Mica Estrada, Ph.D. headshot

Mica Estrada, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Health & Aging

University of California, San Francisco

Mica Estrada is an Associate Professor at the University of California at San Francisco’s School of Nursing in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Institute for Health and Aging. Her research program focuses on social influence, including the study of identity, values, kindness, well-being, and integrative education. Currently she leads as Principal Investigator on several longitudinal studies which implement and assess interventions aimed to increase student persistence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers (funded by NIH, NSF, and HHMI). Dr. Estrada’s research focuses on ethnic populations that are historically excluded and underrepresented in higher education, most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and are providing diverse and creative solutions to the pressing challenges of our day. She received the Leadership Institute Graduate Award from the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) in 2013 and the Adolphus Toliver Award for Outstanding Research in 2016. She has previously served as a member of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine study on Strengthening Research Experiences for Undergraduate STEM Students, and currently serves as a NAS Roundtable on Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Education member and the Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Organizations census study. She writes a Psychology Today Blog entitled “Lead with Kindness”. Dr. Estrada earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Harvard University.