JUNTOS Team Members Elma Lorenzo-BlancoPrincipal Investigator Lorenzo-Blanco’s research investigates how issues related to culture, ethnicity, gender, family, and media come together to influence the health and well-being of Latina/o youth and families in the U.S. and Latin American countries. One of Lorenzo-Blanco's longterm goals is to translate her research into social-justice oriented preventive interventions. She is currently working with working with community stakeholders in Austin schools to develop culturally-senstive and developmentally-appropriate preventive interventions for Latina/o youth and families.Kimberly HenriquezGraduate StudentMy name is Kimberly (Kim) Henriquez and I am a first-year graduate student. I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2017 where I majored in Psychology and minored in Anthropology. My time as an undergraduate student solidified my research interests around understanding how cultural factors influence developmental psychopathology within Latinx adolescents and how these findings may be used to shape and disseminate culturally-sensitive evidence-based interventions. Thus, joining the JUNTOS lab and being able to work with Dr. Lorenzo-Blanco was a perfect fit. During my free time, I love to play online games with friends, watch fantasy movies, and explore places to eat.Karla DesatnikProject CoordinatorHello, my name is Karla (she/her)! I’m a recent graduate of UT Austin with a B.S. in Psychology and certificate from the Bridging Disciplines Program in Children and Society; I was also part of the Liberal Arts Honors program. I’ve always had an interest in how societal factors influence personal experiences, especially when it comes to children and youth, as well as shaping educational services to really serve students and meet their individual needs. During my time at UT, I served as a Project Coordinator for Dr. Su Yeong Kim’s Project SEED, a Teaching Assistant for Reacting to the Past, and worked with organizations such as Girlstart and Students Expanding Austin Literacy (SEAL) to support the educational experiences of Austin-area youth. I also took part in the Archer Fellowship Program and interned with Congressman Joaquin Castro in Washington, D.C., which aligned very well with my interest in policy and was a wonderful experience in the country’s capital. I was so excited to return to Austin after graduation, and the JUNTOS Lab was a great fit to combine my interests and passions! I love to travel, explore new outdoor places, cook and try new foods, listen to music, and (re)discover new and old cinema.Lin TranGraduate StudentHello! My name is Lin Tran (she/her) and I am a recent graduate of Texas State University with a M.A. in Psychological Research. My research interests primarily focus on sociocultural factors (intergenerational conflict, bicultural identity integration, individualism/collectivism), mental health, and alcohol use within Hispanic/Latinx and Asian American populations. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the field and improve access to mental health resources for members of racial and ethnic minority groups, thus I am beyond excited to be a member of JUNTOS lab! When I am not doing research, you'll find me trying new food spots, creating TikTok/YouTube videos, and traveling!Sadaf RizviGraduate StudentHello! My name is Sadaf Rizvi (she/her), and I am a graduate student in the JUNTOS lab, working with Dr. Lorenzo-Blanco starting Fall 2024. I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2017 with a degree in Anthropology and completed my Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology from San Francisco State University in 2024. My research interests focus on exploring psychological distress among minority adolescents and young adults, with a special interest in understanding the impact of socioeconomic and educational inequities within Latinx populations. I am also passionate about examining how acculturation affects psychopathology and identifying protective factors. Outside of research, I enjoy reading memoirs, healthcare/medical non-fiction, and fantasy books. I also enjoy spending my summers paddle boarding in Lake Tahoe and hiking whenever I get the chance!Ilene CruzGraduate StudentHello! My name is Ilene Cruz (she/her/ella), and I am a first-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development and Family Sciences program. I earned my bachelor’s in psychology, with a minor in child and adolescent development, and my master’s in psychological science from California State University, Northridge. My research explores how structural and institutional inequities impact the academic achievement and psychological well-being of Latine adolescents through an ecological and critical race lens. In tandem, I explore asset-based factors that promote empowerment and amplify resistance among Latine adolescents. I intend to apply this research to design and inform social justice-oriented intervention and educational programs that will better serve Latine students and their communities. During my downtime, I enjoy baking, going to concerts, exploring different cuisines, and going on road trips with my partner and dog! Research Assistants We are so grateful for all of our current and past research assistants! See below to learn a little bit more about them. Nil Gonzalez-UgarteResearch AssistantHello! 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! (It’s already smo much fun).Faroha KhanMy name is Faroha Khan (she/her/ella). I am currently a UT undergrad majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Educational Psychology, and I am very excited to be part of the JUNTOS team! I am originally from Houston. I am a first-generation college student. As a result, I am extremely interested in topics related to mental health and resources for first-generation students. Additional research areas that fascinate me are developmental and educational psychology. My future career goals include research, healthcare, and academia. I hope to contribute and learn a lot as part of the team. In my free time, I love reading, listening to music, and learning new languages.Micaela MacedoResearch AssistantHi! 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!Fatima Ruiz LuaResearch AssistantHi 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!Madison WrightResearch AssistantHello! 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.Natalia Pastor NavarroResearch AssistanHi! 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.'Gaby AlvaradoResearch AssistantHello 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!Prishaa RajaResearch AssistantHi! 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!Samantha SimpsonResearch Assistant Hi! I’m Samantha and I am a public health major, health communications minor in the class of 2026. I’m from Houston, TX and I have a strong passion for addressing health inequalities, especially within the Hispanic/Latinx community. I am on the pre-med track and I hope to one day create an impact on these issues and work towards improving healthcare access. I also work at Sanger Learning Center as a chemistry tutor. In my free time, I enjoy reading, volunteering, and going on hikes!Joana Ruiz-EscobarResearch AssistantHello! 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!Sofia AbelloResearch AssistantHi! My name is Sofia. I am a Colombian International Student at UT, majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Business and Communication Studies. I come from a country full of ethnic and cultural diversity, which has helped me develop my emotional intelligence and fueled my desire to help others in various ways. My greatest goal is to dedicate my life to improving people's lifestyles and well-being. I love music, playing sports, and watch TV, but most of all, I love my culture and I am excited to work and share my experiences with Latinx/Hispanic communities through the JUNTOS project.Emaan HaqResearch AssistantHello 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!Clara Couto NicolauResearch AssistantHey Y’all! My name is Clara and I am an International student from Brazil. I am studying International Relations & Global Studies in the Class of 2028! My own transition from Brazil into the American context and my passion for connecting with people from different cultures drew me to be a part of the Lab. I am very passionate about education and am part of the AIESEC chapter in Austin, focusing on finding internship/education opportunities for international students and BRASA, the Brazilian Student Association at UT. I am a big foodie who loves outside activities, game days at UT, and playing sports!Sara OzevinResearch AssistantHi, 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.Miranda NavaResearch AssistantHello! I'm Miranda Nava, and I am a junior Psychology student from Fort-Worth, Texas. I am also minoring in Mexican American and Latina/o Studies and Health Care Reform and Innovation, with a certificate in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. I plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Multiculturalism within psychotherapy and culturally sensitive/competent care. My passion for research and community outreach has led me to JUNTOS to help gather more knowledge on preventative interventions. I have also worked in other research; Co-lead for the Daily Surveys Team for Project SEED and as a volunteer for LEAPS. I enjoy embroidering, baking/cooking, and making digital artwork! Graduates and Past RAs We also want to thank all of the JUNTOS RAs who have graduate from UT to pursue their career paths. To learn more about their experience in the lab, click here! Emily NeuschaeferGraduated Research Assistant Beatrice TorresGraduated Research AssistantAndrea MartinezGraduated Lead Research AssistantJasmin GuerreroGraduated Research AssistantChantal ValdiviaGraduated Research Assistant Desiree OrtegaGraduated Research AssistantKiki CanalesGraduated Research AssistantLisbet CaballeroGraduated Research AssistantNuha HossainGraduated Research AssistantMiguel NavaretteGraduated Research AssistantAriana RamosGraduated Research AssistantItzel GonzalezFormer Research AssistantAlyssa CarrascoGraduated Research AssistantJulieta JimenezGraduated Research AssistantIsabel SerraldeGraduated Research AssistantJose GomezGraduated Research AssistantJennifer SolisFormer Research AssistantMaría Paula Yávar CalderónGraduated Research AssistantFernanda CalderónGraduated Research AssistantVianey MoralesGraduated Research AssistantTara PorrasGraduated Research AssistantLauren FontenotGraduated Research AssistantXiomara RiosGraduated Research AssistantBenita ThomasGraduated Research AssistantCindy Vega AguilarGraduated Research AssistantSabrina ReyesGraduated Research AssistantJennifer Acuna MenesesGraduated Research AssistantRoman GarzaGraduated Research Assistant