Team | RCL Lab

Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza

Professor of Sociology, UC Merced

Tanya Golash-Boza is a scholar who focuses on gaining a deep understanding of systems of oppression and exploitation. As a writer, speaker, and teacher, she tells stories of people and of systems to help colleagues, students, readers, and listeners understand how racism and capitalism structure our lives and what we need to do to change this country and the world.

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Carmen Salazar

is a Latinx first-generation college student from Los Angeles. She completed a BA in sociology and a minor in psychology from UC Merced in 2019. Salazar is currently a second year doctoral student working on her thesis. Her current research focuses on gentrification in Washington DC.

Yajaira Ceciliano-Navarro

is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Houston-Downtown. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Merced. Yajaira also has a major in Psychology and a Master's degree in Labor Psychology from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). She worked at the Academic Latin American Faculty (FLACSO) in Costa Rica, where she was a researcher and coordinator of projects on immigration, education, youth, and gender. Her current research compares the impacts of incarceration and deportations on nuclear and extended families.

Hyunsu Oh

is a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at the University of California, Merced focusing on investigating systemic inequalities in societal institutions at the intersection of race, citizenship, gender and social class. In his dissertation research, he analyzes systemic inequalities in the U.S. labor market against the Asian population in response to prevailing model minority thesis. His research has appeared inSocius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World,Research in the Sociology of Heath Care, and other outlets.

David Villegas

is from Riverside, CA and is majoring in Computer Science here at UC Merced.

Patrick I Coldivar-Valencia

is a first-generation college student from Los Angeles, CA. He has completed his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and Master of Management degree. He has been involved in mapping gentrification in Washington D.C. as the Creative Director.

Anais Iselle Palomo

is a Latinx first-generation college student from Santa Ana, CA. She is currently in the third year of her undergraduate career and is completing her BA in Critical Race & Ethic studies and Psychology. Anais has been involved in researching gentrification in Washington D.C. since her freshman year, and is the current Secretary of the professional Pre-Law Fraternity of Phi Alpha Delta here at UC Merced.

Michael David Aquino

is an undergraduate student from the University of California, Merced, where he is expected to graduate in Spring 2021 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. For the past two years, Michael has been a part of two research teams that studied the collateral consequences families encounter when a family member is imprisoned and studied how gentrification intensifies the social reentry difficulties of former inmates. In his free time, Michael enjoys cooking, hiking, and socializing with friends.

Louis Perez

is an undergraduate student at the University of California, Merced, and is majoring in Computer Science & Engineering. Louis uses the geographical data to visually represent it on a map using ArcGIS. Outside of work, Louis likes to create puzzle video games.

Ukamaka Ezimora

is an undergraduate student at University of California, Merced where she is expected to graduate in Spring 2024 with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. She has worked with non-profits that serve minority communities, pioneering local community projects. In her free time, she virtually volunteers with organizations impacting the world abroad.

Erika Y. Estrada Rodriguez

is a Laxinx first-generation undergraduate student at UC Merced, from Los Angeles, CA. Expected to graduate in Fall 2021 with a B.A in Sociology and two minors in Political Science and Psychology. Erika has been collaborating in many research projects ever since she was a first year, her work has been present in recent research on gentrification and racial change in Washington, D.C., and Merced, California. She is a UROC-H (Undergraduate Research in the Humanities) Scholar and an awardee of the UROC-H Public Humanities Project Grant. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends while going outdoors.

Jenifer Alvarado

is an undergraduate Sociology student at the University of California, Merced, where she is expected to graduate in Spring 2022 . She is from Novato, CA and is currently a UROC-H (Undergraduate Research in the Humanities) Scholar. She has worked with non-profits and programs serving low-income, first generation students in order to support students’ college journey, experience, and success. She hopes to someday be able to work with youth who have been impacted by incarceration. Outside of work and school, she loves to go on hikes and spend time with her friends and family.

Ashley N. Gonzales Oropeza

is a first-generation, Latina undergraduate student at UC Merced. She is expected to graduate in Spring 2022 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. Currently, Ashley is collaborating in research through the Undergraduate Research Center in the Humanities (UROC-H) program. The research discusses the relevance of blockbusting and the role it plays concerning capitalism in Washington, D.C. She is planning to pursue her master’s degree in Criminology at Fresno State. During her free time, she enjoys watching movies with her loved ones and gardening.

Anayeli Ascencio

is a Latina first-generation undergraduate student from Los Angeles, CA, with a major in Political Science and a Minor in Sociology. She is an active member of the Merced Pre-Law Society, the Bail Fund Project and the Committee of Post-Release Resource Allocation. She is currently a UROC scholar. After graduating from UCM in 2023, Anayeli plans to go to law school.

Alexia Wasson

is a first-generation, undergraduate student at the University of California, Merced. She is expected to graduate in Spring 2023 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Writing. Alexia is currently a UROC-H (Undergraduate Research in the Humanities) Scholar and part of the Blockbusting Team for the RCL Lab. My study on this research project involves collecting and completing historical analysis on different blocks in Washington D.C. Along with finding relevant information on the impacts of blockbusting/gentrification.

Mark Anthony Rivas

is a Latinx first generation undergraduate researcher in the RCL Lab. Double majoring in anthropology and sociology at the University of California, Merced. Current UC Merced UROC-H scholar and awardee of the UROC-H one time opportunity “Academic Year Research Funding Award”. Traveling to Washington D.C. to partake in the UCDC Spring 2022 semester internship.

Lily Lindros

is an undergraduate at UC Merced completing coursework in Anthropology and Geospatial Technology. She studies the interactions of people, place, and environment through spatial and interdisciplinary lenses. In her free time, she serves the campus garden as a Master Gardener.

Roberto Ayala

is an undergraduate student at University of California Merced, where he is expected to graduate spring 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. He is part of the RCL Research Lab. In his free time, he likes to draw and play basketball with the community.

Ludmila Bolotov

is a sophomore at UC Merced. Her major is Applied Mathematics with a Physics emphasis. She is working with the RCL Lab focusing on gentrification and blockbusting in Washington DC.