RAICES Lab

Research-based Approaches to Improving Children's Educational outcomeS

RAICES (ruh-EE-ces) means “roots” in Spanish and embodies a profound significance regarding one's identity and cultural heritage. For our lab, it is an analogy for considering Latine families’ early learning development and the roles that cultural practices play.

Mission

To foster a love of learning, culture, and community using the power of applied research to improve meaningful outcomes for Latine children by supporting educators, families, and communities through cultural practices and everyday routines.

Lab Team

Jonathan Ramirez, B.A.

Jonathan is a first-year Ph.D student in the core area of Applied Developmental Psychology and Education at Portland State University. Jonathan received his BA in English from the University of Utah and has completed graduate coursework in applied psychology at Pacific University. Jonathan has worked with Latine families as a workshop facilitator for parents, providing them with culturally relevant communication and emotional tools to facilitate a supportive home environment. Jonathan is interested in examining Latine familial protective factors related to children and youths’ resilience, emotional development, health, and well-being. His career focuses on building culturally relevant social-emotional learning materials for Latine families. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys reading, writing, visiting the dog park with his husky, Evy, and playing cello.

Bayler Brundage, B.A.

Bayler Brundage is a recent graduate from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. By working in the RAICES lab, she hopes to deepen her understanding and help others explore the cultural, socioeconomic, and educational impacts on child development, specifically in Latinx and other communities of color. Some of her interests include exploring child development and psychological aspects, as well as their relationship with educational experience, culture, and gender identity.

Carden Skoubo, B.A.

Carden Skoubo is a recent graduate from Washington State University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. He did his first two years of college at Clark Community College and finished the remainder at WSU in Pullman. Carden is currently exploring interests in socioemotional development in children and gaining more hands-on experience working with children. In the future, Carden hopes to attain a PhD in Developmental Psychology.

Elizabeth Serna, B.A.

Elizabeth Serna is a B.A. graduate in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Her interests include working with Latinx families to understand the dynamics of education and socialization within households, exploring adolescent identity formation, and examining coping mechanisms. As a first-generation Latina, she aims to gain knowledge that respects, honors, and is transparent with the community, producing knowledge that will better serve her community. Elizabeth is also an RA for the CRM Lab under the supervision of Dr. Diamond Bravo and in collaboration with Dr. Bernadette Pinetta.

Kaylee Kirkwood, B.A.

Kaylee Kirkwood is a recent graduate student at Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Kaylee transferred to the Honors College at Portland State University last year, after her first year at the University of Oregon, and will graduate in the Spring. She is interested in trauma and healing, most specifically surrounding the sexual victimization of women and children, and resulting trauma disorders. This year, she is working with Susana Beltrán-Grimm as her thesis advisor and the RAICES lab to gain primary data collection experience, which she will apply to her Senior Honors Thesis and future education and career path.

Liz Romero-Herrera, B.A.

Liz Romero-Herrera is a graduate from Portland State University with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Art Practice. Liz’s interests include working with children, exploring art’s place within psychology, and working with Latino families. Liz is currently an RA for the RAICES Lab, under Dr. Beltrán-Grimm’s supervision, assisting in mixed-methods research projects with Latino families and working on an undergraduate thesis: a children’s book for Latino boys.