Principal Investigator
Dr. Aixa Marchand (she/her)
Hometown: West Covina, CA & Miami, FL
I’m an assistant professor in the Developmental Sciences Division of the Department of Educational Psychology. I obtained my PhD in the Combined Program in Education and Psychology with a certificate in African American and Diasporic Studies from the University of Michigan. My research applies an interdisciplinary lens to the societal, contextual, and cultural factors that shape the academic experiences of students of color, with a focus on Black parents’ critical consciousness. More specifically, I use multi-method approaches to focus on the attributions that Black parents make about educational inequities and how these attributions may relate to how they engage with their children’s schools.
In my free time, I like to travel, catch up with my family, explore new places, and hang out with friends!
Fun fact: I had a chance to meet former President Barack Obama on the tarmac as he arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Air Force One.
Graduate Students
AJ Espinoza (he/him)
Second-Year Doctoral Student
Hometown: Macomb, MI
I’m a first-year graduate student in the Developmental Sciences Division in the Educational Psychology Department. I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies in 2021. Broadly, I am interested in exploring the development of critical consciousness among racially marginalized adolescents and the promotive influences of family, teachers, and curriculum.
In my free time, I like to play video game music on the guitar, cook food for friends, or just stare at the clouds!
Fun fact: I’m an ordained minister and have officiated a stranger’s wedding.
Taiylor Rayford (she/her)
Fifth-Year Doctoral Student
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
I’m a fourth-year doctoral student in the Developmental Sciences Division in the Educational Psychology Department. I joined in Fall 2020 after completing my Bachelors in Psychology at The Ohio State University. My overarching research focuses on the development of students who hold minoritized identities (i.e., Black). My current line of research centers around students’ development and fulfillment of their sense of belonging.
In my free time, I like to attend concerts, tend to my growing plant selection, and try new foods!
Fun fact: I’m teaching myself to play the harmonica.
Alexandra Richmond (she/her)
Fourth-Year Doctoral Student
Hometown: Chicago, IL
I’m a third-year doctoral student in the Special Education Department. I received my Bachelor’s from Clark Atlanta University in English Education and later received a Masters in Special Education from Purdue University. Prior to my PhD program, I worked for Chicago Public Schools as a special education teacher, case manager, and teacher coach at an elementary school. My research interests include equity in special education hiring practices within urban school districts and culturally responsive teacher preparation programs for special education.
In my free time, I love to try new restaurants, cook at home, and travel!
Fun fact: I’m always able to sleep! I can nap anywhere.
Jerny Walls (she/they)
Third-Year Doctoral Student
Hometown: East St. Louis, IL
I’m a 2nd year doctoral student in the Developmental Sciences Division within the Educational Psychology Department. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelors in Learning and Education Studies with a concentration in Educational Equality and Cultural Understanding and a minor in Psychology in 2022. My research focuses on various aspects of Black girlhood, which includes the intersectional sense of belonging to Black girlhood, the adultification of Black girlhood, and Black girlhood in the context of schooling.
In my free time, other than relaxing, I love teaching my pet bunny, Choppa, some new tricks!
Fun fact: I love collecting earrings! I own roughly 270 pairs of earrings.
Undergraduate Students
Isabela Castilla (she/her)
Fourth-Year Undergraduate Student
Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL
I’m a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Social Psychology and minoring in Communication. I’m interested in researching both Social & Developmental Psychology, Education, Language, and Multiculturalism/Multiracialism. Outside of the lab, I’m also involved in the McNair Scholars Program and Japanese Student Association.
In my free time, I like to cook/bake, sing, listen to music, travel, hang out with friends, and go to cafes!
Fun fact: I was born in Japan! 日本人です！
Cassandra Liu (she/her)
Fourth-Year Undergraduate Student
Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
I’m a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Integrative Biology and minoring in Community Health. My main research interests lie in the impact of race and poverty on youth in the context of education and how equity in education for marginalized youth can be attained and sustained on the basis of critical consciousness and teacher education. I have developed a passion for education through my work as a Sunday School teacher for six years and a private tutor for K-3 students for three years.
In my free time, I like to play piano, fail at crocheting, frolic in Costco, and spend time with friends and family!
Fun fact: I can solve a Rubik’s Cube.
Rafael Cruz (he/him)
Third-Year Undergraduate Student
Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
I’m a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Brain and Cognitive Science and minoring in Child Health and Well-Being. I’m very interested in looking into methods for bringing equity to people in the autism spectrum across all ages. For now, I’m focusing on students in postsecondary education settings. Along with being a part of the TREE Lab, I’m a dancer in Dance2XS Caliente and am participating in the McNair Scholars Program.
In my free time, I enjoy binge-watching on all kinds of streaming platforms, occasionally going on TikTok Live, trying new foods, and hanging out with my friends!
Fun fact: I’m double-jointed in my elbows.
Former Lab Members
