Ph.D. Student
School of Education
University of California, Irvine
I am a third-year doctoral student in the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine.
I hold a B.S. in Social Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.A. in Psychological Science from California State University, Northridge.
My research focuses on leveraging the funds of knowledge within Latino/x families to support early STEM learning. I adopt a strength-based approach to family-school partnerships, highlighting the rich, home-based practices of Latino/x families that play an important role in their children’s development. This work aims to inform the creation of engaging and culturally relevant science curriculum.
I primarily use qualitative methods in my work with early childhood educators and community-based research methodologies in partnership with Latino/x families to co-create meaningful learning environments.
I am the proud son of undocumented Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college student.
2022 - 2027 (Expected)
University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA)
Ph.D., Educational Policy and Social Context
Advisors: Adriana Villavicencio, Ph.D., Andres Bustamante, Ph.D.
2020 - 2022
California State University, Northridge (Northridge, CA)
M.A., Psychological Science (With Distinction)
Advisor: Gabriela Chavira, Ph.D.
2015 - 2019
University of California, San Diego (La Jolla, CA)
B.S., Social Psychology
May 19th, 2022 - CSUN Graduation Ceremony
Dr. Gabriela Chavira (left) & Daniel Garcia (right)
June 15th, 2019 -
UCSD Graduation Ceremony
March 18th, 2024 -
Research lab mates, Dr. Adriana Villavicencio (left of DG), & Daniel Garcia (right)
STEAM Scholarship Award (2023 - 2023)
Financial and professional support to Dreams for Schools Instructors to promote their academic and career advancement in STEM fields; Award: $2500
Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (2022 - 2027)
Prepares promising doctoral students for faculty position; Award: $30,000
UC Irvine Diversity Recruitment Fellowship (2022 - 2023)
Nominated by School of Education faculty for established academic record and accomplishments; Award: $5000
Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar (2021 - 2022)
Faculty mentored scholarship in preparation for graduate studies; Award: $3000
CSU Northridge Thesis Support Program (2021 - 2022)
Funding to graduate students to offset costs associated with thesis work; Award: $750
