Psychology & Neuroscience
I make the best baked mac and cheese. I have a secret ingredient that I have never shared with anyone.
When my mother immigrated to this country in 1996, the first show she watched on TV was a Spanish soap opera. Growing up, she would tell me how this show gave her hope during a time of fear and grief. Forced to flee El Salvador due to the aftermath of a brutal civil war, she had to cope with the loss of her home, friends, and family. Ten years later, when I was born, she named me Julissa after a character in that telenovela. My name serves as a constant reminder to be strong and passionate in all that I do.
Like my name, my Latinx identity has always played a significant role in my life. Spanish was my first language, and I didn't become fluent in English until the 5th grade. It was in elementary school that I first learned the importance of language accessibility. Even though I was taking English as a Second Language classes, I often felt isolated from my classmates and misunderstood by the staff. This experience taught me the crucial role that language and culture play in accessibility, whether in education, politics, or healthcare. After my experiences in elementary school, I knew I wanted to work on making services more accessible for Spanish speakers and those with a Latinx background. I eventually discovered my passion for psychology and decided I wanted to pursue a career in this field. I have written several papers on mental health disparities in the Latinx communities, often focusing on topics such as fatalism, culture, gender, and identity.
Outside of my academic interests, I love to read, write poetry, and try new foods. Being a Durham local, I have also had amazing opportunities participating and volunteering with non-profits in the area, including the Emily K Center and Youth Mentoring Collaborative. Giving back to the community is a big passion of mine and the privilege of staying local means I can continue using my knowledge and resources to aid in building a better Durham.
Being a SPIRE fellow gives me the unique opportunity to be in a supportive and enriching community with students who have similar passions and backgrounds to me. I am looking forward to finding a family within the SPIRE community and growing from the different perspectives I am bound to encounter.
