Meet the Team

The Team

Since starting in 2014, we have had over 100 students join us in helping to achieve our mission of addressing the health and social needs of marginalized communities.

Luz Garcini, PhD, MPH

Dr. Garcini’s research, community, advocacy and policy work focuses on identifying, understanding, and addressing the health needs of historically marginalized communities from a biobehavioral and sociocultural perspective. Using a socioecological approach and a social determinants of health lens, Dr. Garcini’s interdisciplinary research is aimed at informing population health by identifying mechanisms of risk and resilience in the face of social disadvantage and life adversity. In using community-engaged science, biomarkers in the field, and a wide range of epidemiological and mixed-methodologies to the study of historically marginalized populations, Dr. Garcini’s goal is to contribute to health equity by increasing inclusivity and diversity in science…

Ling DeBellis

Ling DeBellis is a PhD student in Health Psychology at Rice University, studying grief & bereavement in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and how using art as medicine can better people’s minds, health, and lives. Ling has expertise in complex biological and environmental modeling and applying multimedia techniques from the creative arts to expand “bio-sciences” and “psych-sciences” innovation. Ling earned a B.S. in evolutionary biology and B.A. in visual arts from Rice University in 2023. Her passion is bringing art and science together in meaningful ways. Primarily using experimental filmmaking and abstract collage, Ling is fond of exploratory, beautifully provocative, and self-reflective ideas…

Kathryn Gonzalez

Kathryn Gonzalez graduated from Rice University in 2023 with a B.A. in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology. Kathryn currently serves as the project manager for Paths [Senderos]: Building Strength in the Face of Loss for Families with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Her research focuses on the intersection of mental health support and community engagement for historically marginalized communities. Kathryn is particularly interested in exploring how cognitive processes intersect with social and cultural factors to influence mental health outcomes, and using this approach to enhance the efficacy of mental health interventions and promote holistic wellbeing. Kathryn is dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific…

Sabrina Cuauro Cuauro

Sabrina Cuauro Cuauro is a graduate student in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University studying Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. In 2023, she graduated from Trinity University with a B.A. in Psychology, Spanish, and Global Latinx Studies.

Originally from Venezuela, her research interests focus on immigrant health and empowering immigrant communities through research and policy.

Sabrina aims to use community-engaged science and mixed methodology to address health disparities and inequities in marginalized communities.She enjoys spending time with friends & family, cooking, and reading.

Annelie Han

Annelie Han is a junior (c/o 2026) at Rice University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She joined the VOCES Research Collective in the Spring of 2023 as a research assistant for BRIDGE and ECHAR. She is currently serving as co-lab manager for the collective.

Her research interests include mental health among minority populations with a special interest in cultural competency. She is also interested in exploring the intersection of faith and religion with mental health. She plans to pursue graduate studies and a career in the mental health field as a counselor or therapist. Outside of the collective, Annelie enjoys yoga, listening to music, and trying new foods around Houston.

Joanna Quan

Research Assistants

America Salas

America Salas is a senior at Rice University majoring in Psychology from Wiess college. She joined the VOCES Research Collective in Fall 2024 and currently works on the Path [Senderos] project. Her research interests include child development and the impact of external factors, such as medication and environment.

America aspires to pursue a graduate degree in clinical neuropsychology to equitably assess learning disorders and develop plans of action. Post graduation she has accepted a teaching position at a Houston district to gain field experience. Outside of academia, she enjoys spending time with her dog (an 11-year-old Labrador) and playing video games.

Daniel Peinado

Daniel Peinado is a junior at Rice University, pursuing a double major in Biosciences and Spanish, alongside a minor in Medical Humanities. He joined the VOCES Research Collective in Spring 2024 as a research assistant for the BRIDGE project.

Driven by his passion for addressing healthcare disparities in Latino communities, Daniel aspires to become a physician serving low-income, Spanish-speaking populations.

His career goals are deeply rooted in his Mexican heritage and his commitment to improving immigrant health and equity in underserved communities.

Eesha Kodavatikanti

Eesha Kodavatikanti is a senior at Obra D. Tompkins High School (c/o 2025) aspiring to study cognitive science and health psychology. She currently works on the Paths [Senderos] project.

Eesha’s interests include community-based health equity research, which she hopes to also study from the perspective of education in minority communities. She hopes to pursue a trans-disciplinary approach to psychological studies in her college journey, integrating all of her academic interests.

Outside of the VOCES Collective, she enjoys spending time with her family, practicing calligraphy, and listening to music.

Joshua Yu

Joshua Yu is a junior (c/o 2026) majoring in Psychology from Lovett residential college. He is originally from Houston and joined the VOCES Research Collective in 2024 as a research assistant for BRIDGE and SSRI.

Joshua is interested in the treatment of mental disorders, specifically OCD and other anxiety disorders. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology in hopes of working in a practice or hospital team.

In his free time, Joshua enjoys reading, playing piano, and playing basketball.

Karen Cazares

Karen Cazares is a junior at Rice University majoring in Health Sciences and minoring in Biochemistry. She joined the VOCES Research Collective in Spring 2024 as a research assistant for BRIDGE. Currently, she is a research assistant for BRIDGE, Project Heart, and SSRI.

As a Mexican-American immigrant from Mexico, her research interests include Hispanic immigrant health and access to healthcare services. She plans to pursue a Doctor of Optometry and return to her hometown at the Rio Grande Valley as an Optometrist.

In her free time, Karen enjoys listening to music and running.

Natalie Diaz

Natalie Diaz is a senior at Rice University majoring in Psychology and a member of Rice’s Women’s Soccer Team. This is Natalie’s second year with the VOCES Research Collective after joining in Fall 2023. She is a research assistant for SSRI, Project Heart, and BRIDGE.

Natalie is in the process of applying to graduate school to receive her Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She has also expressed interest in Sports Psychology and Marriage & Family Therapy.

Outside of the collective, Natalie enjoys going to the beach, going on long drives, and spending time with family.

Rachel Rosenthal

Rachel Rosenthal is a senior (c/o 2025) at Rice University majoring in Social Policy Analysis and minoring in Politics, Law, and Social Thought as well as Jewish Studies.

She joined the VOCES Research Collective in the Fall of 2023 as a research assistant for the Paths [Senderos] project. Her research interests include health policy and its intersection with the criminal justice system.

She eventually plans to go to law school to become a public defender.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys running, doing puzzles, and eating sushi!

Sam Mulford

Sam Mulford is a senior at Rice University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology.

This is her second semester working on VOCES’s Paths [Senderos] project. Sam is also currently writing her honors thesis, examining risk and protective factors for depression among bereaved Latinos.

Sam’s research interests include mental health, violence prevention, and gender inequality. She hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Health or Clinical Psychology. Outside of the collective, Sam enjoys playing basketball, reading, and trying out new coffee shops in Houston!