People

Dr. Elizabeth Muñoz’s research activities center on identifying early and modifiable predictors of adult cognitive health outcomes with a focus on addressing racial-ethnic inequities. Her three active lines of investigation include: 1) the links and mechanisms between psychological, social, and environmental stress on cognitive functioning across the lifespan; 2) examinations of salient sources of stress and their links with cognitive function among Latinx adults; 3) applying a within population lens to evaluate associations between social and ethnicity-related sources of stress on cognitive function in Mexican-origin adults. She employs a variety of research designs to address her research questions, including longitudinal studies across years of assessments, ecological momentary assessments, and an integration of both (e.g., measurement-burst designs).

Jean Choi is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development and Family Sciences Department at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include investigating environmental and contextual factors and health outcomes across the lifespan. She aims to examine the roles of social support and family relationships to better understand the different processes underlying individuals’ daily environments and well-being. Ultimately, she hopes to identify sensitive periods for intervention to promote well-adjusted life transitions and healthy aging.

Jordana Breton is a third-year doctoral student studying Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin (UTA). She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and worked at the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) before attending UTA. She is interested in examining the role that socioeconomic inequalities contribute to cognitive and brain aging via stress-related diseases such as depression and cardiometabolic diseases. She hopes to create valuable research and tools geared towards minimizing cognitive health disparities in underserved/underprivileged communities. 

Nicole Richards is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development and Family Sciences program at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her undergraduate in Psychology and Sociology at Arizona State University. Her research interests include older adult relationships, health, and strengths in the aging process.

Lourdes Romañach is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development and Family Sciences program at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Her research seeks to elucidate how social and psychological factors impact health across the lifespan, particularly among Latinx older adults.

Hyun Moon is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development and Family Sciences program at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Cultural, Social, and Personality Psychology at Korea University in South Korea. She investigates subjective aging, along with its antecedents and consequences, and how the interaction between subjective aging and various contextual factors influences health and well-being in later life.

Zoraida (Zoe) Garcia received her B.S.A in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin in May 2023. Zoe’s primary research interests include cultural neuropsychology, SuperAgers, and the impact of various physical/mental disorders on cognition and neurodegenerative diseases. Her population of interest is Texas Latinx middle and late adults. Zoe hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and to become a neuropsychologist. 

Asma Maredia is a 4th year HAHDFS major. Her senior thesis aims to address whether race/ethnicities moderate the effects of stress on thyroid function. After graduation, Asma will spend her gap year in her hometown before applying to medical school. Outside of school, Asma enjoys doing mat pilates or exercising at the gym and keeping up with her favorite Netflix shows.

Harshini Thanga Raj Malini is a second-year student pursuing a B.S.A in Biology (cellular and molecular) while minoring in business. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school. This will be her third year in the CHART lab, and she plans to continue researching the impact of environmental and cultural factors on stress. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her friends, working out, watching early-2000s rom-coms, and listening to the hundreds of Spotify playlists she makes. 

Isabelle Vivas is a fourth-year Honors in Advanced student, pursuing a major in HDFS and a minor in Kinesiology and Health Education. Her senior thesis looks at the effects of time spent living in the United States and acculturation on cardiovascular health in Mexican Americans. Outside of school, she loves to cook, crochet, and watch anything related to Harry Potter, Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars.

Bella Fayad is a fourth-year pre-medical student majoring in HAHDFS. Her thesis focuses on how hippocampal volume is associated with educational attainment among Hispanic populations. In her free time, she loves to run, bake, and read mystery books. 

Catherine (Katie) Sherk received their B.A. in Psychology in December at the University of Texas at Austin in December 2023. Catherine’s research interests include studying social and environmental factors that impact health across the lifespan and the role various physical diseases/disabilities have on cognition. Additionally, they are interested in how early stress and trauma impact health outcomes over the lifespan. Catherine hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and to become a neuropsychologist. During their free time, they enjoy spending time with their cat, learning new skills (like crochet), going to the library, and spending time with their friends and boyfriend.

Paula Meissner is a second-year pre-medical student majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. Her research interests include ways to prevent the decline of mental cognition and improve daily cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan. Outside of school, she loves to run, swim, and spend time with her friends and family! 

Georgia OBrien received her B.S. in Human Development from the University of Texas at Austin in May and is continuing coursework for a  B.S. in Neuroscience. She is fascinated by the social and biological impact stress can have on cognition, specifically on the development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Post-grad, Georgia hopes to attend medical school and pursue a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry specialty. When she’s not on campus, Georgia enjoys exploring Austin’s food and music scenes, thrifting, and spending time with her friends, family, and 4-year-old Australian Shephard.