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 self-help books, spend time with friends and relatives, and travel, including to her hometown, Puerto Rico.

Luane is a fifth-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 Advisee

Wilmer is a third-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 Advisee

Corissa is a third-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 Advisee

Victor Vergara is a second-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 Advisee

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

Leslie is a graduate of the University of Houston, where she majored in Health with a focus on Public Health and minored in Business Administration. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. As a research staff member with LABHRT, Leslie is passionate about addressing health disparities within Latine/Hispanic ethnic groups. Her research interests include biostatistics, epidemiology, public health intervention, and chronic diseases, to design and analyze studies to improve health outcomes.

Some of her past time hobbies are weight-lifting, running, cooking. drawing, and traveling to her home country, El Salvador.

Leslie Zuleith Benavidez

Research Staff

Ariel graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. He joined LABHRT due to his interest in researching casual factors that affect health behaviors in minority communities and health disparities in these communities. Ariel plans to pursue master's degrees in both Health Promotion and Education, as well as in Epidemiology. Eventually, he plans to earn a doctorate degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion and Health Education.

During his spare time, he likes to read, spend time with friends, and watch reality TV competition shows and documentaries.

Ariel J, Amaya Quintanilla

Research Assistant

Mark is a 4th-year undergraduate student at the University of Houston that is majoring in Health with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Marketing. He joined the LABHRT to gain valuable research experience and has an interest in understanding health disparities within minority populations. Mark is planning on applying to graduate school following his graduation in December of 2024, and obtaining an MPH in Epidemiology. In his off time, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, going to the gym, traveling, and online gaming.

Mark Anthony Lopez Jr.

Undergraduate Research Intern

Adalberto is a senior at the University of Houston, pursuing a degree in Health with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Biology. He joined LABHRT to deepen his understanding of how tobacco impacts oral health in Latino communities and to expand his research experience. After graduation, he plans to attend dental school to further his career in dentistry.

Adalberto enjoys playing the drums, running, tutoring, and volunteering at various dental clinics in his spare time.

Adalberto Zuniga

Undergraduate Research Intern

Daniela is a senior at the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, majoring in Clinical and Health Psychology. Her intrigue for research and understanding more about the biopsychosocial factors impacting health, particularly those related to culture, led her to join LABHRT. She is specifically interested in exploring how these factors impact Latino communities and the unique challenges that Latinos face in a different country. Daniela's goal is to pursue a master’s degree that will allow her to become a psychotherapist, to better support others and improve their mental health.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies and TV shows, listening to music, and spending quality time with her close friends and family.

Daniela Hernandez Dehesa

Undergraduate Research Intern