TAMIU Center to Counter Human Trafficking

Studies identity, immigration, and labor.

Dr. Ariadne Gonzalez is an Associate Provost and Associate Professor of Communication at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication from Texas A&M University-College Station, a Master's in Communication from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from TAMIU. Her research explores issues of difference in Latino/a/x, immigrant, and transnational work-life and border life experiences. She has examined the experiences of Latino workers patrolling the Texas-Mexico border, the stigmatization of immigrant labor, and how bilingual nurses engage in job crafting and communicate resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work also investigates how workers navigate occupational identity and resilience, particularly in professions shaped by migration, bilingualism, and border dynamics.

Her research has been featured in Communication Monographs, Health Communication, Howard Journal of Communication, and Frontiers in Communication, contributing to scholarly discussions on identity, resilience, and workplace dynamics.

Beyond research, Dr. Gonzalez is an experienced educator, teaching courses such as Health Communication, Organizational Communication, Leadership Communication, and Qualitative Research Methods. She has contributed to academic publications and presented her findings at national and international conferences. Her commitment to advancing knowledge on immigrant labor and border studies continues to shape conversations on identity, resilience, and workplace dynamics.

Examines organized crime and drug trafficking.

Dr. Nilda Garcia is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). She holds a Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Miami, where she specialized in International Relations Theory and International Political Economy. She also earned an MBA in International Trade and a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from TAMIU. Her academic journey has included international study experiences at the University of New Brunswick and the Superior de Commerce in France.

Dr. Garcia's research focuses on organized crime, drug trafficking, international relations, and security studies. She has extensively examined the role of social media in criminal networks, particularly in the context of Mexican drug cartels. Her book, Mexico's Drug War and Criminal Networks: The Dark Side of Social Media, explores how digital platforms have transformed criminal communication and operations. Additionally, she is the co-author of Drug Policy Revolutions, a newly published work that analyzes shifts in global drug policy.

Beyond her publications, Dr. Garcia has contributed to academic discussions through peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, and media commentary. She has been featured in various outlets, including NBC News and Univision, for her insights on security and organized crime. She has also participated in research collaborations and advisory roles, such as reviewing book proposals on security studies and the U.S. War on Drugs.

At TAMIU, Dr. Garcia teaches courses on American government, international political economy, drug trafficking, and security studies, helping students navigate complex global issues. Her dedication to scholarship and education continues to shape critical conversations on crime, security, and policy reform.

Focuses on science, health, and mentoring.

Dr. Marcus Ynalvez is the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, where he has also served on the Committee of Visitors and as a panel reviewer. His scholarly work centers on the sociology of science and advanced quantitative methodologies, with a particular interest in global scientific collaboration and research capacity-building in developing countries.

Dr. Ynalvez has led multiple study and research abroad programs, fostering cross-cultural academic exchange and experiential learning. He actively mentors both graduate and undergraduate students, guiding them through independent research projects and professional development. He has also served on review panels for the National Institutes of Health and has presented his work at international conferences across Asia, Europe, and North America.

A recipient of numerous teaching and research awards, Dr. Ynalvez is committed to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship and promoting inclusive excellence in higher education.

Research education, leadership, and human development.

Manuel Guillen Jr. currently serves as the Program Manager for the Center to Counter Human Trafficking (CCHT) at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). In this leadership role, he oversees program administration, strategic planning, grant management, budgeting, research coordination, and partnership development across multi-institutional collaborations. He supervises a multicultural team of research staff, faculty affiliates, and graduate assistants, ensuring the Center's research and community impact align with national and statelevel anti-trafficking efforts.

Mr. Guillen's professional expertise spans higher education leadership, grant administration, behavioral health crisis intervention, and STEM education. He previously held multiple leadership roles in higher education, including Assistant Director of the Building SCHOLARS Grant and Interim Project Director for the STEM Grant at Laredo College. During his tenure, he played a critical role in transforming developmental education through the implementation of Supplemental Instruction (SI) models for both Mathematics and English. Additionally, he was instrumental in supporting the Manuel Blanco Writing Center, strengthening academic support services across campus. His efforts in undergraduate research capacity-building earned him the STEM Community Award, recognizing his contribution to the development of the STEM Learning Lab and federally funded grant initiatives.

Prior to his work in higher education, Mr. Guillen served at the Border Region Behavioral Health Center as a Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Counselor. In this role, he provided crisis screenings, intervention strategies, safety planning, relapse prevention, and coordinated hospitalizations, collaborating closely with families, hospitals, and law enforcement to ensure timely care for individuals experiencing mental health crises. His experience in behavioral health further deepens his expertise in supporting vulnerable populations and addressing complex community needs.

His early career experience also includes work in K-12 education, where he taught Chemistry, Pre-AP Chemistry, Advanced Physics, and Integrated Physics & Chemistry. Additionally, he served as a Family Coordinator, directly supporting special education students and families through translation services, ARD meeting facilitation, and mental health advocacy. His contributions to social-emotional learning were recognized through a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Award during his tenure in secondary education.

Currently a doctoral candidate in P-20 Educational Leadership, Mr. Guillen's research interests include STEM education pathways, special education leadership, human development, grant program effectiveness, and the intersection of higher education and workforce development. His dissertation research employs quantitative approaches to assess the impact of STEM grant programs on student transfer and success outcomes, utilizing data from institutional, state, and federal education systems.

Mr. Guillen holds a Master of Science in Psychology, with extensive coursework in research methodology, cognitive psychology, and quantitative analysis, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Chemistry and English. As part of his undergraduate journey, he was a member of the university's Honors Program, founder and first president of the TACHE (Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education) student chapter at Laredo College and completed a thesis examining leadership inadequacies in the K-12 system for special education. His multidisciplinary training informs his holistic approach to research, leadership, and student success initiatives.

Through his work at the intersection of research, education, behavioral health, and public service, Mr. Guillen remains committed to advancing equitable access to education, supporting vulnerable populations, and developing innovative solutions for complex societal challenges.

Studying cognition, neuroscience, and inclusive education.

Crystal Vasquez is a dedicated researcher and graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology at Texas A&M International University. With a strong background in psychology and research methodology, she has developed expertise in psycholinguistics and bilingual thinking processes through her work in the Brain and Cognition laboratory.

Crystal's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in her Bachelor of Psychology degree from Texas A&M International University, where she actively sought opportunities to deepen her understanding of research methodology, data collection, and qualitative measurement tools. Her achievements include earning a spot on the Dean's List in Spring 2021 and the Honor Roll in Fall 2021.

Currently serving as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Center to Counter Human Trafficking (CCHT) at TAMIU, Crystal focuses on identifying gaps in human trafficking research, coding qualitative interviews, and assisting in integrating research findings into actionable insights. She works closely with TAMIU professors in aspects of healthcare and education, analyzing their input to refine training programs and improve methodologies. Previously, she held a Supplemental Instructor position at ARC TAMIU, where she tutored psychology students and assisted in course material review.

During the summer, she transitioned to a role supporting the Summer Research Bootcamp, mentoring students in research methodologies and encouraging interest in graduate-level studies. Additionally, she presented a qualitative research analysis on trauma-informed care for justice-involved individuals with severe mental illness during the Summer Research Bootcamp. Crystal's research interests span executive function in learning, human rights advocacy for minorities, and neurodiversity. She continues to contribute to academic discourse through research, analysis, and mentorship, aspiring to create meaningful change through psychology and advocacy.

Crystal's research interests span executive function in learning, human rights advocacy for minorities, and neurodiversity. She continues to contribute to academic discourse through research, analysis, and mentorship, aspiring to create meaningful change through psychology and advocacy.

Karla Garcia is a graduate student and researcher specializing in evolutionary psychology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M International University. Her research examines evolutionary psychology, social media consumption, body satisfaction, and anxiety levels following exposure to curated compared to body-positive images.

Karla began her research career as an undergraduate research assistant in the Evolutionary Visual Lab (EVIL) under the supervision of Dr. Ray Garza. She presented findings on the “visual perception of women’s breast morphology” in two conferences. At the 2023 Lamar Bruni Vergara Academic Conference, her team placed first in the undergraduate Social and Behavioral Sciences category. Participation in the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) conference further developed her presentation and networking abilities. Garcia has co-authored three publications with Dr. Garza and colleagues: “Female Choice: Handicap Hypothesis,” “Disgust,” and “Ecological harshness cues modulate food preferences and visual attention: An eye-tracking study.” Garcia’s laboratory experience has strengthened her expertise in psychological research methodology, including eye-tracking calibration, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. She is proficient in software such as Tobii Pro, Qualtrics, NVIVO, Microsoft Excel, and Jamovi, skills developed through both her laboratory work.

Garcia currently serves as a Graduate Writing Assistant for the Center to Counter Human Trafficking (CCHT) at Texas A&M International University. In this role, she contributes to editing and writing supplemental materials for articles and develops informational content for conferences aimed at healthcare professionals and educators to prevent human trafficking.