Luz Garcini, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and interim director of Community Health at the university’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is a recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Achievement Award for Early Career Psychologists. Three awards are presented annually to distinguished early career psychologists working in any area of psychology (such as education, practice, public interest, applied and science) who have made a significant impact on psychology or society.
Dr. Garcini’s research, community, advocacy, and policy work focuses on community-engaged science aimed at identifying, understanding and addressing the health needs of historically marginalized communities.
“I feel fortunate to have the privilege of using psychological science and community-engaged research to make meaningful contributions towards building a more equitable and inclusive society for the benefit of all people, particularly communities that have been historically marginalized and oppressed,” Dr. Garcini said.
Dr. Garcini is a graduate of the University of Houston. She holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Houston Clear Lake and San Diego State University. She also holds a master of public health degree and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from San Diego State University.