Stefanie Puello

Stefanie Puello is a first-generation Dominican and Broward County resident of 12 years. Stefanie earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work with Summa Cum Laude distinctions at FIU. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Welfare with a plan to research the effects of culture and familialism on substance use among adolescents. Stefanie is a Mcknight Doctoral Fellow, a prestigious award dedicated to promoting professional development and enhancing minority representation in Ph.D. programs within Florida statewide universities.

Stefanie has experience as a clinical social worker, working with a multidisciplinary team and utilizing psychotherapeutic interventions to assist in the stabilization of severely emotionally disturbed and psychiatrically unstable adolescents. Within her community, she plans to emphasize the importance of mental health by incorporating mindful activities to bring residents together, working to destigmatize mental health within her community post-pandemic. In her free time, Stefanie enjoys baking and going to concerts.