CALMA News
Date Published 3/18/2022
Elizabeth Bocanegra Receives the 2021 Graduate Research Mentorship (GRM) Award!
Date Published: 5/3/2021
The Graduate Research Mentorship (GRM) Program is designed to assist doctoral students in acquiring and developing advanced research skills under faculty mentorship. Faculty mentors are expected to be in frequent contact with the student participants and to assist them with research leading to the development of a doctoral dissertation. Program participants will receive a $20,000 stipend plus standard tuition and fees (excluding nonresident supplemental tuition and professional degree supplemental tuition).
Gio partners up with the meditation app company Ten Percent Happier!
Date Published: 12/27/2020
Gio Ramos has established a research collaboration with Ten Percent Happier to examine the acceptability, cultural robustness, and efficacy of self-directed mindfulness meditation to reduce the adverse mental health outcomes associated with discrimination experiences among racial/ethnic minorities.
Congratulations to APA Dissertation Research Award Recipient Carolyn Ponting
Date Published: 12/15/2020
Congratulations to Carolyn Ponting for receiving the APA Dissertation Research Award. Below is more info about the award:
Carolyn Ponting received the APA Dissertation Research Award. The purpose of the APA Science Directorate’s Dissertation Research Award program is to assist science-oriented doctoral students of psychology whose dissertation research reflects excellence in scientific psychology with research costs.
CALMA Team Receives a Grant from the UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute!
Date Published: 11/12/2020
The CALMA team received a research grant from the UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute!
In collaboration with Michelle Craske, Denise Chavira, Dani Smith, and Gio Ramos received funding to conduct a study examining how a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) could help parents and youth with anxiety and depression. Our research will evaluate the effectiveness of an app-based which emphasizes practices of kindness, using two formats: one which teaches mindfulness to the teen-only and the other which includes both the teen and the parent.
CALMA RA Priscilla Molina Featured in UCLA Newsroom Article!
Date Published: 6/11/2020
Check out this wonderful story and video of CALMA RA Priscilla Molina!
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/parents-and-brother-inspired-graduates-success-and-career-goals
Michael J. Goldstein Distinguished Dissertation Award Winner Dr. Amy Rapp!
Date Published: 5/28/2020
Congratulations to Amy Rapp for winning the Michael J. Goldstein Distinguished Dissertation Award. Below is more info about the award:
Amy Rapp’s dissertation, “Collectivism and the Psychophysiology of Self-Regulation in Adolescents,” is a series of culturally focused neuroscience studies supported by her NIMH F31 grant. As part of this project, Amy applied EEG research methods to the study of cultural values such as collectivism, hypothesized to influence self-regulatory processes, measured with the ERN and FRN components of the event-related brain potential, and their relationship to social anxiety in a large sample of Latinx, non-Latinx White, and Asian adolescents. Amy completed rigorous coursework on biological signal processing and neuroanatomy, then conducted over 400 hours of data collection and processed and analyzed all the EEG data herself. An important finding from this dissertation suggests that collectivism is associated with enhanced neural response to errors occurring in a social context for Latinx adolescents. As demonstrated through her dissertation, Amy is an exceptional clinical scientist with an innovative program of research that will advance our understanding of the intersection of culture, development, and neurobiology in the etiology of anxiety.
Undergraduate Research Showcase
Date Published: 5/21/2020
Congratulations to CALMA undergraduate research assistants, Priscilla Molina, Mario Ocampo and Yinyin Wen for presenting at this year’s UCLA Undergraduate Research Week!
Priscilla’s research focused on the relations between past barriers to mental health care and intent to seek services: using literacy tools to engage depressed Latinx adults. Link: https://youtu.be/
Maria’s research revolved around resilience factors against internalizing and externalizing disorders in Latinx youth.
Yinyin’s research pertained to predictors of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) attrition in a community sample.
Congrats Priscilla, Maria and Yinyin on all your hard work!
GRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH MENTORSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Date Published: April 23, 2020
Congratulations to our Graduate Summer Research Mentorship recipients! 34 graduate students received the 2020 Graduate Division Graduate Summer Research Mentorship, which provides financial support for conducting research under the close mentorship of a faculty member this summer. CALMA’s very own, Giovanni Ramos (Third Year, Clinical Area) and Elizabeth Bocanegra (First Year, Clinical Area) were two of the thirty-four recipients of this prestigious fellowship.
CAROLYN PONTING RECEIVES THE 2020 MONICA SALINAS SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP!
Date Published: February 27, 2020
Congratulations to Carolyn Ponting (Clinical Area) on receiving the 2020 Monica Salinas Summer Scholarship! The Monica Salinas Summer Scholarship provides summer funding and conference travel costs for a graduate student in Psychology who is committed to advancing the field of Latino mental health.
2020 Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP)
Date: February 12th, 2020
Congratulations to Yinyin Wen for being selected into this year’s Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP). URFP provides a $3,000 scholarship to support students doing entry-level research for winter and spring quarters and provides students with the opportunity to present their research at UCLA’s Undergraduate Research Week.
PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAMS (PROPS) 2019-2020 COHORT ANNOUNCED
Date Published: February 12th, 2020
Congratulations to CALMA Undergraduate Research Assistants, Priscilla Molina, Maria Ocampo Brito, and Yinyin Wen on being accepted into UCLA’s 2019-2020 Psychology Research Opportunity Programs (PROPS) Cohort! PROPS is a two quarter research program that provides a stipend (up to $2,500) to historically underrepresented students or those with a demonstrated financial need to support them while they work in research labs of UCLA Psychology faculty and gain the needed experience to pursue advanced studies in psychology. Congratulations Priscilla, Maria, and Yinyin!
Congratulations to RA’s Priscilla Molina and Linda Arroyo for being selected to the 2020 IvyG Conference which will be hosted by Cornell University (Ithaca, NYC), February 28th– March 1st and all expenses will be covered!
Date Published: January 30th, 2020
IvyG is the largest conference for first-generation, low-income students in the world. Historically, the conference has served as a space for first-generation, low-income students to connect and empower one another. IvyG was the first national organization dedicated to bringing together communities of diverse, first-generation and low-income students from across the Ivy League and peer institutions. Since the organization’s founding in 2015 by students at Brown University, the 1vyG conference has served as a significant event for the national FLI student community. Previous conferences have been held at Brown, Harvard, Yale, and UPenn, and have brought together students from over two dozen schools. The conference is student ran and student led.
Here is a link to last year’s conference that was hosted by Princeton University: https://www.princeton1vyg.com/
Check out our graduate student’s first-author paper focusing on using technology to reduce mental health disparities. Congratulations, Gio!
Date Published: January 30th, 2020
How can we use technology to reduce mental health disparities? Check out 2019 Predoctoral Fellow Giovanni Ramos' research on the use of these tools to provide services for racial/ethnic minorities @UCLA #mentalhealth#fordie https://t.co/Hu9WooZvRK pic.twitter.com/KIaseHPGUk
— Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs (@NASEMFordFellow) January 22, 2020
LIZ BOCANEGRA SELECTED FOR UCLA COMPETITIVE EDGE: SUMMER TRANSITION PROGRAM TO THE DOCTORATE
Date Published: August 5th, 2019
Congratulations to CALMA Graduate Student, Liz Bocanegra (Incoming First Year), on being selected for The Competitive Edge program. This program, funded by the UCLA Graduate Division, is for newly admitted, entering doctoral students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and social sciences with a strong interest in pursuing a faculty or research position. The objective is to provide awardees with research and professional development experiences to enhance their success in UCLA doctoral programs. Competitive Edge is six weeks of full-time, faculty-guided research and mentoring, as well as academic and professional workshops.
For more information on The Competitive Edge Program, please visit: https://grad.ucla.edu/life-at-ucla/diversity/california-alliance-for-graduate-education-and-the-professoriate-nsf-agep/ucla-competitive-edge-nsf-summer-transition-program-to-the-doctorate/
JUNE 2019 RA OUTING: ESCAPE ROOM, CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
The end-of-the-year celebration took place at the Carnival Cranium Escape Room. Where undergraduate RAs and Dr. Chavira took on the challenge to save Anatoly Smith from his bad memories. Although they weren’t able to escape they enjoyed the process.
SPRING 2019 GRADUATE STUDENT RETREAT
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Amy Rapp, Gio Ramos, Louise Dixon, Dr. Chavira, and Carolyn Ponting
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Chavira, Louise, Dr. Rapp, Carolyn, Gio, and Dr. Chavira’s daughter Layla
GIOVANNI (GIO) RAMOS RECEIVES THE FORD FOUNDATION PREDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Date published: May 21st, 2019
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Giovanni (Gio) Ramos on being awarded the prestigious Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on behalf of the Ford Foundation! The award provides three years of support and is made to individuals who have demonstrated superior academic achievement, are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level, show promise of future achievement as scholars and teachers, and are well prepared to use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.
Over the last 10 year, students in the UCLA Psychology Department have received 3 Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships. Gio now joins this very selected group!
CASANDRA GOMEZ-ALVARADO RECEIVES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ORAL PRESENTATION
Date Published: May 6th, 2019
Congratulations to CALMA undergraduate research assistant Casandra Gomez-Alvarado on receiving the Office of The Provost’s award for Outstanding Oral Presentation at the 40th Annual Central California Research Symposium (CCRS). CCRS is hosted by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at California State University, Fresno.
For more information regarding the event proceedings, visit www.fresnostate.edu/academics/grants/students/symposium.html
ADRIAN LOPEZ-MARQUEZ RECEIVES DAVIN YOUNGCLARKE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION
Date Published: May 6th, 2019
Congratulations to CALMA undergraduate research assistant Adrian Lopez-Marquez on receiving the Davin Youngclarke Award For Outstanding Presentation at the 40th Annual Central California Research Symposium (CCRS). CCRS and the Davin Youngclarke Award for Outstanding Presentation are both sponsored by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at California State University, Fresno.
For more information regarding the event proceedings, visit www.fresnostate.edu/academics/grants/students/symposium.html
GRADUATE DIVISION GRADUATE RESEARCH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Date Published: April 25, 2019
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Giovanni Ramos for being selected as one of UCLA’s Graduate Research Mentorship (GRM) Program recipients! 11 graduate students received the 2019 Graduate Division Graduate Research Mentorship, which is designed to assist students in acquiring and developing advanced research skills under faculty mentorship.
GIOVANNI (GIO) RAMOS RECEIVES THE 2019 MONICA SALINAS SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP
Date Published: April 18, 2019
Congratulations to Giovanni (Gio) Ramos (Clinical Area) on receiving the 2019 Monica Salinas Summer Scholarship! The Monica Salinas Summer Scholarship provides summer funding and conference travel costs for a graduate student in Psychology who is committed to advancing the field of Latino mental health.
APA DIVISION 53’S INAUGURAL LEADERSHIP EDUCATION TO ADVANCE DIVERSITY (LEAD) COHORT ANNOUNCED
Date Published: December 18, 2018
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Giovanni Ramos on being chosen as a member of the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology’s (Division 53 of the American Psychological Association) inaugural Leadership Education to Advance Diversity (LEAD) Institute. The inaugural institute will be taking place in Miami, Florida on February 23, 2019 in conjunction with the Miami International Child & Adolescent Mental Health (MICAMH) Conference held at Florida International University (FIU).
The goal of SCCAP Leadership Education to Advance Diversity (LEAD) Institute is to provide professional development, networking, and leadership skills for graduate students and early career professionals (ECP’s) who are members of Division 53 (SCCAP). The full-day leadership institute will include invited guest speakers that will address topics such as: leadership in the community, cultural sensitivity in practice, tips on publishing, and engaging in media Psychology.
The Intent of this institute is to graduate students and ECP’s from diverse groups (e.g., ethnic and racial, sexual and gender diversity, individuals with a disability) the opportunity to gain leadership and professional skills, and increase their professional network.
2018-2019 PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAMS (PROPS) 2018-2019 COHORT ANNOUNCED
Date Published: November 20, 2018
Congratulations to CALMA Undergraduate Research Assistants Angelica Sanchez, Melissa Salgado, and Adrian Lopez-Marquez on being accepted into the 2018-2019 Psychology Research Opportunity Programs (PROPS) Cohort! PROPS is a two-quarter program that gives Undergraduate students to receive help in completing all components of a graduate school application, work closely with a Faculty & Graduate mentor conducting research in Psychology, network with peers, and present at the end of the year at undergraduate research conferences. Congratulations Angelica, Melissa, and Adrian!
GRADUATE RESEARCH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Date Published: May 8, 2018
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Louise Dixon (Third-Year, Clinical Psychology) on being one of nine Graduate Division Graduate Research Mentorship Program recipient! This fellowship awards a $20,000 stipend plus fees/tuition for conducting research under the close mentorship of a faculty member.
NIMH T32 PREDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Date Published: May 8, 2018
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Carolyn Ponting (Second Year, Clinical Area) for receiving the NIMH T32 predoctoral fellowship in Behavioral Issues in Mental and Physical Health.
GRADUATE SUMMER RESEARCH MENTORSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
Date Published: April 18, 2018
Congratulations to our Graduate Summer Research Mentorship recipients! 36 graduate students received the 2018 Graduate Division Graduate Summer Research Mentorship, which provides financial support for conducting research under the close mentorship of a faculty member this summer. CALMA’s very own, Giovanni Ramos (First Year, Clinical Area) and Carolyn Ponting (Second Year, Clinical Area) were two of the thirty-six recipients of this prestigious fellowship.
LOUISE DIXON RECEIVES THE 2018 MONICA SALINAS SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP
Date Published: April 18, 2018
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Louise Dixon (Third Year, Clinical Psychology) on being awarded with the Monica Salinas Fellowship. This Fellowship provides summer funding and conference travel costs for a graduate student in Psychology who is committed to advancing the field of Latino mental health.
GIOVANNI RAMOS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LATINO MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM
Date published: April 4, 2018
Congratulations to CALMA graduate student Giovanni (Gio) Ramos (First Year, Clinical Area) for being selected to participate in the Latino Mental Health Research Training Program, a NIH/NIMHD-funded Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) program designed to prepare the very best young researchers to address disparities in mental health care of U.S. Latinos with mental illness and substance use disorders. As part of this program, Giovanni will collaborate with researchers at the National Institute of Psychiatry in Mexico City this Summer.
