Crossing Boundaries Research Award Fellows

The Office of Research, Sponsored Programs & Grants and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program are pleased to announce the 2026 – 2027 Crossing Boundaries Research Award Fellows. The recipients and brief descriptions of their research projects are listed below. This is an impressive set of projects that illustrate the high-quality, high-impact research conducted across CGU.

The Crossing Boundaries Research Award is generously funded by the “Richter Memorial Funds Master Code, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.” The Office of Research, Sponsored Programs, and Grants and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program thanks them for their generous support of our students and their research.

Reener Balingit

School Of Community & Global Health (SCGH)

“Public health Action, Advocacy, and Training using Transdisciplinary and Holistic approaches (PAATH Initiative)”

Public health, by nature, is a transdisciplinary field—it draws from various disciplines and emphasizes the skills, mindsets, and collaborative practices needed to co-create solutions and address the needs of diverse communities. However, current political threats, workforce shortages, an aging labor force, widespread burnout, low wages, and chronic underfunding have significantly weakened the public health workforce, placing the population’s health at greater risk. There is an urgent need for a resilient, justice-oriented, sustainable, and well-trained public health workforce, yet critical gaps exist in understanding the challenges and addressing the needs. This initiative uses a transdisciplinary approach to: 1) assess the current climate by surveying a national sample of N=250 public health professionals through inter-departmental collaboration with universities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations for recruitment; 2) co-conceptualize public health training curriculum that includes a transdisciplinary pedagogy in collaboration with Transdisciplinary faculty, health educators, and public health experts; and 3) co-create advocacy strategies with policy experts and community advisors. SAS-software is used to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics. The survey assesses public health professionals’ preparedness in their role (i.e. skills, training, and field experience) and identifies challenges in the field. Results will inform the development of a training curriculum and a list of advocacy strategies, which will incorporate transdisciplinary pedagogies that utilize a Justice-Oriented framework. A national commitment is needed to invest in the training of emerging professionals, creating sustainable career pathways, and strengthening the public health workforce to address growing health disparities and inequities throughout the nation.

Megan Knobloch Geilman

School Of Arts & Humanities (SAH)

“Towards a Model of Arts as Research in Historical Disciplines”

The relationship between art practice and academia has long been fraught with discursive language and vague methodologies, with the field of “Art as Research” emerging as a way to define pathways to scholarship. As a current MFA student with an academic interest in the field of history, I would like to develop an academic-artistic methodology to bridge the disciplines of art and history. To develop this approach, I would be working with Professor Caroline Kline and the Claremont Mormon Women Oral History Collection to analyze and contextualize first-hand narrative accounts as part of my MFA thesis through a series of collaborative self-portraits. The synthesized nature of the portraits remind the viewer of the constructed nature of history while pointing to the shared experiences and themes expressed. In the process, I plan to identify a set of criteria that would establish how an artistic work can express rigorous historicity, beyond the problematic “historically accurate image.” As the world becomes more visually based, we need to develop alternative pathways to scholarship that allow for neurodiverse approaches, inspire deep curiosity, and increase access to both historical inquiry and the lexicon of visual knowledge. Art has often been an unconscious product of history, but by developing this methodology, it would allow for a collaborative and conscious construction of historical knowledge while bridging public history and visual culture.

Wei Liu

Division Of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (DBOS)

“Exploring the Mediating Effect of Organizational Identification on Applicants’ Reactions and Recommendation Intentions”

This research investigates how organizational identification (OID) mediates the relationship between job applicants’ reactions to the selection process and their willingness to recommend an employer. Drawing on Social Identity Theory and the Group Value Model, the study advances the applicant reactions literature by introducing OID as a key explanatory mechanism and emphasizing fair treatment as a signal of group inclusion. This research crosses boundaries by bridging organizational psychology theories of applicant reactions with the human resource practitioners in business settings. Moreover, the study crosses geographic boundaries by incorporating cross-cultural comparisons through parallel data collection in Japan and China. This international scope allows examination of how cultural and labor market differences influence organizational identification and applicant perceptions of fairness. This research will generate theoretical insights and actionable recommendations for enhancing employer branding and candidate experience across global contexts through path analysis of data from approximately 300 participants. The project reflects a boundary-crossing effort that connects academic theory, practitioner application, and cross-cultural comparison in workforce research.

Daniel Perez

Center For Information Systems & Technology (CISAT)

“Geospatial Evaluation of Sea Urchins for the Sake of Kelp Forest Restoration”

Kelp forests are vital marine ecosystems that support biodiversity and carbon sequestration but are increasingly threatened by the overpopulation of sea urchins. This project develops a geospatial and AI-driven methodology to monitor and map sea urchin populations along the Southern California coastline using drone-based imagery, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and advanced data analytics. By integrating techniques from environmentalscience, spatial technologies, and artificial intelligence, the project offers a scalable, precise approach to ecosystem monitoring and restoration. Collaborations with academic marine experts and nonprofit organizations strengthen both the scientific rigor and the community outreach dimensions of the work. Field data is collected through aerial and handheld imaging, processed into orthomosaics and 3D models, and analyzed using object detection and spatial distribution and clustering techniques. The outputs, including heat maps and interactive dashboards, provide actionable insights to conservation practitioners and the broader public. This transdisciplinary research not only advances marine habitat mapping practices but also contributes to community education and sustainable environmental stewardship, promoting resilience of kelp forest ecosystems in the face of global change.

Gavriella Rubin & Eli Waxler

Division Of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (DBOS)

“Exploring the Benefits and Costs of Professional Identity Development Across the Medical Education Continuum”

Professional identity (PI) plays a central role in how medical professionals navigate training, clinical practice, and institutional culture. While a well-integrated professional identity has been associated with motivation, empathy, resilience, and retention, rigid or exclusionary forms of identity may contribute to burnout, moral distress, and difficulty adapting to evolving norms in medicine. Despite growing attention to PI in both psychology and medical education, most research focuses on isolated stages, such as medical school, and overlooks how identity functions across the broader continuum of training. This project brings together researchers from developmental psychology, organizational well-being, and clinical education to study how professional identity relates to psychological and professional outcomes across four time points: pre-med, medical student, resident, and early-career physician. Using a mixed-methods design, we will collect survey and open-ended data from 800 participants across multiple institutions. Quantitative data will examine associations between PI and outcomes like burnout, passion, empathy, and well-being; qualitative data will explore how individuals make sense of identity development in context. Analyses will include path models and subgroup comparisons across training stages. This study is designed as the first wave of a longitudinal panel and reflects a cross-sector collaboration between psychology and medicine. Findings will inform more developmentally and contextually grounded models of professional identity formation and contribute to institutional efforts to support both well-being and workforce sustainability in healthcare.

Tiffany Shao

Division Of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (DBOS)

“Predictors of Police Use of Force: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

This project investigates the psychological, social, and structural predictors of police use of force (UOF) through a systematic review and meta-analysis grounded in interdisciplinary theory and methodology. Despite decades of empirical work documenting racial disparities in UOF, findings remain fragmented across disciplines, limiting the development of evidence-based interventions. To address this, the project asks two guiding questions: (1) What factors consistently predict increased severity of officers’ UOF? and (2) What combination of factors most reliably shape force severity across diverse contexts? The study will proceed in three phases: (1) a qualitative review of psychological, situational, and structural factors influencing UOF; (2) a quantitative meta-analysis estimating effect sizes and identifying key moderators; and (3) a comparative analysis linking empirical findings to real-world UOF statistics. Theoretical frameworks include aversive racism theory, policing risk factors, and intergroup contact
theory. This transdisciplinary effort bridges psychology, criminology, communications, and public policy, and will be conducted in collaboration with faculty and undergraduate researchers across the Claremont Colleges. By synthesizing fragmented research and engaging community stakeholders and policy practitioners, this project will inform evidence-based reforms that promote accountability, justice, and trust in policing. Ultimately, the findings will guide future scholarship and practical interventions aimed at reducing disparities and improving law enforcement outcomes for marginalized communities.

Sara Goncalves De Mendonca Uchoa

School Of Arts & Humanities (SAH)

“Urban Greenway and Reproductive Justice: Exploring Joint-Use of School Campuses in Monrovia and El Monte, CA.”

This project focuses on the green schoolyard initiatives led by the organization Amigos de los Rios at Monrovia High School in Monrovia and Durfee Thompson Elementary in El Monte. Using qualitative methods, it will: 1) Investigate how these spaces are perceived and accessed by neighboring mothers and caregivers, and 2) Facilitate dialogue among mothers, caregivers, and stakeholders to draft a joint-use agreement for both campuses. Joint-use is an agreement between a school district and public or private entities setting forth the terms and conditions for sharing the use of school facilities. The proposal is a cross-sector collaboration with Amigos de los Rios, which leads the Emerald Necklace Vision Plan, a regional initiative to develop a network of parks and greenways along the Rio Hondo, San Gabriel, and Los Angeles Rivers. This proposal is in consonance with a trend of understanding the importance of parks and green spaces and seeking solutions to overcome the scarcity of available land in urban centers. The strategy of increasing access to recreation through the joint-use of school grounds is well documented. The contribution of this project is to center the lived experiences of mothers and caregivers by exploring how they interact with, navigate, and imagine those spaces in their daily routines of care. Rooted in the Reproductive Justice Framework, the study links access to safe, healthy environments with broader issues of gender, race, and urban equity.

This year we were also able to recognize and award an “Honorable Mention” distinction for work showing exceptional promise and impact. This awardee will receive additional funds to carry out their research.

Sonia Baron

Division Of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (DBOS)

“Mapping Mental Health and Wellness Across the Claremont Colleges: An Interdisciplinary GIS Approach”

This project evaluates the mental health landscape across the Claremont Colleges by integrating student survey data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. Specifically, it examines (1) the mental health status of students in relation to demographic and institutional factors, and (2) the spatial distribution and accessibility of wellness resources across the consortium. Anonymized survey responses will be analyzed to identify mental health trends, considering variables such as academic pressures, institutional support systems, and students’ geographic origins. GIS technology will be used to visualize the availability of mental health services, highlighting potential gaps in service coverage. This interdisciplinary collaboration between psychology, public health, and GIS offers a comprehensive, data-driven framework for improving mental health strategies at the Claremont Colleges. Findings will be shared with campus administrators to inform evidence-based resource allocation, ultimately fostering a more supportive and accessible environment for all students through innovative spatial analysis.

Pedro A. Serrano

School Of Community & Global Health (SCGH)

“Re-Envisioning Hermanos de Luna y Sol (HLS): A Cross-Institutional Pilot to Refine and Assess a Community-Engaged HIV Prevention Model for Latinx Immigrant GBMSM”

Latine sexual minority men (LSMM) remain disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. Hermanos de Luna y Sol (HLS) is a Spanish-language, community-based intervention that integrates Bandura’s self-regulation theory and Freirean pedagogy to enhance social support, self-esteem, and critical consciousness while reducing sexual risk behaviors among LSMM. Although HLS has demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, rigorous evaluation was interrupted when the original trial was prematurely terminated. The project advances transdisciplinary scholarship by uniting epidemiology, sociology, and public-health practice; it foregrounds the voices of a marginalized population and addresses public health priorities to reduce HIV inequities among immigrants.