Luz Maria Garcini

Luz Maria Garcini is an Associate Professor in Psychological Sciences at Rice University and Director of the Center for Community and Public Health. She holds affiliations with the Baker Institute’s Center for the U.S. & Mexico, the ReACH Center at UTHSCSA, and the Latinx Immigrant Health Alliance. Her research focuses on health disparities among marginalized communities, trauma, and social determinants of health, using community-engaged methodologies. Educated at San Diego State University/UCSD (PhD, 2016) and with a MPH, she bridges clinical psychology, public health, and policy advocacy.

Research emphasizes biobehavioral mechanisms of resilience in immigrant populations, leveraging biomarkers and mixed-methods approaches. Her work addresses systemic inequities through policy recommendations and media engagement (e.g., Univision, CBS). She serves on the APA’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Board and mentors students across health professions. Proyecto Voces, her initiative, documents immigrant health challenges post-deportation.

Award-winning interdisciplinary scholar, her contributions include over 25 media features and collaborative projects with organizations like the National Immigration Forum. Advocacy spans immigration policy reform and health equity, informed by her personal background as a Mexican immigrant and first-generation academic.