Rachael Gonzales- Castaneda, PhD, MPH
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Dr. Gonzales-Castaneda is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Azusa Pacific University and an Associate Research Psychologist at UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP). She has extensive experience in designing and evaluating prevention and treatment programs that address substance use disorders. Her expertise and research focus on prevention and disease management approaches, adolescent and young adult health, and cultural and social impacts on health status. She has also served as a co-investigator for a large, multi-program evaluation of the youth system of care in Los Angeles County funded by the Department of Public Health.
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Sherry Larkins, PHD
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Dr. Sherry Larkins is a Research Sociologist in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and is a Co-Director of Training for UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) and member of the Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center. She has extensive experience as the training director at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LAC-DMH) and UCLA. She has been involved in substance abuse research for over 20 years and has led multiple epidemiological and clinical research studies. Her research includes stimulant abuse, substance abuse treatment for marginalized populations, and sexual risk behaviors associated with substance use. |
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Meaghan Ellis, PsyD,RN, MSN
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Meaghan Ellis, PsyD, MSN had been a RN for 39 years. Spending the last 20 years in executive leadership, she has become proficient in addressing accreditation, quality and performance improvement, risk assessment, and supervision of multiple complex programs within Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the county Department of Public Health. Ellis facilitated the expansion of the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC's) within the County of San Bernardino to ensure the access of the uninsured to high quality healthcare. Since obtaining her Doctorate in Psychology, Ellis is passionate in the pursuit of the practice and research of integrated primary care and mental health medicine. She played an instrumental role in the integration of these services at the FQHC's. Ellis has spent a majority of her career in the service of the uninsured, underinsured and disenfranchised in the counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. |
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Michael Ta, MS Research Psychology and Data Analytics
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Michael Ta, MS, is the Assistant Director, Research Lab, for the PRAY Lab at Azusa Pacific University. Michael first joined the PRAY Lab as a Data Analyst upon completing the MS Research Psychology and Data Analysis Program, concentration in Data Analytics, at Azusa Pacific University in 2021, and has since been promoted to Assistant Director, Research Lab. In this role, Michael oversees various SAMHSA and HRSA funded grant projects to ensure activities are developed and implemented accordingly. Michael has extensive experience in conducting high level statistical analyses and program evaluation, specializing in mediation regression analyses. Outside of the PRAY Lab, Michael has served as the statistician for the Adolescent Stress and Wellness research lab at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) from 2017 to 2022, conducting mixed method studies and analyses utilizing univariate, multivariate, and psychometric methods, and as of 2023 serves as the Statistician Consultant. Michael has also served as Part-Time Faculty Lecturer for Research Methods in Psychology at the Downtown LA campus for CSULA. In his free time, Michael enjoys spin cycling and exploring unique food opportunities around Los Angeles. |
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Patrick Okolo, B.S.
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Patrick Okolo is a Research Associate in the PRAY Lab at Azusa Pacific University, where he contributes to research exploring the intersection of psychology, religion, and youth development. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Organizational Psychology at Azusa Pacific University.
Patrick has a strong academic interest in brain and cognitive processes, particularly in understanding how human thought, behavior, and decision-making are shaped by neurological and psychological mechanisms. His research focuses on applying psychological insights to real-world challenges, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Outside of his academic and research endeavors, Patrick enjoys playing soccer, staying active, and engaging in intellectual discussions on psychology and neuroscience.
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Shelby de Ridder, B.A. Psychology
Research Associate
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Shelby de Ridder provides support across several research projects within the PRAY Lab, at Azusa Pacific University, including Suducate. Her responsibilities encompass a range of activities, from data entry and analysis, to the development of visual content for reports and outreach. |
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Pateel Margossian, MPH Research Associate
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Pateel Margossian is a Research Associate for the Promoting Resiliency Amongst Youth (PRAY) Lab at Azusa Pacific University. She bridges her public health knowledge and experience with the field of psychology to develop curriculum, protocols, and collect/observe data.
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