By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
CSU Stanislaus professor studies gangs
Placeholder Image

Hung Gao, a criminology professor at California State University Stanislaus, is beginning research on juvenile gang activity in the Central Valley.

It’s a shift for Gao, who spent seven years studying drug use among women in China, but local gang activity is a good topic for research, Gao said. Currently, very little research exists on gangs in the Central Valley, despite the location’s importance in drug trafficking.

"I hope my research on gangs in the Central Valley will help guide future anti-gang initiatives in the region," Gao said. "This is a major issue for our area and the nation, and one that will require serious thought and study if we are going to address it in a meaningful way."

Gao will interview justice agencies to learn more about gang members’ backgrounds, risk factors, territories, arrests and convictions. The Stanislaus County Probation Department is on board to help coordinate the study.

Four undergraduate research assistants will also help, using fluent Spanish to help gain the trust of Hispanic gang members.

Stanislaus State ranked among nation’s best colleges
CSUS
Stanislaus State’s Academic Senate voted in favor of a bill that would require students enrolled in all 23 California State University campuses to take one 3-credit unit of any qualifying Ethnic Studies course before they graduate (Journal file photo).
The Princeton Review has named Stanislaus State one of the nation’s Best Value Colleges for 2025, recognizing the University for offering one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) in higher education.
Keep reading for free
Enter your email address to continue reading.