Susana A. López

Susana A. López is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Her research focuses on psychological processes of acculturation, trauma resilience, and mental health disparities among marginalized populations, particularly BIPOC and Latinx immigrant communities. She employs decolonizing methodologies and community-based qualitative research to address systemic inequities.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology (University of California, Santa Barbara)
• M.S. and B.A. in Psychology (California Polytechnic State University)
• Postdoctoral training at UCLA's Nathanson Family Resilience Center

Research Interests:

• Intersection of acculturation and mental health
• Racial bias and discrimination in schools impacting BIPOC youth
• Collaborative approaches to decolonizing psychology
• Immigrant mental health resilience strategies

Recent work includes a BEACoN-funded study examining teachers' roles in racial healing for Central Coast BIPOC students. Current projects explore Latinx immigrant psychological experiences. She teaches courses including PSY 372 and PSY 574.

Grants & Funding: BEACoN grant (2021) supported her community-based research on educational equity. Active collaborations with local schools and community organizations inform her participatory research approaches.