People




Erin L. Merz, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Erin Merz is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Miami University (Ohio), a M.A. in Psychology and a M.P.H. in Epidemiology from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Behavioral Medicine track) from the San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program. Her predoctoral clinical internship was completed at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior (Health and Behavior track). Dr. Merz has received recognition for her research by the Inamori Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. She is a displaced midwesterner who loves living in beautiful southern California. In her spare time she enjoys horses and cats (and other assorted furry critters), traveling, camping, learning new things, and getting lots of physical activity.










Graduate Research Assistants


 

Araceli Flores

Araceli is a graduate student in the Health Psychology track. She earned her B.A. from Daemen College in Buffalo, NY class of 2018. After her master’s she hopes to continue her education in a PhD program and become a clinical health psychologist. Her research interests lie in chronic pain/illness and stress management. In her spare time Araceli enjoys reading, watching shows and movies, yoga, and spending time with loved ones.



 







 

Karen Garcia

Karen is a graduate student in the Health Psychology track. She earned her B.A. from California State University, Northridge in 2017. After her master's, she hopes to receive her PhD and become a clinical health psychologist, where she can work with and help cancer patients and their families in palliative care. In her free time, she enjoys watching shows and movies, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family.





 

Jason Hawes

Jason is a graduate student in the Health Psychology track. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton where he also received the Applied Psychology Award from the Psychology Department in the spring of 2016. He went on to work at a pediatric occupational and physical therapy clinic for two years. In his free time, Jason enjoys various forms of exercise, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family.


 

Jay Trieu

Jay is a graduate student in the Health Psychology track. He earned his B.A in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from University of California, Riverside in 2018. His main research interests lie in sleep and stress and intends to pursue his Ph.D. in the future. In his spare time Jay enjoys searching for new music, playing video games, and spending time with his friends and cat.




 

Undergraduate Research Assistants


 

Eva Levingston

Eva Levingston is an undergraduate student majoring in Health Science with an emphasis on Community Health. After receiving her B.S. from California State University Dominguez Hills, she will pursue her Master's in Public Health to study Epidemiology. She hopes to create change through epidemiologic research that influences the implementation of programs that will identify and eliminate health disparities in underserved communities. When she is not studying, volunteering or working, she enjoys watching horror movies and playing video games.







 

Violet Quann

Violet is a Psychology major and Chemistry minor graduating in Spring 2020. Immediately after graduation she will attend medical school with the desire of serving her community. Her hobbies include reading, spending time at the beach, and hanging out with her cat.

 

Former Lab Members

Karina Aguilar - Ph.D. student at UNC Charlotte
Nancy Carrada Zuņiga - M.A. student (Psychology) at CSU, Fullerton
Mariam Chkadua - M.A. student (Psychology) at CSU, Northridge
Marlene Cortes - M.A. student (Psychology) at CSU, Fullerton
Jacqueline Hernandez - M.P.H. student (Community Health) at CSU, Northridge
Bridget Hidalgo - M.A. student (Psychology) at CSU, Fullerton
Alejandra Lopez
Stephany Ortiz Chavez - M.P.H. student (Epidemiology) at the University of Michigan
Angelica Rivera - M.A. student (Psychology) at CSU, Dominguez Hills
Emily San Diego - Ph.D. student at the University of Memphis
Haleigh Smith - M.A. student (Occupational Therapy) student at the University of Southern California
Melody Thiessen
 Carlos Villalobos - Americorps

The views and opinions expressed on unofficial pages of California State University, Dominguez Hills faculty, staff or students are strictly those of the page authors.
The content of these pages has not been reviewed or approved by California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on unofficial pages of California State University, Dominguez Hills faculty, staff or students are strictly those of the page authors. The content of these pages has not been reviewed or approved by California State University, Dominguez Hills.