Core Team

Graduate Students

Bethany Cruz (she/they/ella/elle) Assistant Lab Director, First year, doctoral program

Bethany is a first-year graduate student in the psychology doctoral program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She earned her Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Science in Psychology from UTSA. Bethany’s research interests are focused on understanding how cultural values, cultural stressors (i.e., acculturative stress, discrimination, etc.) and the sociopolitical climate impact identity development, mental health, and substance use in marginalized populations. Additionally, Bethany is particularly interested in studying the intersectionality of identities, such as Hispanic/Latinx gender and sexual minorities. Outside of her research endeavors, Bethany has spent her time working with various national nonprofit and local community organizations as a counselor, educator, and research associate. Upon completion of her doctoral degree, she hopes to work towards developing culturally competent assessments and interventions. Beyond academics, Bethany enjoys reading, writing, crafting, hiking, and baking.

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Isabella Cruz (she/her/ella), Second Year, Master’s Program

Bella is a first-year graduate student in the Psychology Master’s program at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She joined the TARDIS lab in the summer of 2023. Her research interest includes understandings acculturation's effect on views on psychopathology and developing self-identity in the Hispanic community. She is also interested in studying how family and cultural expectations impact the well-being and psychopathology of individuals in the LGBT+ community.

Bella’s goal is to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical psychology after completing the Master's program. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her pets.

Chelsea Roblenalt (she/her/they/them), Second year, Doctoral Program

Chelsea is native to San Antonio and received both her B.A. and M.S. degrees at UTSA and is now earning her PhD. She just joined the TARDIS lab this Fall 2023. Chelsea's research interests involve parental identity and postpartum depression in marginalized populations. She is also passionate about mentoring and teaching undergraduates and hopes to stay in academia after receiving her degree.

Beyond academics, Chelsea loves to be involved with her four children and their own school and extracurricular activities.

Madison Stout (she/her), First year, Doctoral Program

Maddie is a 1st year doctoral student at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She joined the TARDIS lab in the summer of 2023. Her primary research interests involve identity development among people with disabilities, primarily autistic and neurodivergent students. She is interested in examining how systems of oppression and ableism may impact certain mental health outcomes, including substance use.  Maddie is hoping to teach and do research.

Outside of academia, Maddie enjoys painting, listening to heavy metal, and playing with her synthesizer. 

Taryn Veniegas (she/her/ella) 2nd Year, Master’s Program

Taryn (she/her/ella) is a native of Wyoming, where she received her B.S. in psychology at the University of Wyoming with a minor in Spanish and as a McNair Scholar. Taryn is a second-year graduate student in the psychology M.S. program at UTSA. Her research interests include studying the effects of socioeconomic status on the psychosocial self, and investigating the intersectionality of ethnic/racial identity on socioeconomic status. She is also interested minority alienation and discrimination and how it can affect feelings of belonging and identity development.

Taryn hopes to become involved in non-profit work and support disadvantaged youths in education. Beyond academics, Taryn enjoys rock climbing and camping, and spending time with her dog, Jaygo, and her cat, Fletcher.

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Undergraduate Research Assistants

Megan Brown (she/her), Research Assistant

Megan is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience. She is also a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, an Air Force Veteran, wife to an Active Duty Member, and mom of three kids. As a mother to a special needs child, her research interest lies in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience to help people with Autism and their families around the world. She also has an interest in science identity development in underrepresented populations, such as, people of color and women. Megan is actively involved on campus, serving as the President for Women in STEM, the Volunteer Services Coordinator for Non-Traditional Students Organization, and serves on the University Career Center Student Advisory Board. Outside of the lab, classes, and motherhood, Megan enjoys baking, cooking, reading, and volunteering at a local STEM school.

Catelyn Crowder (she/her), Research Assistant

Cate (she/her) is a second-year undergraduate student at UTSA, majoring in Psychology. She joined the TARDIS lab in the spring of 2024. She is interested in understanding the implications of intersectional identities, more specifically for marginalized groups. She is queer and African American, so she seeks to aid these communities in doing research. In the future, she plans to use her understanding of intersectionality to better our societal systems. She spends her time engaging in creatives such as poetry and book writing. You can find her at the Poetry Society and the John Peace Library.

Christina Hinojosa (she/her), Research Assistant

Christina is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology and double minoring in anthropology and neuroscience at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research interests include the relationship between substance use and identity development, the factors that contribute to adolescents internalizing distress and self-destructive behaviors, and the implementation of trauma-informed care in classrooms and various settings. She is also passionate about finding ways to bridge technology and mental health care. Outside of her academic life, Christina enjoys painting, listening to new music, going on long walks outside, backpacking, camping, and hanging out with her friends.

Zenetta Hinojosa (she/her/hers), Research Assistant

Zenetta is a third year undergraduate student at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She is currently majoring in Psychology with a minor in neuroscience, in hopes of obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology. Her translational research interests include how neurological change impacts response to environment and behavior, specifically in the development of anxiety disorders, neural plasticity, and self identity. As a URM student, her goal as a future clinician and researcher is to aid in closing the social/ socioeconomic gaps in underserved communities and promote mental health equity.

Outside of lab, Zenetta is part of the Terry Scholars and McNair Scholars program and enjoys art in her free time.

Vanessa Kountakis (she/her), Research Assistant

Vanessa is a 4th-year undergraduate student from Austin, TX, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. As a first-generation Brazilian American, she aspires to be the first in her family to earn a doctorate, with plans to pursue a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology. Her research interests focus on identity confusion and distress among marginalized communities and its impact on mental health.

Outside of academics, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her dog, Pita Bread, and going to rock concerts with her dad.

Michelle Nguyen (She/her/hers), Senior Research Assistant

Michelle Nguyen is a fourth-year first-generational student from Houston, TX and a Ronald E. McNair Fellow. She is an undergraduate student majoring in psychology and minoring in marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research interest includes mental self-regulation, cultural development in adolescents explicitly on minorities, and parent-children relationships. Some of her campus involvement includes being the President of Active Minds, an on-campus organization that wants to stop the stigma behind mental health; Vice President of Psi Chi, an international honor society for students in Psychology; and an Honors Student.

Michelle hopes to attend an accredited graduate program to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology after graduating with her B.A in psychology. Some of her hobbies include baking, traveling, petting her cat, scrapbooking, and trying new foods!

Thalia Pimienta (she/her/hers) Research Assistant

Thalia (she/her/hers) is a third-year undergraduate student working towards her Bachelor's in Biology. She grew up in Cuba but moved to the US in 2011; she has since lived in multiple states including New York, Florida and now Texas. She is interested in researching cultural stressors and the way they affect the youth’s psychological functioning and their likeness to participate in risk taking behavior. She is also interested in gender norms and the concept of Machismo within the Latino community.

In her free time, Thalia enjoys listening to music, traveling and trying new foods.

Chloe Melchor (she/her/hers), Research Assistant

Chloe is a second-year undergraduate student from Houston Tx, she is working towards a B.A. in psychology at the University Of Texas At San Antonio. She will be joining the TARDIS lab fall of 2023. She is interested in researching identity and how it affects academic motivation as well as looking into the impact of cultural upbringings on later life, and the impact of childhood. When not in school or at work Chloe enjoys running and spending time with her family and friends.

She plans to extend her education into a Master’s program and eventually attain a Ph.D. degree.

Hannah Sheikh (she/her/hers), Senior Research Assistant

Hannah is currently a post-bacc student completing the pre-requisites required for medical school. She recently graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degrees in Psychology and English. She joined the TARDIS Lab in the Fall of 2022. Her goal is to learn and understand the different effects of cultural stress and experiences on an individual. Coming from a religious and cultural minority, Hannah is passionate about the influence she can have on the youth in her communities. Apart from the lab, Hannah is a Tutor with the Tomas Rivera Center (TRC) and a TA.

When she is not juggling between the lab, classes, and work, you can find Hannah listening to music, reading, crocheting, hanging out with family and friends, or catching up on sleep.

Cameron Woods (he/him/his), Lab Manager

Cameron is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined the TARDIS Lab in the Fall of 2022. His goal is to explore the complexity of human nature and the interconnected web between one’s identity, material condition, and psychosocial function. As a queer, African American student and the child of a veteran, Cameron seeks to use research and technical analysis to expand the understanding and visibility of the lived experiences of the people with similar intersections in identity.

After graduating, Cameron plans to further his education and complete a Master’s in Genetic Counseling. Outside of school, Cameron is an artist and loves to write, listen to music, spend time with family, and watch movies.