Dr. Maria Soledad Santos

I am an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Unit Clinical Psychology within the Cluster Health, Cognition and Behavior. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have combined my roles as clinical psychologist, researcher and educator, guided by a commitment to understanding and supporting mental health, particularly in perinatal healthcare and during childhood. I graduated with honors from the University of Buenos Aires in 2003 and obtained my Ph.D. in Psychology in 2010; and a significant part of my work as psychologist and researcher has focused on practical integration of psychological knowledge in clinical and medical settings.
I truly enjoy teaching psychology within the Liberal Arts and Science program of UCR, where I deeply value the opportunity to engage in meaningful academic conversations with an international and motivated student community. I believe that teaching and learning flourish through personalized, collaborative, constructive and active interactions, not just between instructors and students, but between learners and ideas. It is a privilege to accompany our students on their educational journey, encouraging both creative and analytical thinking, as they shape their own professional paths.