OUR TEAM
Dr. Hinojosa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico. She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2016 with a B.A. in Psychology. In 2021, she completed her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology at Tufts University. Dr. Hinojosa became a NIAAA K99/R00 MOSAIC Scholar at Emory University as part of the Grady Trauma Project.
Grace graduated from the University of Alabama in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in the Randall Research Scholars Program (RRSP). As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant in the Relationships and Development Lab and served as an RRSP research mentor. After graduation, Grace joined Dr. Hinojosa in her work at the Grady Trauma Project at Emory University and later transferred with her to the University of New Mexico. She plans to work with The Hinojosa Lab for two years before pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests center on gender differences in the psychological and physical health consequences of trauma, particularly exploring neurobiological risk factors that contribute to women’s increased susceptibility to PTSD and other long-term health outcomes following trauma exposure. Grace hopes her research will inform targeted, evidence-based interventions for women experiencing PTSD. In her career, she also aims to integrate trauma-informed care practices for survivors of interpersonal violence in settings where disclosure often occurs, such as primary care and university environments. Grace devotes her free time to spoiling her two adorable puppies, Rocco and Rosie.
Sophia Lipetzky is a first year Ph.D student in the Cognition, Brain, & Behavior concentration. Sophia graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology while working as an undergraduate research assistant in a social psychology lab. She then completed a two-year postbac at the National Institute of Mental Health focusing on neuroimaging in cognitive neuroscience. Sophia’s research interests are in exploring sex differences in the interaction between stress and alcohol use disorder using neuroimaging and behavioral methods. She is passionate about mentoring and is excited to expand access to science for all as a Lobo! During her free time, Sophia loves to be outdoors by hiking and camping.
Amanda Klingler is a junior at the University of New Mexico where she is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts. Her research interests surround developmental changes in women who have been exposed to trauma and how that affects their mental health, physical wellbeing, and future success. Following graduation, she wishes to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to become a counselor focused on women’s health and development. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and being in the barn with her horses.
Layla is a junior at the University of New Mexico and a McNair Scholar, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Health, Medicine, and Human Values. Her research interests are on how PTSD and Alzheimer’s disease affect the brain, with particular attention to their impact on women in underserved communities. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. and become a clinical neuropsychologist. In her free time, Layla enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog and traveling whenever possible.
Zandria Ortiz is a fourth-year student and McNair Scholar at the University of New Mexico, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Statistics. She plans to earn a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience following her undergraduate studies, with the aspiration to work as a teaching professor/lecturer. As part of a sub-study she is conducting within the Hinojosa Lab, Zandria is currently exploring the influence of sexual assault acknowledgment status on PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use behaviors in college women. Once she graduates, Zandria hopes to better explore the brain’s capacities for learning and reorganization through her study of neuroplasticity. In her free time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and playing intramural soccer with her friends.
Shaiya is a Junior at the University of New Mexico, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in Addiction Counseling and a minor in Anthropology. Her research interests include posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and how the two can affect veteran populations. After graduating she wants to pursue a master's program for clinical psychology or social work and plans to become a substance abuse counselor hoping to work with veterans. In her free time, she likes to cook, bake, go to the gym and hike with friends.
Yiłnazbah is from Crystal, New Mexico. She is Áshįįhí born for Hongáahnii, her maternal grandfather is Tábąąhí and her paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii. Yiłnazbah is third-year student at the University of New Mexico majoring in Native American Studies with two minors in Psychology and Navajo Language. Yiłnazbah plans to pursue the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program offered at UNM with the intent of going back to the Navajo Nation to be a resource for the community. Yiłnazbah anticipates working directly with patients to jointly develop the best path for healing. During her free time, Yiłnazbah enjoys journaling, painting, attending concerts, and exploring New Mexico.
Tyler is a Senior Psychology Major from Taos, New Mexico. He previously worked as a research assistant in a social psychology lab at the Rice Consortium for Organizational Resilience and Effectiveness for two years. His current interests focus on cognitive neuroscience and its applications for developing and improving clinical treatment methods. He is committed to explore the neural markers of fear-based psychopathology like PTSD and OCD, and how these conditions relate to substance use and depression. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either Cognitive Neuroscience or Clinical Psychology, with the hopes of continuing in research and academia after completing his degree. In his free time, Tyler loves to listen to and make music, play soccer and basketball, be outdoors, and enjoy quality time with cat Sakura, family, and friends.
LAB ALUMNI
Isabel Thomas
Isabel graduated from UNM in December 2025 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in criminology, achieving Cum Laude in three and a half years. Isabel worked as an undergraduate research assistant underneath Dr. Hinojosa for two semesters, now continuing her involvement with The Hinojosa Lab remotely in the UK. Postgraduate plans for Isabel include applying to Master’s degree programs in Wales, looking to study Clinical Psychology or Applied Behaviour Change. She is currently working in a trauma-informed school to apply her knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health disorders from undergrad while helping young children to grow and learn in school settings. Ysgol Cynefin has been a perfect setting for Isabel to apply everything she has learned through the PTSD research in the lab while guiding the children through both challenges and successes. Isabel is passionate about helping people and eager to develop her knowledge through research and work experience. Her future goals include pursuing a counselling career for returning veterans as well as those struggling with addictions.
