About Me

Hi there, I'm Sam! I’m a first-generation Latina college graduate originally from Modesto, California (shoutout to the Central Valley). I began my academic journey at Modesto Junior College, where I earned my A.A.-T in Psychology and Sociology. I then transferred to UC Merced, completing my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Public Health. During that time, I began my research journey in the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab under Dr. Heather Bortfeld and the Community Nutrition Lab under Dr. Karina Diaz-Rios, where I published some of my work in the Journal of Nutrition and Behavior.

After graduating, I spent a year working in the Merced community before deciding to pursue graduate school. I attended Fresno State, earning my M.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Psychology and Data Analysis under Dr. Paul Price in the Judgment and Decision Making Lab. During my graduate studies, I published portions of my thesis in the Psychonomic Bulletin & Review and was honored as a CSU Trustee for Outstanding Achievement Scholar, a Sally Casanova Scholar, and Psi Chi’s Best Teaching Assistant of the Year.

Through the Sally Casanova Scholar program, I conducted summer research at UC Santa Cruz in the High-Level Perception Lab under Dr. Nicolas Davidenko. My work focused on eye tracking and the upper-eye bias in rotated face fixations. That summer research experience first brought me to the Santa Cruz area, and I’ve loved it so much that I decided to make it my home.

Currently, I am a student at Cabrillo College studying Business and working toward an A.S. in Business Administration. I am passionate about lifelong learning and enjoy continuously expanding my knowledge.

Outside of academics, I have several hobbies that keep me grounded and inspired. I enjoy outdoor gardening and caring for my indoor tropical plant collection. I love learning about plant life and how related ecosystems like entomology interact and coexist with them. I’m also a proud cat parent to two cats, Pepper and Patch, and I maintain a nano fish tank that houses several varieties of Rasboras along with a few Ramshorn snails.

I also love spending time outdoors and feel fortunate to live in a place where I can visit the coastal redwoods and the ocean all in one day. Hiking is one of my favorite weekend activities, and I particularly enjoy exploring new trails and going mushroom foraging. While I don’t eat the mushrooms, I love discovering them and appreciating their beauty and uniqueness.

Let's Connect!

Santa Cruz High - Mondays & Thursdays

Harbor High - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Cabrillo Email: sanavarr@cabrillo.edu

SCCS Email: samanthanavarro@sccs.net