Our Team
Tatiana Pumaccahua, Ph.D., LP (She/Ella)
Principal Investigator
Dr. Tatiana Pumaccahua is a proud first-generation Indigenous Latina and a product of the California State University system. She was born and raised in Lima, Peru before immigrating to the US at the age of 12. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Child Development from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). She attributes the mentorship, supportive environment, and academic enrichment programs at CSUSB (e.g., Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Educational Opportunity Program, Student Assistance in Learning, and the Minority Access to Research Careers) as being key to influencing her decision to pursue a doctorate degree and a career in academia. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 2018 and completed a 2-year APA-Accredited Child Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles from 2018-2020. Most recently, she also became a licensed psychologist in the state of California. Her various personal, academic, and clinical experiences have shaped both her clinical and research interests. She is passionate about providing and increasing access to quality mental health for children and families from underserved backgrounds, as well as increasing access to higher education, especially for underrepresented students. In terms of research, she is interested in socioemotional learning prevention and intervention programs, school-based mental health, parent education, and the cultural adaptation of evidence-based practices by utilizing creative methods (e.g., through games, pedagogic strategies). In her free time, she enjoys discovering new music to listen to, attending concerts, traveling (loves solo trips and the forest!), spending time with friends, and everything related to Halloween!
Aiyana Castanon (She/Her/Hers)
Research Assistant | Ronald E. McNair Scholar
Kellogg Honors College Student
Aiyana Castanon is a Mexican-American and first-generation student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is in her 4th-year as a psychology undergraduate and is a California native. Aiyana is a member of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Psi Chi Honor Society, McNair Scholars Program, and Kellogg Honors College. She currently works as a student assistant librarian at the Cal Poly University Library. She seeks to further expand her research experience as a research assistant in the Socioemotional Lab led by Dr. Pumaccahua at Cal Poly Pomona. Additionally, she participated in a two year internship with the Pomona Unified School district, where she mentored children in need. There, she also volunteered at the Assistance League of Pomona for Operation School Bell, where she helped distribute clothes, books, and hygiene necessities to low-income families. Furthermore, Aiyana has volunteered at the Animal Humane Society where she fostered bottle-fed kittens. Her personal academic goals extend to completing a Ph.D. program in school or clinical psychology, becoming a professor, and conducting research that aims at examining the roadblocks placed systematically before racially marginalized groups within various social institutions. It’s her mission to help others break their intergenerational cycles of trauma, substance abuse, and emotional neglect while implementing new, healthy coping mechanisms and stronger self-esteem. In her free time, Aiyana enjoys reading books, watching documentaries, discovering new food places, and spending time with loved ones.
Cindy Ledesma Ramirez (She/Her/Hers)
Research Assistant
Cindy Ledesma Ramirez is a first-generation student currently studying at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is a psychology major in her fourth year and will be graduating in Spring of 2025. She is planning to continue her education and get a masters in I/O or school psychology. In her future career, Cindy desires to work with groups of people whether it be in a school or workplace setting. Her goal is to inspire and mentor others so they have tools that can set them up for success. She also desires to continue to bring awareness to current mental health stigmas. Cindy has volunteered in the past as a peer mentor at the high school she graduated from. There she communicated with incoming freshmen by giving them advice and answering any questions that might help prepare them for the upcoming semester. She has recently joined the Socioemotional Learning lab led by Dr. Tatiana Pumaccahua. Cindy is currently a research assistant who is happy to collaborate with the team, be involved in a lab she is passionate about, and gain more lab research experience. She will also have an internship position at the Pomona Unified School District where she will be mentoring students. Many of her interests are based around art. She enjoys drawing, sculpting, and scrapbooking in her spare time alone but also enjoys rollerblading with friends and family.
Flor Zepeda Gomez (She/Her/Hers)
Research Assistant
Flor Zepeda Gomez is a first-generation Mexican-American student going into her fourth year as a psychology major at Cal Poly Pomona. Since high school, Flor has found interest in psychological topics pertaining to therapy. She is now planning to receive her masters to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). At the start of her freshman year, Flor had done volunteer work at her local church, where she gave motivational speeches to high school age students and helped out with events, such as the toy drive for children. Flor has done research with Dr. Basanez in the spring of her sophomore year, where she helped out with data analysis and created a poster for the SPSP conference in San Diego. Currently, Flor is a research assistant for Dr. Tatiana Pumaccahua’s socioemotional lab, where she will partake in an internship at PUSD to mentor students and offer them a supportive and friendly environment. Flor is also working for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) as a peer mentor to CPP students to make sure that they graduate on time with bachelor degrees. Flor is dedicated to giving others the opportunity to become successful and hopes that the students she mentors accomplish their goals. In her down time, Flor loves to read, play video games, listen to music, and hang out with her friends and family.
Melissa Cuellar (She/Her/Hers)
Research Assistant
Melissa Cuellar is a first generation Mexican-American college student, and is currently a fourth-year psychology major at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. After pursuing her bachelor's degree, she has hopes of going to graduate school to obtain a Ph.D. in School Psychology. Melissa has previous experience as a research assistant for a previous student’s McNair research project. She is currently a research assistant for Cal Poly Pomona’s Socioemotional Research Lab. As a member of this lab, Melissa partners with other members in conducting research and works with Pomona Unified School District where she mentors younger students to help them with extra support and guidance they may need in order to better their development. Melissa is passionate about working with children because she believes that having a strong support system at a young age will better help them when they are older. She wants to be a great role model to children and watch them succeed. Melissa would like to become an elementary or high school psychologist and work with many diverse populations. In her personal life, Melissa loves listening to music, watching movies, going on walks with her dog, spending time with family and friends, and going to the gym.
Michelle Salazar Renteria (She/Her/Ella)
Research Assistant | Ronald E. McNair Scholar
Michelle Salazar Renteria is a first-generation Mexican college student, and is currently attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona as a fourth-year majoring in Psychology. She was raised in Mexico and immigrated to the US at the age of 12. She hopes to further her education beyond her bachelor's degree in hopes of becoming a licensed Psychologist and working with children. She is currently an Senior ASP mentor and focuses on mentoring other Cal Poly Pomona students who are part of various research programs on campus. She is also part of the McNair Scholars Program Cohort 26, as well as a research assistant in Cal Poly Pomona’s Socioemotional Research Lab. Through this lab, she also works with the Pomona Unified School District. Michelle is passionate about working with children, and values the importance of being able to provide the necessary support and guidance they may need. She is also passionate about helping her community and finds so much value in helping those who are part of marginalized groups, in hopes of creating a more positive and healthy community, and fighting against toxic mental health stigmas. Additionally, Michelle works in the flower industry as a florist, she has her own flower business and is passionate about nature and enjoys showing her creativity through her work. In her free time, Michelle loves reading, music, watching movies/shows, spending time with her loved one’s and pets, drawing/painting, cooking, and traveling.
Anabella Rocha (She/Her/Ella)
Research Assistant
Anabella Rocha is a second generation Mexican-American currently attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona as a third-year undergraduate student. She has shown great interest and dedication to mentorship and empowering her fellow peers. Anabella was a peer-mentor for two years to high school students who were in need of additional academic, and at times, emotional support. Anabella is currently a success coach for Rio Hondo College and assists a diverse student population in applying to community college, registering for classes, and applying for financial aid. As a success coach, she also connects students to additional support programs such as First Gen Forward, Black Scholars Program, LEGACIE+, Dreamers, and the Disabled Students Program. Furthermore, Anabella is a research assistant for Dr. Tatiana Pumaccahua’s Socioemotional Lab. As a lab member, she mentors students within the Pomona Unified District, working to equip them with a framework for positive social and behavioral skills. Anabella is dedicated to working with diverse populations and empowering community members through mentoring, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. Her personal academic goals are to enroll in a doctorate program for counseling psychology and work towards licensure as a psychologist. In her personal life, Anabella values exploring new hobbies, activities, and music. She utilizes guitar and dance as an outlet for creative freedom and also enjoys collecting vinyl records, biking, and visiting museums.
Isabella Lopez (She/Her/Hers)
Research Assistant | Ronald E. McNair Scholar
Isabella Lopez is a second generation Mexican, and college student that is currently attending her fourth year at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society, and has been a research assistant in the Socioemotional Lab with Dr. Pumacahua since Fall of 2023. She is also a member of Dr. Baumsteiger’s Prosocialility and Well Being Lab, and a member of Cohort 26 within the McNair Scholars Program. Within the Social Emotional Lab, she is also an Intern as a student support mentor in schools within the Pomona Unified School District. Isabella is working to obtain her bachelors in Psychology during the Spring of 2025 and one day gain her masters and PhD in Psychology. She learns from working with her research team and also gains knowledge as a mentee of Dr. Pumaccahua. Isabella believes that her work with children and adolescence will give her the opportunity to use her empathy towards helping them face experiences surrounding substance abuse, trauma, family and issues. With this, she also strives to help them have a better understanding of how they can react when being aware of their emotions. Outside of school, Isabella enjoys creating connections with those she meets and is an active member of community service and ministries within her church. In her free time, Isabella also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, setting new goals for herself, painting, singing, going out into nature, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Jasmine Pinto (She/Her/Hers)
Research Assistant
Jasmine Pinto is a fourth year transfer student from Moreno Valley College and currently is studying Psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. She is a first generation college student and is hoping to further her education and pursue a graduate degree. She is hoping to become a therapist and work with children or adolescents. As of right now, she is a research assistant in the Socioemotional Lab at Cal Poly Pomona and has a partnered internship with the Pomona Unified School District serving as a mentor to children K-5th grade to help promote their social skills. In being a part of this program, it has been a great and rewarding experience to see the kids grow and learn. Jasmine chose to major in psychology as she is passionate about not only mental health but in being a mentor and guidance for youth. Growing up in a Hispanic household, mental health and emotional wellbeing was not prioritized and looked past. In pursuing her education in psychology she hopes to continue to break the stigma of mental health awareness because she believes that your emotional well-being is just as important as physical. In addition, Jasmine is the eldest sibling and works hard to be a role model to her younger siblings. They are what inspired her to work with children and be a mentor to them. She owes much of her success to them and hopes to make them proud. When she is not in school or her internship, Jasmine enjoys going to the movies, Journaling, the beach, and being around her close friends.