Leia Patel

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Leia is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She recently joined GMAP on the Siyakhana-Peer R21 study in Cape Town, South Africa, in the summer of 2025. After graduating, Leia hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to become a therapist specializing in substance use and addictive disorders. She is interested in promoting addiction treatment in underserved communities while working at GMAP, where she contributes to reducing the stigma that prevents individuals from seeking help. Leia is passionate about spreading awareness of inaccessible resources and supporting families impacted by substance use.

Education:

University of Maryland, College Park
B.S. Psychology (expected December 2025)