PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Jonathan I. Martinez
Throughout my training and professional career, I have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to addressing the mental health needs of underserved communities. My research interests were inspired from my own upbringing and background, where I observed the stigma and mental health literacy issues my extended family faced with seeking out help for mental health concerns. Unfortunately, these are typical challenges that Latino, immigrant, and Spanish-speaking families encounter when
mental health needs arise in family members. This was foundational and inspired my passion for my research, which is often described as “me-search” – personal experiences that motivate one’s research.
I completed my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at UCLA, where my research was informed from my clinical experiences at Providence St. John’s Health Center in LosAngeles, CA. I primarily served Latinx, Spanish-speaking families and received extensive training in the delivery of evidence-based interventions. I completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Child & Adolescent Services Research Center in San Diego, where I worked on projects focused on the implementation of evidenced-based practices in community mental health settings. My research, clinical, and personal experiences have allowed me to gain both breadth and depth on issues pertaining to culture and diversity. My own background as a Latino, first generation college student are unique assets I have brought to California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
At CSUN, I am currently a Professor in the Department of Psychology, where I am the Co-Director of our Clinical Psychology M.A. Program. I am the Principal Investigator of my P.U.E.N.T.E. (Promoting the Use of Evidence-based practices: Narrowing the Treatment Engagement gap) Research Lab. The goal of our lab is to achieve health equity by implementing evidence-based, culturally responsive practices in the delivery of mental healthcare to underserved families. We accomplish this by fostering collaborative partnerships with community-based mental health organizations to ensure the voice of underserved communities is being amplified and included in research.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Julianna Martin
Melanie Menendez
Melanie Menendez
Graduate Research Assistant & Lab Coordinator
Julianna Martin (she/her) is a 2nd-year graduate student in the MA in Clinical Psychology program, Clinical Fieldwork track at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She currently serves as the P.U.E.N.T.E lab coordinator. She received her B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), with a minor in Journalism.
Her research interests include, but are not limited to, cultural psychology pertaining to child development, with a focus on marginalized communities and evidence-based early interventions. In her free time, you can find her either at the gym, being artsy, reading, or cooking!
Melanie Menendez
Melanie Menendez
Melanie Menendez
Graduate Research Assistant
Melanie Menendez (she/her) is a 2nd-year graduate student in the MA in Clinical Psychology program, Clinical Fieldwork track at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She received her B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Her research interests include the investigation of the negative impact of underrepresentation for Central and South American college students. She intends to research innovative treatment methods and culturally-inclusive interventions to alleviate the negative effects of in-group marginalization. During her free time, Melanie enjoys watching new movies, going to Universal Studios, and spending time with her loved ones
Katrina L. Hill
Melanie Menendez
Katherine Jimenez
Graduate Research Assistant
Katrina Hill (she/her) is a 2nd-year graduate student in the MA in Clinical Psychology program, Clinical Research track at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She received her B.A. in Psychology with Summa Cum Laude Honors from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Her primary research interests include Self-Compassion, witnessed traumatic events, and using psychometrics to evaluate scales for cultural-inclusivity. Outside of academics, Katrina enjoys crochet, sewing, and building furniture.
Katherine Jimenez
Katherine Jimenez
Katherine Jimenez
Graduate Research Assistant
Katherine Jimenez (she//her) is a first-year M.A. student in the Clinical Psychology (Research Track) program at California State University, Northridge, under the mentorship of Dr. Bianca Villalobos and Dr. Jonathan Martinez. She graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology and College Honors.
Katherine is committed to advancing mental health equity for Latinx, immigrant, and first-generation communities. As a Mexican American, first-generation, and former transfer student, she is passionate about advising and supporting others in achieving their goals in higher education. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, where she hopes to bridge research and practice while uplifting underrepresented students. In her free time, she loves watching anime, and playing video games!
Adil Ejaz
Katherine Jimenez
Esai Padilla
Graduate Research Assistant
Adil Ejaz is a 1st-year graduate student in the MA in Clinical Psychology program, Clinical Fieldwork track at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He received his B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
His research interests include the religious as well as cultural backgrounds of individuals and their engagement both in the groups that they are connected to as well as within the personal relationships they maintain. During his free time, Adil enjoys working out, watching a multitude of films while updating his Letterboxd, as well as reading up on history and religious studies !
Esai Padilla
Katherine Jimenez
Esai Padilla
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Esai Anthony Padilla (Ésai Antonio Padilla) is a Senior at CSUN, majoring in psychology and minoring in management. He is an undergraduate research assistant in the SALUD Lab and the P.U.E.N.T.E Lab.
His research interests are the destigmatization of PMHS (Psychological & Mental Health Service) in Hispanic communities, especially men's attitudes toward PMHS, and facilitating the growth and recognition of female voices within their families/communities. Ultimately, he hopes to address the male suicide epidemic. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology to develop and publish culturally informed models and become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PhD. Ésai enjoys reading, writing, singing, and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs in his free time.
Nelly Romero
Nelly Romero
Nelly Romero
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nelly Romero is currently a senior pursuing a B. A. in Psychology at California State University, Northridge.
She plans to obtain her master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in children's mental health. She is very interested in types of treatments for children with anxiety or OCD. In her free time, she likes to spend it on listening to music, coloring, spending time with loved ones, and reading.
Special Thanks from Dr. Martinez
To my parents, who were foundational for my ability to accomplish my goals. Were it not for their sacrifices when immigrating to the U.S. from Colombia, I would not have achieved my academic and professional goals to embark on his work.
To my wife, Maria-Pia S. Martinez, for her unconditional love and support
of my professional pursuits. She created an atmosphere for me to be in
this position to undertake this research. To my son, DeMar L. Martinez,
and daughter, Demí S. Martinez, that keep me grounded and mindful on
what is important in life.
To Myzomi Productions, led by 3-time Emmy Award Winning Producer
Alexander Martinez, who happens to also be my brother. He produced our podcasts, videos, and this toolkit. His creativity shines through.
To my community partner, Maria Arteaga, J.D., Cultural Competency and Diversity Officer at the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness. She has been instrumental in amplifying the voice of underserved communities in the development of this toolkit.
To my PUENTE Lab members, for their innovative approach to designing
toolkit materials. I have a strong track record of mentoring underrepresented students in psychological research. But this mentorship is bidirectional, where they keep me motivated to continue this work.