Culture, families, and human development
Understanding the differences between one's own culture and the cultures of others to effectively connect, teach, and help.Understanding the differences between one's own culture and the cultures of others to effectively connect, teach, and help. This research may also explore Indigenous perspectives and approaches to knowledge-building and deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches.
Ronald Asiimwe, PhD Ronald Asiimwe, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Couple & Family Therapy Specialization
- asiim004@umn.edu
Dr. Asiimwe's research integrates multicultural perspectives to understand and explore the mental and relational health needs of African families and communities in the US and Africa who face challenges related to current and historical trauma.
Sara Axtell Sara Axtell
- Senior Lecturer and Faculty-at-Large, Cultural Wellness Center
- she, her, hers
- 612-625-0252
- axtel002@umn.edu
Axtell's work focuses on developing mutually beneficial collaborations between UMN and communities that addresses how to share intellectual authority and bring together academic knowledge and the knowledge systems of cultural communities.
Chalandra Bryant Chalandra Bryant
- Professor and Dr. Pauline Boss Professorship in Ambiguous Loss
- 612-625-1900
- cmbryant@umn.edu
Dr. Bryant's research focuses on the developmental roots and course of close relationships; the ability to sustain close intimate ties; and how social, familial, economic, and psychosocial factors are linked to marital outcomes.
Chansophal Mak Chansophal Mak
- Post-Doctoral Associate
- She/Her/Hers
- cmak@umn.edu
Chansophal Mak (Sophal) is originally from Cambodia. She received her PhD in Human Development and Family Science with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Georgia in Spring 2023.
Michelle Pasco Michelle Pasco
- Assistant Professor
- she/her/hers
- mpasco@umn.edu
Dr. Pasco’s research uses a culturally-informed lens to understand the lived experiences of ethnic-racial minoritized youth and families within neighborhood contexts and uses different methods to examine how neighborhood factors influence them.
Avelina Rivero Avelina Rivero
- Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
- Ella/she/her/hers
- river896@umn.edu
Dr. Rivero's research identifies how family members can influence and shape Latina young women’s body image perceptions and development and explores the unique role cultural values play in shaping family interactions and relationships.
Kay Simon Kay Simon
- Assistant Professor
- they/them/theirs
- simo1253@umn.edu
Dr. Simon's research focuses on the narratives, identity development, future parenthood, and family experiences of marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ or BIPOC individuals, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and families.
Catherine Solheim Catherine Solheim
- Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
- she/her/hers
- 612-625-1201
- csolheim@umn.edu
Dr. Solheim's research agenda demonstrates the translational nature of Family Science and includes families and culture, refugee family resettlement and adjustment, ambiguous loss, human ecology, and social justice theories.
Zha Blong Xiong Zha Blong Xiong
- Associate Professor
- 612-625-5882
- xiong008@umn.edu
My primary research interests focus on the social and cultural capital that promotes (or hinders) healthy development in children, especially with children of immigrant and refugee families.
Virginia Solis Zuiker Virginia Solis Zuiker
- Associate Professor, AFC Supervising Faculty, and Department Honors Faculty Representative
- she/her/ella
- 612-625-4225
- vzuiker@umn.edu
An associate professor in FSoS, Dr. Zuiker teaches courses around individuals and family finance and counseling and conducts research on financial socialization of college students and how family businesses manage cash flow.
