Oscar Fernando Rojas Perez

Dr. Oscar Fernando Rojas Perez is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. He holds affiliations with the NIMH-funded Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS and the NIMHD Health Disparities Research Institute. His work focuses on culturally responsive mental health interventions, Latinx immigrant well-being, and policy advocacy. Dr. Rojas Perez earned his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri and completed his internship at La Clínica Hispana under the Yale Doctoral Internship program.

Education:

• BA in Sociology and Chicanx/Latinx Studies, University of California, Irvine (2011)
• MA & PhD in Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri (2015, 2019)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships at Boston University Medical Campus/Harvard Medical School (2020) and Yale School of Medicine (2022)

His research explores cultural strengths in healing, decolonial approaches to mental health, and systemic barriers faced by immigrant communities. Key areas include anti-immigrant policy impacts, trauma treatment for refugees, and peer support models for Latinx populations.

Awards:

• Outstanding Dissertation Award (National Latinx Psychological Association)
• Lauds and Laurels Distinguished Young Alumnus (UC Irvine)
• Three APA Fellowships
• NIMHD Health Disparities Research Institute Fellow

Dr. Rojas Perez advises the National Latinx Psychological Association as Senior Policy Advisor and co-authored the book ¿Quiénes somos y de dónde venimos?, examining sociopolitical factors affecting Latinx mental health. His clinical work emphasizes evidence-based therapies like DBT and motivational interviewing for diverse populations.