The Many Faces of UTHealth Houston: Ana Cristina Ruiz

Photo by UTHealth Houston

For Ana Cristina Ruiz, behavioral health is more than an academic pursuit. It is a commitment shaped by lived experience, years of clinical research, and a deep belief in preparing the next generation of mental health professionals.

A senior research coordinator and now a full-time student at UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences, Ruiz brings nearly a decade of experience from inpatient psychiatric settings into her work, blending scientific curiosity with a passion for education, mentorship, and innovation.

A path shaped by curiosity and compassion

Ruiz’s interest in behavioral science began early. As an undergraduate psychology student at the University of Houston, she was drawn to understanding the expression of mental illness and human behavior, an interest influenced by personal experiences with mental illness within her family.

“I’ve always wanted to learn everything I could about the expression of mental illness and behavior,” Ruiz said. “That curiosity is what first led me into psychology.”

That curiosity quickly turned into action. As an undergraduate, Ruiz became involved in research and clinical projects, experiences that laid the foundation for what would become an eight-year career at what is now the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth Houston.

Eight years of research and leadership

Ruiz joined the Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center as a research assistant and steadily expanded her role, taking on increasing responsibility and leadership. Today, as a senior research coordinator, she manages more than 20 studies, including industry-sponsored clinical trials and quality improvement projects, while also serving as a key liaison for the Visiting Scholars Program.

“One of the things I’ve gotten really good at over the years is connecting faculty and students,” she said. “I really care about providing research opportunities and helping people find where they fit.”

Her work spans inpatient and outpatient settings and requires close collaboration with clinicians, faculty, nurses, social workers, residents, and students — all relationships that Ruiz says are central to her success.

“We all have to work together in a very unpredictable environment,” she said. “Building trust across disciplines is essential for both research and patient care.”

Mentorship that made a difference

As Ruiz transitioned from employee to both full-time student and employee, mentorship played a pivotal role. She credits several faculty leaders with encouraging her growth and helping her envision the next step in her career.

“My supervisor, Dr. Scott Lane, has always encouraged me to advance and continue serving patients with severe mental illness,” Ruiz said . “That support made the transition into the School of Behavioral Health Sciences feel possible.”

She also credits her research mentor, Gabriel Fries, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, for shaping her scientific development.

“He always emphasizes that research should have a higher purpose,” she said. “Not just completing a study but thinking about what it means for your future and the impact you want to have.”

Exploring the biology behind mental illness

At the School of Behavioral Health Sciences, Ruiz’s research interests focus on uncovering the biological foundations of mental illness, particularly mood disorders. Her work examines the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that influence behavior, including self-injurious thoughts and actions.

“I’m really interested in how the environment influences gene expression,” she said. “Epigenetic mechanisms help explain why mental illness can vary so widely from person to person.”

Her research also considers cultural context, drawing from her extensive experience working with diverse patient populations in inpatient psychiatry.

“The expression of mental illness is influenced by culture, environment, and lived experience,” she said. “Those factors matter when we’re trying to understand behavior.”

Innovating behavioral health education with AI

In addition to molecular research, Ruiz is leading innovative work at the intersection of behavioral health and technology. Her research project, “AI-Driven Clinical Simulations for Mental Health: A Trauma-Informed Approach,” was recognized as Idea of the Year at The Future of AI and Behavioral Health Workshop, a technology collaboration event with Rice University.

The project uses artificial intelligence to tailor clinical training simulations based on discipline and level of patient contact, helping prepare students and clinicians for high-risk psychiatric settings.

“We can’t train everyone the same way,” she said while noting the simulations aim to reduce anxiety, improve de-escalation skills, and ultimately enhance patient and staff safety.

“A nursing student working a 12-hour inpatient shift needs different skills than a psychiatrist conducting intake,” Ruiz said. “AI allows us to tailor that training, offering students an immersive experience.”

As Ruiz continues her studies at the School of Behavioral Health Sciences, she hopes to focus her research on interpreting the molecular pathways of underlying mood disorders and examining the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to self-injurious thoughts and behaviors.

Committed to the future of behavioral health

As a member of the inaugural School of Behavioral Health Sciences cohort and recipient of the school’s Outstanding New Student Scholarship, Ruiz is already thinking ahead, particularly about how to support future students.

“I hope to help connect students with research opportunities the same way I’ve done through the Visiting Scholars Program,” she said. “I want them to feel supported and confident as they move through their training.”

Balancing full-time work, full-time academic pursuits, and research is demanding, but Ruiz remains energized by the work.

“I love learning,” she said. “Every day, whether I’m in the lab, in class, or at the hospital, I’m learning something new.”

Finding balance beyond the lab

Outside of work and school, Ruiz finds balance in creativity and the outdoors. Originally from Venezuela, she enjoys hiking, running in Hermann Park, watercolor painting, and exploring Houston’s museums.

Those moments of reflection, she says, are just as important as the work itself.

“They help me reset,” said Ruiz. “And they remind me why this work matters.”