MEET OUR TEAM

Marina Tolou-Shams, PhD

Director

Professor/PI (not the detective kind), committed to all things social justice, kids and families. Ascribes to philosophy of “work hard, play hard.”

Johanna Folk, PhD

Associate Director

Associate Professor, Attending Psychologist, and Clinical Supervisor, coffee fanatic, data nerd, and support human to a rambunctious mini aussie.

Lauren Haack, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Associate Clinical Professor and Attending Psychologist; avid sports fan (go Green Bay Packers, Clemson Tigers, and Golden State Warriors!) and musical theater aficionado.

Juliet Yonek, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor

Trail runner, globally inspired cook, cat mama.

Evan Holloway, PhD

Assistant Professor

Mixed methods researcher, clinician, and streetfood enthusiast by day. Passionate about service delivery systems, oysters, and my cat's Instagram.

Jeanne McPhee, PhD

Assistant Professor

Researcher and clinician passionate about social justice, trauma and mental health treatment, legal system reform, and reality dating competition shows. Also obsessed with dogs.

Alison Czopp, LCSW

Clinical Research Supervisor

Social Worker. Cat mom. Explorer of nature and the unknown

Jannet Lara

Clinical Research Supervisor

Passionate about making a difference and improving the quality of life for youth and families. Barista in-training, who appreciates a good cup of coffee, nature, and music.

Megan Irgens

Postdoctoral Fellow

Juvenile justice advocate researching intervention and optimization; amateur baker & runner; lover of food, sunsets and books with a twist.

Cynthia Valencia-Ayala

Postdoctoral Fellow

First-Gen researcher of youth serving systems and carceral experiences. Clinician, advocate, and lover of the outdoors, food, and all things spooky.

Angela Pollard, M.S.

Clinical Psychology Training Program (CPTP) Fellow

Dedicated to facilitating healing for marginalized communities, through engaged research and relational clinical work. Beach lover and proud owner of an ever-expanding cookbook collection.

Tylia Lundberg

Clinical Research Coordinator

Passionate about improving individual and community well-being through responsive interventions. Creative hobbyist & tea lover.

Sophia Garcia-Meza

Clinical Research Coordinator

Native San Franciscan, passionate about community-based interventions and social justice. A big fan of ramen, crocheting, and spending time outdoors! 

Yaneth Hurtado

Project Policy Analyst

Passionate about helping and motivating the community. Mother of an 18-year-old son and a four-legged, furry son Mambo (our lovely Husky). Case Manager and services provider.

Alexis Yescas

FostrSpace Advisory Board Member

Dylan Miars

FostrSpace Advisory Board Member

Political Scientist and Conflict Mediator by day, Wine and Spirits Sommelier by night. Lover of all things based in empathy and altruism. Worships mini schnauzers.

FORMER MEMBERS & WHERE THEY ARE NOW

Jenna Sanfilippo

Graduate School Student

Jarschire Dennis

College & Career Advisor

Ifunanya (Ify) Ezimora

Graduate School Student

Lili Ramos

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Sarah Velez

Medical Student at Northeast Ohio Medical University

Catalina Ordorica

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at University of Illinois Chicago

Cristina Teran

Adelaide Bell

Undergraduate Student at Washington and Lee University

Heman Gill

Christopher Rodriguez

Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan

Graduate School Student

Jamie Salas, LMFT

Clinical Social Worker

Brandi Ginn

Clinical Research Coordinator

Priyanka Kulkarni

Salam Ayana

Graduate School Student

Libby McBride

Graduate School Student

Jeruel (JJ) Tujeque

Isis Alvarez

Social Work Associate

Brittany Bryant, DSW

Assistant Professor

Margareth Del Cid, PhD

Assistant Professor

J.C. Gonzalez

Assistant Professor

Megan Ramaiya

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jose Vazquez

Social Work Associate

Alex Rodas

Christina Samuelu

Jocelyn I. Meza, PhD

Assistant Professor at UCLA