My passion for learning and advancing research in adversity-based topics results from my own background having held several marginalized identities. I was born and raised in the city of Chicago, in an intergenerational household of Mexican descent, making me a first-generation American. Growing up, I had the privilege of attending well-funded private schools, a stark contrast to the neighborhood I lived in and the education my friends in my community received. From a young age I recognized the impact that socioeconomic status has on individuals and communities, but the biggest feature I noticed was how my family and friends had little access to quality healthcare and mental healthcare services due to socioeconomic barriers. It wasn't until I got to college that I began to learn and understand the historical and political contexts that have created and reinforce the systemic disenfranchisement of communities of color in the United States. The combination of my life experience and education have driven my interests in the fields of clinical psychology and social work, more specifically the interaction that social factors and biology have on the development of psychopathology. The identities I hold impassion me to serve others with marginalized identities, low-income families of color in urban environments, in particular, as well as the immigrant population and the children of immigrants. Since these specific populations demonstrate multiple avenues for disparity, I am passionate about advancing research for this demographic, as well as increasing psychological assessments and treatment services to these communities.