ABout us
The Youth Community Action and Transformation (ACT) Lab is a research collaborative housed in the Bates Psychology Department and led by Elena Maker Castro, PhD.
The Youth ACT lab recognizes that young people are at the forefront of social change across the globe. We also recognize that young people face systemic oppression that can both catalyze social change and obstruct it.
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We believe that we need to better understand the conditions under which young people can thrive in their social change efforts and broader developmental trajectories. Therefore, we:
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1) engage young people in collaborative research approaches that center youth agency and voice
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2) leverage research to expose and redress the ways in which systemic oppression harms young people’s healthy development
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3) amplify the work young people are already doing to support their healthy development and create a more just and equitable society
The Team
Our team is led by Dr. Elena Maker Castro and 5 Bates undergraduates.
Dr. Elena Maker Castro
Principle Investigator, Assistant Psychology Professor
Dr. Maker Castro is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. Her research focuses on how adolescents and young adults pursue social change and civic engagement in relation to their developmental trajectories, contexts, and social identities (e.g., their racial-ethnic and gender identities). She often uses sociopolitical development and critical consciousness frameworks, and considers youth’s civic development as an important influence on wellbeing. She situates her work within the contemporary sociopolitical climate and seeks to build collaborative research relationships with local and national community and research partners. She also seeks to contribute to Maine’s thriving civic life through better understanding and amplifying youth leaders.
Ariya tayal
Research Assistant
Ariya is a research assistant in the Youth ACT Lab. She is a junior (‘26) from Pittsburgh, PA. At Bates, she is studying neuroscience on the premed track, minoring in Chinese, and has concentrations in Psychology, Philosophy, and English. In high school and her first year at Bates, she was engaged in stem cell research, and she is interested in engaging in community-based research surrounding access to equitable healthcare. She works as an Emergency Room Technician at Central Maine Medical Center, volunteers at Wisdom Womens (Lewiston, ME), Trinity Jubilee Soup Kitchen, and works for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Dionne Chen
Lab Manager
Dionne is the Youth ACT Lab Manager. She is a junior ('26) from NYC. At Bates, she is studying neuroscience on the pre-health track and concentrations in Education and English. In high school, she conducted psychology research focused on markers of youth social anxiety disorder. She now works at the Harward Center for Community Partnerships as the Communications Coordinator, and is also a ResLife Advisor. The Youth ACT Lab intersects two of her passions into one: a psychological approach at youth civic development.
Outside of academics she enjoys trying and reviewing new food, reading, and creating new playlists.
Yuleibi De Los Santos
Research Assistant
Yuleibi is a research assistant in the Youth ACT Lab, she is a junior ('26) major in Neuroscience, pre-med student with a concentration in Public Health. In her first year at Bates she worked as a research assistant in the Neuroscience department focused in face frame and data collection. She loves being around campus connecting with people. Her passion is to help people and support them.
Fernando rojas
Nathaniel Zuckerberg
Research Assistant
Nathaniel is a junior (’26) at Bates College majoring in Sociology and minoring in Art History and Criticism. In addition, he is getting concretions in education and youth populations, as well as community organizing. As a sociology major he is interested in the intersection between individual level care and systemic barriers to accessing said care. Nathaniel is interested in pursuing an advanced degree in counseling or clinical psychology after graduation. Outside of his academic and research experience he is an outdoor enthusiast and has a deep love of music, and spending time in museums. He has spent the past two summers working at a summer camp, and regularly volunteers with youth populations throughout the year.
Research Assistant
​​​Fernando is a research assistant in the Youth ACT Lab. He is a 2022 Bates College graduate from Bristol, PA. At Bates, he majored in Psychology, minored in Spanish, and concentrated in Digital and Computational Studies. During his time as a student, he mentored first-generation college students, volunteered at various sites in Lewiston-Auburn, and researched topics such as diversity in children’s books, ethnic and racial identities, and colorism. He now works full-time at Bates as a Coordinator of Residence Life. His research interests focus on the connections among behavior change, civic engagement, ethnic and racial identities, well-being dimensions, and other related topics. Outside work, Fernando coaches the Bates Club Soccer Team and mentors Latine high school students aspiring to attend college. He also enjoys reading non-fiction, working out, and caring for his 11 plants.
avery welch
Kendall reed
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Avery is a sophomore (‘27) from the Bay Area, CA. At Bates, she is studying Psychology and minoring in Educational Studies with a concentration in English. She works as a Writing Course Attached Tutor for First Year Seminars and a general Writing Tutor in the Student Writing and Language Center at Bates. Over the summer, she assisted in research at UC Berkeley on reading instruction and acquisition in students with learning differences. Her main interests are researching youth development and the impact of different educational contexts. She loves spending time in nature, traveling, and meeting new people.
Kendall is a rising senior from Newtown, CT, and she is majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Law & Society. She is a member of the Women's Golf Team at Bates, and worked as a Course-Attached Tutor last year for PSYC 218 (Statistics). She is most interested in forensic psychology, mental illness, and conducting and analyzing research. Outside of Bates she has a passion for reading, hiking, and going out to eat with friends.