Meet the Graduates
Even after completing their post-bac studies, some QTPIEs choose to stay and continue to contribute to the lab's research while pursuing their higher education. Although it can be a lot to manage, their passion for supporting the LGBTQ+ community empowers them to continue their research.
Catherine Martinez (she/her)
Psychology, B.A.
Catherine is a first-year graduate student in CSUN’s psychological sciences program. She joined the QTPIE Lab in the summer of 2024 after learning about their goal to better understand mental health disparities and increase resources for the LGBTQ+ community through their research. Catherine worked as a Program Aide at Polaris Teen Center, a short-term residential center for youth experiencing various mental health challenges. During her undergraduate research in the QTPIE Lab, Catherine studied the effects of parenting styles and religiosity on bisexual adult+ mental health and presented at the 2025 Western Psychological Association as a first author. In the Spring of 2025, Catherine earned her B.A. in Psychology and her B.A. in Anthropology from CSUN. She plans to continue her research on bisexual adult+ mental health and examine other social factors/implications during her master’s program. Catherine plans on pursuing a PhD in Psychology with a lifelong dedication to researching underrepresented groups, utilizing multicultural and intersectional lenses.
Jordan A. Lane (he/him)
Psychology, B.A.
Jordan A. Lane is a Research Assistant and Social Media Manager for the QTPIE Lab. Jordan plans to earn a doctorate degree to work in higher education administration. Jordan’s work in the QTPIE Lab highlights his interest in shedding light on the unique experiences intersectional LGBTQ+ individuals. During his short time in the lab, he served as third author on a poster for CSUNposium, winning first place. He also received the Audre Lorde Scholar Award, recognizing student researchers that have made notable impact in the LGBTQ+ community.
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Luis Cuevas (he/him)
Psychology, B.A.
Luis is a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Research program. His background in research comes from a lab where he was able to conceptualize and operationalize the unique experiences of Latinx individuals and family systems. When he created a mental health support group for LGBTQ+ youth during his clinical internship, he felt that there was a need for mental health support for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially Queer people of color. He has always found that our identities are important to ourselves, so much that he wants to research more about them. He joined the QTPIE team to participate in work that focuses on LGBTQ+ individuals and mental health. More broadly, He is passionate to research ways that investigate the mental health of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. He is committed to uplifting the voices of marginalized communities and is happy to have the guidance and support of Dr. Adrian Valadez and our QTPIE team.
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Miles Palma (he/him)
Psychology, B.A.
Miles is the first author of the project "Adverse Childhood Experiences & Well-Being in Bisexual+ Adults: The Role of Resilience as a Moderator". As a founding member of the lab, he has contributed to several of the other projects, including the First Gen. and Bisexuality Needs Assessment. Miles joined the lab to help combat LGBTQ+ stigma by creating affirming literature as well as by addressing gaps in current research. Outside of lab, Miles is pursuing his Master's in Social Work and has worked as a crisis counselor supporting those impacted by the 2025 LA fires. He is developing a manuscript for his project, ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences & Well-Being in Bisexual+ Adults: The Role of Resilience as a Moderator,’ using the BNA dataset alongside fellow QTPIEs. He plans to earn his LCSW after graduating and then pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of becoming an affirmative therapist. He also hopes to open an espresso cart to improve his latte art. ​​
Sharon Sanchez (she/her)
Sociology, B.A.
Sharon is a graduate student in CSUN’s Sociology program and one of the first members to join as the lab was getting created. She joined the lab to understand the obstacles
underrepresented LGBTQ+ members experience and to contribute to improving interventions. Her interests are in the intersections between education and the LGBTQ+ community. During her time in the lab, she was part of a first-place winning team for CSUNposium, where the project focused on resilience, queer family support, and internalized binegativity. Sharon was also involved in other projects investigating suicidal ideation and childhood adverse experiences in Bisexual + adults. Currently, she is part of a team developing a manuscript for “Adverse Childhood Experiences & Well-Being in Bisexual+ Adults: The Role of Resilience as a Moderator.” Sharon intends to pursue her PhD in Sociology to become a college professor or researcher.
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