lab alumni

Albenys Diaz Hernandez, B.S.

I was an undergraduate Honors Thesis student in the FAM&I Lab and earned my Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Spanish at the University of Rochester in 2025. My research focuses on racial/ethnic identity, socialization, efficacy, mental well-being, and the experiences of minoritized youth. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic until the age of 12, I relocated to the Bronx, New York, where I encountered significant financial and educational challenges. These experiences fueled my interest in understanding how racial and ethnic socialization intersects with academic beliefs and achievements. My goal is to become a therapist specializing in Latine youth and underrepresented minorities. I enjoy reading, listening to bachata and Latin music, and actively participate in cultural organizations at the University of Rochester. I have been on the executive board of the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA) since my freshman year. After the FAM&I Lab, I transitioned to the Ph.D. Program in Social Work and Psychology Program at the University of Michigan in Fall 2025!

Jing He, M.S.

Jing He (She/her/her) was a master's student majoring in Human Development at the University of Rochester who graduated in 2025. Her research interests focus on family and child development, as well as adolescents' identity and mental well-being. Jing was born in China and pursued a major in psychology during her undergraduate program. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing and networking, exploring various cuisines with friends, and hosting lively gatherings.

Yiman Zhou, M.S.

Yiman (she) was a research assistant at FAM&I Lab and earned her Master's degree in Human Development at the University of Rochester in 2025. She was a master's student of human development at the Warner School of Education. Her research interest aligns with the impact of family relationships on children's mental health as well as academic motivation. Yiman was born in China and later moved to Vancouver, Canada, in middle school. She finished her bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia. In her free time, she likes baking, painting, and reading fiction novels.

Suzita Pacheco, M.S.

Suzita (she/her) earned her Master's degree in developmental psychology at the University of Rochester in 2025. Her research interests revolve around the development of racial/ethnic and gender identity. She aims to explore how these two dimensions interact and shape our sense of self. Suzita is Hispanic and was born and raised in Alameda, New Mexico, where she grew up in a small community that faced high school dropout rates of around 50%. Due to health issues, she had to drop out of high school as well. However, she persevered teaching herself from the hospital and worked hard to earn her GED. From there, she worked her way up from Central New Mexico Community College to the University of New Mexico, where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology. Suzita then pursued her graduate degree at the University of Rochester. When she is not busy with her studies, she enjoys various hobbies, including gardening, painting, and wood carving.