Meet The Team

Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernández

Directora

La Dra. Virmarie Correa-Fernández es Profesora en el Departamento de Ciencias Psicológicas, de la Salud y del Aprendizaje . Ella es Psicóloga Clínica, Especialista Certificada en Tratamiento de Tabaco y ha estado trabajando en el campo de la cesación del tabaco por más de 15 años. Su enfoque principal de investigación consiste en examinar:

Los determinantes psicosociales y moderadores (por ejemplo, autoeficacia, expectativas de resultados, apoyo social) de diferentes hitos del abandono del tabaquismo (por ejemplo, abstinencia inicial, cese a largo plazo, recuperación del lapso).
La eficacia de los tratamientos basados en la evidencia (EBT), en particular la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ACT), para la co-morbilidad de la dependencia del tabaco con otros problemas de salud conductual.
Las adaptaciones culturales y linguísticas de ACT para fumadores latinos con estas co-morbilidades. A través de su beca financiada por el "American Cancer Society's Mentored Research Scholar Grant (MRSG-15-018-01-CPPB"), la Dra. Correa-Fernández está adaptando una intervención telefónica ACT para que sea factible y aceptable para el tratamiento de la dependencia del tabaco y la depresión y ansiedad entre Latinx.

Las áreas secundarias, pero complementarias, de interés de investigación incluyen la investigación traslacional (por ejemplo, la implementación de EBT para la dependencia del tabaco en entornos de atención de salud mental, la creación de capacidad para profesionales de la salud), la comprensión y la promoción de participación en la investigación de salud conductual y las intervenciones psicosociales, y la investigación participativa basada en la comunidad.

La Dra. Correa-Fernández es una amante del café, y en su tiempo libre le gusta trotar, leer, viajar y pasar tiempo con amigos y familia, incluyendo visitar su ciudad natal, Puerto Rico.

Luane es una estudiante de primer año de doctorado en el programa de Psicología y Consejería bajo el asesoramiento de la Dra. Correa-Fernandez. Originaria de Brasil, recibió su Licenciatura y Maestría en Psicología en la Universidad Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Se unió a LABHRT este otoño de 2020 a la misma ves que comenzó sus estudios doctorales. Luane a estado trabajando con múltiples tipos de asesoramiento tales como intervenciones basadas en la atención plena, y evaluación de rasgo de atención plena. También, ella a estudiado con otros tipos de asesoramiento que miden el efecto relacionado con diferentes tratamientos para dejar de fumar. Adicionalmente, ella es una terapeuta cognitiva contactual certificada (CBT) en Brasil y a trabajado con clientes por más de dos años. Sus metas consisten en ser maestra, continuar investigando sobre el tabaco. Sus pasatiempos preferidos incluyen en hacer ejercicio, meditar, ver series en televisión, cocinar saludable e ir al cine.

Luane Araújo Rabello, M.S.

Doctoral Student

Wilmer is a fourth-year graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program. He graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake with a master’s in clinical psychology.  Wilmer is interested in researching the interactions between the environment and personality and their effects on individuals’ susceptibility to tobacco and other substance use. In addition, he seeks to identify if different individuals respond to prevention campaigns and interventions differently based on personality and environmental interactions. He is also interested in the health disparities, particularly interactions between medical providers and patients that may lead to negative interactions. Other interests include learning about the influence of personality in the development of resiliency and the decision-making process.  Other hobbies include spending time with family, online gaming, and martial arts.

Wilmer Lugo, M.A.

Doctoral Student

Corissa is a fourth-year graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program. She graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.  She is interested in exploring how the dynamics of an individual’s relationships impact the outcome of treatment for substance use disorders in Hispanic/Latinx populations and the role of dyadic interventions in decreasing addiction lapses. Secondary interests include exploring the implementation of community practices as an aim towards increasing participation in health-focused research within historically marginalized populations, understanding risks that contribute to cannabis use specifically within second and third generation Hispanics, and examining intergenerational strengths and stressors. When outside the classroom, she enjoys discovering new music, running, and collecting more shoes than she should.

Corissa Barrow M.A

Doctoral Student

Victor Vergara is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Houston. Under the mentorship of Dr. Correa-Fernandez, his research is centered on employing scientific methods to uncover disparities within the Latino community. Additionally, he is intrigued by the intersection of counseling psychology and neuropsychology, particularly in relation to active military personnel and veterans. He is keen to explore how neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive health assessments can inform and enhance counseling interventions, to support their mental well-being and optimal functioning. His academic journey includes an undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University and a Master's in Health Psychology from Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is passionate about sports, maintaining an active lifestyle, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Victor Vergara M.S.

Doctoral Student

Isabelle is a first-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Houston in 2022. Her research interests include understanding substance use-related disparities among Hispanic/Latinx individuals through a socioecological lens, community-based participatory research methods, and culturally sensitive interventions. Prior to starting graduate school, Isabelle worked as a research assistant at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, researching military sexual trauma and food insecurity. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her loved ones.

Isabelle Parra-Valencia

Doctoral Student

Madeline is a first-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at Portland State University and her M.Ed. in Prevention Science at the University of Oregon. She is interested in research regarding coping skills (including maladaptive ones), trauma, and mental health literacy within the Latine community. Prior to attending the University of Houston, Madeline worked as a crisis screener where she supported people who were navigating crises and traumatic events. To recharge, Madeline enjoys spending time with loved ones, exercising, painting, reading, listening to podcasts and re-watching shows.

Madeline Amezcua Montano,

Doctoral Student

Gerardo Fajardo is an post-baccalaureate student at the University of Houston. He graduated in December 2021. He is majored in Health with a focus on Health Promotion and a minor in Psychology. Gerardo has an interest in mental health and how people are developing different types of mental disorders and what are different ways that can help them cope with their mental health disorders. His hobbies include spending time with his family like playing Mario kart or Mario party.

Gerardo Fajardo, B.S.

Research Assistant

Jaime graduated from the Tecnológico de Monterrey University in México, with his degree in Clinical and Health Psychology. He came to LABHRT as a full-time intern for an international experience in his career. He chose it because of his interest in Tobacco addictions, looking to broaden his knowledge on how to assist people who smoke and giving them support on how to quit. Jaime has plans to specialize in clinical practice with elderly populations, hoping to get a Masters degree in ACT. He likes to read, write, fold origami, play the piano, cook, eat, sleep, and more. One fun fact that you may not know about him is that he has played in seventeen different concerts as a School of Rock band member.

Jaime Luis Cantu Gonzalez

Collaborator

Sevi is a Senior at the University of Houston pursuing her Bachelor's of Science in Health, with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Data Science. She is intrigued by the importance of data and statistics in healthcare and their role in improving population health outcomes. Sevi is an aspiring Public Health Data Analyst with the goal of assisting and designing effective interventions by collecting and analyzing statistical data and information. She joined LABHRT to gain practical experience with data management and expand her knowledge on health planning, intervention, and evaluation methods to better identify trends and behavioral patterns linked to poor health outcomes in target populations. In her free time, she loves to travel, is passionate about attending and volunteering at church, and considers herself a fashion enthusiast.

Sevi Kuton

Undergraduate Research Intern