Vanja Lazarevic

Dr. Vanja Lazarevic serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Family Development at San Diego State University. Her scholarly work investigates the complex interplay of cultural, familial, and societal factors affecting immigrant and refugee youth and their families, with particular emphasis on health outcomes and resilience mechanisms.

Her academic journey includes:

• Ph.D. in Human and Community Development from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• M.S. in Human and Community Development from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• B.A. in Psychology from Marquette University

Prior to joining SDSU, she conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School's Refugee Trauma and Resilience Center.

Dr. Lazarevic's research program centers on marginalized populations, specifically examining how immigration and acculturation processes impact family dynamics and youth development. She investigates protective factors that mitigate stressors like discrimination, and explores how social networks contribute to positive outcomes. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, family studies, and public health to address critical issues in immigrant communities.

Analysis of her publication record from 2010-2020 reveals consistent contributions to understanding language brokering, discrimination effects, and cultural identity in immigrant families. Her work demonstrates methodological diversity including quantitative surveys and longitudinal designs, primarily published in psychology and family studies journals.

No scientific awards are documented in the available information.

As an educator, Dr. Lazarevic teaches courses on culturally diverse families and human development. She actively mentors students, as evidenced by undergraduate and graduate co-authorship on her publications. Her sustained research productivity suggests successful grant acquisition, though specific funding sources aren't detailed in the provided materials.

While no formal lab name is specified, her research group focuses on immigrant family health and wellbeing, providing students with opportunities to engage in culturally relevant psychological research.