MEET OUR TEAM

Marina smiling outdoors with gold hoop earrings.

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.”

Jo smiling outside wearing a pink top.

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 smiling outside and wearing a blue top.

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.

Julie smiling against a neutral background.

Juliet Yonek, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor

Trail runner, globally inspired cook, cat mama.

Evan smiling outside wearing a blue top.

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 smiling, wearing a white sleeveless top, standing in front of a textured glass background.

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 smiling in a forest.

Alison Czopp, LCSW

Clinical Research Supervisor

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

Jannet smiling in front of a green plant.

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 smiling, wearing a suit with a white background.

Megan Irgens

Postdoctoral Fellow

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

Cynthia smiling in a pumkin patch.

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 smiling with a white background.

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 smiling and wearing a stripe shirt.

Tylia Lundberg

Clinical Research Coordinator

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

Sophia smiling out in a columned hallway.

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 smiling in front of a window.

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 smiling.

Alexis Yescas

FostrSpace Advisory Board Member

Dylan smiling in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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 smiling in front of flowers.

Jenna Sanfilippo

Graduate School Student
Jarschire smiling in a suit outside.

Jarschire Dennis

College & Career Advisor
Ify smiling in front of a body of water.

Ifunanya (Ify) Ezimora

Graduate School Student
Lili smiling outside.

Lili Ramos

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Sarah Velez

Medical Student at Northeast Ohio Medical University
Catalina smiling outside.

Catalina Ordorica

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at University of Illinois Chicago
Cristina smiling in front of a green plant.

Cristina Teran

Adelaide smiling and wearing a pink top.

Adelaide Bell

Undergraduate Student at Washington and Lee University
Heman smiling in front of cherry blossoms.

Heman Gill

Chris smiling outside wearing a stripe shirt.

Christopher Rodriguez

Lakshmi smiling outside wearing a red shirt.

Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan

Graduate School Student
Jamie smiling outside.

Jamie Salas, LMFT

Clinical Social Worker
Brandi smiling outside and wearing a pink top.

Brandi Ginn

Clinical Research Coordinator
Priyanka smiling in front of a beige wall.

Priyanka Kulkarni

Salam smiling with a blue tile background.

Salam Ayana

Graduate School Student
Libby smiling in front of a window.

Libby McBride

Graduate School Student
JJ smiling in a suit.

Jeruel (JJ) Tujeque

Isis smiling in a park.

Isis Alvarez

Social Work Associate
Brittany smiling in a blue top.

Brittany Bryant, DSW

Assistant Professor
Maggie smiling outside.

Margareth Del Cid, PhD

Assistant Professor
JC smiling in front of bookshelves.

J.C. Gonzalez

Assistant Professor
Megan smiling and petting an elephant.

Megan Ramaiya

Postdoctoral Fellow
Jose smiling in front of a tree.

Jose Vazquez

Social Work Associate
Alex smiling in front of a white wall.

Alex Rodas

Christina smiling in front of a white wall.

Christina Samuelu

Jocelyn smiling wearing a stripe shirt.

Jocelyn I. Meza, PhD

Assistant Professor at UCLA