Isaac Lara Email & Phone Number

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

• Lead EMPOWER’s Peer Support Initiative which aims to develop a standardized, open-access digital peer support training program to build the peer support workforce globally.• Mentor a team of student research assistants and collaborating global researchers to conduct mixed method research including systematic review, landscape analysis, survey, and FGDs.• Facilitate project public relations efforts through developing partnerships with key peer support organizations and organizing participation in peer support spaces, such as conferences.

Palo Alto, California, United States

• Provide advisory support to the Center including consultation related to topics of youth mental health, intersectionality, lived experience, and best practices in youth peer support.• Support curriculum and resource development in peer support, supported education and employment, and youth development to train youth peer support specialists.• Design youth peer support training materials and guide research practices to ensure youth-centeredness.

The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on lived experience in mental health research aims to reflect on the history and evolution of lived experience involvement, assess existing knowledge and identify gaps, establish key principles, explore difference and debate, provide recommendations, and propose next steps for the field.As a Lived Experience Advisor, I am 1 of 12 advisors responsible for guiding the development and growth of the inaugural Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Lived Experience in Mental Health Research

San Diego, California, United States

• Led the Live Well San Diego Youth Sector program, including strategic planning, logistical coordination, and implementing a dynamic youth leadership team.• Served as an advisor to 15 Youth Leaders and developed meaningfully engaging trainings, and projects covering topics such as wellness, intersectionality, and professional development.• Connected and coordinated with County boards, commissions, and departments to facilitate meaningful mentorships between relevant professionals and Youth Leaders.

• Direct HSRC’s peer support systematic review assessing the uses and limits of peer support models implemented at California universities.• Assist in consulting SD County Behavioral Health Services for the improvement and development of local mental health services, programs, and interventions.• Represent the HSRC to external partners such as Live Well San Diego, and the SD Peer Council.

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

The UCSD Health Frontiers in Tijuana Student-run Free Clinic (HFiT) is located in Tijuana's Zona Centro, and provides accessible, quality healthcare for underserved communities within the region. As a Clinic Volunteer I was responsible for:• Volunteered biweekly at a student-run free clinic located in Tijuana's Zona Centro, providing clinical services to underserved communities, including sex workers, refugees, and homeless individuals.• Assisted clinical staff by registering new patients, identifying patient needs, taking patient vitals, and completing additional tasks as needed.• Developed a proposal for a peer support training program and service at the HFiT Clinic to enhance patient access to mental health support.

San Diego, California, United States

• Educated undergraduate students in critical reading and writing skills with an emphasis on social justice topics such as hegemony, racial formation, and intersectionality.• Supported students’ interpersonal development and transition to higher education through well-being education (stress & energy management, identifying needs, finding support, etc.).• Consistently checked in with students to identify and triage students in distress or at risk to campus partners, such as Student Affairs and Counseling & Psychological Services.

The AS Graphic Studio aims to provide innovative graphic design solutions to UC San Diego students, faculty and staff through a collaborative and creative effort and strives to give clients new inspiration about their project. As a Public Relations Coordinator, I am responsible for:• Coordinating cross-departmental collaboration with design team to devise performance-driven social media campaigns targeting 40,000 students.• Constructing and managing seven social media marketing calendars to optimize engagement with over 25K followers across 8 accounts.• Crafting monthly newsletters to enhance public relations outreach & marketing, targeting 40,000+ undergraduate students at UC San Diego.

Our Time To Act United (OTTA United) is a 501(c)3 youth-founded, youth-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth to make an impact in their local communities. Our advocacy has influenced areas in the San Diego area, including redistricting, housing, and other issue areas directly impacting youth. As the Director of Communications, I am responsible for:• Directed organization event programming, requiring extensive vendor research, venue coordination, budget management, staff training, marketing campaign development, and additional logistics.• Managed monthly team operations calendar to prioritize competing demands including other teams’ requests, event ads, social media content, press releases, etc.• Planned and executed three biannual retreats for over 50 staff and board members across the US, including travel & lodging, workshop curation, dining etc.• Lead organization participation in large-scale community events including San Diego Pride Festival, and SD Asian Business Association’s Lunar New Year Celebration.

La Jolla, California

The Human Experience & Awareness Lab (HEALab) is directed by Dr. Karen Dobkins, whose research is primarily focused on mindfulness, well-being, and the human experience. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, I am responsible for the following:• Developing a research study evaluating loneliness, associated risk factors, and effective coping mechanisms, using UCSD Undergraduates as my research population• Lead a team of 5 Undergraduate Research Assistants to code qualitative data• Coordinated and facilitated a lab group activity focused on dimensions of identity and intersectionality• Provide feedback on additional ongoing research studies within our lab

La Jolla, California

The Associated Students, Office of Campus Affairs' purpose is to manage the internal workings of our 300+ member association, as well as oversee Associated Students' public relations and community engagement efforts. As Vice President of Campus Affairs I was responsible for:• Served as the Chief Operations and Chief Communications Officer of a 300+ member non-profit advocating for student needs and interests at UC San Diego.• Spearheaded event planning for 5 large-scale community events, each serving over 5000+ students, as well as 8 quarterly retreats & socials, serving over 200+ staff.• Directly supervised over 50 student staff and assisted managing their projects, cultivating professional development opportunities, and creating a sense of belonging.• Promoted a culture of care and radical honesty through recurring restorative justice offsite sessions prioritizing vulnerability and conflict resolution.

La Jolla, California

The Associated Students Office of Health & Well-Being is responsible for fostering a culture of health and well-being within our community, and ultimately creating a happier, healthier UCSD. As Associate Vice President of Health and Well-Being I directed the office, which included the following responsibilities:• Directed the Associated Students, Office of Health & Well-Being with the new mission of “creating a happier, healthier UC San Diego”, overseeing 20 student staff.• Developed new funding opportunities for UC San Diego’s mental health resources, garnering over $5 million in annual funding, enhancing mental health staffing by 22 providers thus far.• Served as Chair of the Student Health & Well-Being Advisory Board and the Student Mental Health Advisory Committee.

La Jolla, California

The Thurgood Marshall College Orientation Program welcomes thousands of incoming first-years, transfers, and their families to our community annually. The Senior Orientation team is a group of passionate student leaders responsible for developing and coordinating the Orientation Program, as well as training a team of 40+ Orientation Leaders Team. As Orientation Intern I was responsible for:• Developing TMC Orientation's communications strategy to promote college events, campus resources, and additional information targeting incoming students.• Conceptualize the Orientation Program's branding for the 2022 year and collaborate with campus partners to design digital and physical assets.• Revisioning the ways we teach Orientation Leaders well-being, prioritizing holistic health and empathetic approach to recommending resources.• Manage the Orientation Program's logistics including Canvas Classroom Site, website, events, and email communications with students and parents.

Escondido, California, United States

The Palomar Pathmaker internship provides extensive clinical experience to interns stationed at various different departments within Palomar Health's Escondido and Poway hospitals. This internship provides intense patient interaction, training interns on how to provide high-quality patient support under the guidance of professional and clinical staff. As a pathmaker Intern I: • Provided extensive bedside care to Palomar Health patients, including bed baths, ambulation, feeding, comforting, etc.• Consistently met with care leadership following shifts to debrief on patient health outcomes, behavior, and additional discussion items.• Departments served on: Surgical Acute Care, Geriatric Psych Unit

La Jolla, Caliornia

The Thurgood Marshall College Orientation Program welcomes thousands of incoming first-years, transfers, and their families to our community annually. The Orientation Leader team is a group of passionate student leaders trained to foster community and educate students and families about Thurgood Marshall College and UC San Diego. As an Orientation Leader I:• Lead small groups of 12+ incoming students through workshops on topics including campus resources, community-building, restorative justice, and social justice.• Assisted in execution of Thurgood Marshall College Orientation's program requiring time keeping, clear communication, and adaptability to change.• Assisted in developing a weeklong orientation program welcoming 1000+ incoming students

Master Of Arts - Ma, Global Health

Activities and Societies: Health Services Research Center, AS Graphic Studio

Bachelor'S Of Science, Clinical Psychology & Global Health, Double Major

Activities and Societies: Associated Students of UC San Diego, Human Experience & Awareness Lab (HEALab), Marshallpalooza Planning.