Dr. Melissa Ertl (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Psychology at University of Minnesota. She has taught undergraduate and master’s psychology students since 2014 and has been practicing as a clinician since 2016. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Spanish from University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed her doctoral education at University at Albany-State University of New York. She has a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology as well as a certificate in Health Disparities in Public Health. Her doctoral internship was at Pace University’s Counseling Center in Manhattan. Her areas of research and professional expertise are in delineating and addressing health disparities and promoting health equity among marginalized populations, including Latinx young adults, immigrants, college students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, familial caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. Her particular research focus is on the intersections of mental health, substance use, and HIV risk and how experiences of discrimination and oppression can negatively impact health.
Amelia Blankenau is a third-year Ph.D. student in Counseling Psychology and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Occidental College, with a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. Her research interests include health equity, social determinants of health, and transracial and transnational adoption. She is particularly interested in the experiences and well-being of individuals with multiple marginalized identities and transracial adoptees raised in White families. Amelia is a mental health therapist at Tubman at Chrysalis Center and a career counselor at UMN's Career Counseling and Assessment Clinic. She is also a lead mentor for the Next Gen Psych Scholars Program, a mentor for the Tri-Psych Diversity in Psychology Support mentorship program, and a section leader for Capstone in Psychology. In her free time, Amelia enjoys going to concerts, working at cafés with friends, and watching reality tv.
Meri Bosnic is a fourth year undergraduate Psychology and Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice major at the University of Minnesota. She is also an international student athlete on the Women’s Rowing team. After graduating, she plans to apply to graduate programs with a focus on criminology and forensic psychology. Her interests lie with advocacy of women's rights, health disparities, and health risks with marginalized youth. In her free time, Meri likes to travel and read a good book.
Sara Jeremiason is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Violence Prevention. After graduation, she hopes to apply to counseling psychology or social work graduate programs, and she wants to become a counseling psychologist or social worker. Her research interests are related to social determinants of health and health disparities within marginalized communities, as well as understanding the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on health and well-being. In her free time, Sara likes to cook, knit, read, and spend time outdoors hiking or camping.
Mariam Onafowokan is a third year undergraduate student at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities majoring in Psychology with a minor in Integrative Neuroscience and Public Health. After graduation she hopes to get her Masters in Public Health specifically in Epidemiology or Biostatistics. Her interests are related to health promotion and prevention as well as acknowledging health disparities amongst marginalized individuals and communities. She is also interested in research that are mixed methods focusing on qualitative and quantitative aspects of health-related research. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks and hikes, reading, crocheting, and watching films.
Melanie Rodriguez-Mejia is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities majoring in Psychology and completing coursework pertaining to the Pre-Med track. After graduation, she hopes to begin the application process for medical school, and she wants to become a physician who specializes in OB/GYN and who is an active advocate for women’s rights. Her research interests are related to women’s health, health promotion, health prevention, health disparities among marginalized populations, applications of intersectionality, and mental health. In her free time, Melanie likes to read, spend time outside, watch documentaries, and relax with her pets.
Audrey Ronan is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities pursuing a major in Psychology, with minors in Health Services Management and Spanish Studies. Her research interests relate to health promotion and disease prevention with special attention to health equity. Her previous experiences in psychology research were focused on the educational and health outcomes of children. Post-graduation, she hopes to contribute to the improvement of health service efficiency and accessibility through an administrative role within the field. In her free time, Audrey enjoys spending time with family, cooking, musical theatre, and sudoku.
Shilpa Maria Thomas is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, majoring in Psychology and Applied Economics. After graduation, she hopes to work primarily in clinical psychology and has various career aspirations such as being a clinical or counseling psychologist, social worker, or mental health nurse. Her research interests relate to her career aspirations, with a major focus on psychological disorders, such as mood disorders, eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and substance abuse, and how they affect various aspects of life. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching shows, going to the gym, and trying new foods.
Selena Xiao, currently in her fourth year at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, is pursuing a major in Psychology. She envisions taking a gap year post-graduation to immerse herself in diverse internship opportunities, focusing on clinical psychology. Following this year, her ambition is to embark on the application process for clinical psychology doctoral programs with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. Her research interests are understanding mental health disparities within marginalized groups. In her free time, Selena likes to watch movies, read books, and hang out with friends and family.