Meet the RFY Lab
Dr. Ciara Smalls Glover
Lab Director
Associate Psychology Professor at GSU
Associate Psychology Professor at GSU
Dr. Ciara Smalls Glover is faculty in the Psychology Department (Development, Community, and Clinical-Community programs) at Georgia State University.
Dr. Glover’s work highlights the importance of diversity in familial contexts in which socialization occurs. Dr. Glover’s research includes an investigation of:
1) hardship and adversity experiences that are associated with differences in college student's STEM persistence. A specific focus of interest is examining racial (discrimination, vicarious exposure, trauma) and family experiences (obligations to family),
2) Motivational differences in promoting STEM persistence among STEM college students at Minority Serving Institutions,
3)Racial socialization, racial identity, and family processes as factors that directly promote positive development
Findings from these investigations are used to create models of academic risk and resilience that can be used at Minority Serving Institutions to promote STEM persistence through the development of university services, interventions, and opportunity expansion for students at greatest risk of declines in STEM motivation and university withdrawal.
Fun Fact: Huge fan of bubble tea!
Dr. Glover’s work highlights the importance of diversity in familial contexts in which socialization occurs. Dr. Glover’s research includes an investigation of:
1) hardship and adversity experiences that are associated with differences in college student's STEM persistence. A specific focus of interest is examining racial (discrimination, vicarious exposure, trauma) and family experiences (obligations to family),
2) Motivational differences in promoting STEM persistence among STEM college students at Minority Serving Institutions,
3)Racial socialization, racial identity, and family processes as factors that directly promote positive development
Findings from these investigations are used to create models of academic risk and resilience that can be used at Minority Serving Institutions to promote STEM persistence through the development of university services, interventions, and opportunity expansion for students at greatest risk of declines in STEM motivation and university withdrawal.
Fun Fact: Huge fan of bubble tea!
Project Coordinator
Maria Fernanda Peraltilla Alfaro
Maria is the project coordinator for the lab. Her research interests include the acceptability of mental health treatment, especially in the Latinx community, and the different barriers many minority groups face with obtaining mental health treatment.
She is also interested in psychological trauma, specifically involving immigrants and people of color. She wants to improve representation and diversity in psychology research.
Graduate Students
Research Assistants
See more about our research assistants and past alumni on our Instagram!