Research Lab Group

Bren Michelle Chasse, MS Graduate Student (Summer 2008-Present)Bren Michelle Chasse is the Project Manager for the Steps to Math Success project. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA and is currently working toward her Masters in Science degree in Clinical Psychology at Cal State Fullerton. As an undergraduate student, Bren began to nurture an already deep passion for Attachment Theory. Bren’s primary research interests are in the experience of psychological trauma (e.g. relational violence, sexual assault)—particularly as it impacts women, and means of coping. She has a particular interest in traumatic attachment (e.g., Stockholm Syndrome), blame attributions, and eating disorders. Bren is currently the Project Manager of STEMS: Steps to Math Success, a 3-year study funded by the National Science Foundation’s Program for Research on Gender in Science and Engineering. The objective of the project is to offer a comprehensive model of the barriers that undermine girls’ and ethnic minorities’ interest and performance in math. Specifically, the study examines the role of stereotype threat in affecting attitudes toward and performance in math. Having worked in both the public and private sector, Bren brings to the organization not only a very rich research history, but a unique perspective on organizational development and has vast experience in program evaluation. She has worked extensively on research supported by First 5 California and the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), evaluating the effects of California’s state-funded preschool programs on children’s short-term cognitive and social growth at the start of Kindergarten, thereby providing evidence for the efficacy of the state-funded programs. In addition, Bren has managed a variety of large projects exploring developmental and social issues centering on identity development, race relations, sexism, and peer victimization.Bren is a certified Domestic Violence Counselor. For more than ten years, Bren has worked as a women’s advocate and has provided one-on-one counseling services for women and children struggling to reconcile the psychological trauma associated with relational violence. She has collaborated with the Domestic Abuse Center and the Los Angeles Police Department to provide an innovative and effective response team for domestic violence 911 calls. In addition, she has facilitated support groups, written the curriculum for other group facilitators, and provided case management services. Bren can be reached at bmchasse@csupomona.edu. Project: Steps to Math Success

Carolina Nuño, Senior Psychology Major (Spring 2009- Present)
Carolina Nuño participates as a research assistant to broaden her research experience and prepare for graduate school. Currently, she is an ABA instructor for autistic children. Though it is not a career she wants to pursue, she has truly come to enjoy it and finds the skills she has acquired very valuable. She is a national member of Psi Chi, and is the 2009-2010 Psi Chi Secretary at Cal Poly. Project: Steps to Math Success

Adamina Camacho, MS Graduate Student, CSU Fullerton, (Fall 2008-Present) Adamina Camacho is the Project and Recruitment Coordinator for the ROTC Leadership Study. Adamina is working on her thesis to finish her MS in Clinical Psychology. She is working on the projects to further develop her research skills as she would like to go into a research oriented PhD program. Adamina is a former Junior Navy ROTC and Navy ROTC. She brings her expertise in clinical psychology to interviewing parents in the Steps to Math Success project. She also uses her knowledge of the military to help recruit ROTC cadets for the Leadership Effectiveness Study. Adamina also works as a Research Assistant in the Steps to Math Success lab. Projects: Steps to Math Success project, ROTC Leadership Study.

Erika Estrada, Junior Psychology Major, (Winter 2009-Present) Erika is currently a third year psychology major at Cal Poly. She plans to pursue a PhD in either neuroscience or clinical psychology. Erika is currently involved with Psi Chi and is currently serving on the E-Board as the C.L.A.S.S. Council representative. She is very involved with her community at home and helps run a non-profit that assist local high school students (and anyone) wishing to pursue a higher education, while also taking part in as much community service possible. Erika is also involved with research at Western University under the guidance of Dr. Arbi Nazarian. Project: Steps to Math Success

kayla Kayla Wells, Senior Psychology Major, (Winter 2009-Present): I plan to graduate in Spring 2010. I am working in the lab to gain experience for graduate school. After receiving my Bachelor’s Degree at Cal Poly, I to go on and receive my Ph.D. Although I do not yet know which area I would like to receive my Ph.D. in, I am currently very interested in social and developmental psychology. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my friends, listening to music, and traveling. Projects: Steps to Math Success

tanya Tanya Chavez , Senior Psychology Major, (Summer 2009-Present): She is currently a fifth year psychology major at Cal Poly, as she will be graduating December 2010 with a BA. Thereafter, she intends on joining the Peace Corps, and then once returning to the states, attend graduate school for her PhD in clinical psychology. The experience gained from being a research assistant will better prepare her for grad school. She has previous experience with the educational and medical field, biotechnology coursework, and the pre-med culture. Psychological interests include the brain, evolution, identity, personality, relationships, the effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the mind, psychopathology, and Buddhist Psychology. Her general interests are backpacking into the unknown, animals, philosophy, the universe, and foreign films. Projects: ROTC Leadership Study

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Jessica Didway, Senior Psychology Major, (Fall 2008-Present) Jessica is a third year Cal Poly student majoring in Psychology, and hopefully a soon to be member of the National Honor Society for Psychology (Psi Chi). In the spring of 2010 Jessica plans to graduate with her bachelor degree, and the continue on to obtain her Ph.D. She is currently interested in doing research to expand her knowledge of the various areas in psychology, and also to enhance her experience in research. As of right now she is not sure in what area of psychology she plans to get her Ph.D. Jessica is very interested in Social Psychology and Developmental Psychology particularly, stereotypes, and how race and gender affect various aspects of an individual's life. In my spare time Jessica enjoys traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Despite her last name an interesting fact is that she is half Armenian and comes from a family that speaks it fluently. Project: Steps to Math Success, IAT Study

Libby Sill, Senior Hospitality Management Major, (Spring 2009-Present): In the winter of 2010 Libby plans to graduate with her bachelor degree in Hospitality Management with an emphasis on Event Planning. She is the Vice President of the Educational Interest Council for 2009-2010 and is the founder and President of Student, Staff, Faculty, and Administrator Yoga Alliance and hopes to expand her club and spread awareness about yoga. She currently is an active member in Associated Student Event Planners Club and loves to be involved in planning their events. Libby loves to travel, plan, be outdoors, see friends whenever possible and family always, and do yoga when she can. She became involved in research because the study of race and gender interests her and she feels challenged by her work in the lab and intimate involvement with the qualitative data.

Sara Chapman , Senior Psychology Major, (Winter 2009-Present) Sara Chapman is a fourth year student at Cal Poly Pomona. She hopes to graduate in the Spring of 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She's interested in criminology, or more specifically the clinical profiling of criminals. She plans to apply for an internship with the FBI, where she'll hopefully get her "foot in the door" for a career as a behavior analyst. After she obtains her Bachelor's, Sara plans to attend graduate school to get her PH.D. She enjoys doing research to enhance her experience in the Psychology field. In her spare time, Sara likes to visit family and friends. She enjoys reading murder mysteries and relaxing at the beach. Projects: Steps to Math Success, ROTC Leadership Study

Social Perceptions and Intergroup Relations Lab (2009-2010)

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Back Row (L-R): Tiffany McGinn, Manuel Marquez, Julia Gimeno, Hannah Krebs. Front Row (L-R): Abdiel Flores, Veronica Macina, Tiffany Ascha, Natasha Choudri.

Dr. Casad's Support Staff, Her Pack dog2 dog L-R Top to Bottom: Pee Wee Rambo, Chico (Monkey), Corky (Bear) In loving memory 7-7-09, Conan.

NSF Steps to Math Success Program Research Lab 2008-2009

(L-R): Dr. Faye Wachs, Marisol Santalla, Adamina Camacho, Bren Chasse, Katherine Lee, Chloe Boyle, & Janelle Gross. Not pictured: Tracy Sciurba & Dr. Patricia Hale. (2008)

ROTC Leadership Lab 2009-2010

Back Row (L-R): Sara Chapman, Abdiel Flores, Dr. Casad. Front Row (L-R): Tanya Chavez, Adamina Camacho, Natasha Choudri.

Social Perceptions and Intergroup Relations Lab Group

Current Research Assistants