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Juan Peña, Ph.D. is the principal investigator and mentor for the Multicultural, Health, Equity & Advocacy Lab (M-HEAL) at San José State University.
Current students
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 fourth-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.
Erika Bruciaga (she/her) is a first-year M.A. student in the Research and Experimental Psychology (REx) Program. As a first-generation Latina, she is passionate about mentoring undergraduate students and is focused on reducing mental-health disparities for underserved communities. In the lab, she supports other first-generation students’ pathways to higher education and applies her knowledge to expanding access to mental health resources within Dr. Peña’s research. Outside of school, Erika enjoys weightlifting, spending time with her German Shepherd, and supporting her students as a Behavior Technician.
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