Human Development and Family Sciences

Alexis Ambroise portrait

Cohort: 2021

Advisor(s):

Ann Aviles

Specialization(s):

Mental Illness, Social Determinants of Health

Research Interest(s)

Advocacy, Family Dynamics, Mental Health and Illness, Social Determinants of Health

Alexis Ambroise

Alexis Ambroise is a Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant in the Human Development & Family Science graduate program at the University of Delaware. She specializes in population health science, social determinants of health, and mental health in individuals and families using secondary data analysis. Her current research interests include social determinants of mental health in Caribbean families – especially regarding how social support may be associated with mental health outcomes. Alexis is currently working as a research assistant with Dr. Ann Aviles on advocacy projects by examining policies, services and programs affecting educational access, equitable funding, and anti-racist systems and practices with and for students and families of color experiencing homelessness/poverty, incarceration, and mental health issues. 

Alexis has professional and clinical experience in mental health care and treatment, as well as in vocational and care management for adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Alexis received her M.S. degree in Organizational Leadership from the City University of New York – Lehman College, her M.S. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Molloy University, and her B.A. degree in Human Development from Hellenic College. 

Presentations

  • Farmer, H.R., & Ambroise, A. Z. (2023). Purpose in Life, Discrimination, and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2023 Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL.
  • Ambroise, A. Z. (2023). Family Support and Mental Health in Afro-Caribbean Adolescents. Poster presented at the Society for the Study of Human Development (SSHD) 2023 Biennial Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Ambroise, A. Z., & Farmer, H. R. (2023). Family Support and Mental Health in Afro-Caribbean Adolescents. Symposium presented at the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Farmer, H. R. & Ambroise, A. Z. (2023). Exploring the Association Between Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. Poster presented at Scientista Poster Day, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
  • Farmer, H. R. & Ambroise, A. Z. (2023). Exploring the Association Between Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. Poster presented at Delaware Day, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
  • Farmer, H. R., Thierry, A. D., Armendariz, M., Ambroise, A. Z., & Kirven, S. J. (2022). Exploring the Association Between Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. Paper presented at the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science (IAPHS) 2022 Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
  • Ambroise, A. Z., & Farmer, H. R. (2023). Family Support and Mental Health in Afro-Caribbean Adolescents. Symposium presented at the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Ambroise, A. Z., & Farmer, H. R. (2023). Family Support and Mental Health in Afro-Caribbean Adolescents. Poster presented at Delaware Day, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
  • Farmer, H. R., Thierry, A. D., Armendariz, M., Ambroise, A. Z., & Kirven, S. J. (2022). Exploring The Association Between Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. Symposium presented at the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science (IAPHS) 2022 Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.

Manuscripts in Progress

  • Ambroise, A. Z., Aviles, A. M., Farmer, H. R., & Gordon, M. S. (2023). Family Support and Mental Health in Afro-Caribbean Adolescents.
  • Ambroise, A. Z. & Farmer, H. R. (2023). Perceived Social Support and Cognitive Functioning in Older Black Adults.
  • Farmer, H.R., Stokes, J., Ambroise, A. Z., & Earnshaw, V. A. (2023). Perceived Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults: The Role of Purpose in Life
  • Farmer, H. R., Ambroise, A. Z., Thierry, A. D., Armendariz, M., & Kirven, S. J. (2023). An Investigation into the Role of Attributions of Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults.
  • Farmer, H. R., Ambroise, A. Z., & Thierry, A.D. (2023). The Moderating Role of Purpose in Life in the Relationship Between Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning.
  • Farmer, H. R., Thierry, A. D., Armendariz, M., Ambroise, A. Z., & Kirven, S. J. (2023). Exploring the Association Between Discrimination and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults.

Honors and Awards

  • Summer Mentoring Program – Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, 2023
  • Lynn Okagaki Graduate Tuition Award, Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Delaware, 2023
  • Travel Award – Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Delaware, 2023
  • Travel Award – Graduate College, University of Delaware, 2022
  • Barbara Halliday Settles Scholarship – Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Delaware, 2022
  • Doctoral Tuition Award – Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, University of Delaware, 2021

Professional Experience

  • Graduate Research Assistant – University of Delaware, 2021-Present
  • Secretary of HDFS Graduate Association – University of Delaware, 2022-2023
  • Care Manager and QIDP – Advance Care Alliance of New York, 2019-2021
  • Employment Training Specialist – AHRC Nassau Workforce, 2018-2019
  • Employment First/Discovery Specialist – AHRC Nassau Workforce, 2016-2018

Professional Memberships

  • Society for the Study of Human Development
  • Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science
  • American Mental Health Counselors Association
  • American Counselors Association

Past Education

  • M.S. in Organizational Leadership – Lehman College, City University of New York, 2021
  • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Molloy University, 2019
  • B.A. in Human Development – Hellenic College/Holy Cross, 2016