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 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.
Isabel is a senior at the University of New Mexico, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Counseling and a minor in Criminology. She plans to continue assisting with research in The Hinojosa Lab for the remainder of her junior year and into her senior year, hoping to expand her knowledge of research methodologies and deepen her understanding of the relationship between PTSD and AUD. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology, focusing her research on posttraumatic stress disorder and alternate coping mechanisms. Isabel competes in pole vault on the UNM track team and dedicates her spare time to her training.
THIS COULD BE YOU!
Graduate Student
Sarah Lee is a fourth-year student at the University of New Mexico where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Statistics. Currently, she studies reward processing in co-occurring PTSD and AUD. Her other research interests include investigating underlying mechanisms and etiology in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Parkinson’s disease. In her spare time, Sarah also enjoys drawing, drinking coffee, and playing violin. After completion of undergraduate studies, Sarah plans to apply to graduate school to continue her research.
Zandria Ortiz is a fourth-year student at the University of New Mexico, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Statistics. She plans to pursue a Ph.D in Cognitive Neuroscience following the completion of her undergraduate degree, with the aspiration to work as a teaching professor/lecturer and similarly instill within students the curiosity and love that she herself has gained for the discipline over the course of her studies. Alongside her team at The Hinojosa Lab, Zandria’s research interests focus on the development of personalized treatment strategies for marginalized women in the context of developing PTSD and AUD; she also hopes to explore the benefits of psychedelic assisted therapies in their treatment of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. In her free time, Zandria loves playing intramural soccer with her friends, drawing with charcoal, rock climbing, reading, candid photography, and tackling the Apple News Quartiles puzzles.
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.
