Doctoral Students
Doctoral students working with Dr. Stephens take on leadership roles in the CCHI Research Lab. In addition to leading their own research projects, they supervise and mentor undergraduate Research Assistants working on Psychology Honors Theses, Ronald McNair Fellowships, and other formal research training programs.
Juan Sebastian Castillo Perez
Juan joined our lab in Fall 2021. His research examines the ways in which culture informs ideas about masculnity, and how these shape men's perceptions of help seeking and wellbeing both in the United States and Colombia. Using an intersectionality lens, he will specifically explore the influence of LatinX cultural values presented via popular culture and peer contexts on mental health outcomes.
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Hector Peguero
Hector joined our lab in Fall 2022. Hector entered the doctoral program in Fall 2022. His research examines the intersections of health stigma and identity development among gender diverse individuals both the United States and India. A former Fulbright Fellow, Hector is building on his foundational research by seeking to identify common points of intervention for addressing stigma while increasing agency through health inequities education.
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Jeffrey Pierre
Jeffery entered the doctoral program in Fall 2022. His research examines the construction of masculinity and healthy relationships meanings among racial/ ethnic minority men. Jeffery is particularly interested in exploring the ways in these perceptions influence attitudes toward intimate partner violence within Haitian communities. His ultimate goal is to identify culturally appropriate intervention approaches that center Haitian values and socio historical realities.
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Latrisha Robinson
Latrisha is a PhD student in the Applied Social and Cultural Psychology program, supported by a CASE Dean Fellowship. She joined the CCHI lab in Fall 2024, focusing her research on reproductive health and the experiences of minority women with infertility. Dedicated to addressing health disparities, Latrisha aims to influence policy and practice for improved healthcare equity. She plans to pursue a career in academia and advocacy, fostering representation and transformative change in underserved communities.
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Krystal Sutherland
Krystal currently enrolled in the PhD program in Applied Social and Cultural Psychology at FIU, under the mentorship of Dr. Dionne Stephens. Additionally, she serves as the Director of Education and Employment Services at the FIU Embrace Center for Advancing Inclusive Communities. Her decade-long career in program development and management, both in Jamaica and the United States, has provided invaluable experience in serving vulnerable populations. Krytal's research interests center around minority and vulnerable populations, with a specific focus on sexual health among persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Through collaboration with Dr. Stephens, she hopes to grow as a researcher and leverage the resources of FIU to advance research and interventions for this underserved population.
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