Our Research Team

Karen M. Hennigan, Ph.D. is Director of the Center for Research on Crime in the Department of Psychology at the University of Southern California. Her current research interests focus on the implications of group dynamics and social identity on gang intervention, suppression and other approaches. Dr. Hennigan is continuing her collaboration on secondary prevention with the GRYD program in Los Angeles and in Central America.

Kathy A. Kolnick, Ph.D. teaches in the USC Price School of Public Policy and oversees research projects in the Center for Research on Crime in the USC Department of Psychology, including the LA GRYD program. Her current research interests include juvenile justice issues and gang programs, and the development of local regulations concerning immigration and land use issues.

Flor Vindel, MSW, MaSS, coordinates research projects at the Center for Research on Crime in the USC Department of Psychology. She has managed several field interview teams and research projects, as well as in-office data and statistical analysis. Her current research interests include mental health, female gang members, the social psychology of street gangs, and the development of local and international gang prevention programs.

Leslie Bernstsen, Ph.D. is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Southern California, where they completed their Ph.D. in August 2018. Before moving to Los Angeles, Leslie completed a B.A. in Psychology at New York University, where Leslie was first introduced to the idea that science could be used as an effective tool to understand (and perhaps even solve) real-world problems.

Charlie is a psychology honors student at the University of Southern California, and working as a research assistant with a focus in data science and as a statistic tutor. They are part of the research team at the USC Center for Research on Crime. Charlie was also awarded 1st place for an honors thesis project in the 2019 USC Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work.

Aris Mangasarian is a student in the Psychology Honors Program at the University of Southern California. He is part of the research team at the USC Center for Research on Crime, working in collaboartion with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development (GRYD). Aris is also a recipient of the Provost Undergraduate Research Fellowship. His research interests span a variety of topics in the positive psychology of adult development and aging.

Margarita is a student in the Psychology Honors Program at the University of Southern California. She is part of the research team at the USC Center for Research on Crime, working in collaboartion with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development (GRYD). Her honor’s thesis focuses on moral foundations and needle exchange attitudes.

Alexandra is a graduate student in the USC Price School of Public Policy. They are part of the research team at the USC Center for Research on Crime.