Research Assistants and Volunteers
Research Assistants at UCLA TIES for Families
UCLA TIES for Families is an interdisciplinary university-based program established in 1995 to promote the successful adoption, growth, and development of children with special needs, especially those with prenatal substance exposure who are in foster care. Research Assistants will support ongoing research projects at TIES, based on their interest and availability.
Research Assistant Responsibilities
Research Assistants will support data collection, organization, entry, and coding. They will also support other research and administrative functions, such as conducting literature reviews, editing documents, and maintaining databases.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for students who can commit two or more quarters and 8 hours per week. Students who are in their second or third year and are interested in clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and/or public health are highly encouraged to apply.
Application cycle is closed for Winter Quarter 2025. You may submit an application to be added to our applicant list. Click Here to Apply.
If you have any questions, you can email the Research Team at UCLATIESResearch@mednet.ucla.edu.
| Name (Start Quarter) | Major/Minor | Interests | Involvements |
| 2025-2026 | |||
Ciclalis Rico | B.A. Psychology | Ciclalis is a proud first-generation student and former foster youth who is dedicated to uplifting, representing, and advocating for marginalized communities. Her passion lies in promoting equitable and accessible mental health resources for underserved communities and providing trauma-informed care. Furthermore, Ciclalis utilizes activism as a platform to address systemic barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized populations. Her academic interests bridge clinical psychology and law, reflecting her commitment to address the gap between comprehensive mental health care and underrepresented communities who are disproportionately affected by Early Adverse Childhood Experiences. | UCLA TIES for Families Research Assistant, Echoes of Hope, Ready to Succeed, Pivotal Scholars |
Frankie Grant | B.A. Psychology, Brain and Behavioral Health Minor, Global Health Minor | Frankie has the goal of getting her PhD in Clinical Psychology. She is interested in developmental psychopathology and gene-environment interactions that make one more or less susceptible to developing a psychiatric disorder. She is also interested in social determinants of health and their relation to psychopathology. | UCLA TIES for Families Research Assistant, Computational Social Neuroscience Lab Research Assistant, PROPS Scholar, UCLA Active Minds Board Member |
| Jasmin A. Garcia (Spring '25) | B.S. Neuroscience | Jasmin loves working with kids, as her passion keeps growing through her experiences as an adoptee and former foster kid! She aspires to pursue a PhD in psychology or attend law school to continue advocating for equitable and accessible physical and mental healthcare for all children, as well as for policy reformation that promotes overall well-being and success through education. | UCLA TIES for Families Research Assistant, Ready to Succeed LA, 826LA Tutor, UCLA LAB School Teacher Volunteer, Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP) for Foster Youth Summer Intern |
| Lucy Williamson (Fall '25) | B.A. Psychology & Communication | Lucy has been working with kids for years in educational and recreational settings and is deeply passionate about supporting and uplifting young people and their stories. Academically, she is interested in psychology and communication and is especially drawn to courses on child development and how media affects young people. She hopes to learn more about child development and mental health care and incorporate those topics into her future career. | UCLA TIES for Families Research Assistant, Bruin Film Society Co-Events Coordinator, UCLA the Reader in the Rye Financial Director |
| Yasmin De La Cruz (Winter '26) | B.A. Psychology, Brain and Behavioral Health Minor | Yasmin is a first generation student interested in becoming a therapist specializing in trauma disorders. She hopes to work with teenagers and young adults. Through her educational journey, she hopes to learn ways to destigmatize mental health across all communities. | UCLA TIES for Families Research Assistant, Undergraduate Learning Assistants (LA) Program in the Sciences at UCLA, VP of Mentorship at LEAF UCLA, Volunteer at OC United, WAZO Connect Mentor |
| Previous | |||
| Maureen Anyadike | |||
| Sarah Tadha | B.S. Human Biology and Society, Anthropology Minor | Sarah's passion for child advocacy and medicine drives her aspiration to become a forensic pediatrician. | Child Adversity Clinic Intern, Mexico Refugee Health Alliance Volunteer, Global Medical Assistant in Peru and India, GiveBack non-profit supporting foster youth and children of incarcerated parents; Department Coordinator Assistant Volunteer at Ronald Reagan Hospital |
| Christian Choi | B.A. Public Affairs | Christian's interests include the implementation of trauma-informed approaches in child welfare policy and reform, and also in legal practice. He would like to attend law school and work as a minor's counsel in the future, in addition to contributing to legal research and scholarship in child welfare. | Volunteer for California Courts: helping self-represented litigants in various civil matters and increasing access to justice for LA community |
| Leslie Alvarez | |||
| Clairissa Mangal | B.S. Pyschobiology | Clairissa has goals of attending medical school or an MD/PhD program on a social science track. Her interests lie in giving back to the community through social work, specifically by studying the efficiency of medical professionals as mandated reporters. | Children and foster youth volunteer; Domestic Violence Counselor; mRNA synthesis research under Dr. Tracy Johnson of UCLA's HHMI Pathways to Success Program |
| Sarah Finch | B.A. Political Science, B.A. Psychology | Sarah is interested in applying for law school with an interest in dependency law. | Trial Fellow at Hueston Hennigan, LLP; UCLA TIES for Families Scoring Measures Research Assistant & Poster Submission ("Comparing the Perceptions of Youth Adopted from Foster Care and Their Caregivers on the Impact of COVID"), Undergraduate Student Association Council, Net Impact Social Impact Consulting, Nikkei Student Union, China Care Bruin |
| Melissa Miranda | B.S. Psychology, Global Health Minor | Melissa is interested in working with historically underserved communities and exploring mental healthcare accessibility and retainment for individuals within these populations. She is applying to psychology graduate programs in clinical psychology. | |
| Kavya Juwadi | B.S. Psychobiology, Community Engagement & Social Change Minor | Kavya is passionate about spreading mental health awareness, particularly for communities of color. Kavya also enjoys working with children and wants to pursue a career in child psychiatry. | UCLA Depression Grand Challenge & STAND (Screening and Treatment for Anziety and Depression) Program |
| Sophia Jenny | B.S. Neuroscience, Applied Developmental Psychology Minor | Sophia is passionate about education and healthcare accessibility. Sophia loves working with and empowering kids and hopes to work in pediatrics in the future. | Cub Tours, PULSE, Kappa Delta Sorority, Schools on Wheels Volunteer Tutor |
