AKIRA GUTIERREZ RENZULLI, Ph.D., M.S., M.A.
Applied Psychological Science, Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing
Resume
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Psychology (expected 2025)
Florida International University
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Concentration: Applied Social & Cultural Psychology
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Areas of specialty: preventative child mental health; adversity & resilience; trauma-informed care; community collaborations
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Candidacy Study: FACTS About Belongingness According to Elementary School Students: Feelings, Agency, Connection, Trust, & Support
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Dissertation Study: Educators' Perspectives and Practices for Fostering Belonging in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Master of Science (M.S.)
Psychology (Child & Adolescent Clinical Science)
Florida International University
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Concentration: Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
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Areas of specialty: adversity & resilience; trauma-informed care; positive parenting strategies; attention regulation challenges; behavioral concerns; early childhood; externalizing-internalizing comorbidities; school readiness
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Thesis: Early life adversity and school readiness among preschoolers with disruptive behaviors
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Applied Child Development
Tufts University
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Concentration: Human developmental research
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Areas of specialty: qualitative methods; mixed methods; program evaluation
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Child Development
Tufts University
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Concentrations: developmental psychology; child-centered learning approaches; communication & media studies
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Completed Early Childhood Education licensure requirements
2023-Present
PROJECT DIRECTOR/ SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER
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Researcher, Subject Matter Expert, Technical Assistance, and Training Associate, specializing in youth and educator wellbeing, equitable experiences in schools, social-emotional learning, early childhood, and mental health among diverse populations
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Technical Assistance support in school-based suicide prevention (Preventing Youth Suicide Initiative) through a Multi-tiered Systems of Support model
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Qualitative & quantitative research support for the HV COIIN
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Social-emotional learning, behavioral and mental health consultation for school-based network
2019-2025
DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
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Qualitative and mixed-methods research activities and training in Applied Research at NAFASI Lab, with a focus on youth mental health prevention & policy research
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Assistant Clinical Supervisor, FIU Summer Academy 2022, a community-based Summer Treatment Program for Preschoolers with behavioral concerns
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Research activities and evidence-based treatment services for School READY Lab and FIU Center for Children and Families
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Provided individual and group child mental health services, parenting skills training, and psychoeducational assessments
2016-2019
SR. MANAGER OF RESEARCH-PRACTICE
INTEGRATION
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Resident expert in social-emotional learning and child development
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Developed educator-facing, science-based resources in various formats
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Managed research-practice collaboration focused on data-informed SEL practices
2013 - 2016
SR. RESEARCH COORDINATOR
INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED RESEARCH IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
at TUFTS UNIVERSITY
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Research coordination and analysis for school-based research
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Social-emotional development curriculum development for Arthur Interactive Media Buddy Project - in partnership with WGBH & PBS Learning Media
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Qualitative and mixed-methods research related to Positive Youth Development