People
FACULTY & STAFF
Laura D. Seligman, Ph.D., ABPP
Office: EACSB 1.124FPhone: (956) 665-2866
Email: laura.seligman@utrgv.edu
Dr. Seligman is a Professor of Psychological Science at UTRGV and Past President of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Dr. Seligman received a Ph.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology from The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in Statistics, from The State University of New York at Oneonta. Dr. Seligman is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Texas, and she is Board-Certified in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Seligman’s research interests include internalizing disorders in youth and the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based behavioral health treatments. Currently, Dr. Seligman is the Principal Investigator (PI) of a National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) R01 research grant to study methods to prevent the development of dental anxiety and phobia; the PI of an NIDCR UG3 research grant to develop a one-session culturally-appropriate treatment for dental phobia in youth; and a site MPI for a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) U01 research grant to examine genetic impacts on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Latino/a individuals in North America and South America. For a copy of Dr. Seligman's vita, please click here.
Dr. Hovey is a Professor of Psychological Science at UTRGV. Dr. Hovey received a Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Michigan and a B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA. Dr. Hovey is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Texas and is an internationally recognized scholar in the areas of suicide risk and prevention, behavioral health of acculturating individuals, rural health, cultural adaptation and development of psychological measures, and the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions for anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior. Dr. Hovey is a former Research Director of the American Association of Suicidology, and he currently serves as a Commissioner, Research Co-Chair, and Master's Policy Co-Chair on the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA). Currently, Dr. Hovey is a site MPI for an NIMH U01 grant to examine genetic impacts on OCD in Latino/a individuals in North America and South America, a Co-Investigator (Co-I) on an NIDCR UG3 grant to develop a one-session culturally-appropriate treatment for dental phobia in youth, and a Co-I on a UC2 grant from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to assess the research infrastructure at UTRGV in an effort to foster a more robust behavioral health research environment.
For more detailed information on Dr. Hovey’s work, please go to his faculty website by clicking here. For a copy of his vita, please click here.
Liza Talavera-Garza, Ph.D.
Office: EACSB 1.124CPhone: (956) 665-2662
Email: liza.talaveragarza@utrgv.edu
Dr. Talavera-Garza is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at UTRGV. Dr. Talavera-Garza received a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Talavera-Garza’s research focuses on the intersection between behavioral and physical health issues among older Latino/a adults. Currently, Dr. Talavera-Garza is the PI on a grant awarded by the RGV Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, and a Co-I on an NIDCR UG3 grant to develop a one-session culturally-appropriate treatment for dental phobia in youth.
Katelyn Villa is a Research Associate III at UTRGV. Ms. Villa received an M.S. and B.A. in Exercise Physiology from The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Ms. Villa serves as a Project Director for an R01 research grant and a UG3 reserach grant awarded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Ms. Villa has a demonstrated history of working within the higher education and clinical research industries. Her previous work experience includes research in topics such as exercise physiology, treatment-resistant depression, suicide behavior, stroke, and neuroscience.
Kate Danica Felix, B.S.
Office: EACSB 1.124KPhone: (956) 665-3304
Email: katedanica.felix01@utrgv.edu
Kate is a Research Associate I at UTRGV. She primarily works on a UG3 research grant awarded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) whose aim is to develop effective treatment for dental phobia in pediatric populations. She is a graduate of UTRGV with a B.S. in Biology and she hopes to attend dental school to become a general dentist. While a student, Kate served as a leader for the university's Pre-Dental Society/American Student Dental Association as Vice President and President. Through passion projects such as "Giving the RGV Something to Smile About" and "Helping the RGV Smile Again," Kate has been able to actively advocate oral and overall health to her underserved community through means of giving back and educating others. One of her main future goals is to instill change in underserved communities that tend to neglect their oral health by providing positive dental experiences to shape health smiles.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Daniela Chavez, M.A.
Email: daniela.chavez02@utrgv.edu
Daniela Chavez was born in Toluca, Mexico, and raised in Mission, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and from UTRGV in 2023 with a Master’s in Experimental Psychology. Her research interests include mental health risk and protective factors, coping skills, resiliency, and acculturative stress in Latino/a individuals. Daniela is an advocate for accessible, effective, and bilingual mental health care so that all people in the Rio Grande Valley can have happy, fulfilling lives.
Ann Jacob
Email: ann.jacob01@utrgv.edu
Ann Jacob is a senior at UTRGV. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. Ann wants to further her education by going to medical and school and earning an M.D. Seh is interested in working with children and adolescents in Asian communities, especially those in the Rio Grande Valley. Her research interests include anxiety, mood, and personality disorders. In her free time, Ann enjoys reading, taking road trips around the U.S., and rewatching her favorite television shows.
Monica Ochoa, B.S.
Email: monica.ochoa01@utrgv.edu
Monica Ochoa is a UTRGV alumni who graduated with the B.S. in Psychology in the Fall of 2022. She is currently a student in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program at UTRGV and she works as a Graduate Assistant for the Department of Psychological Science in her role as Research Participation Pool Manager and SONA Coordinator. Monica plans to continue her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Monica is interested in becoming a clinical psychologist and plans to advocate for the normalization of seeking help with mental health in the Hispanic population, primarily in the Rio Grand Valley. Her interests in psychology include anxiety, mood disorders, body image, and personality disorders. In her free time, Monica enjoys spending time with her family, reading, listening to music, running, practicing yoga, and coaching and playing volleyball.
Giezzi Ramirez-Martinez
Email: giezzi.ramirezmartinez01@utrgv.edu
Giezzi Ramirez-Martinez is currently a senior at UTRGV, graduating in May 2026 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry. After, she will pursue a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She hopes to one day work as a bilingual counselor in the Rio Grande Valley. Her research interests include issues regarding Latino/a hyouth, migrant mental health, addiction studies, and child psychopathology. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys gardening, baking, and playing video games.
Alejandro Rodriguez, B.S.
Email: alejandro.rodriguez01@utrgv.edu
Alejandro "Alex" Rodriguez is a Duke University alumnus who graduated in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry. He is currently an intern at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in the Behavioral Health unit as well as a volunteer research assistant in the Behavioral Health Lab. Alex plans to pursue doctoral training in Clinical Psychology. His research interests include understanding internalized disorders in Latino/a youth, the role biomarkers (like gene mutations) have in psychopathologies, the possibility of utilizing psychedelic drugs as a form of medication, and using music therapy for patients with dementia. In his free time, Alex enjoys watching new movies, going to concerts, running, playing card games, and playing with his dog.
Amanda Peralez, B.S.
Email: amanda.peralez01@utrgv.edu
Amanda Peralez graduated from UTRGV in 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology and plans to pursues a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her main research interests include psychopathology, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and the impacts of factors such as emotion regulation, self-compassion, and resilience on the treatment of psychological disorders. As an advocate for people who suffer from OCD, Amanda is passionate about helping others receive access to proper mental health treatment and accurate diagnoses, sharing health information and resources, and advancing the understanding and treatment of OCD. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, and looking out the sunny kitchen window sill with her two cats.
Lorena Houghton, M.A.
Email: lorena.houghton01@utrgv.edu
Lorena graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a B.S. in Psychology in 2022 and with an an M.A. in Clinical Psychology at UTRGV in 2024. She hopes to work for a couple of years before moving on to complete a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include gender, eating disorders, body image, and the impacts of social media. In her free time, Lorena enjoys reading, crocheting/knitting, sewing, baking, and hanging out with her family and friends.
Finley Sims, B.S.
Email: finley.sims01@utrgv.edu
Finley Sims graduated from Minnesota State University with a B.S. in Psychology and she is currently pursuing her M.A. in Experimental Psychology from UTRGV. After obtaining her Master's, Finley plans on working towards her Ph.D. in Social Psychology. Her research interests include body image and mental health in athletes, building on the paper she authored during her undergraduate education concerning student time management, attachment processes, social hierarchy, and learning disabilities in children. In her spare time, Finley enjoys being active, spending time with family, and exploring new places.
Kaitlynn Garza, B.S.
Email: kaitlynn.garza01@utrgv.edu
Kaitlynn Garza graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UTRGV in 2023 and is currently a student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at UTRGV. Kaitlynn is primarily interested in working with children and adolescents and her main subjects of interest are personality disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. During her free time, she enjoys going on walks, spending time with family, and trying new recipes.
Nadeen Salhadar, M.A.
Email: nadeen.salhadar01@utrgv.edu
Nadeen Salhadar graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Health and Society. She completed her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology at UTRGV in 2025. She works as a Graduate Research Assistant on a UC2 grant from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Nadeen seeks to continue her education by pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include mental health and disorders in relation to health disparities and social determinants of health, with a focus on depression, anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, art, and learning new skills.
Isabella Cruz, B.S.
Email: isabella.cruz02@utrgv.edu
Isabella Cruz graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UTRGV. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Psychology at The University of Texas at San Antonio and she plans to further her education and obtain her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Isabella's research interests are in religiosity and mental health, gender, LGBT, and sexual trauma. In her free time, Isabella enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching movies.