Our people

Meet the lab familia.

The CREAR Lab is a community of researchers, students, and collaborators committed to studying what helps youth and families thrive. Get to know the people behind the work.

Director of the CREAR Lab

Andrea S. Medrano, Ph.D.

Director / Directora del Laboratorio CREAR

Dr. Medrano is a developmental psychologist committed to examining how youth and women exposed to violence make sense of, survive, and resist trauma in their daily lives. She is the Director of the CREAR Lab and Assistant Professor in the Developmental Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh, with an affiliation in Clinical Psychology. Her research focuses on poly-victimization, gender-based violence, and structural inequalities, emphasizing resilience processes such as familismo, hope, religiosity, and educational persistence. She leads international, community-engaged studies across Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, and the U.S. using mixed methods to ensure that voices and data inform the lab's work.

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Lab Staff

Sofia Adame

Project Coordinator

Sofia Adame is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Psychology and Anthropology, a minor in Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies, and a Global Studies certificate. A Mexican immigrant with international research experience, she led Latinx Student Association and Global Brigades outreach. She is committed to policy and education that reduce femicides and gender-based violence across Latin America.

Grace Elena Dupree

Administrative Assistant

BSN prepared Psychiatric-Registered Nurse at the Pittsburgh Veterans Affair Hospital. Aspires to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner supporting underserved communities.

Ángel Oros

Lab Manager

Ángel Oros is originally from Nogales, Sonora, and joined CREAR in July 2025 to rebuild the lab's website from the ground up. As Digital Manager, he oversees the website, an internal research management system, and lab operations support. He recently completed a BBA in Business Administration and is committed to building digital infrastructure that keeps the focus on the people and communities CREAR serves.

Geraldine Cisneros

Graduate Student Researcher

Geraldine is a second-year Developmental Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Pittsburgh and a recipient of both the K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship and the LRDC Director’s Fellowship. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Harvard College with a focus on Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology and a minor in Social Anthropology, and previously conducted neuropsychological research on Alzheimer’s and dementia at UPMC under Dr. Annie Cohen. Her research examines how sociocultural contexts shape youth and family experiences with psychopathology, with the goal of developing accessible, culturally relevant mental health interventions through a public health lens.

Sydni Davila

Graduate Student Researcher

Sydni's research centers on how adverse childhood experiences confer risk for interpersonal difficulties, psychopathology, and impaired brain development. She earned a B.A. in Psychology (minor Neuroscience) and a B.S. in Health Sciences from Cleveland State University and aims to become a Clinical or Developmental Psychologist serving underrepresented populations.

Courtney Medina

Graduate Student Researcher

Courtney is a third-year Developmental Psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Pittsburgh and a K. Leroy Irvis Fellow mentored by Dr. Sophie Choukas-Bradley. She earned her B.A. with highest honors in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies, with a minor in Latinx Studies, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2021. Before graduate school, she coordinated research in UNC's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. Courtney's work examines sociocultural influences on adolescents' romantic and sexual experiences and their implications for mental health, particularly among youth of color and queer youth. She aims to inform dating and sexual violence prevention through interdisciplinary, youth-centered approaches.

Patrick Quintero

Graduate Student Researcher

Patrick is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical–Developmental Psychology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh. His research examines how trauma shapes development in Latino/a communities, focusing on risk, resilience, and outcomes related to mental health, academics, and social functioning. He is also committed to advancing mental health equity through strengths-based, culturally responsive approaches.

Jade Cespedes

Research Assistant

Jade is a Post Baccalaureate Student from the University of New York New Paltz with a bachelor's in psychology and a Minor in Latin American Caribbean and Latinx Studies Before attending SUNY she went to the Univeristy of Massachusetts Boston. She plans to go into an accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ASBN) program and become either a Pediatrics or Labor and Delivery nurse with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification but is open to exploring different possibilities in the field. She aspires to be an addition to the medical services by providing her own experiences and emphasizing equity in the workplace. She is currently enrolled in a nursing assistant program to gain experience.

Zhiyu Cheng

Post Baccalaureate Researcher

I am a current Junior majoring in psychology. My research interests focus on developmental psychology, community mental health, and cultural influences on health outcomes. I joined the CREAR Lab to build her research skills and contribute to community-based projects that support youth resilience. Outside academics, I enjoy playing badminton and working out.

Yadira Estrada

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Yadira (HMB Fellow 2024–2025) earned an M.S.W. in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health & Substance Abuse and a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition & Neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Former Lab Manager of the CASA Lab (UM). She studies how adverse childhood experiences shape brain/behavioral development and how policy, community, and family intersect in youth well-being.

Dollar Ganu

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Dollar received her Master in Marriage & Family Therapy at the University of Oregon. She is curious about how identities intersect with daily life, with prior work on belonging in classroom/social settings and on pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to depression and epilepsy.

Mia Hernandez

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Mia is a first-year MSPH student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health studying Social and Behavioral Interventions and Maternal and Child Health. Her work focuses on mental health policy and women's sexual and reproductive health, particularly how structural factors shape access to care in Latin America.

Kaitlyn Irizarry-Vega

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Kaitlyn Irizarry-Vega earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, with a minor in Philosophy of Mind and Language. Her research interests include understanding how resilience can be cultivated to promote wellbeing and motivation, particularly in underserved communities. She is especially interested in how these processes translate into a workplace setting. Kaitlyn plans to pursue a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and outside of academia, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, distance running, and watching comfort TV.

Zainab Kabir

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Zainab Kabir is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Her research interests include trauma, mental health, and social behavior, with a focus on how cultural and community factors influence psychological well-being. Through her work in the CREAR Lab, she examined the relationship between community violence exposure and mental health outcomes in rural Mexican communities. Zainab plans to pursue a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology to study workplace behavior and promote employee well-being within organizations.

Amelia F Leonard

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Amelia Leonard graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Philosophy in Psychology and a minor in Economics. She joined the CREAR Lab at its inception and currently works remotely with the lab as a research assistant, after previously serving as the lab’s Administrative Research Assistant, where she coordinated undergraduate researchers and supported lab operations. Her research interests focus on gender based violence, sexual harassment, and the ways these experiences shape psychological well being and mental health outcomes, with particular interest in how social, cultural, and gender related dynamics contribute to disparities in mental health.

Ashley Lopez

Post-Baccalaureate Research Collaborator

Ashley Lopez holds a B.A. in Psychology (Honors) and an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from NYU, with minors in Social Work and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Former Lab Manager of the CREAR Lab. She is interested in studying how distinct forms of social support shape academic and workplace outcomes for minoritized communities and plans to pursue a Ph.D.

Angela Martinez

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Angela holds a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology from UTRGV. She is interested in health and neuropsychology research and clinical work, and enjoys piano, reading, and cat videos.

Anthony Medina

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Anthony Medina is a graduate of Mercy University, where he earned his Master of Science in General Psychology. He is also a graduate of Fordham University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He currently serves as a Postgraduate Research Associate under the mentorship of Dr. Carla Stover within the Yale Child Study Center. Anthony is interested in examining the factors that contribute to trauma among at-risk Latiné youth. In particular, he is interested in investigating protective factors (e.g., parent-child relationships, mentorship, and familismo) that may act as a pathway to resilience. He is also interested in adapting and developing interventions for Latiné families that draw upon cultural strengths to promote resilience in the face of adversity. In his free time, Anthony enjoys traveling to New York City, listening to music, trying new restaurants, and spending time with his family.

Isabella Pina

Post Baccalaureate Researcher

Senior nursing student also pursuing Psychology; experience in TBI rehab. Interested in supporting underserved adolescents at the intersection of care and mental health.

Fabiola Wah

Post Baccalaureate Researcher

Senior majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Neuroscience; born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. Volunteers as an interpreter and plans to attend medical school.

Kmaura White

Post Baccalaureate Researcher

Kmaura (she/they) is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and certificates in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine and Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies. Aims for a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology to support higher-acuity mental health needs.

Isabel Contreras-Naranjo

Research Assistant

Isabel Contreras-Naranjo is a Senior at the University of Pittsburgh, currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She plans to continue her education and obtain a Master's in Clinical Psychology.

Cinthya Garcia Cortes

Student Research Assistant

Cinthya Garcia Cortes is a sophomore student at the University of Pittsburgh. She was born and raised in the southern region of Mexico, and moved to Pittsburgh, PA 8 years ago. Cinthya intends to pursue a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology. She is interested in psychopathology and its relation to neuroscience as well as social development and its intersection with sociocultural components. She has been involved with Pittsburgh's Latino Community Center through volunteering work and participation in its student organizations since high school. It is due to her personal interests and experiences that she is looking forward to working in this project.

Himani Kharod

Student Research Assistant

Freshman majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. Plans to specialize in psychiatry and clinical psychology. Interested in healthcare and interdisciplinary research.

Hannah Kravets

Student Research Assistant

Hannah Kravets is a second-year, undergraduate, Psychology and Film and Media Studies student at the University of Pittsburgh. She has extensive research experience and a strong academic interest in clinical and neuropsychology. Hannah serves as an executive board member for multiple psychology, neuroscience, and research-focused organizations at Pitt and currently works as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the university's First Approaches to Research course. In addition to this role, she has served as a teaching assistant for several psychology-related courses and co-created and implemented an original course within the University of Pittsburgh's London Film Program. This course integrates research and principles drawn from the work of prominent educational psychologist Dr. John Dewey. Hannah has also co-authored peer-reviewed publications indexed on PubMed and is actively engaged in ongoing research and co-authoring new publications. She plans to attend graduate school with long-term goals of teaching psychology at the university level and working professionally in the field.

Fabiana Lleras

Student Research Assistant

Fabiana Lleras is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in psychology with a minor in linguistics. She is also an undergraduate research assistant for the CREAR Lab. Born and raised in Puerto Rico till she came to Pitt 3 years ago. Along with academics, she is also a member of the Med Life club on campus and the applied developmental psychology club. Besides academics, she enjoys concerts, hanging out with friends, reading, and going to the beach. Being a part of this Lab correlates with her plans to further her education in developmental psychology.

Audrey Maize

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Audrey is a Pitt undergraduate student studying Political Science, with a concentration in conflict resolution. Her research background focuses specifically on rebel groups in Latin America and the Middle East.

Janeyra Maldonado

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Janeyra Maldonado is a first-year student at the University of Pittsburgh double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology on the pre-med track. She is interested in the intersection of psychological processes and neuroscience in the development of adolescents. She is passionate about serving underserved communities and improving access to healthcare. Outside of academics and volunteering at UPMC and animal shelters, she is a member of the Pitt Club Powerlifting team, she enjoys crocheting, baking, and trying out new coffee shops.

Nikita Sundaram

Student Research Assistant

Junior (Class of 2027) majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Plans to conduct research and work as a clinical psychologist.

Campbell Toler

Student Research Assistant

Campbell Toler is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing a Psychology major with a minor in Spanish. She currently volunteers as a research assistant in the Community Research Exploring Adolescent Resilience (CREAR) Lab and the Behavioral Medicine Research Group, both at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, she serves as a PantherWELL peer health educator in the Office of Student Health Services. After completing her undergraduate degree, Campbell plans to apply to Clinical Psychology PhD programs with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical psychologist. She is passionate about contributing to meaningful research that advances the field of psychology.