Alfredo J. Velasquez (he/they) is a third year graduate in the human development and family sciences program at UT Austin. He received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of California at Riverside. Alfredo is a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow (NSF GRFP). Alfredo’s research aims to investigate the intersectionality of race/ethnicity and sexual minority status with respect to physical and mental health outcomes. Alfredo’s previous work has included late childhood, adolescent, and older adult populations, with an emphasis on underrepresented research populations. Given that the United States is projected to become increasingly more racially/ethnically & gender/sexual diverse, Alfredo’s goal is to produce scientifically sound research that will aid in positive developmental trajectories for youth and ultimately lessen the lifespan disparity gap for those with marginalized identities. Alfredo is co-advised by Dr. Stephen T Russell and Dr. Gabriela Stein.
Areas of Interest:
- Racial/ethnic marginalized populations
- Gender and sexual minority youth
- Resiliency & adversity exposure
- Healthy adolescent development
Publications:
Velasquez, A. J., Douglas, J.A., Guo, F., & Robinette, J.W. (2021). What predicts how safe people feel in their neighborhoods and does it depend on functional status? SSM – Population Health, 16, 100927. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100927.
Guo, F., Bostean, G., Berardi, V., Velasquez, A.J., & Robinette, J.W. (2022). Obesogenic Environment and Cardiovascular Disease: A Multiple Mediation Analysis Using National Data. BMC Public Health. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13100-4.
Presentations:
Velasquez, A.J., Guo, F., & Robinette, J.W. (2021, Nov). Crime and Perceived Neighborhood Safety Across Racial/Ethnic Groups. Paper to presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Virtual Event.
Guo, F., Velasquez, A.J., & Robinette, J.W. (2021, Oct). Interaction Between Neighborhood Crime and Polygenic Score on Type 2 Diabetes. Paper to presented at the annual meeting of the Integrating Genetics and the Social Sciences Conference, Boulder, CO.
Guo, F., Bostean, G., Berardi, V., Velasquez, A.J., & Robinette, J.W. (2021, May). Obesogenic Environment and Cardiovascular Disease: A Multiple Mediation Analysis Using National Data. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Virtual Event.
Velasquez, A.J., Douglas, J.A., & Robinette, J.W. (2021, May). What predicts how safe people feel in their neighborhoods and does it depend on functional status? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America, Virtual Event.