About Us:
The START Mentors
Our team is comprised of dedicated students, graduates, and researchers who are passionate about guiding and mentoring students in their research journey. Each member brings a unique perspective and expertise, contributing to a dynamic and enriching research experience for our both our team and participants.
Principal Training Director
Joseph Awad
Joseph (he/him) is a Cook Foundation scholar and an incoming PhD student in clinical psychology at the University of Miami. Joseph received an A.A. from Mt. San Jacinto College and is set to graduate from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology. His research interests are concerned with addressing syndemic burden and intersectional stigma as they impact HIV prevention and care.
Project Manager
Josie Rose
Josie (she/her) graduated from UCLA in 2025 as a Neuroscience Major and a History of Science, Medicine, and Technology Minor. She conducts research in Health Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Tomiyama! Before coming to UCLA, Josie received my A.S. through her local community college, DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College), and is excited to facilitate mentorship opportunities through START.
Principal Training Director
Mariam Zayneb Hussain
Mariam (she/her) is a transfer from Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree. After earning her associates degrees, she is double majoring in Arabic and Neuroscience intending to become a physician. As a first-generation college student, Mariam is eager to support other CC students in gaining experience and learning about their own research passions.
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Project Manager
Michelle Ly
Michelle (she/her) is s senior at UCLA studying cognitive science with interests in the experiences of community college students, computational psychology, and user experience. As a research coordinator for START, she is excited to continue research on community college students and provide mentorship to aspiring student researchers. After graduation, she is interested in pursuing a career intersecting data science and psychology.
Research Coordinator
Tomas Burgess
Tomas (he/him) is a Research Coordinator with START! He graduated from UCLA in 2025 with a degree in Neuroscience, and is currently in his gap year while applying to medical school. He really enjoys working as a mentor with START and researching how psychology and medical outcomes intersect across different populations.
Research Coordinator
Salma Kidwai
Salma (she/her) is a 1st year transfer student at UCLA. She is a Psychology major on track to pursue a career in medicine and research! Her prior research experience was at El Camino College, having conducted a literature review and poster on the findings of Multiple Sclerosis within identical twins. Fun fact: She has all of Epic: The Musical memorized! She is eager to contribute to START's research!
Data Analyst
Dominick Rangel
Dominick Rangel is a UC Santa Cruz graduate with a background in applied mathematics, psychology, and pure mathematics. His experience includes data science pipelining and autonomous vehicle research, human centered security, student mentorship, and cybersecurity outreach.
Data Analyst
Jack Conner
Jack Conner (he/him) graduated from UCLA in 2026 with a B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Data Theory. He completed his Honors Thesis on meta-analysis of mediation under Dr. Montoya, and has been a long-time member of the QRCLab and Laboratory for Clinical and Affective Psychophysiology, studying open science practices as well as neurocardiac coupling. He is interested in studying novel quantitative methods for clinical psychology, particularly in meta-analysis and network approaches for comorbid disorders.
Lab Technician
Ashley Hogue
Ashley (she/her) is a recent BSN graduate from California State University, San Bernardino. Through her experiences in community outreach and street medicine, she developed a strong interest in health disparities and research aimed at improving patient outcomes. As a Lab Technician with START, Ashley is excited to support students in gaining research experience while contributing to projects that advance healthcare knowledge and access to care.
Lab Technician
Charlene Le
Charlene (she/her) received an A.A. at Golden West College in General Sciences before transferring to UCLA and graduating in 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests tend to lay in clinical psychology; notably in affective disorders, suicidal ideation, and neurodivergence. In her free time, she loves to cook, read, and play Magic The Gathering. She is excited to work with START to mentor and make contributions to research!
Lab Technician
Kenneth Yu
Kenneth (he/him) is a Lab Technician and former Research Assistant in START's inaugural cohort for 2025-2026! He graduated from Mount San Antonio College in 2026 with associate degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and Social & Behavioral Sciences and is a transfer Pre-Psychology student at UCLA. He is excited to mentor the next cohort of community college students and further research surrounding community college students. In his free time, he listens to music, goes to the gym, and plays games
Lab Technician
Stanley Krause
Hello! My name is Stanley Krause and I am a fourth-year transfer psychology student at UCLA, having previously earned my Associate's in Psychology from Santa Monica College. Outside of the classroom, I work part-time as a Behavioral Technician providing ABA therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. My academic interests center on stigmatization, psychotic disorders, and clinical outcomes as they relate to treatment measures. I am passionate about bridging research and hands-on clinical work, and I hope to pursue a clinical career where I can continue to make a meaningful impact.
Lab Technician
Trinity Tran
Trinity Tran (she/her) is a junior transfer from Mt. San Antonio College at UC Berkeley double-majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience. She is interested in machine applications of psychological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as clinical diagnostic assessments. As a 2025-2026 Research Assistant in our inaugural cohort, she is excited to collaborate with incoming students and create lasting memories throughout their journeys.