Dr. Oswaldo Moreno is an Associate Professor in the School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology at Arizona State University. Dr. Moreno earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies from Arizona State University, an M.T.S. in Religion and the Social Science from Harvard University, and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Clark University in Massachusetts. Dr. Moreno also completed his pre-doctoral residency at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology at the Boston University School of Medicine and a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Brown University School of Public Health.
Dr. Moreno’s research and clinical interests lie at the intersection of clinical health science, social determinants of health, mental health promotion, and systemic inequities impacting Spanish-speaking, Latinx, and immigrant communities. His work uses Critical Psychology, Liberatory Psychology, Intersectionality, and multicultural theories that focus on understanding how structural and systemic factors influence physical and mental health outcomes, including stress, internalizing disorders, and addictive behaviors. He is committed to developing, culturally enhancing, evaluating, and disseminating culturally responsive treatments that address these barriers. Most recently, his research emphasizes the psychosocial and cultural dimensions that shape individual mental health, coping strategies, help-seeking behaviors, and overall well-being. His team is also investigating how family and cultural factors influence substance use among Latinx adolescents, as well as the effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems in Latinx populations.
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Clark University
- M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Clark University
- M.T.S. in Religion and the Social Science, Harvard University
- B.S. in Psychology, Arizona State University
Dr. Moreno's research interests are centered at the intersection of clinical health science, social determinants of health, and mental health disparities. Specifically, Dr. Moreno focuses on understanding how social determinants, including structural and systemic factors, contribute to physical and mental health outcomes such as stress, internalizing disorders, and addictive behaviors. Dr. Moreno’s work explores the role of healthcare behaviors and examines the unique challenges faced by marginalized populations in accessing culturally responsive mental health services.
Dr. Moreno's research aims to develop, disseminate, and evaluate culturally appropriate treatments that address these barriers. Additionally, Dr. Moreno emphasizes the psychosocial-cultural dimensions that shape individuals' mental health, coping strategies, help-seeking behaviors, and overall well-being. Dr. Moreno believes these factors are critical for developing multicultural frameworks designed to reduce healthcare disparities and promote mental health in communities with greater need.
Currently, Dr. Moreno directs La Esperanza Research Program, which is working on the Latino Behavioral Health Initiative, The Study on Reducing Psychological and Behavioral Health Disparities for Latine Communities, and the Study on Culturally Enhancing a Group-Based Program for Latinx Youth. His research team is also conducting a Study on Family and Cultural Factors on Latine Adolescent Tobacco Use and the Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems among Latine Smokers.
Areas of Expertise:
- Clinical Health Psychology
- Community Health
- Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
- Health Disparities and Health Inequalities
- Latinx/e Immigrant Health
- Social Determinants of Health
- Moreno, O., Tirado, C., Avila, M., Bravo, A. J., Garcia-Rodriguez, I., Romo, S., Rodriguez, J., Matos, C., Hernandez, C., Ramos, M. S., Fuentes, L., Muñoz, G., Gutierrez, D., & Corona, R. (2024). Results from a pilot efficacy trial of a motivational interviewing substance use intervention for Latinx/e youth. Journal of Counseling & Development, 102(2), 198-209. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12505
- Moreno, O., Derlan Williams, C., Muñoz, G., Santana, A., Hernandez, C., de Jesus Elias, M., Chartier, K., Hood, K., Johnson, K., Middleton, T. J., Montemayor, B. N., The Spit for Science Working Group, Vassileva, J., Dick, D. M., & Amstadter, A. B. (2024). Interpersonal ethnic–racial discrimination and tobacco products: The moderating role of critical action. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000646
- Garcini, L. M., Barrita, A., Cadenas, G. A., Domenech Rodríguez, M. M., Galvan, T., Mercado, A., Moreno, O., Paris, M., Rojas Perez, O. F., Silva, M., & Venta, A. (2023). A decolonial and liberation lens to social justice research: Upholding promises for diverse, inclusive, and equitable psychological science. American Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001255
- Moreno, O., Rosales, R., Munoz, G., Zelaya, D., Figuereo, V., & Bravo, A.J. (2023). Workplace and school microaggressions on anxiety: The role of cultural values among Hispanic Americans. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. https://doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.101774
- Galvan. T., Venta, A., Silva, M., Mercado A., Moreno, O., & Garcini, L. (2023). Applying an anti-racist framework to reduce disparities and promote psychological well-being in unaccompanied immigrant minors. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. https://doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2023.01.023
- Moreno, O., *Sosa, R., *Hernandez, C., Cadenas, G., & Nienhusser., H.K. (2022). Immigration status, mental health, and intent to persist among Immigrant college students. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. https://doi:10.1037/dhe0000456
- National/International Recognition Award, Virginia Commonwealth University (2025)
- Virginia's Persona de Poder (People of Will and Power), Radio Poder 1380AM (2025)
- Global Learning Program Development Award, VCU Global Education Office (2025)
- Presidential Citation, National Latinx Psychological Association (2024)
- Latinx Rising Star Award, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (2024)
- Melba J.T. Vasquez Early Career Award for Outstanding Scientific Contributions and the Application of this Knowledge toward the Improved Mental and Physical Well-Being of People of Color, American Psychological Association (2024)
- Dr. Edwin J. Nichols Cultural and Diversity Grant, APA (2023)
- ASSET Junior Faculty Fellow, University of California, San Diego (2021-2022)
- Faculty Fellow, American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (2019)
- Associate Editor, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology (APA Division 45)
- Associate Editor, Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion (APA Division 17)
- Perspectives on Psychological Science (APS flagship journal).
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Association for Psychological Science (APS)
- National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA)
- Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
- Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs (CCHPTP)
- President, National Latinx Psychological Association
- Training Advisory Committee (TAC), American Psychological Association’s Minority Fellowship Program.
- Board of Directors for the Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs (CCHPTP)