Meet The Team

Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernández

Director

Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernández is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences. She is a Clinical Psychologist, a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and has been working in the tobacco cessation field for more than 20 years. Her primary research focus involves examining:

The psychosocial determinants (e.g., self-efficacy, social support) of different smoking cessation milestones (e.g., initial abstinence, long-term cessation, recovery from lapse),
The efficacy of evidence-based treatments (EBT), particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for the co-morbidity of tobacco dependence with other behavioral health problems
The cultural and linguistic adaptations of ACT for Latine people who smoke with these comorbidities. Through her American Cancer Society’s Mentored Research Scholar Grant (MRSG-15-018-01-CPPB), Dr. Correa-Fernández adapted an ACT-based intervention to be feasible and acceptable for the treatment of tobacco dependence and comorbid depression and anxiety among Latine adults.

Secondary, but complementary, areas of research interest include translational research (e.g., implementing EBT for tobacco dependence in mental health care settings, capacity building for health care professionals), motivational interviewing, and understanding Latino participation in behavioral health research and psychosocial interventions. Dr. Correa-Fernández is a coffee lover, and in her leisure time, she likes to jog, read personal development books, spend time with friends and relatives, and travel, including to her hometown, Puerto Rico.

Luane is a sixth-year student in the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program under Dr. Correa-Fernandez’s advisement in the University of Houston. Originally from Brazil, she received both Bachelor and Master´s degrees in Psychology at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). She also worked as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) in a private practice for 3 years in Brazil on the treatment of the most various psychological disorders. Her professional goals include providing counseling for Latinx (especially the Brazilian population), teaching undergraduate students and continue researching the smoking field (especially treatment and development of interventions for vulnerable populations such as the Latinx community). More recently, she has been working with factors associated with the use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) among Hispanic Youth and with the development of smoking cessation interventions among Latinx. Her hobbies include spending time with her dog Olive, exercising, watching TV shows, and reading.

Luane Araújo Rabello, M.S.

Doctoral Student

Wilmer is a fourth-year graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program. He graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake with a master’s in clinical psychology.  Wilmer is interested in researching the interactions between the environment and personality and their effects on individuals’ susceptibility to tobacco and other substance use. In addition, he seeks to identify if different individuals respond to prevention campaigns and interventions differently based on personality and environmental interactions. He is also interested in the health disparities, particularly interactions between medical providers and patients that may lead to negative interactions. Other interests include learning about the influence of personality in the development of resiliency and the decision-making process.  Other hobbies include spending time with family, online gaming, and martial arts.

Wilmer Lugo, M.A.

Doctoral Student

Corissa is a fourth-year graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program. She graduated from the University of Houston Clear Lake with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.  She is interested in exploring how the dynamics of an individual’s relationships impact the outcome of treatment for substance use disorders in Hispanic/Latinx populations and the role of dyadic interventions in decreasing addiction lapses. Secondary interests include exploring the implementation of community practices as an aim towards increasing participation in health-focused research within historically marginalized populations, understanding risks that contribute to cannabis use specifically within second and third generation Hispanics, and examining intergenerational strengths and stressors. When outside the classroom, she enjoys discovering new music, running, and collecting more shoes than she should.

Corissa Barrow M.A

Doctoral Student

Victor Vergara is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Houston. Under the mentorship of Dr. Correa-Fernandez, his research is centered on employing scientific methods to uncover disparities within the Latino community. Additionally, he is intrigued by the intersection of counseling psychology and neuropsychology, particularly in relation to active military personnel and veterans. He is keen to explore how neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive health assessments can inform and enhance counseling interventions, to support their mental well-being and optimal functioning. His academic journey includes an undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University and a Master's in Health Psychology from Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is passionate about sports, maintaining an active lifestyle, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Victor Vergara M.S.

Doctoral Student

Isabelle is a first-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Houston in 2022. Her research interests include understanding substance use-related disparities among Hispanic/Latinx individuals through a socioecological lens, community-based participatory research methods, and culturally sensitive interventions. Prior to starting graduate school, Isabelle worked as a research assistant at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, researching military sexual trauma and food insecurity. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her loved ones.

Isabelle Parra-Valencia

Doctoral Student

Madeline is a first-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at Portland State University and her M.Ed. in Prevention Science at the University of Oregon. She is interested in research regarding coping skills (including maladaptive ones), trauma, and mental health literacy within the Latine community. Prior to attending the University of Houston, Madeline worked as a crisis screener where she supported people who were navigating crises and traumatic events. To recharge, Madeline enjoys spending time with loved ones, exercising, painting, reading, listening to podcasts and re-watching shows.

Madeline Amezcua Montano,

Doctoral Student

Gerardo Fajardo is an post-baccalaureate student at the University of Houston. He graduated in December 2021. He is majored in Health with a focus on Health Promotion and a minor in Psychology. Gerardo has an interest in mental health and how people are developing different types of mental disorders and what are different ways that can help them cope with their mental health disorders. His hobbies include spending time with his family like playing Mario kart or Mario party.

Gerardo Fajardo, B.S.

Research Assistant

Jaime graduated from the Tecnológico de Monterrey University in México, with his degree in Clinical and Health Psychology. He came to LABHRT as a full-time intern for an international experience in his career. He chose it because of his interest in Tobacco addictions, looking to broaden his knowledge on how to assist people who smoke and giving them support on how to quit. Jaime has plans to specialize in clinical practice with elderly populations, hoping to get a Masters degree in ACT. He likes to read, write, fold origami, play the piano, cook, eat, sleep, and more. One fun fact that you may not know about him is that he has played in seventeen different concerts as a School of Rock band member.

Jaime Luis Cantu Gonzalez

Collaborator

Sevi is a Senior at the University of Houston pursuing her Bachelor's of Science in Health, with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Data Science. She is intrigued by the importance of data and statistics in healthcare and their role in improving population health outcomes. Sevi is an aspiring Public Health Data Analyst with the goal of assisting and designing effective interventions by collecting and analyzing statistical data and information. She joined LABHRT to gain practical experience with data management and expand her knowledge on health planning, intervention, and evaluation methods to better identify trends and behavioral patterns linked to poor health outcomes in target populations. In her free time, she loves to travel, is passionate about attending and volunteering at church, and considers herself a fashion enthusiast.

Sevi Kuton

Undergraduate Research Intern