Meet the Research Team

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About Dr. Jasmín Llamas

Dr. Jasmín Llamas is a Bay Area native and proud Santa Clara University alum, where she earned her bachelor's degrees in Combined Sciences and Psychology, and her master’s in Counseling Psychology. She went on to receive her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Sant

About Dr. Jasmín Llamas

Dr. Jasmín Llamas is a Bay Area native and proud Santa Clara University alum, where she earned her bachelor's degrees in Combined Sciences and Psychology, and her master’s in Counseling Psychology. She went on to receive her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with an additional master’s in Research Methodology and a Certificate in College and University Teaching.

Following her doctoral training, Dr. Llamas completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, with a focus on public health and minority populations.

Her research centers on health disparities and cultural factors that influence health and wellness, with a strong emphasis on Latina/o populations. She currently leads a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study exploring cultural influences on tobacco use among diverse young adults in the Bay Area.

Dr. Llamas is also highly engaged in national professional service. She is active within the American Psychological Association (APA) and was selected to represent Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) at the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests Leadership Development Institute.

At Santa Clara University, Dr. Llamas mentors a dynamic team of graduate and undergraduate research assistants. Together, they have presented their work at local and national conferences and have contributed significantly to advancing culturally responsive research. Their work includes a published trauma fact sheet for clinicians working with racial and ethnic minority populations, hosted on the APA Division of Trauma Psychology website.

Her current projects include:

• A longitudinal study on student debt and psychological well-being
• A program evaluation of the LEAD Scholars Program
• A mixed-methods study on young adult tobacco use
• A new investigation on smoke drift in multiunit housing communities

Through her research, teaching, and mentorship, Dr. Llamas remains deeply committed to promoting health equity, cultural humility, and community-based scholarship.

About Jennifer

Jennifer is a passionate advocate for social justice and community well-being, with a deep commitment to serving the Latino population. She is currently pursuing her second master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University, with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and a focus on the Latino c

About Jennifer

Jennifer is a passionate advocate for social justice and community well-being, with a deep commitment to serving the Latino population. She is currently pursuing her second master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University, with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and a focus on the Latino community.

Her academic path reflects her dedication to Jesuit education and values. She earned her first master’s degree in Clinical Psychotherapy from Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO) and previously studied at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO).

Originally from Mexico, Jennifer’s personal and professional experiences are closely tied to her cultural roots. She has worked extensively with Latino communities in both Mexico and the United States, particularly with women. Her clinical experience includes treating individuals with chronic kidney disease and spinal cord injuries, and she has participated in community-based initiatives such as Thriving Neighbors, where she contributed to research and community engagement efforts.

Jennifer’s dedication to equity and inclusion extends beyond the classroom. She currently serves as a student ambassador in her program and has been a research assistant to Dr. Llamas since the beginning of her graduate studies. Her research interests include the integration of mental health and women’s sports, with a focus on the intersection of cultural identity, empowerment, and well-being.

About Sol

Sol was born and raised in Mendoza, Argentina, and moved to the United States at the age of 12. She is currently in her second year of the Counseling Psychology program at Santa Clara University, pursuing the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) track with a double emphasis in Latinx Counseling and Child and Adolescent Counseling.

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About Sol

Sol was born and raised in Mendoza, Argentina, and moved to the United States at the age of 12. She is currently in her second year of the Counseling Psychology program at Santa Clara University, pursuing the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) track with a double emphasis in Latinx Counseling and Child and Adolescent Counseling.

Sol earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam in 2022. Following graduation, she worked as a behavior technician for 1.5 years, supporting children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and/or with developmental disabilities—many of whom were from Latinx backgrounds. Most recently, she provided wellness coaching to monolingual Spanish-speaking students at a high school, deepening her commitment to culturally responsive care.

In August 2025, Sol will begin her practicum as a school-based therapy trainee at a local middle school. Her clinical interests include working with Latinx children and teens in collaboration with their families, focusing on emotional development, identity formation, and family systems.

Sol is on track to graduate with her master’s degree in June 2026. She is passionate about increasing access to mental health support for underserved youth and families, especially within the Latinx community.

About Sixela

Sixela is a graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at Santa Clara University, specializing in Latinx Counseling and Health Counseling, with a focus on the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) track. She is also completing a double emphasis in Latinx and Child and Adolescent Counseling, and is expected to graduate i

About Sixela

Sixela is a graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at Santa Clara University, specializing in Latinx Counseling and Health Counseling, with a focus on the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) track. She is also completing a double emphasis in Latinx and Child and Adolescent Counseling, and is expected to graduate in June 2026.

Originally from Cuba, Sixela earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Havana, where she was deeply involved in the Teaching Assistants Movement, focusing on Communication and Development. During this time, she coordinated several student-led initiatives, including Escaramujo, a social justice program designed to support adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system by helping them reflect on their life choices following traumatic experiences.

After immigrating to the United States, she worked at the Honduran Consulate in McAllen, Texas from 2017 to 2018, where she provided support and advocacy for the local Honduran community. She is currently completing her practicum in Santa Clara County, where she works closely with the Latinx population, providing culturally responsive mental health care.

In addition to her academic and clinical work, Sixela is the creator and host of Empoderas, a podcast that shares the voices and stories of Latinx women, aiming to inspire, uplift, and empower the community. Building on this platform, she recently launched a nonprofit organization, We Are Empoderas, which expands her impact through community-driven initiatives and support programs for Latinx individuals and families.

Sixela’s clinical interests include working with Latinx children, adolescents, and their families, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care, cultural identity, and community healing. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to social justice, cultural advocacy, and storytelling as a form of empowerment.