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Laura Alba, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

School
Medical School
Department
Psychiatry
  • Biography

    Download Curriculum Vitae

    Dr. Laura Alba completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at San Diego State University, followed by a Master’s in Neuroscience and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her master’s research concentrated on how early caregiving adversity affects brain development and mental health. Dr. Alba then pursued a Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of California, Riverside, where she expanded her research to examine the influence of adverse childhood experiences on mental health. Throughout her doctoral studies, she also investigated equitable assessment practices, autism spectrum disorders, and social justice issues in schools. 

    Dr. Alba is currently affiliated with the Center for Autism Care, where she serves as a bilingual psychologist specializing in autism evaluations for culturally and linguistically diverse children. Her research is dedicated to advancing social justice within the field of autism diagnosis, with a particular focus on evaluating the validity of autism-specific assessment tools for Spanish-speaking populations. Through her work, Dr. Alba aims to enhance diagnostic practices' accuracy and cultural relevance for children from diverse backgrounds.

     

  • Education
    Internship
    Lewisville Independent School District
    Graduate School
    University of California, Riverside (2022)
    Medical School
    University of California at Riverside (2022)
    Fellowship
    UTSOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER (2023)
  • Research Interest
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences
    • Autism Spectrum Disorders
    • Social Justice
    • Social-Emotional Development
  • Publications

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