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 recently graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. Through her work in the RAICES lab, she hopes to deepen her understanding and help others explore the cultural, socioeconomic, and educational impacts on child development, particularly in Latinx and other communities of color. Her interests include child development and psychology, and how they relate to educational experience, culture, and gender identity.

Elisabeth Luo

Elisabeth Luo is an undergraduate student at Portland State University pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and a certificate in Criminal Behavior and Justice. Her research interests include child development, family background, culture, educational experiences, and social environments. She is especially interested in how early life experiences can strongly influence who they become as they approach adulthood. Through her work with the RAICES lab, Elisabeth hopes to gain hands-on research experience while expanding her understanding of child development, culturally informed research, and the factors that continue to contribute to children's learning and well-being. In the future, she hopes to pursue graduate training and a research career focused on psychology, neuroscience, and human behavior.

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 recently graduated from Portland State University's Honors College with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She conducted research for her Honors Senior Thesis in the RAICES lab, advised by Professor Beltrán-Grimm. By continuing her involvement in the RAICES lab, Kaylee intends to strengthen her research skills as she prepares to apply to PhD programs. Kaylee is interested in Clinical and Community Psychology, exploring topics related to violence against women and girls, sexual abuse, trauma, and agency. She is passionate about survivor advocacy and feminist research methods.