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
Natalie Khoury
Natalie Khoury is a Senior undergraduate student in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her research interests include mental health awareness, prosociality in youth, and the effectiveness of positive interventions to promote the well-being of others.
Melissa Armenta
Melissa Amenta is a Cal Poly Pomona alumnus and an MA student. Her research interests include human factors with an emphasis in social behavior specific to humans that may influence the functioning of technological systems and applied psychology.
Raphael Solano
Raphael Solano is a senior undergraduate student in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. His research interests include the intersection of prosocial development, art, and a thorough multicultural perspective.
Isabella Lopez
Isabella Lopez is a fourth-year undergraduate student in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her research interests include prosociality and wellbeing within children, adolescence, and adults, effects of religion and culture on mental health, Social Psychology, and Moral Psychology. Her goal is to obtain her masters and PhD in Psychology and work within any community and population in need.
Lola Piñón
Lola Piñón is a senior undergraduate student studying psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her interests include wellbeing in special needs children, adolescents, children of minorities, and music therapy. Her goal is to earn her MFT and continue to work in counseling.
Cameryn Sandvik
Cameryn (Camie) Sandvik is a senior undergraduate student in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her research interests include family dynamics, effects of trauma on interpersonal relationships and mental health, and interventions to promote well-being and healthy relationships amongst families, peers, and partners. Her goal is to earn her PhD in Clinical Psychology and to apply that degree in both research and clinical fields.
Katherine Rangel
Katherine Dorsali Rangel is a Cal Poly Pomona alumnus. Her research interests include the transitional period between adolescence and adulthood, well-being, and the studies on DSM-5. She plans to get her masters in Psychology to expand and endeavor the world of mental health and clinical practice.
Aliyah Iskenderian
Aliyah Iskenderian is a Cal Poly Pomona alumnus. Her research interests include the prosocial well-being amongst adolescence and adults, the impact of intergenerational trauma, mental health, and health psychology. She plans to get her masters and PsyD in clinical psychology and to continue working with youth from challenging or troubled backgrounds to help them navigate personal, emotional, and social difficulties.