Pamela Sari, PhD
Dr. Sari’s research interests are Asian American identity, religion, and transnational identity. She is an American studies scholar by training and helped collect and analyze in-depth interviews with all the teens in the study. Her expertise is in qualitative research.
She is also the Director of Purdue’s Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARC).
As a mother, Dr. Sari sacrificed many nights and weekends to conduct interviews that could last up to three hours!
Her passion for learning more about teenagers was heartfelt and was one of the most significant traits the undergraduate students admired. All felt heard and understood. They felt that Dr. Sari’s patience allowed them to flourish.
This study has been a passion project for her; she has worked tirelessly to collect and analyze the data.
You can reach her academic page by using the button below.
Michael Viega, PhD, LCAT, MT-BC
Dr. Viega is not only a licensed music therapist, musician, educator, and passionate music lover; he also deeply cares about the well-being of others.
For this project, he dedicated himself fully, guiding the study from its initial idea to its implementation, and he personally led all the music therapy sessions.
At the end of the study, all teenagers mentioned his commitment to helping them explore and express their identities.
In addition, he patiently taught our research staff to listen to music in a more profound and enriching way, helping them appreciate the intricate and beautiful tapestry created by the CIABs.
His compassionate approach truly made a difference in this project.
Stewart C. Chang alexander, phd
Dr. Chang Alexander has been a driving force behind this exciting project. He is responsible for supervising data collection, leading the music analyses, and guided students through the research process.
He’s well-known for his contributions to medical communication and for creating innovative interventions that enhance patient care.
Beyond his professional life, Dr. Chang Alexander has a deep love for music—having been a radio DJ, he helping to run a radio station while being a professor. During that time, he was involved in everything from training to programming to general management.
He feels lucky to finally combine his three passions: music, helping others, and storytelling.
You can reach her academic page by using the button below.
Kristofer J. Chang Alexander, MS
Kristofer has been a key player in shaping the study’s design and training students.
He has won several awards at Purdue University for his excellence in teaching and his work in creating innovative approaches to improving cultural understanding and students’ learning in the classroom. He developed a series of intercultural teaching modules designed to fit into any topic and has been used in various health, science, and engineering courses.
He worked closely with students to ensure their research experiences were enriching but also fun and meaningful!
His eye for design and patience with the project have been a tremendous asset to our team.
He is currently service as the Secretary for the Costume Society of America.
xiang zhou, PhD
Dr. Zhou has helped with analyzing the individual results for the teenagers – helping to see the differences between before and after engaging in the CIAB process. He ialso served as the counseling psychologist for the project, in case the teenagers showed high levels of distress.
With a strong commitment to Indigenous and decolonizing approaches, Dr. Zhou explores holistic methods that nurture positive youth development, recognizing that healing goes beyond conventional talk therapy. His dedication to this work reflects a profound respect for the diverse experiences of young people.
As a proud member of organizations like the Asian American Psychological Association, the Association of Chinese Helping Professionals and Psychologists—International (ACHPPI), and the National Council on Family Relations, Dr. Zhou embodies a commitment to fostering understanding and connection in the communities he serves. His work not only supports individual growth but also contributes to a larger conversation about healing and empowerment.
annabelle atkins
Dr. Atkin’s research focuses on the race-related development of Asian American and Multiracial youth in the context of family. Her own experiences growing up as a Biracial Asian American i the Midwest inspired her interest in understanding how parents help Asian American youth navigate experiences of discrimination, identity development, and finding a sense of belonging in contexts with few others like them.
She leads the Antiracism, Resistance, Identity, Socialization, and Equity (ARISE) lab, where she collaborates with undergraduate and graduate students on exciting research projects. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, Dr. Atkin develops tools that help others assess important race-related topics. She’s also an active member of the editorial board for the journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
Our Artists
kat hickey, MFA
Kathleen (Kat) Hickey is a choreographer, dancer, and teacher who explores movement with empathy and curiosity, while striving to illustrate how gender informs embodies experiences.
She is among the first cohort to be certified as an Essential Level teacher of Molly Shanahan’s Spiral Body Techniques®
Her experience in creating and collaborating in the choreographic process provides expertise in artistic direction.
This project offers meaningful opportunities for artists from diverse genres and disciplines to come together and create something special.
fan zhang, MFA
Fan Zhang is a critically acclaimed sound designer and composer for theatre, dance, film, commercial radio, and installation. She trained at the Yale School of Drama. For our project, she helps with strategizing artistic outreach.
Her recent Off-Broadway design and original music credits include: At the Wedding The Far Country; This Land was Made; Snow in Midsummer; Paris; On That Day In Amsterdam; A Kid Like Rishi; Suicide Forest; Molly Sweeney; Round Tabl; Behind the Sheet; Beautiful Day Without You; Interstate; Three Girls Never Learnt the Way Home; Tania In the Gateway Van, and many more.
She has designed at most of the nation’s leading regional theaters including productions at: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Berkeley Rep, Arena Stage, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Milwaukee Rep, Capital Rep, Artists Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf, Pittsburgh City Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Studio Theatre D.C., Two River Theater, Westport Country Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Yale Rep, Huntington Theatre and Old Globe, Lincoln Center Theatre, and more.
A list of her work can be found here:
vivian kim, MFA
Vivian and her creative partner Keith Haynes, MFA, established, directed, and produced many shows through their dance company, VisKosity Dance Collective (VKDC). VKDC was an interdisciplinary dance company that utilized Modern dance movement and Street Dance (House, Hip Hop, Chicago Footwork) in their dance works. Vivian and Keith also had the opportunity to adopt the Boulder Contemporary Dance Festival from Cindy Brandle of the Cindy Brandle Dance Company. They transformed the concert into an all-styles weekend-long performance called the FreeForm Dance Festival.
Since 2010, Vivian has trained in Modern dance and studied with notable instructors, including Rennie Harris and Dassy Lee. Her work has been presented at various universities and festivals.
With over a decade of Modern dance training and a passion for teaching, Vivian is dedicated to making dance accessible and enjoyable for all students. She emphasizes authentic education in Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern dance while fostering a welcoming environment for movement expression.