Fernando Salinas-Quiroz, PhD (they/elle/elu)

Faculty – Principal Investigator

Dr. Fernando Salinas-Quiroz is an Assistant Professor at Tufts University and head of the lab. Affiliated Faculty of the Harvard SOGIE Health Equity Research Collaborative. Professor Salinas-Quiroz -a (light) Brown able-blodied trans genderqueer Mexican immigrant that elevates jotería-, approaches their research through a lens of reflexivity, with an understanding that their own experiences and position in the world have shaped the focus of their work. After finishing a bachelor in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Salinas-Quiroz completed a Postgraduate Diploma degree in Parent-Infant Psychotherapy, followed by a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and culminating in a PhD in Psychology. From 2013-2021, they were on faculty at the National Pedagogic University (Mexico), leaving with the title of Full Professor. Their aim is to interrogate dominant theories about Human Development as well as to trans Child Studies! Outside of the lab, Prof Salinas-Quiroz is passionate about practicing/teaching Ashtanga yoga (RYT-200), dancing, laughing and trying to spread kindness and compassion.

Isabella (Izzi) Byrne (she/her) 

Graduate Student

Izzi is a graduate student (MA) in the Child Study and Human Development department at Tufts University. She loves learning from children and is interested in the ways in which LGBTQ+ children understand, experience and advocate for their experiences and identities. In her free time, you can find her teaching Zumba, reading all manner of books or wandering the area in search of beautiful trees.

Jasmine Otieno (she/her)

Graduate Student

Jasmine is a graduate student (MA) in the Child Study and Human Development department of Tufts University. She is interested in the development of gender and sexual identities from a socio-cultural perspective. Specifically, because of her African upbringing, she is interested in how traditional values, roles, and attitudes affect the development and expression of LGBTQ+ identities. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys reading good books, watching bad movies, and making memories with her family and friends.

Noah Sweder (any pronouns)

Undergraduate Student

Noah is an undergraduate student at Tufts University majoring in Clinical Psychology, with minors in Political Science, and Child Studies and Human Development. They are passionate about advancing mental health in the queer community, particularly among genderqueer people, and in improving practices for healthcare providers when working with queer patients. Noah loves being outdoors, playing music, and spending time with their friends and family.