Welcome to the SALUD Lab!

SALUD is a research team in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Co-directed by Bianca Villalobos, Ph.D., and Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez, Ph.D., the lab is dedicated to increasing access to evidence-based and culturally sensitive mental health services to underserved populations. This website provides an overview of our mission, research and services initiatives, and team members. Individuals interested in joining SALUD at the graduate, undergraduate, and post-baccalaureate levels are encouraged to learn more by exploring the website. 

 

Lab News

April 2026

SALUD Lab members recently participated in CSUNposium, presenting research throughout the day across multiple sessions. Presenters included Ésai Antonio Padilla; Katherine Rachel Gonzalez; Isabella Anahi Estrada; Andrea Hernandez; and master’s students Emma M., Michelle H., and Katherine J.

We also share that Ésai Antonio Padilla and Emma Mcadam received first place awards in their respective categories. Congratulations to all of our presenters for their contributions and for representing the lab at this event.

Updates and highlights will be shared on our Instagram: @csun_salud

Publication Alert:

SALUD Lab directors, Drs. Bianca Villalobos and Juventino Hernandez, are pleased to share their latest publication in the journal of Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.

“It was basically ‘don’t say gay with a therapist face’: LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals’ experiences with mental health services in South Texas.”

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-34174-001

This article explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals navigating mental health services, highlighting barriers, cultural considerations, and the need for more affirming and inclusive care. The work contributes to ongoing efforts to improve equity and responsiveness in psychological services.

November 2025

SALUD Lab welcomes its two newest Undergraduate students, Sophia Bradner and Jeimy Vasquez!

Dr. Villalobos becomes a New Faculty Affiliate of CSUN's Health Equity Research and Education (HERE) Center! : HERE Center (Health Equity Research and Education Center) | CSUN

October 2025

The SALUD Lab welcomes our newest PODER Undergraduate student, Isabella Estrada!

See the PODER Program website for more information about how to become a PODER student: PODER at the Office of Undergraduate Research

Undergrad RA, Esai Padilla, completed CSUN's Summer JumpStart Research Training Program!  

During this experience, he was able to engage in fast-paced psychological research. Over the span of 10 consecutive days, Esai helped with the formation of a study and presented the findings with a poster. The Summer JumpStart Program takes place at the CSUN campus and is hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Find further information on the application process at the PODER program: https://www.csun.edu/our/initiatives-services/summer-jumpstart

October 2024

Dr. Villalobos received a presidential citation for advancing bilingual training in psychology at NLPA’s conference in Puerto Rico!

The Working Group on the Development of Bilingual Training Guidelines for Health Service Psychology Programs presented proposed guidelines during a workshop at the conference.

August 2024

The SALUD Lab is born! Drs. Villalobos and Hernandez Rodriguez moved to CA and began positions as Associate Professors at CSU Northridge!

Updates and highlights on Instagram: @csun_salud

Congratulations to our lab member Brianna Flores! She presented her research poster at The Latino Medical Student Association West Regional Conference @lmsa_west at UC Davis School of Medicine and received a Poster Award. 🏆 Her poster is titled, &q
Congratulations to our lab member Brianna Flores! She presented her research poster at The Latino Medical Student Association West Regional Conference @lmsa_west at UC Davis School of Medicine and received a Poster Award. 🏆 Her poster is titled, "Service Utilization Among the Latinx Community Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic." Again, congrats Brianna! We're so proud of your hard work. 👏👏🎉🌟 #lmsawest2026 #SALUDLab #conference #HealthEquity #PreMedStudent
✨Get to know our talented undergraduate RA’s and their aspirations! 🤗📖💡 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
✨Get to know our talented undergraduate RA’s and their aspirations! 🤗📖💡 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
🤗 Meet our wonderful and dedicated Post-baccalaureate RA’s. Check out their research interests and more! 🙌🧪🌟 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
🤗 Meet our wonderful and dedicated Post-baccalaureate RA’s. Check out their research interests and more! 🙌🧪🌟 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
🤩 Introducing our amazing and ambitious Graduate RA’s. Swipe to get to know them more! 👏🤩🎶 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
🤩 Introducing our amazing and ambitious Graduate RA’s. Swipe to get to know them more! 👏🤩🎶 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
📣 Meet the team behind the SALUD Lab! 📚Passionate about collaborating, advancing health equity and making an impact on research for marginalized communities. ✨Stay tuned for more updates! #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
📣 Meet the team behind the SALUD Lab! 📚Passionate about collaborating, advancing health equity and making an impact on research for marginalized communities. ✨Stay tuned for more updates! #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN
📢 Research Opportunity Are you a Latinx/Hispanic college student majoring in psychology? 🧠 SALUD Lab is looking for participants to help us better understand students’ thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about their educational goals. Eligib
📢 Research Opportunity Are you a Latinx/Hispanic college student majoring in psychology? 🧠 SALUD Lab is looking for participants to help us better understand students’ thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about their educational goals. Eligible participants can enter a raffle for a $50 virtual gift card. 💳 🧠 35-minute online survey 📍 California college students 🔗 Scan the QR code to participate Please share and repost! 😊💛 #SALUDLab #PsychologyResearch #LatinxStudents #CSUNPsychology
Meet our Co-Director, Dr. Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez (he/him/él) 🤍 Dr. Hernandez Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at CSUN whose research focuses on pathways that contribute to maladjustment among Latinx you
Meet our Co-Director, Dr. Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez (he/him/él) 🤍 Dr. Hernandez Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at CSUN whose research focuses on pathways that contribute to maladjustment among Latinx youth. His work examines how trauma and stress impact youth and families and their access to mental health services. He is also dedicated to mentoring and training diverse students to help diversify the future psychology workforce. #SALUDLab #CSUNPsychology #MentalHealthEquity
Meet our Co-Director, Dr. Bianca T. Villalobos (she/her/ella) 🤍 Dr. Villalobos is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at CSUN whose research focuses on help-seeking behaviors, cultural factors, and reducing barriers to mental health
Meet our Co-Director, Dr. Bianca T. Villalobos (she/her/ella) 🤍 Dr. Villalobos is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at CSUN whose research focuses on help-seeking behaviors, cultural factors, and reducing barriers to mental health care. She is passionate about training the next generation of culturally informed and bilingual researchers and clinicians. #SALUDLab #CSUNPsychology #MentalHealthEquity
Introducing SALUD Lab 🤍 We are a research team in the Department of Psychology at CSUN dedicated to increasing access to evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health care for underserved communities. Follow along as we share our research, p
Introducing SALUD Lab 🤍 We are a research team in the Department of Psychology at CSUN dedicated to increasing access to evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health care for underserved communities. Follow along as we share our research, projects, and commitment to equity in mental health. To learn more about us visit https://www.csunsalud.com/ #SALUDLab #CSUNPsychology #CSUN #MentalHealthEquity
Congratulations to our lab member Brianna Flores! She presented her research poster at The Latino Medical Student Association West Regional Conference @lmsa_west at UC Davis School of Medicine and received a Poster Award. 🏆 Her poster is titled, &q ✨Get to know our talented undergraduate RA’s and their aspirations! 🤗📖💡 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN 🤗 Meet our wonderful and dedicated Post-baccalaureate RA’s. Check out their research interests and more! 🙌🧪🌟 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN 🤩 Introducing our amazing and ambitious Graduate RA’s. Swipe to get to know them more! 👏🤩🎶 #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN 📣 Meet the team behind the SALUD Lab! 📚Passionate about collaborating, advancing health equity and making an impact on research for marginalized communities. ✨Stay tuned for more updates! #SALUDLab #Research #CSUN 📢 Research Opportunity Are you a Latinx/Hispanic college student majoring in psychology? 🧠 SALUD Lab is looking for participants to help us better understand students’ thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about their educational goals. Eligib Meet our Co-Director, Dr. Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez (he/him/él) 🤍 Dr. Hernandez Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at CSUN whose research focuses on pathways that contribute to maladjustment among Latinx you Meet our Co-Director, Dr. Bianca T. Villalobos (she/her/ella) 🤍 Dr. Villalobos is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at CSUN whose research focuses on help-seeking behaviors, cultural factors, and reducing barriers to mental health Introducing SALUD Lab 🤍 We are a research team in the Department of Psychology at CSUN dedicated to increasing access to evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health care for underserved communities. Follow along as we share our research, p

September 2025

The SALUD Lab welcomes its two Master's Students, Emma McAdam and Katherine Jimenez!

Publication Alert:

Dr. Villalobos is proud to share her latest article in American Psychologist: "A Compendium for the 2024 APA Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology: Guideline Applications and Resources.

https://lnkd.in/eWNZzP34

This compendium expands on the revised 2024 APA Guidelines for Telepsychology, offering practical examples and educational targets to support psychologists in applying the 11 updated competencies, from informed consent and data security to supervision and emerging technologies.

Please share with your networks!