ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®

Awards and Accomplishments

September 18, 2025 - The Psychology Department and Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD) program recognize Anahi Martinez Mendez for her ongoing commitment to advancing mental health support for children, families, and communities. A ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® alumna and current Master of Social Work student (undergraduate degree in CHAD), Martinez Mendez brings her dedication to service and advocacy into her work as a peer educator in the HOPE & Wellness Center and through her graduate involvement in campus mental health initiatives. Her efforts reflect the values of compassion and community engagement that guide the field of psychology and highlight the impact of ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® students as emerging mental health leaders.

May 1, 2025 - Undergraduate research excellence continues to thrive in psychological science at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®. Bianca Delia, a third‑year psychological science student with a minor in data science, earned first place in Behavioral, Social Sciences & Public Administration (undergraduate) at the 39th Annual CSU Statewide Research Competition, held at Cal Poly Humboldt. Delia’s award‑winning project examined the role of NACHO, a key chaperone protein involved in the expression and function of nicotinic receptors in the brain. Her interest in neuroscience was sparked through professor Yasmine Sherafat’s biopsychology course, leading to lab‑based research and statewide recognition.

April 22, 2025 - Leadership rooted in empathy and advocacy defines Miyah Walker’s impact at Cal State San Marcos. A psychological science major, Walker has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to campus wellbeing as the recipient of the 2025 Dean of Students Award for Outstanding Leadership. Through her roles as a residential adviser, HOPE peer health educator, and student assistant in Kellogg Library, she has worked intentionally to create supportive and inclusive spaces for students, with a particular focus on BIPOC mental health awareness. Her commitment to service, informed by lived experience and academic training, reflects psychology in action across campus and highlights the powerful role students can play in advancing equity and mental health advocacy.

November 7, 2024 - Alexandria (Alli) Mulqueen, a psychological science major at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®, has been recognized for her outstanding leadership and advocacy with the President’s Student Champion Award for Inclusive Excellence and Diversity. Drawing from her lived experience as a neurodivergent student, Mulqueen has emerged as a powerful voice for disability justice and inclusion on campus. Through her leadership as co‑president of ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Best Buddies, her role as a peer mentor in the Aspiring Scholars Program, and her engagement in community‑partnered research, she has worked to create spaces of belonging and support for neurodiverse students and allies. Mulqueen’s efforts reflect psychology in action—combining research, compassion, and advocacy to drive meaningful change—and highlight the positive impact students can have when they lead with empathy and purpose.

Psychology Grad student secures 1st place in category at 38th Annual CSU Statewide Competition

We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Delegates who excelled at the 38th Annual CSU Statewide Research Competition. Showcasing their expertiese across four discpinary categories -- Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities & Letters, Interdisciplinary, and Behavioral, Social Sciences and Public Administration.  

We are delighted to announce Jessica Orea secured 1st place in the category of Behavioral, Social Sciences & Public Administration (graduate).

Jessica Orea â€“ Dr. Kimberley Pulvers, Faculty Mentor
Psychological Sciences, Graduate
Association Between Distress Tolerance and Cannabis Dependence Stronger for Under-Represented Minorities Among U.S. Young Adults

Psychology Faculty and Research Assistants Publish New Research Findings, March 2024

The Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Annual Convention took place February 8th, 2024 in San Diego with several Psychology Faculty and students in attendance representing CSU San Marcos. Kaitlin Jubera and Dr. Jarryd Willis, pictured above, presented their research findings at the Convention. Since then, Multiracial Multilinguals: How Language Influences Multiracials' Interpersonal Relationships, has been published by the Canadian Center of Science and Education in March 2024.

Hernandez, Elizabeth, Pauley, T., Zheng, H., Jubera, K., Perreyclear, T., Vera, R., Satchwell, M., & Willis, J., PhD. (2024). Multiracial Multilinguals: How Language Influences Multiracials’ Interpersonal Relationships. .

ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Symposium on Student Research, 2024

In March, our students represented at the ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Symposium on Student Research! We had four semi-finalists, and three finalists who will be representing ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® at the system-wide CSU Research Competition at Cal Poly SLO in April.

Finalists

• Ariana Almaraz - Dr. Yasmine Sherafat, Faculty Mentor
• NACHO Protein Expression in the Aversive Circuit in Nicotine Dependent Mice
• Jessica Orea - Dr. Kim Pulvers, Faculty Mentor
• Association Between Distress Tolerance and Cannabis Dependence Stronger for Under-Represented Minorities Among U.S. Young Adults
• Milly Lopez - Dr. Kim Pulvers, Faculty Mentor
• Anxiety and Cannabis Dependence Among Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic U.S. Young Adults

Semi-Finalists

• Alex Leon - Dr. Dustin P. Calvillo, Faculty Mentor
• Illusory Truth Occurs with Headlines from Reliable Sources but Not from Unreliable Sources
• Aryanna Alarcon - Dr. Kim Pulvers, Faculty Mentor
• Cannabis Vaping Days Associated with Impaired Neurological Quality of Life among a Tri-Ethnic Sample of U.S. Young Adult Men and Women
• Gustavo Benitez - Dr. Eric Leas, Faculty Mentor (ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®/UCSD Smoke and Vape Free Scholars Program)
• Disparities and impact of flavor restrictions on the availability of flavored tobacco products in online vaping retailers.
• Kai Orozco - Dr. Kim Pulvers, Faculty Mentor
• Earlier Age of First Cannabis Use Linked with Greater Current Peer Use of Cannabis among Young Adult Men and Women

Kerri Mowen Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award - 2023

Congratulations to Psychology Faculty Member, Dr. Alex Huynh who has received the Kerri Mowen Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award for 2023! 

The Kerri Mowen Excellence in Research and Creative Activity Faculty Mentor Award honors individuals who, during their time at California State University San Marcos, have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in increasing the participation of undergraduate students in research and creative activities above and beyond the classroom.The award recognizes faculty (including lecturers) who have mentored and guided a considerable number of students in research or creative activities, and/or faculty who have impacted the environment of the department, college, or university to significantly increase the number and diversity of students engaged in research and creative activities.

Dean's Award - Dean of Students 2023

Congratulations to Psychological Sciences Major, Ilianna Ramirez who is the recipient for the Dean of Students Outstanding Graduate Award.

Ramirez has made lasting contributions to student life at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® through her many involvements, including the ASI Board of Directors, President of the American Indian Student Alliance, Arts & Lectures and her work with the Anti-Racism, Anti-Colonialism, Social Justice Committee. 

Ramirez took her experience one step further through an internship student teaching at her community college where she is creating a pathway for others and laying the foundation for her future career as a college professor. 

Ramirez has strived to help create a sense of belonging at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®. She utilizes her ability to empathize with others who have experiences different from hers to create connections not only within the American Indian Student Alliance but also with other student life areas. 

August 31, 2024 - Psychology professor Sasha Kimel was recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, an American Psychological Association journal, for her research on DNA ancestry tests and racial tolerance. Kimel’s article examines whether receiving ancestry test results influences attitudes toward other racial and ethnic groups. Her findings suggest that learning one’s genetic ancestry does not significantly impact racial tolerance or intolerance, contributing important insight to ongoing public and scientific conversations. Kimel’s work reflects the Psychology Department’s commitment to research addressing intergroup relations and cultural understanding.

Superior Achievement and Excellence in Poster Presentation

Psychological Science major, Karissa Tran, was awarded for Superior Achievement and Excellence in Poster Presentation at the West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference on 4/22/23.

Her study was titled "Age of First Cannabis Use and Cannabis Misuse Linked for Men and Women and Explained by Depressive Symptoms among U.S. Young Adults" and was mentored by Dr. Kim Pulvers.

Dean's Award - Graduate Studies 2023

Congratulations to Jennifer Figueroa, MA Psychological Sciences, who is our Graduate Dean's Award 2022-2023 Recipient.

Thesis: Do Relationship Beliefs Matter? The Role of Implicit Theries of Relationships on Conflict Resolution Styles in Emerging Adults' Romantic Relationships 

A first-generation Ecuadorian American college student from a low-income background, Figueroa has demonstrated outstanding achievements throughout her time at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®. She has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.82, successfully defended her master’s thesis and trained new members of her research team.  

During her time in the master’s program Figueroa has amassed several research achievements, including one first-author publication, three first-author conference presentations, and four co-author conference presentations. 

Nominating professor Haylee DeLuca Bishop noted that Figueroa’s achievements are outstanding for someone so early in their career and they reflect her initiative and intellectual curiosity.  

Christina Maslach-Philip Zimbardo Research Award

Devanshi Upadhyaya and Rosalva Romero Gonzalez received the Christina Maslach-Philip Zimbardo Research Awards in Social Psychology for their poster, College-generational status and wisdom: What factors matter, at the 2022 Western Psychological Association (WPA) Conference. Their faculty mentor was Dr. Alex Huynh.

2022 ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® President's Outstanding Graduate

Congratulations to Krystal Alvarez-Hernandez for being selected the 2022 ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® President's Outstanding Graduate!

Krystal also won first place at the 2022 ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® Statewide Research Competition for her presentation "Exposure to Childhood Abuse on Symptoms of Depression Across the Perinatal Period in Mexican/Mexican American Women."  Krystal was mentored by former Psychology faculty member, Dr. Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez.

November 28, 2022 - Psychology professor Kim Pulvers has made a lasting impact through her research and mentorship focused on reducing the harmful effects of smoking, particularly among vulnerable and historically underserved communities. A clinical health psychologist at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® since 2008, Pulvers has involved more than 100 students in tobacco‑related research while advancing nationally recognized work in smoking cessation, harm reduction, and tobacco control policy. Her contributions and commitment to student mentorship led to her nomination for the 2023 CSU Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship, reflecting the meaningful role faculty leadership plays in advancing public health and student success.

2022 CHABSS Champion for Inclusive Excellence

Gabriel Castellanos is a Child & Adolescent Development major with a Communication minor. He's graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi co-advisor, Dr. Janice Phung, with the Psi Chi inductees of 2021-2022. Congratulations to the new members of the ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ® chapter of Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology. We are so proud of you!

August 24, 2020 - Innovation in teaching and student support is central to psychology’s impact at ÌÇÐÄÉÙÅ®. Psychology professor Sharon Hamill received a California State University Faculty Innovation and Leadership Award in recognition of her commitment to student success and equity‑focused educational practices. Hamill was honored for her leadership in palliative care education and for creating the What Gives Your Life Meaning (WGYLM®) campaign, an initiative that empowers students to advocate for their health and engage in meaningful, community‑based learning. Her work exemplifies innovative approaches to teaching that advance student engagement, wellbeing, and success across campus and beyond.