PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Jonathan I. Martinez
Dr. Jonathan Martinez completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at UCLA. His research has been informed from his clinical experiences at Providence St. John’s Health Center in L.A., where he primarily served Latinx, Spanish-speaking families in the delivery of evidence-based interventions. He completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Child & Adolescent Services Research Center in San Diego, where he worked on projects focused on the implementation of evidenced-based practices in community mental health settings. His research focuses on achieving health equity by implementing evidence-based, culturally responsive care to ethnically diverse communities. Dr. Martinez is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at CSUN, where he is the Co-Director of the Clinical Psychology M.A. Program. His P.U.E.N.T.E. research lab focuses on bridging the science-to-practice gap by developing collaborative community partnerships to address disparities in mental healthcare.
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 M.A. 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 M.A. 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 M.A. 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 1st-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
Apama Ameri
Graduate Research Assistant
Adil Ejaz is a 1st-year graduate student in the M.A. 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 !
Apama Ameri
Katherine Jimenez
Apama Ameri
Graduate Research Assistant
Apama Ameri (she/her) is an incoming 1st year M.A student in the Clinical Psychology (Fieldwork Track) at California State University, Northridge under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Martinez. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, Riverside with a B.S. in Psychology.
Her research interests include children’s emotional regulation and help-seeking behaviors, as well as identifying structural or psychological barriers to receiving mental health care in marginalized communities. Her long-term goal is to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology, where she hopes to implement all that she’s learned in Dr. Martinez’s lab in her own future practice. In her free time, she loves reading, creative writing, going to the gym, and trying new cafes and food spots.
Dafne Piña Castro
Dafne Piña Castro
Dafne Piña Castro
Graduate Research Assistant
Dafne Piña Castro (she/her/ella) is an incoming 1st year M.A. student in the Clinical Psychology program, Clinical Research track at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a minor in Brain and Behavioral Health.
Her research interests focus on investigating culturally responsive, evidence-based, and community-participatory interventions that promote psychoeducation, reduce mental health stigma, and advance health equity among underserved Latino/Latine, immigrant, and non-immigrant communities. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, where she hopes to bridge research and clinical practice to improve mental health outcomes for Latino adolescents and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress-related disorders. In her free time, she enjoys reading books on psychology, health, and fiction, taking long walks on the beach with her dog, cooking, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Esai Padilla
Dafne Piña Castro
Dafne Piña Castro
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
Dafne Piña Castro
Jose Calvillo
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.
Jose Calvillo
Jose Calvillo
Jose Calvillo
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jose Calvillo is a Senior at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), majoring in psychology. Jose transferred from Santa Monica College with his A.A.-T in Psychology and honors. He is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Saunders-Russell Lab and P.U.E.N.T.E. Lab.
Jose plans to obtain a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology as a foundational step toward earning a Ph.D. in the field. He is dedicated to advancing mental health research and culturally responsive treatment practices for the veteran, justice-involved, and Latine communities.
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.