Lab Members

S‌teven Safren, Ph.D., ABPP

I joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami in the Fall of 2015 after 18 years working in the Harvard Medical School system at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where I was the founding Director of the current Behavioral Medicine Service and track Director of the Behavioral Medicine Internship track. During this time I was also an Affiliated Investigator at Fenway Health where I led studies related to HIV prevention for men who have sex with men (MSM). I am a clinical health psychologist with expertise in health-related behavior change and a particular focus on psychosocial (mental health and substance use) comorbidities related to HIV prevention and treatment in both domestic and international settings. I have been PI or protocol chair of 12 federally funded studies (via NIMH, NIDA, and NIAID), and, in addition to studies where I am PI, I have regularly served as co-PI, co-investigator, or mentor on studies related to HIV prevention and treatment.

I work with other medical illnesses, and I work on cognitive behavioral approaches to managing adult and adolescent ADHD. My international studies have been via the NIAID-funded AIDS networks (i.e. HIV Prevention Trials Network - HPTN, and the AIDS Clinical Trials Network -ACTG), which span multiple countries, via my own NIH-funded studies, and via the work of my mentees K and R level funded studies in India and Africa. Much of my work on HIV focuses on prevention and treatment with men who have sex with men (MSM), though I have worked extensively with other populations including individuals with depression and those who have struggled with substance use disorders. Finally, during my time at MGH, I worked on studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy for ADHD in adulthood and adolescence.

Currently, my funded work includes a preliminary study involving treating syndemics (intertwined psychosocial problems such as depression, childhood sexual abuse, substance use, interpersonal violence) in HIV-infected individuals with uncontrolled virus, a study on HIV prevention in men who have sex with men in two sites in India, and an effectiveness study on treating depression and improving adherence in HIV-infected individuals in South Africa who have failed first line antiretroviral therapy. Anticipated future studies, based on prior collaborative pilot work, involve pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence in high risk MSM, interventions to reduce crystal meth and increase safer sex (condoms or PrEP) in MSM who use crystal meth, and additional studies addressing syndemics in individuals with HIV and uncontrolled virus.

Pronouns: he/him/his

For my full CV (as of December 2024), please click: CV - Dr. Steven Safren

Marc Puccinelli, Ph.D.‌

Clinical Assistant Professor

Marc earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami in 2017, prior to joining the HPAC lab as a post-doctoral researcher. Marc also earned his M.Ed. from the University of Miami. His clinical and research interests include addressing mental and physical health disparities by improving the efficacy and effectiveness of manualized interventions. Marc is also interested in cultural factors and comorbidities that may impact treatment response among underserved and minority populations. Prior to and during his graduate training, Marc worked on a number of clinical trials investigating experimental family therapy models for adolescent drug abusers. His dissertation focused on one of these models, and explored the treatment and moderator effects of acculturation and acculturative stress among Hispanic participants in South Florida. His clinical experience includes counseling newly diagnosed cancer patients at the Cancer Support Community, and conducting child and adolescent assessments and intervention at the Mailman Center for Child Development. Marc also completed practica training and a subsequent doctoral internship at the Miami VA medical center in the clinical health psychology track.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Audrey Harkness, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SONHS)

Audrey completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the HPAC lab at the University of Miami. Prior to this, she earned her Ph.D. inCounseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. Audrey is currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Prevention Science and Community Health Division, as well as a member of the HPAC lab. Overall, her work is focused on promoting positive mental and physical health for sexual and gender minorityindividuals and communities. She has worked as a project director for the Miami site of the ESTEEM project for the past three years, and also collaborates on other ongoing HIV-prevention and treatment research in the HPAC lab and at UM. She is also beginning a new line of research which seeks to better understand address barriers and facilitators to engaging Latino sexual minority men in HIV-prevention (i.e., HIV testing, PrEP, PEP) and behavioral health services.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Elliott Weinstein, MPH, M.S. 

Fifth-Year Graduate Student

Olivia Chen, M.S.

Third-Year Graduate Student

Olivia is a third-year graduate student in the Health Track of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. She received her B.S. in Statistics and Psychology with the Highest Honors and a minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Before joining UM, she worked with individuals with sickle cell disease at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, which rendered her experiences and perspectives in working with minoritized individuals living with chronic illness. Olivia is very passionate about addressing health disparities and improving health-related outcomes in marginalized communities. Her research focus includes examining various factors impacting healthcare utilization. Her long-term goal is to explore the convergence of health-related stigma and other psychosocial adversities (low SES, ACEs, IPV, etc.) across the intersections of health and other forms of social inequalities among people living with or at risk for HIV.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Juan A. Esquivel Mendoza, M.S.P.H.

Third-Year Graduate Student

Juan Alberto is a first-year graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology-Health Major Area of study with an intended concentration in quantitative analysis at the University of Miami. He graduated with a B.A in History from the University of Utah in 2020 and completed his Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Utah in 2022. At HPAC, Juan serves as coordinator on the Life-Steps study. Juan's current research interests are in health psychology, HIV prevention and adherence with a special focus on Spanish speaking populations. He also wants to look at the intersection between HIV, stigma, religion, and family/support systems for at risk men who have sex with men. 

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bharat Bharat, M.A.

Third-Year Graduate Student

Bharat is a first-year graduate student in the Health Track of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program. He graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an M.A. in Psychological Sciences and a graduate certificate in Data Analysis. His earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University with a concentration in Technology Innovation. Before joining the University of Miami, Bharat worked in several research labs at USF, where he focused on exploring the syndemic effect of COVID-19 on youth living with HIV in Kenya through a biopsychosocial lens. He has also worked with Black and Latinx gay/bi/queer/same-gender loving men enrolled in the Tampa Bay version of the Stigma-reduction through Education, Empowerment, and Research (SEERs) study, which was originally implemented in Kenya. Bharat’s experiences in both quantitative and qualitative research methods have allowed him to appreciate the significance of being a mixed methods scholar. His research interests revolve around LGBTQ+ mental health, resilience, intersectionality, implementation science, and developing new interventions aimed at preventing HIV and bolstering resilience in marginalized communities, especially for queer people of color. He is also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and aims to help pass legislation banning sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (commonly known as conversion “therapy”) for LGBTQ+ youth in Florida and beyond.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Lisa Yuwen Hu, B.S.

Second-Year Graduate Student

Lisa is a second-year graduate student in the Adult Track of the Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. program. She earned her B. S. in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2021. She has also volunteered with community mental health organizations in Canada, such as Mood Disorders Association of Ontario and Kids Help Phone, which inspired her commitment to clinical research that benefits underserved populations. Broadly, her research interests include minority stress, discrimination, and health disparities. Throughout her graduate career, she aims to examine how stressors unique to sexual minority individuals of color impact health outcomes and access to health care. In addition, she is interested in exploring the influence of culture on treatment response and substance use outcomes in underserved and marginalized communities.   

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Kima Bormey, B.A.

Research Associate

Kima graduated from the University of Miami in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and Criminology.  As an undergraduate student, Kima served as a research assistant where they co-authored a final report on the effectiveness of South Florida’s re-entry court (CARE). In addition, her interest in health services for marginalized populations led to the presentation of her own research, “A Landscape Analysis of Re-Entry Services for Formerly Incarcerated People with Substance Use”. Kima is currently interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a neuropsychology concentration to investigate health disparities within underserved communities.

Alexandra Porras, B.A.

Research Associate

Alex graduated from Florida International University in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology. She is committed to advancing her educational career by pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Alex’s research interests are rooted in addressing the mental health needs of sexual and gender minorities, with a specific focus on LGBTQ+ couples and relationships. She is committed to enhancing support for LGBTQ+ rights and driven by a resolve to address the distinct challenges faced by sexually diverse communities.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hanna Vasconcello, B.A.

Research Associate

Hanna graduated from Wake Forest University in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. During her undergraduate studies, she gained valuable experience as a research assistant in a lab focused on adolescent-parent relationships. Hanna is passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent mental health. She is particularly interested in addressing the public health needs of marginalized youth.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Alex Moro, B.A.

Community Outreach Coordinator‌

Alex graduated from New York University in 2020 with a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. After graduating, Alex started working at Latinos Salud in Miami Beach as a Test Counselor and PrEP Navigator, and was then promoted to Health and Culture Specialist. Here he was able to realize his passion for working with sexual and gender minority populations. Alex is interested in pursuing a career as a Physician's Assistant, wanting to work in mental health, and continuing to with sexual and gender minority populations.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Daniel HA Maya, B.S.‌‌‌

Research Associate

Daniel completed his B.S. in Psychology at the University of Colorado Denver in 2019. He worked as a Research Associate for the HPAC Lab from 2019-2021 and the REACH Equity Team from 2021-2023. Since then, he has transitioned to the Division of Biostatistics at the University of Miami, where his work still focuses on HIV prevention and treatment among sexual and gender minorities. Daniel is interested in pursuing a career in biostatistics to improve his data science skills and further contribute to HIV prevention and treatment research.

Rosana Smith-Alvarez Chinigo, M.S. Ed.

Manager, Research Support

Rosana is a graduate from the University of Miami (2017, B.A. in Psychology; 2023, M.S. Ed in Mental Health Counseling). She worked as a Research Associate in HPAC Lab from 2017-2020. Rosana is now working as the Manager of Research Support of CHARM’s Administrative Core, as well as a liaison between the CHARM and HPAC teams. Rosana has a particular interest in HIV prevention and care, social determinants of health, and mental health disparities among sexual, gender, racial and ethnic minority populations. Rosana also works with the HPAC Lab as a study therapist and independent assessor on various studies.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Kyle J. Self, B.S.

Study Therapist and Neuropsychological Assessor

Kyle is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Miami and has collaborated with the HPAC Lab since 2022. His work as a Study Therapist involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD) on the TRIDENT study and group-based Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) on the SMARTManage study. He also conducts psychodiagnostic assessments and neuropsychological testing with TRIDENT participants.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Taveion Neasman

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Taveion is a junior at the University of Miami, double majoring in biology and Africana studies with minors in psychology and chemistry. He is passionate about advocating for marginalized communities and fighting healthcare disparities through psychosocial research and medicine. Taveion is very involved with UM's LGBTQ center, serving as a Pride Ambassador, aiming to increase education on queer-specific topics to fellow undergraduates interested in a healthcare career. Further, he is currently the student life chair on the University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. After graduation, Taveion plans to attend medical school to further advocate for inclusivity in medicine and healthcare.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Elijah Velasquez

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Elijah is a graduate of The University of Miami, holding a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Exercise Physiology. With a strong passion for advocating and working with sexual minorities, he is dedicated to understanding and addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by these communities. Elijah is committed to furthering his expertise and impact in this field by pursuing a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hunter Bass

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hunter is a senior at the University of Miami, majoring in Psychology and double minoring in LGBTQ Studies and Philosophy. He is dedicated and passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the health and psychological fields. Besides his involvement with HPAC, Hunter works in the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement at the University of Miami, advocating for commuter and transfer students. He intends to pursue clinical psychology post-graduation, focusing on adolescents and the LGBTQ+ community.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Marco Porter

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Marco Porter is a senior at the University of Miami studying a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Microbiology and Immunology. He aspires to develop innovative frameworks that foster meaningful social support networks within communities, ensuring that minoritized individuals (particularly BIPOC and LGBTQIA+) have access to the resources they need. By integrating community-based strategies and culturally sensitive practices, he aims to empower LGBTQIA+ individuals of color to cultivate resilience and navigate their mental health journeys more effectively. Besides his involvement with HPAC, Marco is heavily involved with the Miami Community, working as an undergraduate research assistant in the CAMAT lab, working on campus for the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, is on the executive board for the school radio station called WVUM, Canes Comics, and is involved in more clubs and organizations.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Nathalie Schwart

Volunteer Research Assistant

Nathalie Schwart is a senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Coral Gables Senior High School. She is passionate about social justice, specifically healthcare access. She hopes to study public health in her future undergraduate education.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Ivan Ivardic, M.S. 

Brooke G. Rogers, Ph.D.

Christopher Albright, B.S.

Tomás Delgado Jr., B.A.‌‌‌

Daniel Mayo, B.S.

Joey Waknin, B.A

Tiffany R. Glynn, Ph.D.

Jasper S. Lee‌, Ph.D.

Satyanand Satyanarayana, J.D.‌‌‌‌

Megan Jones, MPH

Nicolas Cardenas, B.S.

Noelle A. Mendez, Ph.D.

Jasmyn Sanders, Ph.D.

Kaitlyn Carino, B.S. 

Emma Tishler, B.S.

Sean Halbert, B.A.

Lindsey Bartoletta

Kemeria Baraso