Dr. Torres serves as an Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), holding appointments in the Department of Counselor Education, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), she integrates her academic knowledge and clinical expertise in the field of disability, enhancing her contributions to academia and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Prior to FAU she served over eight years, in various capacities at the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind Services, including as a rehabilitation counselor, supervisor, and state analyst. In these roles, she provided support to youth and adults with diverse disabilities and their families, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their goals. Dr. Torres's research focuses on pioneering the use of technology in vocational rehabilitation and workforce development for individuals with disabilities. She explores the transformative potential of emerging technologies, particularly Augmented and Virtual Reality, to enhance employment skills for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her work evaluates the efficacy of these innovative interventions, aiming to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical applications in rehabilitation counseling. By leveraging these advanced tools, Dr. Torres strives to create more inclusive and effective pathways to employment, empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential in the workforce.

Dr. Torres’s commitment to advancing her field has earned her major research funding from respected organizations. She has led multiple projects as the Principal Investigator with support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), and the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration. Currently, she is the PI for the AccessTECH: Advancing Career Choices for Employment Success in Technology grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education Disability Innovation Fund Programs.

Education

• Ph.D., Counselor Education, Florida Atlantic University
• M.Ed., Counselor Education, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Florida Atlantic University
• B.S., Counseling Psychology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
   

Research Interest

• Workforce development using cutting-edge tech applications and transformative technology training.
•  Vocational rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities.
• Advanced technology applications in job skills training, including augmented reality and virtual interventions.
• Veteran community reintegration focusing on technology training, employment, mental health, and rehabilitation.