Amelia Ibarra Mevans

I am currently pursuing a Clinical Psychology graduate degree. I come from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. 

I had unique experiences in my training as an undergrad, which included facilitating both individual and group supervised therapy (2020 - 2021). My work included treating young adults recovering from eating disorders or obesity. This allowed me to gain experience in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. My experiences during my undergraduate practicum in Mexico inspired me to become a better clinician, thus seeking further training at the University of Arizona (2022 - present). 

Research Interests:

• Psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors, and the role of culture and prosocial values as stress response mechanisms
• Hispanic Health Paradox
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
• Diversity, representation, and culturally sensitive approaches to research and therapy

My research interests are focused in my Hispanic/Latine community. Because
of their minoritized identity, they navigate significant psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors. However, their culture and prosocial values buffer the need to engage in stress responses. These are some of the mechanisms that I and other researchers believe play a role in their better-than-expected health outcomes, a phenomenon known as the Hispanic Health Paradox. I especially focus on cardiovascular disease (CVD), given its high prevalence rates both in the U.S. and my home
country, Mexico. I expect my research will serve my community and inform future intervention work. Diversity, representation, and culturally sensitive approaches to
research and therapy are of great importance to me.

Selected Presentations:

• Ibarra-Mevans, A., O’Neill, R.M., Ahn, C., Allison, M., Smith, T.W., Smyth, J.M., Taylor, D.J., Uchino, B.N., Ruiz, J.M. (March, 2025) Examining whether Hispanic identity moderates relationships between crime exposure, subjective stress, and inflammation. Submitted for presentation at the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine 2025 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.
• Villagrana, V.*, Ibarra-Mevans, A., Ahn, C., Allison, M., Smith, T.W., Smyth, J.M., Taylor, D.J., Uchino, B.N., Ruiz, J.M. (March, 2025) Exploring the Relationship Between Cohabitation and Inflammatory Markers in a Community Sample. Submitted for presentation at the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine 2025 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.
• Ibarra-Mevans, A., Flores, M.A., O’Neill, R.M., Dolister, D.A., Garrido-Blanco, G., Diamond, L., Smith, T.W., Hirai, M. Ph.D., Davis, D.E., Chan, T., Ruiz, J.M. (February, 2024) Look out for the unexpected! Examining differences in vigilance and the role of social support in Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic/Latinx young adults. Poster presented for presentation at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology 2024 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
• Ibarra-Mevans, A., Flores, M.A., O’Neill, R.M., Ruiz, J. M. (April 2023) Are Hispanics/Latinxs more socially vigilant than Non-Hispanic Whites? Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 44th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions: Translating Scienc

Master's Project: 

• Is Vigilance Something to Keep an Eye On? Understanding Ethnic Variance in Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Courses Taught:

• PSY 383 - Health Psychology (2024)

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.

Awards and Recognitions:

• CONAHCyT Fellowship Award (2024)

Updated: 05/22/25