BRAVO LAB

Hometown: 

​Johnston, Iowa

 

Undergraduate Education:

University of Iowa (’24), BS Psychology​

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Current Research Interests:

Javi’s research interests focus on mental health, including mindfulness-based interventions for managing mood and stress, restricted eating and body satisfaction, the role of cultural differences on self-identity, and substance use disorders.​​​

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More About Me:

Javi’s experience began as an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, where she majored in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Javi worked with Dr. Christine Shea, researching dual-language programs and the student’s language identities. She then joined Dr. Emily Thomas’s lab, examining changes in mental health and vascular function throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood using structured clinical interviews and neuroimaging sessions. Outside the lab, Javi provided services to children and students with disabilities and mentored Latinx students about options for higher education through Al Éxito in Iowa.​ In her spare time, Javi enjoys going on walks with good scenery, making jewelry, and journaling.

Hometown:

Ocean City, New Jersey​

 

Undergraduate Education:

Colorado State University (’23), BS Psychology​

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Current Research Interests:

Kira investigates how mindfulness and meaning-making influence health risk behaviors, including problematic substance use, non-adherence to treatment, and poor mental health in individuals with chronic illnesses. Her work aims to uncover mechanisms that disconnect these health risk behaviors from adverse health outcomes, ultimately enhancing quality of life for those with chronic diseases.​

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More about Kira: 

Kira’s experience began as an undergraduate student at Colorado State University, where she majored in Psychology and worked with Dr. Brad Conner, researching the development of addictive and risky behaviors. She examined the relationships of mindfulness, resilience, emotion dysregulation, cannabis use and sensation-seeking behaviors in the lab through neuroimaging and various experimental designs. Outside the lab and following her graduation, Kira provided services to at-risk students through the AmeriCorps Colorado Youth for a Change program, and subsequently served as an admissions counselor at a substance use treatment center in New Jersey.​ In her spare time, Kira enjoys reading, exercising, and cooking for family and friends.