Get to Know Emerson
Emerson Larios came to UT San Antonio already having a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He wanted to explore his interest in psychology and how it intersects with his previous studies in biology, and UT San Antonio was the perfect place to do it! He graduated UT San Antonio with a master’s degree in psychology, with plans to continue his education by pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology.
Engaging in Research
UT San Antonio is among the top 4% of research institutions in the nation, which made it the perfect place for Emerson to study trauma, his primary area of interest. Under Itamar Lerner, an assistant professor with the UT San Antonio Department of Psychology, he studied the effects of sleep on stress. He also presented his findings from his master’s thesis at the 2023 Southwestern Psychology Association (SWPA) conference and placed first in the graduate student competition. After graduating with his second master’s, Emerson continued to study sleep, this time through a biological lens, as he continued his education to pursue a PhD in psychology.
"UTSA has helped create an environment in which I can engage with [my interest in trauma]."