Jessica McCurley

Jessica McCurley, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University (SDSU), affiliated with the College of Sciences and the Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on health equity, social determinants of health, and participatory methods to address disparities in chronic diseases like diabetes and depression, particularly among low-wage workers and migrant populations. She holds leadership roles in community-based interventions targeting food insecurity, healthcare access, and mental health.

Her work emphasizes the intersection of health policy and social justice, with a focus on marginalized communities. Key research areas include diabetes management, border health, and the psychosocial impacts of chronic illness. McCurley collaborates extensively with interdisciplinary teams to translate research into actionable policies and programs.

McCurley’s recent studies highlight the longitudinal effects of food insecurity on glycemic control and diet quality, as well as the role of workplace interventions in promoting healthy behaviors. Her research also addresses barriers to healthcare access among Medicaid enrollees and migrant communities.

• Advised students include Annastacia Jones, Christina Rowley, and Valarie Castellanos-Ponce.
• Current projects involve improving mental health support for hospital workers and analyzing neighborhood adversity in border communities.

Her grants and collaborations include evaluations of Medicaid programs and participatory research initiatives with low-income populations.