Alejandra Arce, PhD (IMPACTO Faculty Director) malejandra.arce@ucr.edu
Dr. Arce (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. She received her Ph.D. in community and clinical psychology from Georgia State University and her B.A. in psychology with a second major in criminal justice from Florida International University. Dr. Arce’s research spans across the translational science spectrum and aims to: (1) advance theoretical and empirical models of resilience and resistance to oppression through a critical socio-ecological lens, (2) translate basic science into prevention programs that are empowering and facilitate positive developmental and mental health outcomes, and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of community interventions that advance equity efforts.
Dr. Arce will be recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026 through the Developmental Psychology area. For the most up-to-date information on the application and admissions process in our department, please visit https://psychology.ucr.edu/graduate-admissions
Dr. Arce is now accepting applications for undergraduate RA positions to begin in Summer 2025. Check the Contact Us page to access our application. Of note, Dr. Arce will require 2 to 3 consecutive quarters in the lab as a research assistant before she will consider requests to mentor Honors capstone projects.
If you are an undocumented undergraduate student at UCR, you may be interested in completing an internship with us through the Butterfly Project. Please email Dr. Arce to discuss further.
Haylee Lemus, B.A. (Lab Manager) hlemu001@ucr.edu
Haylee Lemus (she/her) is an aspiring researcher passionate about understanding the development of psychopathology, violence, and aggression within marginalized populations. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, graduating with a 3.9 GPA. With six years of cumulative research experience, she is dedicated to investigating how systemic inequities, early adversity, and socio-cultural factors contribute to adverse life outcomes.
Her research interests seek to uncover the structural and environmental factors that shape behavioral and mental health trajectories, with the goal of identifying pathways to resilience for both individuals and communities. She is particularly interested in bridging psychological science with real-world applications to inform policies and interventions that address disparities in mental health and criminal justice outcomes.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Haylee is committed to conducting research that amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and contributes to meaningful, systemic change. She is currently exploring opportunities in clinical psychology programs and research positions that align with her mission to advance equity in mental health and well-being.
For inquiries about research collaborations or future opportunities, please contact her via email.
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