Welcome
I am a Latina social work researcher. My research focuses on identifying and addressing social, cultural, and structural factors that influence how Latines and other minoritized groups living with serious mental illness (SMI) experience mental health services. Collaborating with service users ensures that our efforts are not only meaningful but also reflective of the diverse needs and experiences within our community.
My parents migrated to the U.S. from Mexico City in 1983. I was born and raised in the Inland Empire of Southern California, learning Spanish as my first language and Mexican culture shaping my understanding of the world. I worked as a mental health professional for almost 10 years in Latinx communities and with individuals and families living with serious mental illness. These roots inform all of my work.