Dr. Luis D. Medina is a bilingual and bicultural, licensed clinical psychologist and cultural neuropsychologist. He received his B.A. in psychology from Yale University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology / neuropsychology from the San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Medina completed his clinical predoctoral internship at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center (geropsychology track) followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in adult clinical neuropsychology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. As a member of the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center, he carried out postdoctoral research in cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disease.

Dr. Medina is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Houston, where he directs the Collaborative on Aging Research and Multicultural Assessment (CARMA). He is also the director of the NIH-funded Engaging Communities of Hispanics/Latinos for Aging Research (ECHAR) Network, a multi-site collaborative effort to address the limited diversity in aging research samples. His research examines the cultural neuroscience of cognitive aging, particularly in the context of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), as well as the clinical assessment and diagnosis of ADRD in underrepresented populations.

Francesca Turner is the lab coordinator within the CARMA Lab at the University of Houston. She received her B.A in psychology and English in the College of Liberal Arts from Texas State University and her M.S. in Applied Psychology from Northeastern University. During her time at Northeastern, Francesca was a research assistant for the Sibling Research Group. Her research interests include social, cultural, and gender determinants of health and resilience. Francesca's professional background includes time working with those struggling with eating disorders, connective tissue disorders, and teaching in both middle school and high school. She has the goal of working within communities to bolster disadvantaged voices and provide accessible counseling to those who need it.

In her free time, Francesca enjoys tending to her plants, dancing,  and going to renaissance festivals.

Elizabeth Laval earned her degree in Biochemical/Biophysical sciences with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Houston. She has five years of experience in next-generation sequencing (NGS). With a passion for chemistry, she trained in Paris at prestigious institutions such as Ducasse, Lenôtre, and Ladurée, specializing in pastries and chocolate techniques. She later competed in Europe alongside Michelin-starred pastry chefs and won "Best Macaron" in Houston in 2013.

Elizabeth's professional background extends beyond pastry arts, with experience in business administration across hospitality, law, oil & gas manufacturing, and medical industries. She is passionate about blending science and artistry in her work.
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys exploring new culinary techniques, indulging in fine dining, traveling, and engaging in creative projects.

Michelle Martinez is a sixth-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UH and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. She is currently completing her predoctoral internship at the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 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-Orion is a fourth-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 investigating modifiable risk factors for early detection of cognitive decline in Hispanic/Latin American individuals. 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 checking out new restaurants 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 third-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 second-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.

Edwin Duran is a first-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at UH and belongs to the Neuropsychology concentration. He graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior. After graduating, he worked as a research associate at UCI MIND. His current research interests include biomarkers and disclosure, the role of acculturation, and community engaged research.

In his free time, he enjoys exploring new food spots in Houston, working out, and listening to music.

Santiago Sanchez Cabarcas is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology & Public Health. After graduating, he aims to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. In his life, he has lived in five continents, which has helped him understand the value of different perspectives, ideas, and education. He is enthusiastic to continue developing his research interests, more specifically looking at cognitive and functional outcomes in racially/ethnically diverse populations across vascular risk factors and brain injuries as well as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. 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

Andrea Arratia Undergraduate RA

Lilly Lakshmalla
Undergraduate RA

Sarah Rizvi
Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate RA

Karla Silos
Undergraduate RA