Dr. Rivera Mindt is nationally and internationally recognized for her research accomplishments and expertise in brain health equity, cultural neuropsychology, and community-engaged research (CER) methods. Her research and leadership have led to fundamental changes in her field of neuropsychology through the evidence base that She has helped to create and her leadership in helping to translate this evidence into a broader understanding of the critical roles of sociocultural and structural factors in brain-behavior relationships in neuropsychological training, research, and practice with underrepresented populations. For instance, the CER methods that she has refined over the past ~15 years to improve the internal and external validity of cognitive aging/dementia research are now transforming the field AD/ADRD research through large, multi-site studies, such as the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, ADNI (2U19AG024904; a ~60 site study across the US and Canada), which sets the field’s standard for AD biomarker validation and AD clinical trials, and has enabled dramatic changes to trial design, including early intervention strategies.
Regarding her scholarly impact, she has established a strong and consistent record of scholarly activity. She has 110+ peer-reviewed articles (39 articles as first or senior author and 64 with trainee co-authors), as well as 11 book chapters and related publications. Her work has consistently appeared in high caliber journals within her field (e.g., The Clinical Neuropsychologist, Psychological Assessment, Neuropsychology). She has also given 100+ invited, extramural presentations, including 11 Keynote addresses and the 2022 Commencement Address for Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Regarding leadership/service, she approaches every leadership opportunity with authenticity, cultural humility, and a big vision for what is possible when we come together with common purpose to create meaningful, systemic, and lasting change. For instance, during her tenure as President of the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society (2016-2020), not only did she advance health policy, research, and training opportunities for Latinx populations, but also helped to start/support new, health-equity focused neuropsychology organizations that are now flourishing, including the Asian Neuropsychological Association and the Society for Black Neuropsychology. Dr. Rivera Mindt is also a founding member (2000–2002) of APA’s Division 40 Women in Neuropsychology (WIN) group (N= 1,000+), which actively supports and Mentors women and gender non-binary individuals in neuropsychology and has been a transformational force for helping women ascend into leadership positions in neuropsychology. Lastly, she was honored to serve as Chair for the NIH/NIA AGCD-4 Study Section (2021-2022). Overall, she has served in 13 national leadership positions and believes that this work has been highly impactful to advance brain health equity and inclusion across the field.
In sum, Dr. Rivera Mindt has brought a unique perspective and great energy to all aspects of her work. She has advanced our understanding and promotion of healthy brain/cognitive aging for all people and Dr. Rivera Mindt is helping to diversify a workforce that must be more culturally competent and better prepared to study and care for our rapidly aging and diversifying US population.
