At the HERE Center, we bring together people from different disciplines to work on addressing health disparities in the San Fernando Valley. To learn more about a team member, click on one of the articles below.
Team Feature Articles
Team Feature Articles: Carrie Saetermoe, PhD
June 25, 2021
Saetermoe currently serves as the executive director of the HERE Center and a principal investigator of BUILD PODER. Her primary expertiselies in psychology, as she received her bachelor’s and master’s in psychology and her doctorate degree in developmental psychology and health psychology. Read More about Carrie Saetermoe
Team Feature Articles: Josey Vargas, PhD
June 16, 2021
From the beginning of his academic career, Jose Hugo Vargas has always been interested in psychology thanks to his mentors’ influence. Specializing in psychology and education, Vargas has always advocated for social justice, particularly for students. Read More About Josey Vargas
Team Feature Articles: Steven Graves, PhD
June 7, 2021
Growing up a block and a half from the United States’ largest paper mill, Steven Graves could smell the pollutants from the mill every day. He believes that if he and his family lived upwind from the factory, his sister would not have contracted leukemia. Read More About Steven Graves
Team Feature Articles: Veronica Villasenor
June 1, 2021
As a STEM transfer student, Veronica Villasenor faced the ordeal of transferring alone from her community college in Central California to Los Angeles. After garnering experience and expanding her network, she managed to establish the START Office, a resource center for transfer students. Read more
Team Feature Articles: Patty Kwan, PhD
May 25, 2021
Patchareeya “Patty” Kwan grew up in the 80s-era San Fernando Valley like many immigrant children did—navigating through unknown terrain and serving as an impromptu translator for their parents. When it came to medical matters, she acted as their bridge to information despite not being a medical professional. Read more about Patty Kwan
Team Feature Articles: Claudia Toledo-Corral, PhD
May 18, 2021
The word “diabetes” was something Claudia Toledo-Corral always heard throughout her childhood. Her family and her neighbors always talked about it, and from there, her curiosity morphed into an academic interest. Read more about Claudia Toledo-Corral