Sarah Espinel received her Ph.D. in Community Psychology and Gender & Sexuality Studies with a Concentration in Quantitative Statistics & Analyses from the Departments of Psychology and Women, Gender, & Sexuality at the University of Virginia and joined the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR) in the College of Human Ecology in 2025. Her research examines gender and racial disparities in mental health, social wellbeing, and violence outcomes.
Current research and outreach projects include: youth purpose development and the use of research and evidence-based interventions to enable parents and youth-serving organizations to support young people’s cultivation and maintenance of a positive sense of purpose. She also serves as the Lead Research Consultant for The Purpose Commons.
Ongoing academic and research interests include how race and gender influence pathways to purpose and the effects of gendered racism on women of color’s mental and social wellbeing, with particular emphasis on the role of gendered racial stereotypes in perceptions of violence against women.
The partnership between the Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange (PSiX) at Cornell and the Purpose Commons centers upon strengthening connections between research, youth, and practice to expand the real-world impact of purpose science. By building a collaborative purpose ecosystem, advancing rigorous research, and translating findings into public-facing tools and resources, this work supports youth-serving organizations and practitioners in fostering purpose as a resource for young people’s well-being, resilience, and healthy development. The partnership emphasizes co-design with youth and practitioners to ensure purpose science remains responsive, relevant, and transformative.
Director of Research, Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange
Ph.D.,
Community Psychology, Concentration in Quantitative Statistics and Analysis,
University of Virginia
Graduate Certificate,
Gender and Sexuality Studies,
University of Virginia
M.A.,
Psychology,
University of Virginia
B.A. Magna Cum Laude,
Psychology,
University of Virginia