Lab members

Undergraduate Students 

Rebecca Escobar (she/her) is a fourth-year psychology undergrad at SJSU. A large part of her identity is being a first-generation Latinx student, so this lab addresses many of the issues that concern her and her community. She views this as an opportunity to gain invaluable experience and insight into research concerning multicultural psychological and health disparities which she hopes will positively impact them. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to music events, working out, and spending time with her cat!

Aileen Ortiz (she/her) is a third-year psychology undergraduate student at SJSU, passionate about addressing health disparities in underrepresented communities. Drawing from her experience as a first-generation Mexican-American, Aileen brings valuable perspective on multicultural issues to Dr. Peña's research team. She views this research lab as a way to implement her knowledge regarding minority groups with the research that Dr. Peña will conduct regarding underrepresented communities and health disparities. Outside the lab, Aileen is an avid weightlifter, enjoys exploring Bay Area hiking trails, and enjoys spending time with her friends.

Mosa Stephanie Rojas (she/her) is a third-year Psychology undergraduate at San José State University. As a first-generation Mexican American, she is passionate about representing her culture and community through higher education. Her involvement with the Multicultural, Health, Equity & Advocacy Lab (M-HEAL) allows her to deepen her understanding of diverse cultural experiences and contribute to research that promotes equity and inclusion for underrepresented communities. Outside of academia, Mosa enjoys expressing her creativity through makeup, listening to Kali Uchis, and building connections with new people.