Javier Omar

Biography

Javier Omar (he/him) is an applied developmental psychologist and community-engaged scholar. His research sits at the intersection of developmental science, community and cultural psychology, and early childhood education. 

Broadly, he investigates how culture, context, and systemic forces shape the social-emotional and psychosocial development of children and youth from historically minoritized communities. He pursues this agenda through two interconnected lines of inquiry: (1) examining the development, assessment, and support of social-emotional skills in early childhood, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse children; and (2) partnering with Latine immigrant youth, caregivers, and community organizations to understand the long-term developmental and mental health impacts of immigration-related stressors as well as the protective processes rooted in identity, family, community, and culture. 

Across both lines of work, his goal is to generate scholarship that is not only methodologically rigorous but can also be leveraged to affirm identity, elevate strengths, and inform more just and humanizing practices and policies.

Omar joined the University of Rochester in 2026. He earned his PhD in developmental and psychological sciences from the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Prior to his doctoral studies, Omar served as a secondary science teacher within the San Antonio Independent School District.