DEC | Psychology | University of Miami

Students

Bharat Bharat: I am a 1st year graduate student working under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Safren in the Health track. My research interests revolve around LGBTQ+ mental health, resilience, intersectionality, implementation science, and developing new interventions aimed at preventing HIV and bolstering resilience in marginalized communities, especially for queer people of color. I am also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and aim to help pass legislation banning sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (commonly known as conversion “therapy”) for LGBTQ+ youth in Florida and nationally. As my research interests and advocacy efforts naturally blend into each other, I was deeply drawn to join the DEC to further promote inclusivity and diversity at all levels. As a new member, I look forward to learning from our DEC members and their collective treasure trove of experiences that help make our department inclusive and inviting.
Olivia Chen: Hi! My name is Olivia Chen. I am a 2nd-year health clinical student working with Dr. Steve Safren. I am originally from China and have lived in the U.S. for most of my life. I have always been passionate about promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity in clinical practices. My current status as an international student also made me aware of the longstanding barriers to getting into a graduate program for international students, especially one as competitive as clinical psychology. Thus, I am eager to share my personal experiences to encourage more international applicants and also help facilitate systemic changes. I believe working with the DEC can help me accomplish these goals.
Amelia Dev: I joined the DEC because I am passionate about enhancing diversity and equity both within our programs and within our science. I believe scientific incentives (publish or perish) and power structures interact with, and contribute to, discrimination and oppression within our field. The DEC presents an opportunity to work towards greater equity and inclusion in our graduate program, and to advocate for individuals who are not always able to advocate for themselves. It also is a wonderful community of caring, dedicated people, whom I have learned a lot from and will hopefully continue to learn from!
Katie Dillon: I joined the DEC to better connect with the students, staff, and faculty in our department and to work to continuously improve culture and conditions for all members of our department (and psychology in general). I’m so appreciative of the ongoing efforts to create a more equitable space and look forward to continuing this work!
Lindsey Faucher: As a third-year student at the University of Miami, Lindsey currently serves as the undergraduate representative for the Diversity and Equity Committee. She majors in psychology and international studies with a minor in French. Lindsey is proud of her involvement in Psi Chi as the philanthropy chair.
Manuela Jaramillo: I joined the DEC because I feel unequivocally that promoting open dialogues about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity will foster societies that not only accept but embrace differences. Growing up in south Florida, my least favorite question was, “where are you from?”; the dialogue about diversity and equity was lacking. Returning to south Florida for graduate school has been, for me, a privilege. It has been an opportunity to meaningfully engage with the glorious diversity in south Florida through my research and clinical experiences. Being in DEC allows me to go beyond my research and clinical work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the UM community.
Elizabeth Lane: I was excited to join the DEC to help promote equity and access for all members of the UM community. Growing up in San Diego, CA, diversity of all kinds is something that I have valued from a young age and has been a driving force in my career and personal life. One particular area that I hope to contribute my personal expertise is disabilities and disability services. I hope to help foster a community that supports and advocates for all types of diversity and look forward to continuing to apply this to my own research and clinical work.
Tiffany Leung: After attending my first DEC event, I was delighted to discover a team that supports and amplifies the voices of individuals from underrepresented groups. Being part of the DEC has been an excellent reminder that individuals at all career levels have the ability and responsibility to advocate for steps to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and outreach to reduce barriers in academia. I am thrilled to be part of a group that is passionate about improving climate in our department, in the field of psychology, and in science more broadly.
Noelle Mendez: Growing up in Miami, I have always been surrounded by diversity as well as disparities. Once I started college, I soon realized that I can have an impact within the communities I care about, including my own, and that these disparities will continue to exist until people organize to overcome them. I am lucky to have turned my passion for equity into a job, where I do research that directly impacts the well-being of sexual and gender minorities, racial and ethnic minorities, and other communities affected by HIV.
Malena Price: Born and raised in New York, Malena moved to Durham, North Carolina to pursue her BA in International Affairs and MSc in Global Health at Duke University. After finishing her graduate studies, Malena moved to Jordan for a Fulbright Research Grant to study behavioral health outcomes among refugees seeking asylum in Amman and establish her fluency in the Arabic language. Currently, Malena is in the Adult track of the Clinical Psychology PhD program, and her research interests focus on the adaptation and implementation of mindfulness training programs to improve the psychological health of minoritized and marginalized populations. Malena is excited about using mindfulness as a tool to expand access to comprehensive mental health services in community-based settings. Malena is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT 300) and loves to practice and teach yoga in her spare time.
Rachelle Reid: I am a first-year graduate student in the Health Track of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Miami and a member of the Strengthening Health with INnovation and Engagement (SHINE) Research lab under the mentorship of Dr. Sannisha Dale. My strong interest in raising awareness about the experiences of diverse groups is influenced not only by my status as an immigrant from Jamaica, but also from my longstanding desire to understand the experiences of diverse and marginalized communities. I have had the opportunity to work with members of the LGBTQ community, children with special needs, homeless individuals, psychiatric patients and black women living with HIV. This experience has only increased my desire to share what I have learned and help create safe spaces for discussions that counter stigma, discrimination and lead to more inclusion. I am excited about being a part of the DEC as its mandate is one that I believe in wholeheartedly.
Thomas Tsai: I joined the DEC because of my interest in raising awareness and promoting inclusion for diverse persons in the department as well as the greater Miami community. The DEC has given me opportunities to grow and learn from others and serve alongside those who are dedicated to promoting change for underrepresented groups. I am proud of the work that this committee has done and look forward to continuing to play a role in new initiatives to come.
Rachel Verhagen: I was drawn to the DEC because it stood out among graduate programs as an opportunity to be an advocate for underrepresented individuals. I feel that as a student from a diverse background, it is my responsibility to advocate for equity among all people and further promote inclusion in the field of psychology. I have found a home in the DEC and enjoy that we celebrate and promote people's individual experiences in a way that is inclusive to everybody.
Elliott Weinstein: I was drawn to the Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) because of my desire to celebrate the cultural differences and similarities that make members of the UM community so special. Throughout my time on the DEC, I have appreciated the opportunity to develop additional skills to best honor the populations I hope to support in my research and practice. Learning from my fellow DEC members has made me a better person and has continually renewed my interest in advocating for social justice reform, lifting up the voices of individuals who have consistently been overlooked, silenced, and ignored, and supporting programming that emphasizes advancing DEI practices more broadly.

Faculty

Roger McIntosh, Ph.D. (Chair): What drew me to the DEC is the opportunity to learn more about the diverse community that makes up our graduate students, staff and faculty here at the Department of Psychology. It's clear that we all have unique backgrounds that have helped to shape who we are and the type of work that we do. I think taking the perspective of others is a great exercise that allows us to learn how we are 'U'nited by our differences.
Sannisha Dale, Ph.D. (Founding Chair, 2017-2022): As an individual at the intersection of many socialized and often oppressed identities - Black, woman, immigrant, etc. - speaking, facilitating, and leading discussions and changes to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion are actions that I long ago discovered was essential to my existence and survival across spaces be it within academia, research, or social settings. Hence, being the founding chair of this committee was important when I joined UM and continue to be important as I lead my research program, mentor, and teach at the University of Miami.
Jill Ehrenreich-May, Ph.D.: I am very pleased to join the Department's Diversity and Equity Committee beginning the 2020-2021 academic year. I am passionate about women's rights and have been particularly active in advocating for women and mothers in academia throughout my career at UM. As the current Chair of the Faculty Senate's Standing Committee on Equity and Inclusion Committee and an ex-officio member of the University's Standing Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, I hope to aid the DEC by sharing the progress and priorities of these companion committees at the University of Miami. I also plan to advocate for undergraduate and graduate student DEC priorities in concert with my role as the Department's Assistant Chair for Academic Affairs and Research, as we work together to create a more just and equitable University and Departmental environment that lifts up and respects diverse voices at all levels.
Amanda Jensen-Doss, Ph.D.: I view the ultimate goal of my research program as addressing issues of inequity, by ensuring that all children have access to high quality mental health services. My goals in joining the DEC were to learn from others in the department about how to ensure those values carry through to the work I do as a faculty member and to lend my perspective and voice to the important work it does.
Dr. Yanerys Leon: I’m excited to join the Diversity and Equity committee and contribute to the Department’s efforts to create an inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty. Professionally, I have a strong interest in mentorship of historically underrepresented groups and first-generation students in academia. Additionally, from both a clinical and research perspective, I have a strong interest in factors contributing to disparities in access to evidence-based practices for marginalized groups. I look forward to the opportunity to learn from and contribute to this community.
Steven Safren, Ph.D.: I decided to join the Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) as part of an effort to “act locally” regarding the critical need to increase the diversity of scholars in our field, and do what I can to insure that those from racial, ethnic, sexual, gender, or other minority backgrounds feel welcome and supported in our department.
Kiara Timpano, Ph.D.: I am delighted to join the Diversity and Equity committee and to help support our efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding and to foster under-represented members of our community. I was drawn to the DEC as I believe strongly that addressing issues of equity and inclusion for all members of our diverse department is important for improving the overall climate. We all have the responsibility to advocate and promote the priorities championed by the DEC, which will allow the diverse voices that reflect the Department of Psychology--across staff, students, and faculty--to be heard and doing so will allow our group to grow in important ways.

Staff

Costanza Alessio: I joined the DEC because of my desire to enhance our departmental culture and support an environment marked by diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. I am grateful for the DEC as it offers an opportunity to advocate for social justice reform and be an ally for individuals from underrepresented groups both in our immediate community as well as in the scientific field. Working alongside my DEC fellows has been an incredibly rewarding experience that has provided me with an array of skills and a broader understanding that will accompany in my future work and will hopefully support my future DEI efforts.
Isabella Castillo: I am a Miami native and current research associate at the Jha Lab in the division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. After receiving my BA in psychology and French at Johns Hopkins, I obtained my M.S. in Biomedical Sciences at the Duke School of Medicine. The underlying purpose for all my academic endeavors is my desire to serve others, particularly those in underserved communities. Because of this, I am pursuing a career in international studies and policy to advocate for universal access to healthcare. This is also the reason why I have the privilege and honor of being a member of the DEC's Outreach Subcommittee.
Brittney Gonzalez: I was initially drawn to the DEC after attending one of their “Our Stories” events. Hearing and paying witness to people sharing their experiences was incredibly moving and I knew from that moment I had to be a part of that effort. Joining the DEC meant I had the chance to be a part of the work that let everyone have a seat at the table.
Vandana Sookdeo, MD, EMBA: I joined the Diversity and Equity family because I believe the committee's goals parallel my own personal goals. Improving the climate for current students and faculty from underrepresented groups ensures that these individuals are given the tools to succeed in their respective discipline. Being a part of this committee gives me the platform to be a role model to minority women; whom I can relate to their story, encourage the exchange of ideas and open the barriers of communication in a University environment.

Alumni

Kaitlyn Brodar: Kaitlyn is currently completing her internship in pediatric psychology at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Beginning in September 2022, she will be completing her post-doctoral fellowship with Children's National's Whole Bear Care program, which promotes greater access to mental health services for children and adolescents by locating psychologists within the pediatric primary care setting. Kaitlyn also continues DEI-related efforts through work with the Child Health Advocacy Institute at Children's National.
Daisy Lopez: Daisy is currently at UCLA's Semel Institute in the adolescent serious mental illness track for her internship year. She continues her DEI work in various ways. For example, she serves as the co-chair for ABCT's Oppression and Resilience: Minoritized Mental Health Special Interest Group.
Zabin Patel, MPH, MS: Zabin is a predoctoral psychology intern at the UCLA Semel Institute, in the general track and will begin a postdoctoral fellowship at the Northwestern University Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science after graduation. She hopes to continue centering equity in her research and clinical practice as a provider focused on increasing access to mental health care for youth.
Nikki Puccetti: I joined the DEC in 2018 with hopes to advocate for and support underrepresented groups in science. I wanted to help address issues within our department as well as encourage a dialogue about issues affecting the field as a whole. I continue to learn and grow as a member on the committee and look forward to upcoming projects.
Estefany Saes-Flores Clarke, Ph.D.: I graduated from the University of Miami’s Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program in August 2021 with a specialization in Pediatric Health and a concentration in Quantitative Psychology. I completed her pre-doctoral internship in Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. My primary research focus is to target disparities in health, health-related quality of life, and neurocognitive functioning by improving access to evidence-based assessments & interventions for underserved, culturally- and linguistically- diverse populations. Currently, I am currently an NCI T32 postdoc in Cancer Control Training in Disparities and Equity (C-TIDE) at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Through the CTIDE T32 position, I am working with Dr. Michael Antoni on his transdisciplinary research testing cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM), a transdiagnostic intervention to improve psychosocial adaptation, quality of life, and health outcomes in cancer patients.
Satya Satyanarayana: I joined the Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) in 2017 because I was interested in working on issues of diversity and equity within our department and the field of psychology more generally. Since that time, I have not been disappointed. I’ve been impressed with the group’s efforts in launching a number of initiatives that have fostered a greater sense of community and have created spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can have more of a voice within the department and university. I’ve also found a community with whom I can work on creating solutions that can improve and enrich the experiences of graduate students in the program. Being a member of the DEC renews my sense of purpose in how we can make spaces, structures, and communities more equitable and inclusive, and it has given me a platform by which to put that purpose into action.

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