Karen Ahumada Villanueva
Colorado Springs, CO
Kahumada@uccs.edu
303-947-0095
Education
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
B.S., with Honors, Psychology
B.S., Sociology
Colorado Springs, CO
Expected May 2025
Colorado Springs, CO
Expected May 2025
Pikes Peak State College
A.A., Psychology
Colorado Springs, CO
Dec 2022
Colorado Springs, CO
Dec 2022
Honors & Awards
David Nichols Award, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), University of Michigan
Trader Joe’s Vernon Boykin Scholarship
Dean’s List, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
President’s List Honoree, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
President’s List Honoree Pikes Peak State College
Dean’s List, Pikes Peak State College
2024
Jun.-Jul. 2024
2023
2023-2024
2023
2022
2022
2024
Jun.-Jul. 2024
2023
2023-2024
2023
2022
2022
CERTIFICATIONS
Responsible Conduct of Research Series
SMaRT Workshops: Designing Ambulatory Assessment Studies
Introductory R-Studio Workshop
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Certifications:
Human Research – Social and Behavior Research
Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research
CITI Conflicts of Interests
GCP – Social and Behavioral Research Best Practices for Clinical Research
QPR Training – Suicide Prevention
Areas of Interest
- Clinical psychology
- Childhood trauma & adversity
- Community based organizations
- Organizational leadership
poster and symposium presentations
Ahumada Villanueva, K., & Gordon, A. (February, 2025). The Role of Gratitude in Romantic Relationships on Wellbeing. Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Denver, CO.
Ahumada Villanueva, K. (December, 2024). Exploring the Impact of Sexual Satisfaction and Relationship Dynamics on Overall Happiness in Romantic Relationships. University of Colorado Mountain Lion Research Day. Colorado Springs, CO.
Ahumada Villanueva, K., & Rudd, K.L. (December, 2024). The Role of Ethnic Identity in Safeguarding Children’s Self-Esteem. University of Colorado Mountain Lion Research Day. Colorado Springs, CO.
Ahumada Villanueva, K. (July, 2024). Cycles of Relationship Quality: Over Time. Presented at the Summer Research Opportunities Program Symposium at the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI.
Research Experience
Pathways from Early Experience to Child Health Lab
Research Assistant, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Department of Psychology
● Family Interviews: Conducted semi-structured interviews with families from high-stress backgrounds.
● Data Entry: Entered survey responses into a secure database with high attention to detail to ensure accuracy.
● Participant Management: Managed confidential participant information in compliance with ethical guidelines and institutional review board (IRB) standards.
● Translation: Translated surveys and research materials from English to Spanish, ensuring accuracy and cultural relevance.
● Audio Transcription: Transcribed audio recordings of interviews and survey responses with high attention to detail, ensuring verbatim accuracy.
● Qualitative Coding: Coded qualitative data from transcriptions and survey responses manually, identifying key themes and patterns.
● Research Development: Developed original research question and interpreted statistical analyses.
Jan. 2024-Present
Jan. 2024-Present
The Well-being, Health, and Interpersonal Relationships Lab
Lead Study Coordinator, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Department of Psychology
● Managed Recruitment: Coordinated participant recruitment and registration for a relationship cycle study.
● Compensation: Handled participant compensation, ensuring timely and accurate payment.
● Email Troubleshooting: Resolved participant email issues, ensuring smooth communication and participation.
● Data Cleaning: Processed and cleaned EKG data, ensuring high-quality and accurate datasets.
● App Development Assistance: Contributed to the development of a dating app, including user interface design and functionality testing.
● Survey Creation: Designed and implemented surveys using Qualtrics, optimizing for participant engagement and data quality.
● Codebook and Syntax Creation: Developed comprehensive codebooks and syntax for data analysis, facilitating consistent and replicable research findings.
● Data Clean-Up: Conducted thorough data clean-up, identifying and correcting errors to maintain data integrity.
May 2024-Present
May 2024-Present
Cognitive and Perception Lab
Research Assistant, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Department of Psychology
● Assistant Training: Trained research assistants in lab procedures, data collection methods, and software usage to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in conducting experiments.
● Participant Follow-up: Sent reminder emails and followed up with participants to maximize response rates.
Jan. 2024-Present
Jan. 2024-Present
Infidelity and Forgiveness Lab
Research Assistant, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Department of Psychology
● Survey Administration: Administered structured surveys to couples.
● Participant Communication: Developed strong communication skills by interacting with diverse couples, explaining study procedures, and addressing any participant questions or concerns.
● Session Scheduling: Scheduled survey sessions with couples, coordinating times that were convenient for participants.
Aug. 2023-Dec. 2023
Aug. 2023-Dec. 2023
University Service
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Undergraduate Mentor
● Help students navigate challenges and identify academic opportunities by listening, building professional relationships and providing resources for challenging situations.
2023 – Present
2023 – 2024
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Imagination Celebration
Site Coordinator/Case Manager
● Support English learning group exercises for Afghan refugee groups.
● Lead emotion regulation activities through body movement.
● Facilitate culture transition exercises.
● Connect client to resources for medical services.
2023 – Present
2023 – Present
One World Quest
Ambassador Board Member
● Developed engagement activities to strategically enhance community outreach.
● Marketed to a new audience, resulting in increased awareness.
● Scheduled speakers for monthly meetings.
● Led fundraising event.
2023 – Present
2023 – Present
American Red Cross
Disaster Action Team Volunteer
● Respond to local, personal disasters to procure shelter or supplies, and connect with long term recovery services.
2023 – Present
2023 – Present
Sound Alarm Team Volunteer
● Represented the American Red Cross by connecting with homeowners to promote the installation of fire alarms and constructed escape plans and shared fire safety information.
October 2022
October 2022
Work Experience
Sprinkle Art, Inc.
Site Coordinator/Case Manager
● Foster positive relationships with clients, volunteers, and community partners.
● Track key metrics, compile reports on program effectiveness, and provide updates to relevant parties.
● Handle transportation logistics for volunteers and group members.
Colorado Springs, CO
February 2024 – Present
Colorado Springs, CO
February 2024 – Present
Trader Joe’s
Mate, Store Assistant Manager
● Handle day-to-day operations to ensure a safe environment in a retail space.
● Engage the team through training, goal setting and feedback.
Colorado Springs, CO
November 2020 – May 2024
Colorado Springs, CO
November 2020 – May 2024
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Field Leader
● Trained restaurant managers, at nine locations to lead teams of 30 or more employees to meet sales goals, customer service measures and maintain low turnover.
● Investigated HR complaints and implemented rectification plans and systems.
● Promoted members from within to take on leadership roles in local and national locations.
Nov 2016 – Aug 2020
Nov 2016 – Aug 2020
Languages
Spanish: Fluent
English: Fluent