The CARES Lab (Culturally-informed Approaches to Research on Emotional Health and Substance Use) is housed in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Our research focuses on culturally-informed investigations of temperamental and cognitive-affective mechanisms underlying anxiety, trauma, and substance use comorbidity in both children and adults. 

Our mission: The CARES Lab is dedicated to advancing culturally-informed research that explores the temperamental and cognitive-affective mechanisms underlying anxiety, trauma, and substance use comorbidity in both children and adults. By integrating culturally relevant frameworks, we aim to enhance understanding of how individual differences in emotional and behavioral tendencies interact with sociocultural factors to shape mental health outcomes. Through this work, we seek to inform interventions that are both meaningful and effective for diverse populations.

Our vision: Our vision is to lead transformative research that bridges the gap between culture, emotion, stress, and substance use, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing mental health across the lifespan. We aspire to create a more inclusive and comprehensive framework for addressing mental health disparities and informing culturally-appropriate interventions that promote resilience and well-being in diverse communities.