Evelyn D. Sarsar

PhD Candidate, Human Development & Family Science
Evelyn  Sarsar
Pronouns:
she/her/hers
Minor
Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
Hometown
Murrieta, CA

I am a fifth-year doctoral student in the Human Development & Family Science program. I am a Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) Fellow and was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar as an undergraduate student. 

 

 

Degree(s)

  • M.S. | Family Studies and Human Development | University of Arizona | 2021
  • B.A. | Psychological Science | California State University, San Marcos | 2019
Areas of Expertise
  • Stress
  • HPA-axis
  • Cortisol
  • Adolescence
  • Young Adulthood
  • Coping
Research Focus

My research aims to address how social stressors impact health and well-being via physiological responses among Latinx populations. My work is guided by an interdisciplinary focus on understanding social contexts, individual experiences, and biological processes.

I utilize longitudinal/daily diary methods and advanced statistical modeling to understand the impact of racial discrimination on mental health, behavior, and physiological stress responses (Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis functioning and diurnal cortisol rhythm). 

Subjects Taught

HDFS 117 - Lifespan Human Development

HDFS 323 - Infancy and Child Development 

Select Publications

Sarsar, E.D., Zeiders, K.H., Landor, A.M. & Brown, A.M. (2023). The role of racial microaggressions and ethnic racial identity affirmation on sense of belonging among Black and Latinx college students. Emerging Adulthood.

Brown, A., Zeiders, K. H., Sarsar, E.D., Hoyt, L. T., & Nair, R. (2022). “When the political becomes personal”: Evaluation of an elected president, election distress, and college students’ psychological well-being. The Journal of American College Health.

Brown, A., Landor, A. M., Zeiders, K. H., & Sarsar, E.D. (2022). Exploring the associations between discrimination, coping, skin tone, and the psychosocial health of young adults of color Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Recent Accomplishments
  • College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Masters Level Meritorious Graduate Teaching Award
  • Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentives Program Fellow
  • Ford Foundation Honorable Mention