Elena Maker Castro

Elena Maker Castro, Ph. D., currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bates College, beginning in August 2023. Prior to this role, Elena was a Ruth K. Kirschstein National Research Predoctoral Fellow at The National Institutes of Health from September 2021 to August 2023, focusing on dissertation research. Academic background includes a Ph.D. in Human Development and Psychology from UCLA, where Elena conducted extensive research on adolescent civic engagement and immigrant-origin youth. Prior teaching experience encompasses roles as a social studies and English language learner teacher at Blackstone Academy Charter School and as an English teaching assistant in Colombia. Additional consultancy work in education and experience in academic counseling further highlight Elena's dedication to educational equity and student development.