Leslie Martinez

Leslie Martinez serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Incarnate Word, teaching core courses including Statistics in Psychology, Multicultural Issues, Research Methods II, and Psychometrics.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2015)
• M.S. in Experimental Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio (2005)
• B.S. in Psychology, Texas A&M University (2003)

Dr. Martinez leads the Minority Experiences Research Lab (MERL), conducting impactful research on cultural/racial diversity and systemic barriers in education. Her work examines how stereotyping and discrimination accumulate to affect Mexican American and disenfranchised groups, while analyzing campus climate factors influencing retention of underrepresented students. Current projects explore intersections of sexual minority status and educational access in sexual health knowledge acquisition, addressing critical gaps in health equity.

Her scholarly contributions are recognized through:

• Sr. Dorothy 'Dot' Ettling Faculty Fellows Program Research Award (2024-2025)
• Provost’s Legacy Teaching Award (2018)
• Three consecutive Presidential Teaching Award nominations (2017-2019)

Through MERL, Dr. Martinez provides undergraduate researchers with methodological training in survey design, qualitative analysis, and data interpretation, fostering the next generation of social justice-oriented psychologists while advancing evidence-based interventions for educational equity.