About the Team

Eduardo Caldera, LPCC (he/him/él)

Triton CORE Manager

Hello UCSD! My name is Eduardo Caldera and I'm a bilingual licensed therapist and Triton CORE Clinician. I have been working in crisis response over five years and have come to realize how passionate I am about this work. We all have moments when we're feeling down, alone, and don't know who to turn to. With your permission, I will do my best to slow things down so that we can talk about what's been going on in your life and how to take action steps to get you where you want to be—all with the upmost respect and genuine interest. I'm from Managua, Nicaragua and was raised in the Washington DC area. I received my M.S. in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. 

Jennifer M. Alonso, LCSW (she/her/hers)

Triton CORE Clinician 

Greetings! My name is Jennifer Alonso and I am a Latina cisgender female, a first/second generation college student. I am so beyond thrilled to be able to serve and be part of the UCSD campus community. I really am looking forward to exploring how as a team Triton CORE can meet the students’ needs during such a pivotal time in their lives.

Prior to joining Triton CORE, I worked at Sharp Mesa Vista in the intake department as a clinical evaluator for inpatient psychiatric and chemical dependence treatment. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my interests lie in advocating for those who are most vulnerable and facilitating building a bridge between students and wellness services. I want to ensure that anyone I assist in their time of need experiences empathy, compassion and respect during our interaction. My goal as a clinician, but more importantly as a human, is to help others become more aware of their strengths and realize their maximum potential as well as find meaning and fulfillment in their lives.

Christian Gasca, LCSW (he/him/él)

Triton CORE Clinician 

Hi! My name is Christian, pronouns he/him/el, and I’m so happy and excited to be joining the UCSD family as part of the Triton CORE team. I trained as a Clinical Social Worker and my current title is that of a Behavioral Health Counselor. I took on this role because I believe I can make a positive difference in the lives of students experiencing mental health distress and need compassionate support.

As a first-generation college student, I have experienced firsthand the complex and stressful challenges of navigating life in higher education settings. I am passionate about working with all students and make a concerted effort to highlight the beautiful intersectional identities that make us uniquely wonderful.

My clinical approach is student-centered, compassionate, mindful and caring. I’m a strong believer that it’s always okay to ask for help and that “our destiny is not written for us, but by us.” – Barack Obama

Veronica Johnson (she/her/hers)

Triton CORE Clinician 

I’m Veronica Johnson, a licensed professional clinical counselor with a deep passion for mental health, particularly in the areas of de-escalation and crisis intervention. As a first-generation college graduate from the Bay Area, I am a mixed-race Black and White professional with a strong commitment to trauma-informed care, client-centered therapy, and strength-based case management. Before joining UCSD, I worked with mobile crisis response teams, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and serving the community. I also have experience providing individual therapy and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) in a hospital setting. I’m excited to return to working with individuals experiencing mental health crises and continue making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Jo Jo Lee, LPCC, NCC (she/her/她)

Triton CORE Clinician 

Hi! My name is Jo Jo Lee, pronouns she/her/她. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). As a UCSD alumna, I am very excited to return home to the Triton community and to serve as a Triton CORE clinician. Coming from an immigrant family where my parents did not have the opportunity to complete high school, I am proud of being a first-generation college graduate. Though there were obstacles and mental barriers throughout my higher education journey, I was fortunate to have a good support system during that time. Now that I have the chance to support the UCSD community, I would love to be your co-pilot on your higher education journey and guide you to a place where you can fly confidently and skillfully.  My clinical approach focuses on skill-based, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, sprinkles with some light humor. I am looking forward to the meaningful expeditions we get to explore together. Bon Voyage!

Karolina Soriano, LCSW (she/her/hers)

Triton CORE Clinician 

Hi UCSD! My name is Karolina, and I’m excited to be a part of the Triton CORE team. I’m originally from Orange County and the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. I’m a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).  I received by BA from UCI and Masters from USC.  As a first-generation college graduate, I deeply understand the challenges of navigating the college experience—especially the pressures that come with balancing academics, work, family expectations, and cultural demands. I know firsthand how stressful and overwhelming this transition can be, and I am passionate about supporting students through these unique challenges.

My goal is to bring my genuine self into be student-centered and focused on helping you balance the pressures of college life, prioritize your well-being, and navigate the challenges of your unique identity and experiences.  I look forward to supporting you in navigating both the academic and personal challenges that come with being a student at UCSD!

Casandra Suarez, LCSW (she/her/hers)

Triton CORE Clinician

Hi Tritons! My name is Casandra Suarez, and I’m a proud Latina, first-generation graduate. I am both excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve the UCSD community! I’m deeply passionate about supporting individuals through their most vulnerable moments. Before joining Triton CORE, I worked as a complex social worker at Scripps Mercy Hospital, where I supported diverse populations facing a range of mental health crises, including suicidal and homicidal ideation, trauma, grief, substance abuse, psychosis, and more. Through my work with high-risk individuals, I developed a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in supporting those in distress.

I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate higher education while balancing academics, relationships, work, and family/cultural expectations. I also recognize that seeking help can be a difficult step. As a Triton CORE clinician, my goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate space where students can feel at ease and move at a pace that works for them. My approach is person-centered, with the goal of empowering students to take steps to improve their social and emotional well-being, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and helping them realize their potential at UCSD and beyond.