J.C. Gonzalez is graduating with a Ph.D. from the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Miya Barnett. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Connecticut. After graduating with his B.S., J.C. was a project coordinator for the 4KEEPS Study at UCLA, an NIMH-funded project investigating evidence-based practice sustainment within the community mental health system of Los Angeles County. His research utilizes implementation science and partnerships with lay health worker communities to address disparities in access to effective mental health services for children and families. He is also interested in increasing father engagement in children's mental health services to benefit child and family outcomes. His clinical experiences include PCIT, community mental health, and inpatient severe mental illness. He is currently applying to clinical internship sites that would expand his training in interdisciplinary, academic medicine.
GGSE: What one thing about your research do you wish you could share with more people?
J.C. Gonzalez: My research has grown and expanded a lot throughout graduate school to include health equity, father engagement, and adolescent substance use. I’d probably want to share that I have a wide range of interests and encourage others to follow their passions, plural!
GGSE: Tell us about one of your fondest GGSE memories.
Gonzalez: The 2022 department graduation was really moving for me. To get to watch some of my closest friends and cohort mates in graduate school become doctors was a trip.
GGSE: What's next for you?
Gonzalez: I’ll be moving to the bay area to complete a NIDA-funded research postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF focusing on increasing health equity in adolescent substance use. And moving back in with my partner and our cats!
GGSE: Where do you hope to see yourself in 10 years?
Gonzalez: Hopefully as a faculty member within an academic medical center, fingers crossed.
GGSE: Are there people at the Gevirtz School you would like to thank?
Gonzalez: Of course, my advisor, Dr. Miya Barnett, for being such a stable support and role model despite the world feeling/being upside down at several times during my graduate training. Maria, Tracey, Sam, and all the other fantastic GGSE staff that literally keep our department and programs afloat (even through a pandemic) – we appreciate you! Last (but definitely not least) would be the entire PADRES lab and all my incredible, loving friends.
