CHANGE Lab Director
Dr. Idia Thurston, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Clinical Psychology
256 Psychology Building
idiathurston@tamu.edu
CV: Coming Soon!
My research aims to understand why certain groups of people experience a greater health and disease burden and to promote health equity among youth and families. Our CHANGE lab engages with communities to understand individual, familial, community, and cultural risk and protective factors among marginalized and underserved populations. We develop strength-based, culturally-responsive programs and interventions that consider intersectional identities of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality to enhance well-being, reduce stigma, and promote self-empowerment.
CHANGE Lab Graduate Students
Whitney Howie, MPH
4th Year Clinical Psychology Student
wchowie@tamu.edu
CV: Coming Soon!
Research Interests:
– Examining race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) in Black/African American young adults
– Developing culturally responsive interventions that improve health outcomes in minoritized population
– Exploring strategies to improve psychological well-being among Black/Latinx communities
– Examining social factors that influence mental health
Caitlyn Maye, B.S.
3rd Year Clinical Psychology Student
cemaye@tamu.edu
CV: Coming Soon!
Research Interests:
– Pediatric Psychology
– Utilizing community-based interventions to examine health disparities in children with chronic health conditions
– Biobehavioral and psychosocial factors that impact health behavior changes in children with chronic health conditions
Danielle Porter, B.A.
2nd Year Clinical Psychology Student
dvporter@tamu.edu
CV: Coming Soon!
Research Interests:
– Health disparities in underserved communities
– Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
– Pediatric Psychology
CHANGE Lab Staff
Christian Herrera, B.A.
Lab Manager
cmherrera@tamu.edu
CV: Coming Soon!
Research Interests:
– Community-Based Participatory Research
– HIV related disparities in underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities
– Multicultural adaptations to evidence-based practices and treatments
CHANGE Lab Undergraduate Research Assistants
Audrey Saculla
Senior, Class of 2022
Major: Psychology, B.S.
audreysac18@tamu.edu
Research Interests:
– Community Psychology, with a focus on the health and wellness of underrepresented groups
– Developmental Psychology
– Public health, with a focus on those living with chronic health conditions
Sofia Quintero
Junior, Class of 2023
Major: Psychology, B.S.
Minor: Neuroscience
sofiaquintero@tamu.edu
– Diversity within healthcare to increase representation
– Mental health, especially among children and adolescents
– Health equity & access to medical care
Karina York
Sophomore, Class of 2024
Major: Psychology, B.S.
karina02@tamu.edu
Amanda Bruner
Junior, Class of 2023
Major: Psychology
Minors: Neuroscience, Women’s & Gender Studies
amanda.bruner@tamu.edu
Research Interests:
– Development of interventions that address mental & physical health disparities in minoritized communities
– Protective & risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth
– The impact of intersectional identities on mental health outcomes
