Professor Fernando is associate professor of Human Development at Cal State San Marcos and is founder of the National Latino Research Center. He received his bachelors degree in psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and his masters and doctoral degrees in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a leading researcher in youth and school violence. His work has been highlighted by the American Psychological Association, featured in a CBS documentary on school violence, and presented at the National Summit on Violence in Denver. He was one of six national experts selected to contribute to a special segment of MTVs True Life series on youth violence and suicide, and to a prevention brochure that was offered to young viewers who called a toll-free number following the segment. He has been professor of psychology and education at Stanford University, where he received two consecutive distinguished faculty awards for his teaching and research. In 2003 he was named among the 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine. His current research focuses on youth identity and culture in youth violence.