Dr. Adrian Aguilera is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Welfare at UC Berkeley and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Aguilera directs the Digital Health Equity and Access Lab (dHEAL) and previously directed the Latinx Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health. Dr. Aguilera's research is focused on developing and testing technology-based interventions to address health disparities in low-income and vulnerable populations, with an emphasis on Latinx populations. Dr. Aguilera's current work has focused on utilizing mobile phone technology to improve mental health interventions in primary care settings. He has developed and deployed HealthySMS, which is a platform for delivering text messaging health interventions and visualizing data received from patients. He has applied this approach in the MoodText project, using text messages as an adjunct to group cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for depression resulting in increased engagement in treatment. He is also co-PI of the DIAMANTE project, which adds machine learning to improve personalization of mobile phone based health interventions for individuals with diabetes and depression symptoms.
Dr. Aguilera's work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Health Resources and Services Administration among others.
Dr. Aguilera earned his BA in Psychology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford and his PhD in Clinical Psychology at UCLA. He also completed a psychology internship at the San Francisco VA and a postdoc in Clinical Services Research at UCSF. He is a licensed, practicing clinical psychologist at San Francisco General Hospital.
.pdf of CV available upon request
Current Projects
MoodText: Automated Text Messaging to Improve Depression Treatment for Low-Income Populations
Adrian Aguilera, Principal Investigator
As an effort to develop innovative ways to engage patients with their health care providers, the study evaluates the development of an automated text-messaging adjunct to improve depression treatment among low-income, ethnic minority (including Spanish speakers) populations. Utilizing mobile phone based text messaging (or short messaging service: SMS) as a vehicle, the study expands upon previous work in various health applications of this technology across socioeconomic status.
Research questions address whether adding an automated SMS adjunct to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression can increase adherence (homework adherence, attendance, medication adherence) in order to improve the quality of care in public sector settings.
DIAMANTE
The DIAMANTE project investigates the effect of mobile text messages on engagement in physical activity in participants with diabetes and depression. The project involves participant interviews and user center design methodology in order to inform the development of a combined diabetes and depression text messaging intervention that will be embedded into existing primary care. By designing and testing an adaptive mobile health intervention within a safety net setting, we will increase the likelihood that the vulnerable populations most impacted by diabetes and depression will actually receive the support they need to make significant lifestyle changes, thereby improving their overall health. By targeting both diabetes and depression, our research will lead to services that are responsive to the realities of these comorbid disorders and will likely have greater impact than interventions that focus only on one disease or the other.
StayWell at Home/Bienestar en Casa
The StayWell project is a supportive text-message intervention in English and Spanish to help people cope with the stress and anxiety of COVID-19 social distancing. The purpose of this study is to examine if automated text-messages will improve depression and anxiety symptoms and enhance positive mood.
In the News
The therapist in your phone (Latino USA 3.27.24)
The science behind taking a mental health day (Everlywell 5.22)
For the Latinx, Mental Health Care in Spanish Is Hard to Find (Richmond Pulse 3.8.22)
Can Therapy Apps Live up to the Hype? (KQED 4.6.21)
UC Berkeley lab creates automated texting program to help people cope with COVID-19 stress (ABC7 12.31.20)
Mental Health Therapy Apps The Cut 3.29.21 How the pandemic forced mental health care to change for the better (Vox 9.18.20)
How texting might ward off depression (KQED 9.17.15)
UC Berkeley Texting therpy helping treat depression (KPIIX San Francisco 03.27.15)
Audio: Public Health Minute (3.26.14)
'Text Therapy' May Ease Isolation (Berkeley News 4.13.12)
Encouraging Text Messages Can Help with Mental Disorder Recovery, Research Finds (Daily Californian 4.12.12)
Mobile App Technology for Social Workers (Social Work Today 5.12)
Expanded Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Hernandez-Ramos, R., Altszyler, E., Figueroa, C. A., Avila-Garcia, P., & Aguilera, A. (2021). Linguistic analysis of Latinx patients’ responses to a text messaging adjunct during cognitive behavioral therapy for depression. Behaviour research and therapy, 104027.
Figueroa, C. A., Luo, T. C., Jacobo, A., Munoz, A., Manuel, M., Chan, D., ... & Aguilera, A. (2021). Conversational Physical Activity Coaches for Spanish and English Speaking Women: A User Design Study. Frontiers in Digital Health, 3.
Luo, T. C., Aguilera, A., Lyles, C. R., & Figueroa, C. A. (2021). Promoting physical activity through conversational agents: mixed methods systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(9), e25486.
Armstrong, C. C., Aguilera, A., Hwang, J., & Harvey, A. G. (2021). Barriers and Facilitators to Behavior Change for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness who Received the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction in a Community Mental Health Setting. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 1-17.
Aguilera, A., Hernandez-Ramos, R., Haro-Ramos, A. Y., Boone, C. E., Luo, T. C., Xu, J., ... & Figueroa, C. A. (2021). A Text Messaging Intervention (StayWell at Home) to Counteract Depression and Anxiety During COVID-19 Social Distancing: Pre-Post Study. JMIR Mental Health, 8(11), e25298.
Figueroa, C. A., Luo, T., Aguilera, A., & Lyles, C. R. (2021). The need for feminist intersectionality in digital health. The Lancet Digital Health, 3(8), e526-e533.
Figueroa, C. A., Vittinghoff, E., Aguilera, A., & Fukuoka, Y. (2021). Differences in objectively measured daily physical activity patterns related to depressive symptoms in community dwelling women–mPED trial. Preventive medicine reports, 22, 101325.
Pathak, L. E., Aguilera, A., Williams, J. J., Lyles, C. R., Hernandez-Ramos, R., Miramontes, J., ... & Figueroa, C. A. (2021). Developing Messaging Content for a Physical Activity Smartphone App Tailored to Low-Income Patients: User-Centered Design and Crowdsourcing Approach. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 9(5), e21177.
Figueroa, C. A., Deliu, N., Chakraborty, B., Modiri, A., Xu, J., Aggarwal, J., ... & Aguilera, A. (2021). Daily Motivational Text Messages to Promote Physical Activity in University Students: Results from a Microrandomized Trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
Figueroa, C. A., Aguilera, A., Chakraborty, B., Modiri, A., Aggarwal, J., Deliu, N., ... & Lyles, C. R. (2021). Adaptive learning algorithms to optimize mobile applications for behavioral health: guidelines for design decisions. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Hernandez-Ramos, R., Aguilera, A., Garcia, F., Miramontes-Gomez, J., Pathak, L. E., Figueroa, C. A., & Lyles, C. R. (2021). Conducting Internet-Based Visits for Onboarding Populations with Limited Digital Literacy to an mHealth Intervention: Development of a Patient-Centered Approach. JMIR Formative Research, 5(4), e25299.
McGeough, B. L., Aguilera, A., Capriotti, M. R., Obedin-Maliver, J., Lubensky, M. E., Lunn, M. R., & Flentje, A. (2021). Understanding co-occurring depression symptoms and alcohol use symptoms among cisgender sexual minority women. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 1-22.
Figueroa, C. A., Hernandez-Ramos, R., Boone, C. E., Gómez-Pathak, L., Yip, V., Luo, T.,... & Aguilera, A. (2021). A Text Messaging Intervention for Coping with Social Distancing During COVID-19 (StayWell at Home): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 10(1), e23592.
Figueroa C.A., Demasi O., Hernandez-Ramos R. and Aguilera A. Who benefits most from adding technology to depression treatment and how? An analysis of engagement with a texting adjunct for psychotherapy. Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health (2021)
Figueroa, C. A., Vittinghoff, E., Aguilera, A., & Fukuoka, Y. (2021). Differences in objectively measured daily physical activity patterns related to depressive symptoms in community dwelling women–mPED trial. Preventive medicine reports, 22, 101325.
Aguilera, A., Figueroa, C. A., Hernandez-Ramos, R., Sarkar, U., Cemballi, A., Gomez- Pathak, L., ... & Lyles, C. (2020). mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE Study. BMJ open, 10(8), e034723.
Burgess, E. R., Zhang, R., Ernala, S. K., Feuston, J. L., De Choudhury, M., Czerwinski, M., Aguilera, A., Schueller, S. & Reddy, M. C. (2020). Technology ecosystems: rethinking resources for mental health. Interactions, 28(1), 66-71.
Figueroa C.A., Aguilera, A. (2020). The need for a mental health technology revolution in the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Kravitz R.L., Aguilera A., Chen E.J., Choi Y.K., Hekler E., Karr C.J., Kim K.K., Phatak S., Sarkar S., Schueller S.M., Sim I., Yang J., Schmid C.H. (2020) Feasibility, Acceptability, and Influence of mHealth-Supported N-of-1 Trials for Enhanced Cognitive and Emotional Well-being in US Volunteers. Frontiers in Public Health.
McGeough, B., & Aguilera, A. (2020). Clinical interventions with sexual minority clients: Review, critique, and future directions. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 1-19.
Avila-Garcia, P., Hernandez-Ramos, R., Nouri, S. S., Cemballi, A., Sarkar, U., Lyles, C. R., & Aguilera, A. (2019). Engaging users in the design of an mHealth, text message-based intervention to increase physical activity at a safety-net health care system. JAMIA Open.
Barrera, A. Z., Aguilera, A., Inlow, N., & Servin, J. (2019). A preliminary study on the acceptability of a brief SMS program for perinatal women. Health Informatics Journal.
Nouri, S. S., Avila-Garcia, P., Cemballi, A. G., Sarkar, U., Aguilera, A., & Lyles, C. R. (2019). Assessing Mobile Phone Digital Literacy and Engagement in User-Centered Design in a Diverse, Safety-Net Population: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(8), e14250.
García, Y., Ferrás, C., Rocha, Á., & Aguilera, A. (2019). Exploratory Study of Psychosocial Therapies with Text Messages to Mobile Phones in Groups of Vulnerable Immigrant Women. Journal of medical systems, 43(8), 277.
Schueller, S. M., Hunter, J. F., Figueroa, C., & Aguilera, A. (2019). Use of Digital Mental Health for Marginalized and Underserved Populations. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 6(3), 243-255.
Carson, T. L., Aguilera, A., Brown, S. D., Peña, J., Butler, A., Dulin, A., ... & Cené, C. W. (2019). A Seat at the Table: Strategic Engagement in Service Activities for Early-Career Faculty From Underrepresented Groups in the Academy. Academic Medicine, 94(8), 1089-1093.
Marcelle ET, Nolting L, Hinshaw SP, Aguilera A. (2019). Effectiveness of a Multimodal Digital Psychotherapy Platform for Adult Depression: A Naturalistic Feasibility Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019;7(1):e10948. DOI: 10.2196/10948
Watterson, J. L., Rodriguez, H. P., Aguilera, A., & Shortell, S. M. (2019). Ease of use of electronic health records and relational coordination among primary care team members. Health care management review.
García, Y., Ferrás, C., Rocha, Á., & Aguilera, A. (2019). Design and acceptability of a psychosocial text messaging intervention for victims of gender-based violence. Health informatics journal, 1460458218792688.
Aguilera, A., Schueller, S. (2018). Leveraging mobile technologies to improve mental health in underserved populations: Lessons learned from Latino immigrants and homeless populations. The Behavior Therapist.
Watterson, J. L., Rodriguez, H. P., Shortell, S. M., & Aguilera, A. (2018). Improved Diabetes Care Management Through a Text-Message Intervention for Low-Income Patients: Mixed- Methods Pilot Study. JMIR diabetes, 3(4).
Aguilera, A., Ramos, Z., Sistiva, D. Wang, Y. Alegria, M. (2018). Homework completion via telephone and in-person Cognitive Behavioral Therapy among Latinos. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1-8.
Bojorquez, I., Aguilera-Guzmán, R. M., Aguilera, A., & Mejía-Arango, S. (2018). Feasibility study of a cell phone intervention to promote mental health among deported mexican migrants. salud pública de méxico, 60(4, jul-ago), 379-380.
Garcia, M. E., Ochoa-Frongia, L., Moise, N., Aguilera, A., & Fernandez, A. (2018). Collaborative Care for Depression among Patients with Limited English Proficiency: a Systematic Review. Journal of general internal medicine, 1-11.
Demasi, O., Feygin, S., Dembo, A., Aguilera, A., Recht, B. (2017) Well-Being Tracking via Smartphone-Measured Activity and Sleep. JMIR mHealth and uHealth.
Aguilera, A., Bruehlman-Senecal, E., Liu, N., Bravin, J., (2017) Implementing Group CBT for Depression among Latinos in Primary Care. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
García, Y, Ferrás, C., Aguilera, A. & Ávila, P. (2017): Usability and Feasibility Study of a Remote Cognitive Behavioral Therapy System with Long-Term Unemployed Women, Journal of Technology in Human Services.
Klonoff, D.C., Kerr, D., Wong, J.C., Pavlovic, Y., Koliwad, S., Hu, J., Salber, P., Aguilera, A., Long, W., Hamilton, G., Chen, K.Y., Adi, S. (2017). Digital Diabetes Congress 2017. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.
Aguilera, A., Bruehlman-Senecal, E., DeMasi, O., Avila-Garcia, P., (2017) Automated text messaging as an adjunct to CBT for depression: A clinical trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Ferrás, C., García, Y., Aguilera, A., & Rocha, Á. (2017). How Can Geography and Mobile Phones Contribute to Psychotherapy?. Journal of Medical Systems, 41(6), 92.
Schueller, S. M., Aguilera, A., & Mohr, D. C. (2017). Ecological momentary interventions for depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety, 34(6), 540-545.
Aguilera, A., & Lyles, C.R. (2017) The Case for Jointly Targeting Diabetes and Depression Among Vulnerable Patients Using Digital Technology. JMIR Diabetes.
Bruehlman-Senecal, E., Aguilera, A., Schueller, S. M. (2017) Phone-based mood ratings prospectively predict psychotherapy attendance in a public hospital clinic. Behavior Therapy.
Suffoletto, B., & Aguilera, A. (2016). Expanding Adolescent Depression Prevention Through Simple Communication Technologies. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(4), 373-374.
Vázquez, M. Y. G., Sexto, C. F., Rocha, Á., & Aguilera, A. (2016). Mobile Phones and Psychosocial Therapies with Vulnerable People: a First State of the Art. Journal of medical systems, 40(6), 1-12.
Aguilera, A., Schueller, S. M., & Leykin, Y. (2015). Daily mood ratings via text message as a proxy for clinic based depression assessment. Journal of affective disorders, 175, 471- 474.
Aguilera, A. (2015). Digital Technology and Mental Health Interventions: Opportunities and Challenges. ARBOR Ciencia, Pensamiento y Cultura, 191(771), 10-3989.
Campos, B., Ullman, J., Aguilera, A., Dunkel-Schetter, C. (2014). Familism and psychological health: The intervening role of closeness and social support. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 20(2), 191-201: doi: 10.1037/a0034094
Aguilera, A., & Berridge, C. (2014). Qualitative Feedback from a Text Messaging Intervention for Depression: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Cultural Differences. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2(4).
Leykin, Y., Aguilera, A., Pérez-Stable, E. J., & Muñoz, R. F. (2013). Prompting Depression Treatment Seeking among Smokers: A Comparison of Participants from Six Countries in an Internet Stop Smoking RCT. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 31(3), 238-247.
Breitborde, N.J.K., Lopez, S.R., Aguilera, A., Kopelowicz, A. (2013). Perceptions of Efficacy, Expressed Emotion: The Case of Emotional Over-involvement. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 201(8).
Aguilera, A., & Muench, F. (2012). There’s an app for that: Information technology applications for cognitive behavioral practitioners. The Behavior Therapist. 35(4), 65-73.
Morris, M. E., & Aguilera, A. (2012). Mobile, Social, and Wearable Computing and the Evolution of Psychological Practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 43(6), 622
Aguilera, A., Leykin, Y., Adler, N., Muñoz, R.F. (2012). Assessing the impact of relative social position and absolute community resources on depression and obesity among smokers. American Journal of Community Psychology.50(1-2), 211-6
Muñoz, R. F., Aguilera, A., Schueller, S. M., Leykin, Y., & Pérez-Stable, E. J. (2012). From online randomized controlled trials to participant preference studies: Morphing the San Francisco stop smoking site into a worldwide smoking cessation resource. Journal of Medical Internet Research.14(1):e5.
Leykin, Y., Aguilera, A., Torres, L.D., Perez-Stable, E., Muñoz, R.F. (2012). Interpreting the outcomes of automated Internet-based trials: Example of an international smoking cessation study. Journal of Medical Internet Research.14(1):e5.
Aguilera, A. & Muñoz, R.F. (2011) Text messaging as an adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy: A feasibility/usability pilot study. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 42(6), 472-478.
Leykin, Y., Torres, L.D, Aguilera, A., Muñoz, R.F. (2010). Factor structure of the CES-D in a sample of Spanish- and English-speaking smokers on the Internet. Psychiatry Research, 185(1-2), 30.
Aguilera, A., Lopez, S.R., Breitborde, N.J.K, Kopelowicz, A., Zarate, R. (2010). Expressed emotion, sociocultural context and the course of schizophrenia. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 119(4), 875-85.
Aguilera, A., Garza, M.J., Munoz, R.F. (2010). Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Spanish: Culture Sensitive Manualized Treatment in Practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(8), 857.
Lopez, S.R., Lara, M.C., Kopelowicz, A., Solano, S., Foncerrada, H., Aguilera, A. (2009). La CLAve to increase psychosis literacy of Spanish-speaking community residents and family caregivers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(4), 12.
Aguilera, A., Lopez, S.R. (2008). Community determinants of Latinos’ use of mental health services. Psychiatric Services, 59(4), 408.
Peer Reviewed Conference Proceedings
DeMasi, O., Aguilera, A., Recht, B. (2016) Detecting Change in Depressive Symptoms from DailyWellbeing Questions, Personality, and Activity. Wireless Health 2016, Washington, D.C
Book Chapters
Aguilera, A., Miranda, J., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Organista, K.C., Gonzalez, G., McQuaid, J…Muñoz, R.F. (2016) Depression Prevention and Treatment Interventions: How Clinical ResearchTraining Programs Can Contribute to Evidence-based Practice. In Research on CulturallyInformed Evidence-based Psychological Practices. Bernal et al.
Presentations
Gómez-Pathak, L., Aguilera, A., Lyles, C., Hernandez-Ramos, R., Miramontes, J., Cemballi, A., & Figueroa, C. (2020, October). Combining user centered design and crowdsourcing todevelop motivational messaging for adaptive physical activity smartphone intervention tailored to minority patients. In APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 2428). APHA.
Hernandez-Ramos, R., Aguilera, A., Garcia, F., Miramontes, J., Gómez-Pathak, L., Figueroa, C., & Lyles, C. (2020, October). Patient-centered practices for conducting virtual visits withpopulations with limited digital skills that participate in mHealth interventions. In APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24-28). American Public Health Association.
Hunter, J. F., Aguilera, A., Jonassaint, C. R., Yanez, B., & Low, C. A. (2020, July). Improving health equity with mobile technology. In PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE (Vol. 82, No. 6, pp. A159A159).
Aguilera, A., Figueroa, C. A., & Ramos, R. H. (2020, July). MoodText: Automated texting as an adjunct to CBT for Depression among Latinos. In PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE (Vol. 82, No. 6, pp. A160-A160).
Figueroa, C., Aguilera, A., Chakraborty, B., Modiri, A., Aggarwal, J., Deliu, N., ... & Lyles, C. (2020, December). Design decisions when using machine learning to optimize behavioral healthinterventions delivered via smartphones. In 13 th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation. Academy Health.
Nouri, S.S., Avila-Garcia, P., Cemballi, A.G., Sarkar U., Aguilera A., Lyles, C.R. (2019). Assessingmobile phone digital literacy and engagement in user-centered design in a safety-netpopulation. Society of General and Internal Medicine.
Avila-Garcia, P., Nouri, S., Cemballi, A., Sarkar, U., Lyles, C.R., Aguilera, A. (2019). Engagingusers in the design of an mHealth, text message-based intervention to increase physicalactivity in a safety-net healthcare system. Society of General and Internal Medicine.
Aguilera, A. (2019). Mobile Phone Interventions To Enhance Behavioral Treatment For Depression. 18th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry. Mexico City, Mexico.
Aguilera, A., Avila-Garcia, Bruehlman-Senecal, E. (2019). Technological Literacy and CulturalConsiderations in the Development of Mobile Health Interventions for Depression.International Society on Internet Interventions, Auckland New Zealand.
Lyles, C.R., Avila-Garcia, P.., Cemballi, A., Javier, C., Sarkar, U., Aguilera, A. (2019). Results from User-Centered Design of a Reinforcement Learning Texting Intervention with UnderservedPatients in San Francisco. International Society on Internet Interventions, Auckland New Zealand.
Aguilera, A., Avila-Garcia, P., Cemballi, A.G., Barete, R., Lyles, C.R. (2018) Reinforcment Learning to Increase Physical Activity in People with Diabetes and Depression. Computing and Mental Health Workshop at the Annual Computing and Human Interaction meeting.Montreal, Canada.
Little, T. V., Caplan, S., Aguilera, A., Shapiro, E. R., Lovera, A. S., Reyna, P., ... & Chau, P. (2017).Mobile App to Prevent Depression in the Dominican Republic: Sociocultural Adaptations and International Collaborations.
Aguilera, A. Bruehlman-Senecal, E. (2017). Automated text messaging as an adjunct to CBT for depression: A clinical trial. Anxiety and Depression Association of American. San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2017). The Impact of Discrimination, Hate crimes, and Bigotry in Clinical Contexts. Anxiety and Depression Association of American. San Francisco, CA.
Bruehlman-Senecal, E., Aguilera, A. (2016). Micro-interventions to Increase Engagement in MobileCBT for Depression. International Society for Research on Internet Interventions, Seattle, WA.
Aguilera, A. (2016). DIAMANTE: Diabetes & Mental Health Adaptive Tracking and Evaluation Study. Programs to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-RelatedResearch annual meeting. Bethesda, MD.
Aguilera, A. (2015). Mobile technologies to reach Latinos with mental health problems. Innovations in Latin@ Behavioral Health Forum. San Francisco, USA.
Aguilera, A. (2014). HealthySMS.org: an automated text messaging system to improve health inlow-income populations. Northwestern University, Chicago, USA (Invited).
Aguilera, A. (2014). HealthySMS.org: an automated text messaging system for ecologicalmomentary assessment and intervention. Medicine 2.0, Maui, USA.
Aguilera, A. (2014). Using text messaging data for clinical decision making. Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera, A. Torres, L, Munoz, R.F. (2013). Supportive Accountability via Text Messaging.International Society for Research on Internet Interventions, Chicago, IL.
Aguilera, A. (2013). Mobile Mental Health. Society for Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera A. (2012). Text Messaging to Treat Depression. Robert Wood Johnson New Connections, Princeton, NJ.
Aguilera, A. (2011). Mental Health in the Underserved: Translating Knowledge into InnovativeInterventions. Institute for Personality and Social Research, Berkeley, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2011). Text messaging as and adjunct to CBT for Depression – a Pilot Study. mHealth Summit, Washington, D.C.
Muñoz, R.F., Aguilera, A., Schueller, S., Leykin, .Y, Perez-Stable, E.J. (2011). Making Health Interventions Available Freely Worldwide: A Proof-of-Concept Study. UCSF Health Disparities Conference. San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera, A., Leykin, Y., Adler, N., Muñoz, R.F. (2010) Individual and community SES effects onSmoking, Depression, and Obesity. Symposium speaker at Association of Behavioral andCognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2010). Text messaging to improve depression treatment in low-income communities.Symposium speaker at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco,CA.
Aguilera, A. (2010). Using text messaging to improve depression treatment in low-incomecommunities. Poster at mHealth Summit, Washington, DC.
Aguilera, A. (2010). Development of a text messaging adjunct for depression. Presentation mHealth networking conference, San Diego, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2010). Using SMS in depression treatment in low-income communities. Presentation and poster at Critical Research Issues in Latino Mental Health Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.
Aguilera, A., Lopez, S.R. (2008). Unpacking acculturation & relapse in schizophrenia. Poster atAmerican Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
Aguilera, A., Lopez, S.R. (2008). Acculturation moderates expressed emotion’s relationship withrelapse and symptom trajectory in schizophrenia. Poster at Association for PsychologicalScience, Chicago, IL.
Aguilera, A., Lopez, S.R. (2006). Community matters: determinants of Latinos’ use of mental health services in Los Angeles, CA. Poster at International Conference of Community Psychology, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Aguilera, A., Markus, H.R., & Plaut, V.C. (2001). The effects of tokenism and stereotype threat onpossible selves. Presentation at 1st annual Stanford Undergraduate Psychology Conference, Palo Alto, CA.
Plaut, V.C., Markus, H.R., & Aguilera, A. (2001). Competing models of diversity: race and conceptions of difference. Poster at Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Savannah, GA.
Aguilera, A., Markus, H.R., & Plaut, V.C. (2000). Possible selves in token conditions. Presentation at The Leadership Alliance Meeting, Chantilly, VA.
Invited Presentations
Aguilera, A. (2021). Mobile Health Interventions for Depression in Underserved CommunitiesBoston University Clinical Psychology Colloquium. Boston, MA.
Aguilera, A. (2021). Integrating Equity into Digital Mental Health Interventions. International Council on Social Welfare : The role of ICTs for social inclusion and social welfare. Madrid, Spain.
Aguilera, A. (2021). Digital Health Interventions for Depression and Diabetes in Underserved Populations. Wash U Brown School Center for Mental Health Services Research. St. Louis, MO.
Aguilera, A. (2021). Integrating Equity and Diversity in Digital Mental Health Interventions. UCSF NIMH T32 Program
Aguilera, A. (2021). Digital Mental Health Interventions. Rush Medical Center Pediatric Grand Rounds
Aguilera, A. (2021). Integrating Equity and Diversity in Digital Mental Health Interventions. UC Berkeley Health Policy and Management Colloquium
Aguilera, A. (2021). Equity and Diversity in Digital Health Interventions. Cal IHEA (Institute for Health Equity and Action)
Aguilera, A. (2021). Integrating Equity and Diversity in Digital Mental Health Interventions. Cisco Tech Health
Aguilera, A. (2020). Integrating Equity and Diversity in Digital Mental Health Interventions. Pear Therapeutics - Pear Share
Aguilera, A. (2020). Integrating Equity and Diversity in Digital Mental Health Interventions for Depression. American Psychiatric Association SMI Adviser
Aguilera, A. (2020). Reinforcement Learning to increase physical activity in Diabetes andDepression. American Diabetes Association
Aguilera, A. (2019). Using Mobile Phones to Improve Mental Health in Vulnerable Populations.Innovations in Social Work Congress, Malaga, Spain.
Aguilera, A. (2019). Leveraging Mobile Technologies to Improve Depression Interventions in Low-Income Populations. UCSF Digital Health Core, San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2019). Using Mobile Phones to Improve Depression Treatment In Primary Care.ZSFG psychiatry Grand Rounds, San Francisco, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2018). Leveraging Mobile Technologies to Improve Depression Interventions in Low-Income Populations. Northwestern University Center for Behavioral InterventionTechnologies. Chicago, IL.
Aguilera, A. (2017). Digital Health Literacy in Mobile Health Interventions. Brocher Fondation Workshop, Geneva, Switzerland.
Aguilera, A. (2017). Utilizing mobile phones to improve engagement in mental health interventions.Harnessing Technology for Social Good Grand Challenges. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2016). Tecnologias de la Informacion Applicadas a la Salud Mental. Universidad Autonoma de Mexico Departamento de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental. Mexico City, MX
Aguilera, A. (2016). Mental Health among Latinos in the U.S. El Colegio de la Frontera Immigration Forum. Tijuana, MX.
Aguilera, A. (2016). HealthySMS: Automated text messaging to improve depression treatment in low-income populations. National Frontier and Rural Addiction Technology Transfer CenterNetwork Regional Meeting. Austin, TX, USA.
Aguilera, A. (2016). HealthySMS: Text messaging to improve depression treatment for Latinos.University of California, Irvine Department of Chicano/Latino Studies Research Colloquium.
Aguilera, A. (2015). MoodText: automated text messaging to improve depression treatment in low-income populations. University of Auckland, New Zealand National Institute for Health Innovation.
Aguilera, A. (2014). Mobile technologies to improve mental health interventions. UC Berkeley Clinical Science Colloquium, Berkeley, CA (Invited).Aguilera, A. (2014). Utilizing digital health technologies to improve mental health intervention. BRITE Center Invited Address, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
Aguilera, A. (2014). New Connections Panel. Society for Social Work Research, San Antonio ,TX Aguilera, A. (2013). Digital Technology and Mental Health Interventions: Opportunities and Challenges. Seminar on International Social Work, Segovia, SpainAguilera, A., (2013). Emerging Considerations in Maternal Mental Health forum panelist. Los Angeles, CA.
Fellowships, Honors, and Awards
2015 I NHLBI Programs to Increase Diversity in Health Related Researcher(PRIDE) Research on Implementation Science for Equity (RISE)
2012 I Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría (National Institute of Psychiatry), Mexico – Visiting Scholar
2012 I UC Berkeley Travel Award
2011 I NIH mHealth Summer Institute Participant
2010 I American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Dissertation Competition -Semifinalist
2010 I Latino Behavioral Health Institute Grant Workshop Invitee
2009 I Robert Wood Johnson Health Disparities Seed Grant
2009 I NIH Loan Repayment Program Award
2008 I American Psychological Association Conference Travel Award
2007 I California Psychological Association – Foundation Scholarship
2006 I California Mexico Health Initiative Binational Congress Award
2005 I 2007 UCLA Graduate Division Summer Research Mentorship Award
2005 I 2008 Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
2005 I American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Award
2004 I Cota Robles Fellowship, University of California, Los Angeles
Boards
2014 - Present I CareMessage Scientific Advisory Board
2011 - 2015 I Ensambles Ballet Folklorico De San Francisco Board Member
Experience
Teaching
2011 - Current I University of California, Berkeley
- Psychopathology & Psychosocial Issues – MSW students
- Direct Practice in Mental Health – MSW students
- Cognitive Behavioral Methods – MSW students
- Honors in Social Welfare Course - Undergraduates
2011 - Current | University of California, Berkeley
- Associate Professor (as of 2018) – School of Social Welfare
- Director – Digital Health Equity Research Lab
- Director – Latinx Center of Excellence
- Affiliate Faculty – School of Public Health
2012 - Current | University of California, San Francisco/Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
- Associate Adjunct Professor – Department of Psychiatry
- Affiliate Faculty – Center for Vulnerable Populations
- Director – Latino Mental Health Research Program
Journal Service
Editorial Board
- 2014 - Present
- 2021 - Present
JMIR – mHealth & uHealth, Frontiers Digital Health and Human Factors Implementation Research and Practice
Clinical
2010 - Present
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist (California) – PSY24313
2010 - Present
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
- Clinical Psychologist
- Supervisor
2016 – Present
UC Berkeley Psychology ClinicSupervisor
2008 - 2009
San Francisco VA Medical Center
- Psychology Intern - Supervisors: Kellie Rollins, Psy.D, Russel Lemle, Ph.D.
2008 - 2009
San Francisco General Hospital, Child and Adolescent Services
- Psychology Intern -Supervisor: Elida Bautista, Ph.D.
2004 - 2008
UCLA Psychology ClinicClinician
- Supervisors: Janice Jones, Ph.D., Alfredo Crespo Ph.D., JillWaterman, Ph.D., Eric Miller, Ph.D.
2006 - 2007
San Fernando Mental Health Center
- Clinician -Supervisors: Alex Kopelowicz, M.D, Steve Lopez, Ph.D.
2005 - 2006
UCLA Center for the Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States
- Clinician -Supervisor: Mary O’Brien, Ph.D.
Professional Society Memberships
2016 - Present
Special Interest Group in Computer-Human Interaction
2010 - Present
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
2005 - Present
National Latino Psychological Association
2000 - 2010
American Psychological Association
2006 - 2012
Association for Psychological Science
Grants
AHRQ 1R01 HS25429-01 I Aguilera I 09/01/17-06/31/22 I Improving Diabetes and Depression Self-Management via Adaptive Mobile Messaging I
- This grant proposal seeks to develop and test a personalized motivational text messagingintervention to improve management of diabetes and depression with an emphasis on low-incomepopulations.
- The findings from this study will aid in the development and dissemination of mobile health tools for chronic illness management in diverse patients
- Role: Principal Investigator
HRSA Center of Excellence I Aguilera I 7/1/17-6/31/22 I Latino Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health I
- This training grant aims to increase the capacity of social work for Latino populations via capacitybuilding. We will recruit social workers interested in working with Latinos as well as researchers who will study issues related to Latinos.
- Role: Principal Investigator
UCSF Department of Psychiatry I Aguilera I 1/1/15-12/31/22 I Mobile Mental Health for Latinos Funding to support clinical research at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to develop andtest digital mental health interventions I
- Role: Principal Investigator
Tobacco Related Disease Prevention Program I Muñoz I 7/1/15 – 7/1/18 I Developing and testing a mobile app for smoking cessation in low-income settings I
- The goal of this project is to develop a mobile health intervention utilizing user centered designtechniques and testing the intervention in a population of low-income smokers in both English and Spanish.
- Role: Consultant
Sigma Theta Tau International I Caplan I 8/1/15 – 8/1/17 I Culturally congruent mobile health CBT intervention for depression in the Dominican Republic I
- The goal of this project is to develop and test a mobile health intervention that utilizes textmessaging and interactive voice response systems to promote psychoeducation and self-management.
- Role: Co-Investigator
NIMH R21 MH109932 I Piette I 9/25/15-7/31/17 I Animovil: mHealth support for depression management in a low-income country I
- The goal of this project is to develop and test an interactive voice response (IVR) and textmessage (SMS) based intervention to disseminate cognitive behavioral therapy with the support ofcommunity health workers in Bolivia.
- Role: Consultant
Research Program on Migration and Health I Aguilera I 8/21/15 -6/15/17 I Prevalence and predictors of mental health outcomes in deported migrants I
- The goal of this project is to assess mental health outcomes among deported migrants to Mexico as well as migrants currently living in the US.
- Role: Principal Investigator
NIMH K23 MH094442 I Aguilera I 05/22/12 – 03/01/17 I Automated text messaging to improve depression treatment in low-income communities I
- The proposed research project will test whether adding an automated text messaging (SMS)adjunct to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression can increase adherence (homework adherence, attendance, medication adherence) and further reduce depression symptoms.
- Role: Principal Investigator
Consejo Nacional de Sciencia y Tecnologia Bojorquez I 10/28/14 -10/28/16 I Assessment of mental health in recently deported migrants I
- The goal of this study is to assess mental health outcomes in recently deported migrants from theUS to Mexico utilizing mobile phones as the key method of assessment.
- Role: Co-Investigator
Robert Wood Johnson New Connections I Aguilera I 11/21/11 – 05/01/13 I Text Messaging to Improve Depression Treatment in at-risk Communities I
- The proposed research seeks to develop an automated text messaging platform for use withongoing treatment for depression in a public sector hospital setting.
- Role: Principal Investigator
- Mobile Technology (mHealth) and Mental Health
- Digital health
- Machine Learning and Health
- Latinx Mental Health
- Health Disparities
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
