Hi, I'm Ariana! I am currently a 6th PhD candidate at The Ohio State University.

At the core, my program of research investigates the antecedents and consequences of social identity threat, the concerns people experience when they believe a salient aspect of their identity may be devalued within a particular environment. Broadly, my research program asks two complementary questions: (1) how do individuals' beliefs shape their responses to potentially threatening environments, and (2) how do organizational and interpersonal contexts communicate threat or safety? By first identifying when and why threat occurs, I aim to develop evidence-based interventions and organizational practices that foster more equitable and inclusive educational and workplace environments. 

My work is supervised by Drs. Kentaro Fujita and Steven Spencer. Previously, I received my B.A. in psychology with honors at San Diego State University. During my time there, I studied ways to broaden participation in STEM among first-generation college students with Dr. Dustin Thoman. 

Before starting graduate school, I worked as a Project Assistant for Dr. Steven Lopez at the University of Southern California. I was also a college counselor at Fairfax High School.