Latina Researchers Network Leadership
Silvia L. Mazzula, Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Dr. Mazzula is a native of Uruguay, South America, and the first in her family to attend college. Dr. Mazzula’s research focuses primarily on the intersection of racial cultural attitudes, discrimination and mental health, and Latino/a psychology. Her work has been published in the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research and Policy, and Mental Health, Religion & Culture. She has presented research findings at over 25 professional science meetings throughout the country. Her contributions have been highlighted by the City University of New York, the American Psychological Association Division 17's Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity and on Hispanic.com. Dr. Mazzula is a NIDA funded research fellow at Columbia University s Child Psychiatric Epidemiology Group and a recipient of the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities’ Health Disparities Research Loan Repayment Program. She is a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey and the Past-President of the Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey. In 2011, Dr. Mazzula was the recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to design and organize our first Latina Researchers Conference. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, especially her two young boys. She earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from Columbia University and completed her formal clinical training at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-UBHC Newark Campus.
Rebecca Rangel, M.A., M.Phil., LCAT
Rebecca is a PhD candidate in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and completing her formal clinical training at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. Rebecca is a first-generation Cuban-American with Mexican heritage and the first in her family to obtain an advanced graduate degree. Raised in a Cuban household by parents who immigrated to New York City in the mid-sixties, Rebecca feels a strong intergenerational connection to the Latino community she serves in Greater Manhattan. Her clinical and research interests focus on trauma, discrimination, cultural competency, Latino mental health and social justice. Rebecca is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist with a specialty in Art Therapy with clinical experience working with Spanish-speaking populations in Boston, Denver, and, most recently, in New York City. Rebecca has several Latina mentors in her life and firmly believes that without them she would not be where she is today. It is their vision that has impacted her and inspired her to continue their legacy. ¡Para adelante siempre!
Cynthia E. Guzmán, Ph.D.
Dr. Guzmán is a post doctorate fellow at the Pueblo of Laguna Indian reservation in New Mexico. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico State University in 2011 and is fulfilling her dreams of working with underserved populations. Her recent focus lies in the design and implementation of a grant that allows the Pueblo of Laguna to have an intensive outpatient treatment program where criminal justice involved women and girls, with co-occurring disorders, may be offered treatment rather than a sentence in detention. Dr. Guzmán’s research interests focus on mental health of underserved populations, particularly Latina women and girls and is an active member of the National Latina/o Psychological Association. She has received several recognitions for her scholarly contributions, including the American Psychological Association’s Division 35/Section III’s Latina Student Scholar Award, the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the National Latina/o Psychological Association, and acceptance into the APA Division 17 Leadership Academy.
Kathy Marte, MPA
Kathy is the Administrative Coordinator for the Psychology Department of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. As a first generation American, born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Kathy has experienced the best of both worlds. Kathy is of Dominican descent and has negotiated the American culture and Dominican acculturative process of her family. Kathy is the first in her family to graduate from college. She has an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and a masters degree in Public Administration from John Jay College. Kathy brings in over 13 years of employment experience in higher education and is committed to educational advancement and student development. Kathy hopes to obtain a PhD in Criminal Justice.
Josephine “Josie” Serrata, Ph.D.
Dr. Serrata is a Clinical-Community Psychologist and completed her graduate training at Georgia State University conducting her research at the National Latin@ Research Center on Family and Social Change under the direction of Dr. Julia Perilla. Utilizing an empowerment-based participant centered approach, her dissertation work included adapting and implementing an evidenced based leadership intervention for immigrant Latina survivors of domestic violence. Josie is currently a Research Manager for the National Latin@ Network for Healthy Family and Communities, a project of Casa de Esperanza where she spearheads research in the area of evidence based and trauma informed practices for Latin@ individuals, families and communities . Her clinical work focuses on trauma informed, culturally relevant therapies with survivors including adult survivors of childhood trauma, child and youth survivors, sexual assault, domestic violence, and most recently with the veteran population in Austin, TX. Josie is a Latina of mixed heritage (Panamanian and Mexican-American) from San Antonio, TX.
Latina Researchers Conference
2012 Planning Committee
