Archive: 2022 | SRCD Latinx Caucus

Member Spotlights

Lorena Aceves, Ph.D., Research Scientist at Child Trends; Former SRCD Postdoctoral Fellow at the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

I was drawn to do work on Latinx youth and families due to my own experiences as a daughter of two Mexican immigrant parents who were undocumented for most of my life. Just a few years before I completed my doctorate degree, my parents completed the documentation process. Being Mexican in a mixed status household played central roles in how I navigated educational opportunities.

Gloria Yeomans-Maldonado, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

The Latinx Caucus is a way for fellow Latinx scholars to create community and camaraderie, not only at the SRCD meetings, but also outside of the meetings. I especially appreciate the presence and voice of the Latinx caucus in disseminating opportunities for its members as well as sharing the latest research and creating professional development opportunities.

Melinda Gonzales-Backen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Florida State University

The Latinx Caucus is important for the visibility of Latinx scholars and the amplification of our voices and research on Latinx children. As a first-generation Latina college student it was really important for me to see people like me doing research that resonated with me.

Andres Pinedo, M.S., Doctoral Candidate, University of Michigan

I’m still pretty early into this journey of academia and research, but my advice to folx just beginning to step into research is to pursue the questions that you’re passionate about, and not those that simply “fill a gap in the literature.” Research is an arduous process and it can often be demotivating, but what keeps me going is my genuine interest in what I’m studying and the implications that my work can have.

Gabriela Chavira, Ph.D., Professor, California State University, Northridge

I noticed that my lived experiences were never reflected in those theories or in most concepts discussed in class. I realized that something was missing…I decided to study immigrant families from a different lens. A lens of strengths and never needing to compare Latinx experiences with others.

José M. Causadias, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

I think the Latinx caucus offers a great opportunity to create a new Latinidad and build a community of developmental scholars of Latin American and Caribbean background. We have had great leaders in recent years that have advocated for Latino youth, and have challenged SRCD to take a stand on the issue of family separations by the Trump administration. Connecting with the Black and Asian caucuses has been a wonderful example of coalition building.

Francisco Palermo, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Missouri

I knew then that reducing the educational disparities and supporting Spanish-speaking children’s dual language development, not just English language development, would be a focus of my research. I felt connected to this research focus because I was once in a similar situation: a Spanish-speaking child learning English as a second language in U.S. schools.

Sarah Killoren, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Missouri

I really enjoy being involved in the Latinx Caucus. I think it is an important way to network with other Latinx developmental and family scholars. I also think that the position statements and papers, such as the research-to-policy paper on the negative consequences of separating immigrant families at the border, can have a strong impact on policy and public opinion.

Juan José Giraldo-Huertas, Doctoral Candidate (University of Reading, UK) and Full-time Faculty & Department Chair of Psicología del Desarrollo y la Educación (Universidad de la Sabana, Colombia)

I am honored to share a place with all my colleagues and inspiring researchers in the Latinx Caucus. The caucus is an opportunity to highlight our work and research projects and to foster future alliances to improve the livelihoods of children in vulnerable conditions.

Sabrina A. Mendez-Escobar, M.S., Full-time Faculty & Assistant Department Chair, Harry S Truman College

I strongly affirm that health and wellness precede academia. The challenges ahead will require much attention to the former in order to get any research completed. As such, I am going forward as someone who has had to overcome challenges that have taught me how cultivating relationships and caring for others is a huge part of the process. Pa’lante!

Older Posts