Pathways to Research (P2R) Graduate Team

Rosa Navarro Graduate Student Coordinator, PhD Student, Sociology

My name is Rosa Navarro, and I am a first-generation college student and proud daughter and granddaughter of Mexican migrant Farmworkers from Michoacan, Mexico. I am a third-year PhD student in the Sociology department with a Designated Emphasis in Latin American and Latinx Studies. I have mentored for many years and was a P2R mentor before transitioning into the program coordinator role last year.  I have a BA in History from Portland State University and hold three master’s degrees. My first MA is in International Human Rights Law from the American University in Cairo, where I focused on the right to self-determination of Indigenous peoples under international law. Before pursuing my second MA, I worked as a community organizer in immigrant rights in Portland and Chicago for nearly seven years. My second MA is in Sociology from the University at Albany-SUNY, where my research focused on whiteness and mestizaje in Mexico. My third MA is from UC Santa Cruz, where my thesis focused on Whiteness and racism in Mexico. I am a qualitative researcher who has engaged in archival research and historical comparative methods. My research interests are broad, but mostly in critical mestizaje and whiteness studies in Mexico, Labor focusing on farmworkers and domestic workers, settler-colonialism in the US & Mexico, and Latinx Sociology.

Outside of school, I enjoy hiking in the Redwood Forest, hanging out at the beach, and watching sci-fi and apocalyptic shows. I also love dancing and karaoke.

Jada Cheek Graduate Student Mentor, PhD Student, Psychology

My name is Jada Cheek. I’m a fourth-year PhD student in the Psychology Department (Social Area). This is my first year with P2R, but I have been in other various mentoring programs on campus, like the Science Internship Program and the M.I.N.T Mentor Program through the Womxn’s center. I have a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Global Black Studies from SUNY Purchase College in New York. My senior thesis was on how the language used in the media can influence juror attitudes and decisions in cases involving Black victims of police brutality. I am a mixed methods researcher, well versed in quantitative methods, including experiments and surveys, and qualitative methods like interviews and content analysis. I am most interested in issues of race and social justice, including racial trauma, racism denial, and healing, pulling from Critical Race Psychology, Radical Healing, and Black Psychology.

Outside of school, I enjoy binge-watching my favorite TV shows, going to theater productions, and spending time near the water. 

Jade Moore Graduate Student Mentor, PhD Student, Psychology

My name is Jade Moore, and I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Social Psychology department. This will be my second-year mentoring with P2R. I received my B.S. in Psychology from California Lutheran University in 2020 where I was researching issues pertaining to bias and prejudice in the criminal justice system. Currently as a graduate student I am looking into prison systems. My current research project looks at correctional officer use of force and how it is portrayed in the media. The goal is to establish an understanding of the narratives surrounding this topic and possibly develop more of an understanding as to why we are not seeing much reform in this area of the criminal justice system. I am most excited to be a mentor with Pathways to Research in order to support and work with underrepresented students and give them the guidance and support that was given to me as an undergraduate while also continuing to foster the kind of community and support system everyone needs to get through college.

When I am not at school, I can usually be found spending time with my dog outside. I also spend the bulk of my free time training for long distance races.

Edith Gonzalez Graduate Student Mentor, Phd Candidate, Environmental Studies Program

Hi, my name is Edith, I am entering my 6th year in the Environmental Studies PhD program at UCSC. I am a member of the Biodiversity in Urban Garden Ecology (BUGS) research group led by Dr. Stacy Philpott. I conduct agroecological research that considers how farming practices and other environmental factors contribute to habitat management for biodiversity and human-wellbeing in urban agriculture. I integrate basic ecological field methods, interviews and participant observations in my graduate research work. I am thrilled to be a part of your scholarly journey filled with components of self-discovery, personal engagement with other thinkers and ultimately your own approach to questions or topics of your interest.

J. Ramos Graduate Student Mentor, PhD Student, Literature

Outside of School, In their free time, J. enjoys park roller skating, cooking, and thrifting for random knick-knacks. 

Karinna Nazario Graduate Student Mentor, PhD Student, Psychology

My name is Karinna Nazario, and I am a fourth-year Developmental Psychology PhD student. While this is my first time as a P2R mentor, I have had opportunities previously to mentor undergrad and high school students. I have a BS from Eastern Connecticut State University and MA from Central Connecticut State University, both in psychology. My research interests focus on how adolescents and emerging adults use social media as a tool for cultural change. Specifically, I look at how social media plays a role in civic engagement and activism, as well as how digital literacy skills assist in how they navigate information online that informs their civic and political beliefs and actions. I am excited to see what kind of research the mentees are interested in and find ways to help them achieve whatever goals they hope to accomplish with P2R.

Outside of school, I enjoy reading, listening to audiobooks, playing video games, and watching anime, sci-fi, fantasy, or action movies. This can range from Sailor Moon to the Predator series to anything superhero, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings-related.