About Me

I’m Carlos, a Ph.D. student in Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University. I was born in Bayamo, Cuba, and raised in Hialeah, Florida.

My research investigates how Hispanic cultural constructs—such as Machismo, Marianismo, Familismo, and Fatalismo—influence stress responses, health decision-making, and health outcomes in Hispanic communities. Drawing from my lived experiences and research background, I’m interested in developing culturally informed medical models and behavioral medicine interventions that reduce health disparities and improve quality of life for underserved populations.

Before joining TTU, I managed multiple NIH-funded studies at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on psychosocial interventions for cancer survivors. I hold a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, where I studied Psychology, Romance Languages, and Spanish.

Outside of research, you can usually find me at the beach, at a local farmers market, or spending quality time with my husband, Aaron Riffa, and our two dogs Oliver and Honey.