Luz Garcini, PhD, MPH

Dr. Garcini is the Director of the Center for Community Health at the Kinder Institute, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, and a faculty scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and epidemiologist, and her research focuses on understanding and addressing the health needs of marginalized communities from a community-engaged approach that is culturally and contextually informed. Dr. Garcini’s commitment to advance community engagement is evident in her track record of publications, presentations, awards received, and funding allocated. Given the relevance of her research to advance policy and advocacy for marginalized communities, her work has received widespread media coverage in avenues such as Univision, Telemundo, CBS, Medical News Today, U.S. News and World Report, MSN, Global News Report, and the Oprah’s Book Club. Her contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion are also evident through her leadership, service and mentoring endeavors. She currently serves as Member-at-Large for the Board of Directors for the American Psychological Association. Also, she is an advocate for increasing diversity in higher education, and she is a graduate from San Diego State University/University of California San Diego.