor.
My name is Victoria Brazier. I am a fourth-year student majoring in Child Development and minoring in History. I am graduating in Spring 2024. After graduating I plan on having a fun summer and attending graduate school, continuing to study human development. I like to read and paint with watercolors in my free time and enter my works in art shows in Fresno.
My name is Melissa Castellanos, and I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. After getting my BS in Child and Family Science, in Spring 2024, I will be moving back to Los Angeles and attending a MSW program specializing in child welfare. I am excited to apply my knowledge of human development, culture, and diversity while supporting children and their families. When I am not cooking traditional meals from my Mexican culture, I am enjoying nature with my companions.
Hi, my name is Savannah Grace Castillo. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from California State University, Fresno. I intend to apply to a credential program where I may earn a multiple subject credential so that I can teach children in elementary school. I also plan to travel abroad and teach English to children in other countries. I also plan to teach college courses at either a community college or university.
My name is Natalia Pilavian and I am a 4th year student at Fresno State. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Science. After I graduate I plan to further my education by going to graduate school with a focus on Clinical Psychology.
My name is Barbara Yang. As a senior at California State University, Fresno, my academic journey has provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of young individuals. As I prepare to embark on my professional career, I am driven by a genuine desire to create a nurturing environment for children, ensuring they receive the emotional and psychological support essential for their overall development. My passion lies in becoming a child life specialist, dedicated to helping those children in need navigate the challenges they face with resilience and optimism. I am eager to apply my education and experiences to make a positive impact in the lives of these young individuals, fostering a space where they can grow, thrive, and overcome obstacles.
My name is Patricia Yang. I am a 4th year undergraduate student majoring in Child & Family Science - Family Science option with a minor in Asian American Studies. I currently work at the Academic Success Coaching Center here at Fresno State and have been involved with the COSS Linked Peer Mentor Program and Bulldogs4Kids club! After graduating, I hope to further my education by applying to a Master’s program with the goal of pursuing a career in therapy or counseling.
My name is Kate Zamora and I am a Fresno State graduate who majored in Child and Family Science. I spent over 5 years in the education field as a paraprofessional and tutor. I now work as a community organizer for a local nonprofit where I help train and develop youth on how to become leaders and create change within their communities. I eventually plan on obtaining a master’s degree and one day, a doctorate, so that I can continue to pass on knowledge to those within my hometown of Fresno. Fun fact: I love all things cute! You can see me pictured above with one of my many Sonny Angels (he’s a zucchini).
2021-2022 HD&C Lab Members
H&C Lab’s Final Meeting of the Semester (Fall 2021)
Clockwise from back left: Nancy Dionicio, Cindy Thai Lopez, Meng Thao, Shelby Ford, & Dr. McKenzie
HD&C Lab members included Post-Baccalaureate researchers Cindy Thai Lopez and Meng Thao, and undergraduate researchers Nancy Dionicio, Shazana Virani, and Shelby Ford. Their work examines perspectives of biculturalism among ethnically diverse youth in central California.
One manuscript (published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations) investigates the perceived affordances and challenges of biculturalism among Mexican American emerging adults.
Another manuscript (published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology) focuses on cultural identity mapping as a methodological tool that centers the complexity of cultural identity development among Hmong American emerging adults.
To learn more about each lab member, see their bios below.
My name is Cindy Thai Lopez, and I graduated with a major in Child Development and a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. I am applying to law schools and pursuing a profession in family law. With the help of God, I know my future will be bright and full of surprises!
My name is Meng Thao. I hold a degree in Child Development from California State University, Fresno. I plan to further my education in graduate school, and hope to teach preschool and college students one day.
My name is Nancy Dionicio and I am a Child Development major at Fresno State. After graduation, my plan is to become a child life specialist and work with children.
My name is Shazana Virani. I am a Child Development student at California State University, Fresno. After I graduate I plan to further my studies by getting my Masters in Early Childhood Education. In the future I am looking to work in research about fetuses as I am really curious about how fetuses learn and absorb outside knowledge.
Hello, my name is Shelby Ford. I am a 4th year Child Development major. After graduation I will be getting my teaching credential and hope to teach at the elementary school level. I have a passion for teaching, but also learning.
2019-2020 HD&C Lab Members
Final lab meeting of the Spring 2020 semester
Post-Baccalaureate researcher Jose Reyes and undergraduate researchers Emily Leighton, Jasmine Navarro, Kajai Cassie Xiong, Macy Davis, and Trae Lewis were lab members from 2019-2020. They studied how bicultural emerging adults in Central California integrate, and otherwise psychologically manage, heritage and American cultural values.
HD&C lab members had two paper presentations accepted in Spring 2020: one at the 2020 International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) in the Czech Republic and another at the 2020 Central California Research Symposium (CCRS) in Fresno. Due to COVID-19, their IACCP presentation took place virtually in July 2021.
Emily, Macy, and Jose also worked alongside Dr. McKenzie on a book chapter (published in “Globalized Identities: The Impact of Globalization on Self and Identity”) that draws on the results of their research to discuss how youth who are bicultural by way of immigration and globalization negotiate multiple cultures to construct their identities.
To learn more about 2019-20 HD&C lab members, see their bios below.
My name is Emily Leighton and I am a Child Development student at CSU Fresno. After obtaining my Bachelor's degree, I hope to become a preschool teacher.
My name is Jasmine Navarro and I am a 4th year student at CSU Fresno. I am a Child Development major and after graduation I plan on working at a preschool or opening my own private daycare. I love to watch children learn and grow and luckily I get to experience it first-hand with my one year old daughter, Adaly.
My name is Jose Reyes. I have a B.S. in Child Development from CSU Fresno. My future goals are to continue my education in graduate school, where I would like to research cultural psychology and mental health in adolescents and young adults.
My name is Kajai Cassie Xiong and I am a Child Development major. I am involved with the Jordan College Honors program at CSU Fresno, which allows me to do my own research under my mentor's guidance. I hope that I will discover my true passion as I continue to explore aspects of myself through research.
My name is Macy Davis and I am currently a Child Development major at CSU Fresno. I plan on continuing my education in graduate school after I receive my bachelor’s degree and I am looking forward to seeing what further passions and possible careers that leads me to.
My name is Trae Lewis, and I am majoring in Family Science. I am the social media manager for the Fresno State Council on Family Relations. My career goal is to be a Marriage and Family Therapist.
2018-2019 HD&C Lab Members
HD&C Lab Meeting (Spring 2019)
L-R: Dr. McKenzie, Chelsee Armsworthy, Alysia Corona, Kajai (Cassie) Xiong, & Jose (Joey) Reyes
Undergraduates Alysia Corona, Chelsee Armsworthy, Jose Reyes, and Kajai Cassie Xiong were lab members from 2018-2019. Their time in lab was spent conducting a cross-cultural analysis on perspectives of sex work.
They presented their work on the cultural-moral values that guide Thai adolescent perspectives of sex work at the 2019 Central California Research Symposium, and their co-authored manuscript was published in Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology in 2021.
2017-2018 HD&C Lab Members
HD&C Lab End-of-Semester Gathering (Fall 2017)
L-R: Cristina Landeros, Dr. McKenzie, Cassandra Stewart, Emma Willis, & Rachel Castellón
Undergraduates Cassandra Stewart, Cristina Landeros, Emma Willis, Joseph Rooney, and Rachel Castellón were lab members for one year. During their time in lab, they worked on three research projects: (1) an investigation of media's influence on family relationships among urban-dwelling Thai parents and adolescents, (2) an examination of media use and perceived media-based opportunities and challenges among urban and rural Thai adolescent-parent dyads, and (3) an investigation of folk theories of success among rural and urban adolescents in northern Thailand.
We presented the results of the first project at the 2018 Society for Research on Adolescence conference. Cassandra, Cristina, Emma, Joseph, and Rachel also presented portions of all three projects at the 2018 Central California Research Symposium (CCRS). Their first co-authored manuscript was published in Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology in 2019. Their second co-authored manuscript was published in Media Psychology.
2015-2016 HD&C Lab Members
HD&C Lab in Nagoya, Japan in 2016 for the 23rd Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology
L-R: Dr. McKenzie, Sarah Tsutsui, & Seema Prakash
Inaugural HD&C lab members Sarah Tsutsui and Seema Prakash examined the religious practices and orientations toward religion among adolescents residing in variously globalized northern Thai communities. They presented the results of this research at local, national, and international levels, and published a co-authored manuscript on this study in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Their manuscript was awarded a CSU Fresno Outstanding Publication Award in 2019.
Sarah (who graduated Summa Cum Laude) went on to pursue her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Teacher Residency at CSU Fresno, and is now a kindergarten teacher at Pyle Elementary School.
Seema (who graduated Magna Cum Laude) is currently pursuing Dental School at Western University of Health Sciences. She looks forward to drawing from her developmental expertise as a dentist working with patients across the life course.
Sarah Tsutsui & Seema Prakash present their research to the Child and Family Science Research-in-Progress Group