Michelle Martinez is a fifth-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UH and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and minors in Anthropology and Bioethics. Her research interests include: cultural neuropsychology, Alzheimer’s disease, biomarkers, and social determinants of health. More specifically, she is interested in taking an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on community engagement and research dissemination to help promote brain health in minoritized communities.

In her free time, Michelle likes to take care of her plants, collect vinyl records, and hang out with her family and her dog. She also enjoys watching horror movies, traveling, baseball, and listening to music.

Alexa S. Gonzalez is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UH and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior. Before coming to UH, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Miami’s ALS Center and then completed a Master of Science in Psychology at Villanova University. Currently, her research interests include cultural neuropsychology, early detection of memory decline in Hispanic/Latin American individuals, and neuroimaging. She has the goal of advocating for racially/ethnic diverse populations through assisting in the formulation and validation of culturally-sensitive neuropsychological assessments and aims to integrate factors of diversity and social justice into the field of clinical psychology.

In her free time, she enjoys learning about the food scene in Houston and taking walks around Hermann Park with her partner and her dog, Chewy. She also enjoys dancing, cooking, and adding her own twist to new cookie recipes.

Christopher A. Krause is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UH and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience. Before coming to UH, he worked concurrently as a psychometrist in the University of Chicago Medical Center’s Neuropsychology clinic, and as a research assistant at Rosalind Franklin University. During his undergraduate studies, Chris participated in the SROP at Northwestern University, which deeply contributed to his passion for work in service to ethnoracially diverse populations. His current research interests include cultural neuropsychology, community-engaged research, the cognitive effects of aging, and modifiable risk and protective factors (e.g., diet).

In his free time, Chris enjoys exploring new breweries and coffee shops, tending to his plants, running, and appreciating art in its many forms (e.g., museums, live music, theatre).

Kasey J. Escamilla is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UH and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Chinese. During her time at UT Austin, Kasey was a research assistant for the Mechanisms Underlying Neurocognitive Aging Lab. Her research interests include cultural neuropsychology and the intersection of culture, cognition, and aging. She is specifically interested in identifying risk and resilience factors for cognitive decline in Hispanics and Latin Americans (H/Ls). She hopes to conduct research that contributes to minimizing health disparities in brain health and improving neuropsychological assessment in culturally diverse populations. 

In her free time, Kasey enjoys tending to her houseplants, gaming, hanging out with her cat Dino, and reading fantasy novels.

Lilly Lakshmalla is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology. After graduating she aims to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology. Lilly’s research interests include traumatic brain injuries, memory deficits, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, reading novels, spending time in nature, and exploring cafes. 

Sarah Rizvi graduated from University of Houston with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Health. She was born and raised in Texas and is of Pakistani origin. Her interests include various research subjects including sleep, anxiety, personality, and cognition. She has also completed research in PURS, SURF, and a Senior Thesis under the guidance of Dr. Medina. In her free time, she loves to read novels, sing, and learn new instruments, watches numerous shows, and socializes. However, most of the time you will find her nose stuck in a book. She aims to pursue a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology. 

Santiago Sanchez Cabarcas is UH Class of 2027 and is majoring in Psychology. After graduating, he aims to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. He was born in Venezuela and moved to different countries before settling in the U.S. His interest in culture has grown ever since. During his first year at UH, he participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) with the Developmental Psychopathology Lab. He is enthusiastic to continue developing his research interests, more specifically looking at TBI, Stroke, Alzheimer’s and related dementia outcomes in racially/ethnically diverse populations. In his free time, he enjoys reading, exercising, staying active, and exploring different parts of Houston.

Mirna Luz Arroyo Miranda, JD, DrPH
Postdoctoral Scholar

Stephanie Torres, PhD
Doctoral Student

Devante Williams
2nd Lieutenant (2Lt)
Doctoral Student

Lauren Dulany
Undergraduate RA

Sharon John
Undergraduate RA

Janay Mayes
Post-Baccalaureate RA

Yenifer L. Morales Undergraduate RA

Alison Peters
Undergraduate RA

Karla Silos
Undergraduate RA