Hello! I’m Nilmarie (Nil for short) and I use they/she pronouns. I’m a First-gen, eldest daughter of 5 siblings, Mexican-Honduran-American studying Communication Design Major and CompSci Minor at Texas State University. I participated in an early college program in high school that made it possible for me to earn an Associates Degree in General Studies from ACC, a Certification in Engineering Technology and my high school diploma in ‘21/’22 and (hopefully) graduate from TXST in 2025 instead of ‘26. I interviewed the JUNTOS Lab’s Project Coordinator (Isabella Hernandez) and created a booklet about her experience with the program as part of a final project for my Fall Semester at TXST. Amazingly, it led to me getting the opportunity to work with the Lab as an RA specializing in Graphic/Website Design 🙂 I’m ever grateful to be a part of this lab and the values it upholds. I know I'm lucky to be able to say I’m working on something I care about and is impactful so early on in my career as a designer, thank you JUNTOS!

Hi! My name is Micaela, and I am a Public Health major in the Class of 2025 at UT Austin! Apart from my degree, I am also working towards earning a certificate in Spanish for Health Care Professions and Business Spanish. I'm from a small town about an hour north of Dallas called Denison, Texas. As a first generation Mexican American and college student, I value the importance of helping the Latinx/Hispanic community since there were a lack of resources while I was growing up, so I am beyond excited to be a part of JUNTOS. Additionally, during my downtime, I enjoy working out, going on long runs, doing puzzles, cooking, and live music!

Hello! My name is Madison and I am a third-year double majoring in Race, Indigeneity, and Migration and Mexican American Studies. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I have always been passionate about serving undeserved communities and with this, I hope to pursue a career in human rights and social justice. In my free time I love lifting, running, finding new music and being with my cats.

Hi! My name is Natalia Pastor Navarro. I'm a Human Development and Family Science major, graduating in 2027. I was born in Mexico City but immigrated to the U.S. at a young age. As an immigrant myself, I've witnessed the challenges many members of the Latinx community face, which is why I'm dedicated to participating in JUNTOS. Though I've spent most of my life in Dallas, Texas, I've been loving my time in Austin! My aspiration is to become a Pediatric Dermatologist after attending medical school, with a focus on serving underrepresented communities like the Latinx community.'

Hello! I’m Joana Ruiz-Escobar, a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Texas. Born and raised in Austin, I am proud to be a first-generation Mexican-American. As an Austinite, I am deeply committed to working within my community. I am excited to contribute to the JUNTOS Lab’s mission and to learn more about addressing and alleviating the cultural stressors that Latinx/Hispanic youth and families face. Outside of school, I enjoy going on long walks with my two dogs, reading, and going thrift shopping!

Hi, I'm Sara! I'm a psychology honors major with a minor in sociology. As an immigrant, I’ve always been interested in how social factors shape cognitive and mental health outcomes, especially in youth and families. I love research because it helps us understand these complex influences and develop interventions that make a real difference. I'm planning to pursue a PhD in psychology to study how structural and social factors impact development and find ways to support communities. Outside of research, I enjoy working out, arts and crafts, and reading.

Hello everyone! I'm Emaan Haq and I'm a Public Health major at UT Austin. I have a keen interest in maternal and child health and, through my past work experience, have seen how essential early interventions are in shaping lifelong health outcomes. At UT, I’m involved with Alpha Phi Sigma, am the outreach director for the American Muslim Women Physician's Association, and recently published a review article through Texas Triple Helix on diabetes prevalence and socioeconomic disparities in Hispanic communities in Austin. This experience deepened my understanding of how systemic issues like discrimination shape health outcomes and sparked my desire to focus on health disparities in Latinx populations. I'm excited to work with Project JUNTOS to further my understanding of how stressors affect the well-being of those that are marginalized, as well as just contribute to the amazing work being done through the lab. Outside of academics, I love to travel, try new recipes, play tennis, and watch psychological thrillers!

Hi! My name is Ruby Gonzalez-Sanchez, I am a third-year student at the UT Austin, majoring in Psychology B.A. and minoring in educational psychology, as well as obtaining a Children & Society BDP certificate focusing on intervention and vulnerable children. I am from McAllen, TX, and being Hispanic myself, I am very excited to be working as an RA for this lab! I’m interested in pursuing a career in clinical child psychology, particularly focusing on the development/implementation of interventions that support children’s emotional and behavioral well-being. I am passionate about working with children and families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to help increase access to mental health resources and reduce disparities in care. In my free time, you can find me reading or thrifting. I’m looking forward to being a part of the JUNTOS lab and continuing to learn about how we can support Latinx/Hispanic students and families!

Hi all! My name is Fatima, and I am a third-year Psychology major here at UT who is super excited to be a part of this lab! I am particularly excited to be a part of this lab because, being Hispanic myself, I understand the disparities and difficulties that members of the Latinx community often encounter. The opportunity to contribute to research that can make a tangible difference in our community is amazing. A little about me is that I love reading (mostly non-fiction books), painting, and watching all different kinds of movies. I love to go on runs, especially with my two dogs, and I enjoy pretty much anything outdoors. Also, I am looking forward to working and learning with everyone!

Hello all! My name's Gaby and a current Junior at UT Austin studying BS in Psychology. I'm originally from San Antonio but have been calling Austin my home for the past 7 years. I'm so exited to be apart of the JUNTOS lab as I get to honor my Mexican heritage while also pursing science. The opportunity to be around so many likeminded people who genuinely want to see the Latin American community thrive is a blessing in itself. Some of my hobbies outside of school are hiking around the country and discovering new coffee/tea spots wherever I go!

Hi! My name is Prishaa Raja and I am a Health and Society major on a pre-med track, class of '26! I am an aspiring medical student with a passion for improving community health, and I am currently planning to pursue a Master's in Public Health before applying to medical school. My other interests include singing, dancing, working out, and cooking. I am very excited to join this research experience and contribute to the team!