TEAM
Lab Director: Dr. Rachel Baumsteiger
Rachel Baumsteiger is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Before coming to CPP, Dr. Baumsteiger received a BA from the University of South Florida and then an MA and PhD from the Claremont Graduate University with a concentration in positive developmental psychology. She then worked as a postdoctoral associate and then associate research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Baumsteiger's research focuses on social, emotional, and moral development with a particular interest in prosocial behavior, especially among adolescents and adults. Dr. Baumsteiger also enjoys teaching courses related to research methods, human development, positive psychology, and social psychology.
Research Assistants
Leslie Cervantes
Leslie Cervantes is a senior undergraduate student studying psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her research interests include trauma interventions and treatment, geriatric psychology, counseling, and neuroscience. She volunteers currently at the Tri-City Mental Health Center and is part of the College Corps program and EOP program. Her goal is to pursue a master’s degree in counseling and practice as a licensed clinical counselor within her community.
​Daniel Leon
Daniel Leon is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. His research interests include emotional regulation and how positive psychology interventions can impact well-being, reducing stigma against people with mental health concerns, and psychosis risk. His goal is to gain his PhD in clinical psychology and to apply that degree in both research and clinical fields to support those in need.
Emma Nahapetian
Emma Nahapetian is a third-year undergraduate student studying psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her work as a registered behavior technician with children on the spectrum has broadened her research interests on mental health stigma, youth trauma, and social psychology. As a Middle Eastern woman, she values supporting multicultural individuals facing mental health challenges. In the future, Emma will earn a master's degree to become a licensed therapist with a private practice focused on helping adolescents and young adults improve their sense of well-being.
Jamie Cortez is a senior undergraduate student and McNair scholar majoring in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her research interests include cognitive psychology and adolescents, with a particular interest in interpersonal relationships and well-being. As a first generation transfer student, she is passionate about working to support youths from disadvantaged communities in the future with a multicultural lens.
Michelle Navarro ​
Michelle Navarro is a senior with research interests in prosocial behavior among adolescents and its impact on long term wellbeing, as well as the development/transition of mental illness from adolescence into adulthood. Michelle’s goal is to become a psychiatrist and continue making a meaningful impact on patients’ mental health.
Juan Alba​​
Hallie Alfaro
Jesus Gomez
Sydney Lee
Carly Shoeny