Jesús Hernández Ortiz

I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where I was exposed to poverty, inequity, and lack of access to adequate mental health care. This early exposure to health disparities motivated me to pursue a career in mental health. As an adolescent, I moved to New York. In undergrad, I majored in psychology. After graduating, I moved to Boston, working in various settings, including research labs, hospitals, clinics, and community organizations. 

My experiences in the Dominican Republic, New York, and Boston have shaped my understanding of mental health and the challenges individuals and communities face. At Mason, I am working under the mentorship of Dr. Natasha Tonge. I am committed to engaging my skills, knowledge, and the George Mason community to improve the lives of others and conduct culturally sensitive clinical psychological science. 

Current Research

My primary research projects focus on using machine learning to address mental health disparities in minoritized communities with severe mental illness.

Courses Taught

PSYC 300: Statistics in Psychology
PSYC 100: Basic Concepts in Psychology

Education

ALM, Harvard University

BA, Binghamton University

AA, SUNY Suffolk