RAICES Lab Director

Dr. Dominique L. La Barrie is a developmental psychologist whose research focuses on ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) and its role in shaping the well-being of Black and Latinx youth. She examines how parents, families, and other important figures support resilience and identity development through ERS, particularly in the context of stressful life experiences. Her work aims to advance culturally grounded science that highlights strengths and informs practices to support thriving among diverse youth and families.

Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant

Neda M. Pazuki brings a multidisciplinary background in neuroscience, healthcare, and community education to her work. She is passionate about culturally responsive research that supports youth and families as they navigate adversity. With a strong foundation in clinical and developmental science, Neda is committed to advancing her education to further contribute to inclusive, equity-driven research and practice.

Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant

Cindy received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Georgia. At UGA, she worked as a Lab Coordinator for the FUERTE Lab, where she coordinated projects examining the impact of adversity on the mental health of Latinx youth. Her research interests focus on understanding how adversity affects the physical and mental health of minoritized communities through community-based research. In her free time, Cindy enjoys trying new cafes, watching movies, and attending concerts.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anna Dubreuil is a first-year student majoring in Psychology and Statistics. She aspires to become a clinical psychologist with a research focus on adolescents with anxiety disorders. By combining her interests in psychology and statistics, she aims to utilize data-driven approaches to understand the developmental factors that influence anxiety and inform evidence-based interventions that support youth mental health.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Allera Bee is a senior psychology student at Virginia Tech who’s passionate about developmental and social psychology. She hopes to one day become a clinical sports psychologist with extensive expertise in understanding how our world, culture, environment, and experiences shape who we are. A hobby that she loves is enjoying the outdoors.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Lee is a junior studying psychology whose interests lie in marginalized communities and how our environment and socioeconomic factors impact our development. They are passionate about giving back to underrepresented communities and is involved in a variety of organizations pertaining to the queer community in Southwest Virginia. They hope to continue their education via a developmental psychology graduate program.