Teaching Interests:
My teaching interests and style are reflections of my other professional interests: traumatic stress, clinical psychology, physiological psychology/behavioral neuroscience, research methods and professional development. My approach to teaching varies based on the course (lecture vs. seminar), but across classrooms I want to ensure that students develop a sense of mastery over core topics, fine tune critical thinking skills and build knowledge that stays with them for years to come.
Great topics for drop in / student hours / office hours include: adjusting to Cal State LA, questions about course material, career paths with a degree in psychology or related field, connection to resources on campus, how to get involved on campus, reviewing old exams and study tips. This list is certainly not exhaustive.
COURSES TAUGHT:
PSY 3100: Psychopathology I
PSY 3040: Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 4380: Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology
PSY 5100: Advanced Psychopathology
Research Interests:
I am the director of the PROSPER Lab at Cal State LA. PROSPER is an acronym for our research focus: Psychoneuroimmunology Research on Stress, PTSD, Emotions and Recovery. Broadly, our research is interested in factors that connect stress and trauma to poor health, with a focus on inflammation, emotion and cognition. Our lab uses observational and experimental methods. I believe science is a team sport, and I have interdisciplinary collaborations. We have several ongoing projects.
Students can access available studies through Sona - https://calstatela.sona-systems.com/
Interested in working with me?
I mentor both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate students interested in working with me should email me for an application to join my lab, but please note that spots are limited. I require at least 10 hours/week for 2 semesters and strongly prefer current Cal State LA students who have completed core psychology courses, but I do consider applicants holistically. Master’s students need to apply for the Cal State LA MA program (/academic/psych/MA%20grad%20program.html).
I will be reviewing applications for graduate students for the 2025/2026 academic year. Here is a helpful Q&A document for potential applicants - https://osf.io/gf89h.
Notes on mentorship style: All members will gain research skills and work on existing projects in the lab, but are encouraged to develop their own interests within these projects that are of interest to them. I use hierarchical mentoring, where more senior lab members offer peer supervision and feedback, but all lab members will also meet individually and in a group with me. The lab values rigorous research, professional development and a growth-focused collaborative environment. I am committed to supporting my mentees in their chosen career path, whether that is a doctoral degree, industry position or other field.
Some selected publications (* trainee author):
Szabo, Y. Z., *Burns, C. M., & Lantrip, C. (2022). Understanding associations between rumination and inflammation: A scoping review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 104523.
Szabo, Y. Z., Fernandez-Botran, R., & Newton, T. L. (2019). Cumulative trauma, emotion reactivity and salivary cytokine levels following acute stress in healthy women. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 32(1), 82-94.
Szabo, Y. Z., Warnecke, A. J., Newton, T. L., & Valentine, J. C. (2017). Rumination and posttraumatic stress symptoms in trauma-exposed adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 30(4), 396-414.
Other professional activities:
I am also active in professional organizations and the community. Some highlights include
2022-2024 Psychosomatic Medicine Early Career Editorial Board
2021-present American Psychosomatic Society Anti-Racism Task Force Member (2021-2023), Co-Chair (2023-present)
2019-present American Psychosomatic Society, Ad hoc program reviewer
Education and Professional Background
Prior to joining the faculty at Cal State LA, I was a clinical psychologist within the Department of Veteran Affairs. My roles included being a staff investigator in the Biomarkers & Genetics Core at the VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, as well as a licensed psychologist in the Mental Health Clinic with particular focus on the treatment of PTSD.
2012 B.S. Psychology, San Jose State University, Minors in Business & Nutrition and Food Science
2014 M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Louisville
2017 Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Louisville
2017 Predoctoral Internship, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
2019 Postdoctoral fellowship, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans