Our Team
Frances R. Morales graduated from University of Texas-Pan American in 2008 as the top graduate of her class, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a double minor in Chemistry and Spanish. After this, Frances completed a Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology with a strong emphasis on Behavior Analysis at the same institution. Subsequently, she attained a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015. While completing her graduate education in the field of Psychology, Frances gained expertise in mental illnesses as well as mental wellness, appropriate diagnoses, and evidence-based treatments. After graduation, Frances has taught college-level Psychology courses at different academic institutions, including Concordia University Texas and Saint Edward’s University in Austin, and more recently at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville. Additionally, Frances has worked as a mental health professional, providing community mental health services to adults with severe mental illnesses. Now Frances is a doctoral student at the Multicultural Clinical Lab, under the mentorship of Dr. Alfonso Mercado.
Amanda A. Palomin graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2018 obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology and a Business Foundations Certificate. While completing her undergraduate education Amanda gained research experience in human development, specifically focusing on the emotional, social, physical and educational health of Hispanic individuals. After this, Amanda earned a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology from the University of Texas - San Antonio in 2020. While completing her graduate education she gained experience in applied psychometrics, specifically conducting analysis pertaining to clinical constructs such as Suicide, Anxiety, and Depression. Additionally, Amanda gained experience teaching college-level courses while at the University of Texas - San Antonio. Now, Amanda is a doctoral student pursuing a degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley with hopes of becoming a Clinical Neuropsychologist.
Maria Sevilla-Matos earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2019. She will pursue her Masters in the Clinical Psychology program beginning fall 2020 in hopes to become a Licensed Psychological Associate. She is an active member of the Multicultural & Clinical Lab, and a former member of the Memory & Cognition Lab. Maria has also been certified as an RBT and has been providing ABA services in the Valley. After completing licensure and becoming an LPA, Maria intends to provide culturally-competent psychological assessments and additional services to the diversified RGV community.
Stephanie Navarro earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Addiction Studies in 2019 and is in pursuit of graduate coursework in Clinical Psychology. Stephanie hopes to earn a Doctoral degree to become a Clinical Psychologist with an emphasis in Clinical Child. Stephanie is currently an active research assistant at the Multicultural Mental Health Lab. Her research interests are in developmental psychopathology, resilience, multicultural influences on development.
Sandra Chapa is currently a senior student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley pursuing a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Psychology and a minor in Medical Spanish. She is a research assistant for the Multicultural Mental health lab in the UTRGV Psychological Science Department. Sandra aspires to complete a Master’s degree and a PhD in Clinical Psychology after graduation. Sandra plans on working with patients in the Rio Grande Valley area.
>Martin Perez Jr. obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology as a first-generation college graduate and is now a Masters student in the Clinical Psychology program at UTRGV. Martin hopes to obtain a PhD to become a clinical psychologist. His area of research experience includes studies of human memory, clinical studies related to the local Hispanic populations, and studies of the efficacy of services provided by the local mental health authority. Martin has experience working with the local IDD population and is interested in studying the benefits of mental health services for these individuals and their caregivers. His ultimate goal is to provide mental health services to the population of the Rio Grande Valley.
Ruby Tijerina is currently a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley pursuing a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Psychology and a minor in American Sign Language. She is a research assistant Multicultural Clinical Lab and is currently working at the Student Union at UTRGV. She intends to follow her studies after graduation, pursuing her Master's, and eventually PhD in Clinical Psychology. She plans on working with Veteran patients in the Rio Grande Valley to give back to the community who deserves much praise.