Biography
Dr. Lara-Cinisomo's research focuses on addressing mental health disparities in women and mothers, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and military populations. Her research approach builds on a framework focused on psychosocial, cultural, structural and physiological factors. Specifically, she examines how contextual factors (e.g., culture, biology) are associated with poor mental health in her populations of interest. As such, she takes an integrated approach to understand mental health disparities in mothers and women. Recently, she completed several studies that examine associations between hormone function (i.e., cortisol and oxytocin) and perinatal depression in Latinas. Dr. Lara-Cinisomo also completed a novel study on the effects of mindfulness on the mental health of caregivers of veterans. Currently, she is conducting a multisite study on prenatal depression, diabetes, and disease management. Dr. Lara-Cinisomo is also exploring brain activation in the context of pain in postpartum women with and without depression.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Community Health
Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences
Associate Professor, Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity
Associate Professor, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Affiliate, Center for Social & Behavioral Science
Recent Publications
Lara-Cinisomo, S. (2025). An Integrated Approach to Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Spanish-Speaking and Latina Women. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57824-3
Lara-Cinisomo, S., Lopez, G. M., & Flores-Carter, K. (2025). Developing a Culturally Responsive Mental Health Workforce for Spanish-Speaking and Latina/Latinx Birthing People with Perinatal Depression and Anxiety. In An Integrated Approach to Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Spanish-Speaking and Latina Women (pp. 207-222). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57824-3_12
Lara-Cinisomo, S., Nutlis, M. M., Ramirez Olarte, A., Sutton, B. P., Larsen, R. J., & Schwarb, H. (2025). Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of using fMRI to measure pain responses in women with and without postpartum depression. Psychiatry Research - Neuroimaging, 353, Article 112042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2025.112042
Lara-Cinisomo, S. (2025). Why an Integrated Approach to Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Is Necessary: An Introduction to the Book. In An Integrated Approach to Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Spanish-Speaking and Latina Women (pp. 1-7). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57824-3_1
Non, A. L., Clausing, E. S., Lara-Cinisomo, S., & D’Anna Hernandez, K. L. (2025). COVID-19-Related Risk, Resilience, and Mental Health Among Mexican American Mothers Across the First Year of the Pandemic. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 12(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01849-2