Aya Caballero
Email: caballeroa2@vcu.edu
Pronouns: She/her
In the nascent stages of my psychology career, my focus gravitated toward behavioral neuroscience, particularly delving into the intricacies of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type-1. This exploration culminated in a noteworthy publication authored by Guzman, Jacobskind, Rosinger, Rybka, Caballero, Sturm, Sharif, Abbas, Justice and Zuloaga, delving into the fluctuations of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 levels vis-à-vis alterations in anxiety-like behaviors at distinct intervals during the postpartum period.
Embarking on my master's journey, I chose to specialize in a diverse array of disciplines, encompassing developmental and cognitive psychology, linguistics, communication sciences and disorders. The focal point of my master's thesis centered on unraveling the intricacies of parents’ question styles and their functional role in children, comparing those with and without autism. This academic pursuit catalyzed the deep-seated passion I developed for the multifaceted landscape of Black child development and the imperativeness of fostering diversity and inclusion.
This passion found expression in my immersive study abroad experience at NYU Accra, where I delved into the complexities of cultural responsiveness. An outcome of this endeavor was my participation in presenting at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference, shedding light on culturally responsive practices in Ghana and undertaking an interprofessional exploration of education and healthcare delivery.
In the realm of my research pursuits, I aspire to emerge as a stalwart advocate for marginalized populations within the domain of mental health, championing the cause of those who lack the agency to advocate for themselves.
Areas of interest
- Adolescent and Youth Development
- Child Welfare
- Communities and Neighborhoods
- Community-Based Participatory Research
- Inequality, Poverty and Social Welfare Policy
- International Social Work and Global Issues
- Mental Health
- Race and Ethnicity
- Research Design and Measurement
Education and credentials
M.A, psychology, New York University
B.A., psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York
Go to Aya Caballero's profile.
Work
Selected publications
De Guzman, R.M., Rosinger, Z. J., Rybka, K.A., Jacobskind, J. .S., Thrasher, C.A., Caballero, A.L., Sturm, K. L., Sharif, M.S., Abbas, M. S.,, Parra, K.E., Zuloaga, K. L., Justice, N.J., Zuloaga, D.G. (2023). Changes in corticotropin-releasing factor receptor Type 1, co-expression with tyrosine hydroxylase and oxytocin neurons, and anxiety-like behaviors across the postpartum period in mice. Neuroendocrinology, 113(8), 795-810.
Professional highlights
Invited talks and posters
Castle, G., Adusei, G., BensonMeyer, E., Butka, R., Caballero, A., Ennis, R., Mason, K., Parker, M., Pierre, A., Wulff A., (2023). Culturally Responsive Practices in Ghana: Interprofessional exploration of education and healthcare delivery. [Conference presentation]. Oral presentation at 2023 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Boston, MA.
Caballero & Arunachalam. The function of parents’ question styles in children with and without Autism [Conference Presentation] Poster presentation at 2023 GSAS Threesis & Master’s Research Conference at New York University, New York, NY
Guzman, Jacobskind, Rosinger, Rybka, Caballero, Sturm, Sharif, Abbas, Justice, & Zuloaga (Published). Changes in corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 levels relative to changes in anxiety-like behaviors at different time points during the postpartum period. Ronald McNair Conference, Buffalo, New York
Guzman, Jacobskind, Rosinger, Rybka, Caballero, Sturm, Sharif, Abbas, Justice, & Zuloaga (Published) Changes in corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 levels relative to changes in anxiety-like behaviors at different time points during the postpartum period. University at Albany Summer Research Program Conference, Albany, New York
Accomplishments
- Fulbright English Teaching Assistant semifinalist, 2023
- Newcombe Scholarship recipient, 2022
- Dean’s List of Distinguished Students, 2017-2020
- 175th Anniversary Award recipient (scholarship), 2019
- Spellman Award, recipient, 2018-2020
- Todd Goldman '82 Endowed Scholarship recipient, 2018-2019
- Virginia G. Heaney Memorial Scholarship recipient, 2018
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 2021
Affiliations and service
Rockhouse Foundation
- Project Jamaica: Empowering Education Through Interprofessional Collaboration and Research (passion project)
Project Jamaica is an innovative initiative dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities in Jamaican schools through interprofessional collaboration founded by myself. The project brings together a diverse team of professionals from various fields, including education, healthcare, social work and speech language pathology, who work in unison to provide comprehensive services and support to schools across the island.
A key objective of Project Jamaica is to secure grants and funding to conduct in-depth research aimed at understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by the Jamaican education system. This research is pivotal in developing data-driven strategies and solutions that can be implemented to improve educational outcomes and foster a brighter future for Jamaican students.
By emphasizing interprofessional practice, Project Jamaica ensures a holistic approach to education, addressing not only academic needs but also the social, emotional and physical well-being of students and staff; as well as providing professional development and other services. This collaborative effort enhances the capacity of schools to provide a well-rounded education and support system for their students.
Through its commitment to excellence, innovation and interprofessional practice, Project Jamaica is poised to make a significant and lasting impact on education in Jamaica. The project’s focus on collaborative and research-driven solutions positions it at the forefront of efforts to empower educators and inspire students across the country.