Our Team

Lab Director

Close-up of a young man with curly dark hair, glasses, a trimmed beard, smiling, wearing a checkered shirt, against a plain gray background.

Roberto Rentería, PhD

Roberto Rentería (He/him/Él) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Proudly Mexican-American (originario de Jalisco!) and a first-generation student, Dr. Rentería obtained his PhD in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University in 2022. He then completed an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship (F32) at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He joined the Department of Psychology at UMass Boston in 2024. Outside the lab, he enjoys cooking new recipes, watching horror movies, and savoring a cup of espresso.

Graduate Students

JORGE DELgADO

A young man with curly dark hair, smiling, wearing a brown polo shirt with a little giraffe emblem on the chest, and a silver necklace.

Jorge Delgado (he/him) is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He earned a B.S. in Psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology from the University of California, San Diego in 2023. Jorge’s research focuses on intersectionality among LGBTQ+ and racial/ethnic minority identities, substance use and mental health outcomes, and culturally tailored interventions. In his leisure, he enjoys running, video games, animation, and quality time with his cat, Musharna.

ARUSHEE BHOJA

Arushee Bhoja (she/they) joined the clinical psychology doctoral program at the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2025. She graduated from New York University in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and a Minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She then worked as a research coordinator at the University of Maryland, where she managed a study investigating the impact of intersectional oppression on mental health and substance use among LGBTQ+ youth of color. She is interested in mental health and interpersonal functioning in LGBTQ+ communities of color, with a focus on suicidality. In her free time, she loves writing poetry, reading, and playing with her cats.

Lysette DeSilva

Lysette DeSilva (she/her) is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She graduated with a B.S. in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, San Diego in 2021, and went on to coordinate LGBTQ+ suicide prevention research at VA San Diego. She is interested in examining the effects of intersectional stigma and discrimination, as well as how to promote healing from these experiences, among LGBTQ+ people of color. In her free time, Lysette likes reading, playing video games, and building custom mechanical keyboards.

mika sevilla morales

Mika Sevilla Morales (they/them) is a doctoral student in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Mika graduated with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati, with certificates on Minority Health and LGBTQ+ Studies. Their research centers on identity development, intra-minority experiences, and advancing equitable outcomes in both health and education within marginalized communities. In addition to research, Mikais also passionate about baking, video games, film, and hiking.

Research assistants

Musarat Tasmin

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a cream-colored sweater, standing outdoors in front of green trees and grass, smiling at the camera.

Musarat Tasmin (she/her) is studying Psychology and Human Rights. She is interested in learning about mental health outcomes in students. Outside of the lab, she enjoys learning languages!

Lab Interns

Ixshel Quetzali Cruz García

Ixshel Quetzali Cruz García is a psychology graduate in the process of completing her degree at the School of Psychology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She is currently completing a three-month academic exchange at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she participates in research activities related to the mental health of minority communities. Her experience has focused on functional behavior analysis, substance use prevention, and mental health promotion. Her current research project examines the relationship between violence victimization and perpetration and substance use among Mexican immigrants in the New England region. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and singing (all day, at all hours). Although she enjoys socializing, her social battery is limited, so she also enjoys spending time at home with her family and cats.

Lab alumni

Samuel Deras, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2025-2026). Graduated in 2026 with BA in Psychology.
Devin Youngclaus, Undergraduate Research Assistant (2025-2026).Graduated in 2026 with BA in Psychology.