The 2026-27 Journal Club schedule is here! Mark your calendars and register for our six events throughout the academic year.

All events take place on the 3rd Friday of the month from 12-1 p.m. MT on Zoom.

• September 18 – Register
  • Discussion Topic: “Increases in Psychological Flexibility Mediate Relationship Between Acute Psychedelic Effects and Decreases in Racial Trauma Symptoms Among People of Color”
  • Featured Speaker: Yitong Xin, PhD
    • An Assistant Professor at the College of Social Work, University of Utah, Dr. Xin’s research program focuses on psychedelic-assisted interventions for trauma and substance use, with particular emphasis on resilience, meaning-making, and recovery processes among veterans and other underserved populations. Her work examines how novel interventions can support long-term well-being for people exposed to trauma and related stressors. Trained as both a researcher and a licensed social worker, Dr. Xin brings a clinically grounded and community-informed perspective to psychedelic science.

• October 16 – Register
  • Discussion Topic: TBA
  • Featured Speaker: Joseph Saenz, PhD
    • Joseph Saenz is an assistant professor with the Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging at Arizona State University. He focuses his work on understanding and explaining disparities in late-life cognitive outcomes using socioeconomic status, marriage, resilience, and environmental exposures throughout the life-course. He is especially interested in health disparities within the Mexican origin population on both sides of the United States Mexico border.

• November 20 – Register
  • Discussion Topic: “Violent and Verdant: Systemic Injustice in Public Parks in the U.S.”
  • Featured Speaker: KangJae “Jerry” Lee, PhD
    • Dr. Lee (이강재: 李康在) is a social and environmental justice researcher who uses his research and teaching activities to promote positive social changes. His research has focused on (1) social and environmental justice issues in parks, outdoor recreation, tourism, & sport and (2) the relationship between leisure participation and subjective well-being. He is an interdisciplinary researcher versed in both qualitative and quantitative methods.

      Lee’s research and teaching have been recognized by several awards, including the Outstanding Book Prize from the Leisure Studies Association, the Opal Mann Green Engagement and Scholarship Award from North Carolina State University, the Best Research Paper Award from the Academy of Leisure Sciences, the Golden Apple Award in Excellent Teaching and Mentorship at the University of Missouri, and the U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship at Texas A&M University.

• February 19 – Register
  • Discussion Topic: TBA
  • Featured Speaker: Gabriel Sanchez, PhD

    • Dr. Sanchez is a Professor of Political Science at the University of New Mexico and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Chair in Health Policy. He is also the Director of the UNM Center for Social Policy, a founding member of the UNM Native American Budget and Policy Institute, and Director of Research for BSP Research, a national leader in data collection for Latino and other diverse communities. Dr. Sanchez is also a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution where he focuses his work on addressing social inequalities through informing policy decisions across multiple levels of government.

      A leading expert on Latino and New Mexico politics, he regularly provides political commentary to several state, national, and international media outlets including the New York Times, CNN, Los Angeles Times, and the Economist. He has directed many research projects and polls across the southwest and has presented his research for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and often serves as an expert policy advisor to the New Mexico State Legislature. His research has explored the relationship between racial and ethnic identity and political engagement, Latino health policy, and minority legislative behavior.
• March 19 – Register
  • Discussion Topic: TBA
  • Featured Speaker: Kyaien O Conner, PhD, LSW, MSW
    • Dr. Kyaien Conner is Dean of the School of Social Work, Donald M. Henderson Endowed Chair, Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems, Associate Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. She received her BS in Psychology, MSW, MPH with a specialization in Minority Health and Health Disparities, and a PhD in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh.Dr. Conner’s research investigates the factors that influence disparities in health and mental health service utilization and treatment outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities. She focuses on the development and evaluation of culturally meaningful approaches to improving behavioral health for communities of color. She is currently the PI of a research award (PCORI) to evaluate the impact of a transitions in care intervention to reduce health disparities among African American and Latino/Hispanic patients being discharged from the hospital with chronic illness and co-occurring mental illness.

• April 16 – Register
  • Discussion Topic: TBA
  • Featured Speaker: TBA