People

Dylan Serpas is a first-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student. He completed his Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of La Verne and Master's in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. His research interests have focused on using clinical health psychology to examine psychosocial and bio-behavioral mechanisms to health disparities among racial/ethnic and sexual and gender minorities. He is particularly interested in the role that such factors have in chronic disease management, risk, and incidence.

Elisa Carsten is a 6th year PhD student in USF's clinical psychology program. She completed her Bachelor's degree at Michigan State University. She is interested in the relationships between sociocultural norms, minority stress, and mental health problems among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals. Her research investigates sources of potential measurement bias of diagnostic criteria among sexual minority populations.

Brianna Duncan is a second year master's student in the Psychological Science program. Brianna earned a double major Bachelor of Science in psychology and criminology from Florida Southern College in 2021. Current research interests include psychology and law, decision-making, and bias.

Alondra is a psychology undergraduate sudent at University of South Florida- St. Petersburg. She is an actively involved on campus, leading clubs like USF H.E.A.T., Psychology Club and HerCampus-Tampa Chapter. Aside from being a Research Assistant for the I-CARE Lab she is also an Organic Chemistry Lab Technician and a Pharmacy Technician at a nearby hospital. Alondra is interested in health disparities, safe sex initiatives and public health advocacy.

Adrin Castrillon-Escobar is an undergraduate research assistant in the I-CARE lab. He is currently pursing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminology at the University of South Florida. He plans to continue his education by striving for a masters in clinical psychology or mental health counseling. His research interest include medical awareness towards HIV, STIs, and LGBTQIA+ health advocacy.

Merissa Nanga is an undergraduate research assistant. She is currently studying psychology with a minor in criminology at the University of South Florida. Merissa is interested in increasing sexual health awareness and advocating for mental and behavioral health care.

Comfort Babalola is a research assistant in the I-CARE lab. Comfort graduated from the University of Central Florida, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology, along with a minor in English-Creative Writing. Comfort’s research interests include cross-cultural identity, intersectionality, psychopathology, and social and gender norms. Comfort is interested in investigating how certain psychopathology manifests and affects individuals from marginalized communities.

Jesus Morales is a first year master's student in the Psychological Sciences program. Jesus earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. His current study interests include aggression, stigma, and coping

Adriana Torres-Juan is a first-year Clinical Psychology PhD student at the University of South Florida, and she received her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2023. Her research focuses on sexuality and gender minorities and the various factors that impact this community's mental health, including minority stress, political climate, and discrimination. Some of the mental health aspects she investigates within this population include depression, anxiety, perceived safety, and suicidality.

Hannah Thomas is an undergraduate research assistant, studying at the University of South Florida. Hannah is interested in medical disparities, psychosocial aspects of health, and public health advocacy.

 Serena Wasilewski has a Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences from the University of South Florida. Her research interests include intersectional stigma, discrimination, and health-related outcomes, particularly among youth who identify as LGBTQ+. Currently, she is employed in a community hospital as a research coordinator for graduate medical education. She aspires to obtain a doctoral degree in public health and plans to pursue a career in academia.

 Jéanelle Javois is a second-year master’s student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences program at the University of Florida. She is currently interning with the I-CARE lab under Dr. Kemesha Gabbidon. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and African and African American Studies. She hopes to carve out a lane for herself in the public health field and make an impact in her community.