Alejandro Morales: Alum Has Psychology
Research “Covered”

Alejandro Morales (Class of 2002, B.A. Psychology) recently graced the cover of the November issue of the American Psychological Association’s Grad Psych Magazine. The photo was taken of Morales and his fellow researchers at the organization’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. in August, where he presented two papers: “Family Issues Among Immigrant Families” and “Treatment Considerations Working with Survivors of Political Torture.”

The cover shot was a surprise, but his continued focus on psychological research is not – it’s something he developed a passion for while at CSU Dominguez Hills that he has continued into his doctoral program in counseling psychology at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He chose the University of Nebraska program because of its strong research backbone as well as the attractive financial aid package the school offered him. While it’s taken some effort getting used to the freezing temperatures of the Cornhusker State, he has been very happy with the program, which is regarded as one of the best in the nation.

Morales remembers his sophomore year at CSU Dominguez Hills as the year in which his future goals and plans in psychology academia began to crystallize. The impetus? His advisors, Silvia Santos, professor of psychology, and Mark Carrier, associate professor of psychology. Now three years deep into his doctoral program with an expected completion of August 2008, Morales says he still carries their influence with him some 1,500 miles away.

“They were outstanding in teaching me how to conduct research, and I am the researcher I am today because of them. They pushed me to think more critically and take my work to the next level,” he says. “They still play a significant role in my life. I mean, I’m three years out, but I still consult them on most of the big decisions I make in my research and studies.”

With plans of becoming a college professor, Morales’ particular research interests deal with the role of bilingual children who act as translators in immigrant families. He continues to investigate how their role influences family dynamics. “So far, the project I’m working on now has shown it’s quite a collaboration between the child and the parent. Instead of putting the child in a power position, the role of translator is viewed as an expected part of helping the family,” he says.
 
Morales grew up in Mexico until he moved to the community of Wilmington in the Los Angeles Harbor area with his family when he was 12. Though his face now graces the desks of most psychologists across the country – something he finds a bit humbling – he knows the one copy he has in his possession will go to two people who will appreciate his accomplishments most. “I’m going to give my one copy to my parents,” he says.

-Ryan Brandt