Lab director

Andrea S. Medrano, Ph.D.

Developmental Psychologist · Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh · Director, CREAR Lab

Welcome! I'm Dr. Medrano, a developmental psychologist committed to examining how youth and women exposed to violence make sense of, survive, and resist trauma in their daily lives. I serve as Director of the CREAR Lab and Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. My research focuses on poly-victimization, gender-based violence, and structural inequalities, with an emphasis on resilience processes.

I lead international, community-engaged studies across Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, and the U.S., using mixed methods to ensure that voices and data inform our work. Through the CREAR Lab, I mentor a powerhouse team of undergraduate and graduate students — primarily women and scholars of color — who share a passion for equity-driven research.